When I bought mine two years ago, I heard the same about these cars - they are "bulletproof." I wish someone had defined what a Porsche owner's idea of bulletproof is before I bought it! Parts for these things are outrageous. Expect to have to repair the same things you would on any twelve year old car, and expect to pay four times as much for parts as you would for another car. They are fantastic cars, and I would not discourage you from buying one if you know this ahead of time.

 

The engine & trans is bulletproof in that it's not going to blow up while running hard lightly modded. It's all the stuff that connects to the motor that fails. Most is well documented and diy fix if you're handy with tools.

 

I'm looking at some higher mileage 911's as well, not very encouraging.

 

I bought my '04 in late 08 at 54K. Now it is at 93K. Alternator and brakes. That's it.

For me, it has been very reliable.

 

It's a roll of the dice. Maybe all the bits and pieces surrounding the motor will continue without issues. Maybe they won't. When you need a repair it will cost at least twice as much as your Honda unless you learn to do it yourself. There are a ton of things that can fail. Don't expect a budget car just because you save on the purchase price.

 

I have 99k on my 2001, I drive almost 30k miles a year so the following list of what I have to replace is prob. what some would call normal maintenance.
-Power steering accumulator
-Clutch slave
-1 broken tie rod
-ABS/PSM wire loom

I now have the dreaded 2nd gear pop out to fix.......

If you can't work on cars a little then expect to pay a lot of money

 

oh sh*t. that's a 3k hit min. maybe more

agree.. if you can't at least do SOME stuff on the cheap normal stuff will nickle and dime you. this from a guy had the trans out and on a picker just today.

 

Yeah it is a 3k per the indy I am going with, it is not terrible at the moment but I am planning on fixing it mid year.....got to get some items taken care of on the M5....never ending!!

 

i hear ya. it's like the minute these are out of warranty lol.....

 

Is this the silver one for sale in Chicago at a new Bentley store? I saw it on ebay... looks to be one of the best deals out there for a 996tt right now. I think the listing was finally taken down. Did you buy it?

 

I'm shocked !!!!!

Of all the posts I've read, ( I may have miss it, but i don't think so) not a single person has advised you to take the car to a Porsche dealer and get a pre-purchase inspection done. Yup, spend the 200-300 bucks. You're going to spend 34,000 bucks on a car you may modified or not for another 10,000.

By the way, you will spend 3-5000 after you by it. Has it had all it's services. Majors in Toronto run 2,000. That covers all fluid changes and inspections, plus plugs. Spark plugs will take you from, wow, this is what i expected, to, WOW I didn't expect THIS.

You are purchasing a super-car. Not a Honda on steroids. Remember it was best car of the year. Whatever year, the model was best in the world.

Buy it knowing that you will spend money on it. Budget 5 to 10,000 over the next year if you want to upgrade anything. New rims and tires ? LOL.. Pay me. Suspension ? Exhaust ? Engine mods ? Body ?

If you want it for a daily driver or weekend driver with no tracking, or should I say, tracking once in and while, then your best bet is pre-purchase inspection. Correct defaults itemized, responsibly. Not everything on the inspection needs immediate attention, although drive train should be a priority.

Maybe rims and tires. It also depends on why you are buying a Porsche. Be honest with yourself. Are you a badge buyer ?

I say all this in a good way. They are the same decisions I went through 5 months ago buying an '05 turbo S with 28,000 miles (44,800 kms). It took me 3 years to find the right car at the right price with the right options in the right condition with the right mileage.

In other words, cut throught the bull. Make serious decisions about what you want, what it will cost you operate, what it will cost to bring it to the condition you want it to feel like (inside your gut) when you drive it. Are you satisfied knowing when you drive that something may fail because you have not looked after it or do you want to drive it, hell bent for leather and fancy free, with not a care in the world other than how absolutely awesome you feel deep down, where no else can fee itl.

take care when you buy and look for records. but don't avoid an inspection from a local dealer and not the dealer where the vehicle was purchased.

If you buy a high mile car, and you put money into it to refresh it, remember you'll end up with a car with everything or most things things upgraded to last another 100,000 miles. Closer to pristine than when you purchased it, and a really wonderful experience that maintains its value over the years of enjoyment.

You are buying an icon, not another runabout.

 

A higher mileage car will without a doubt need more attention and maintenance. Given the price of replacement parts and labor, the initial cost gap between a higher mileage car and an nominal mileage car will be much closer than you think all said and done.

Buy the lowest mileage, cleanest example you can afford, with some margin set aside. I'd personally also opt for an unmolested example if possible. Mods are not worth much for a reason, as they tend to be the failure points or cause of issues in the long run.

Regarding parts costs...count on it costing MUCH more than your typical mainstream vehicle. For example, a radiator for any typical car can be had somewhere in the $80-300 range. The 996TT has 3 of them - costing at least ~$450/per. Fluid can be much more if your particular about what you put into the vehicle. Hope you're handy has well so we don't bring labor into the picture.

Not to scare you but these are the eventualities for this level of car. Still, a good value given the substance/performance IMO.

 

Yes it was the one in Chicago, but no I did not purchase it. The search continues though...

 

Agree. Porsche dealer charged me $208 for a PPI.

There is also value in buying from a Porsche dealer as they are required to disclose any issues with the car. My local dealer as well as the dealer I purchased from (out of state) both confirmed the policy. Dealer put $5300 (retail) into the car I purchased...

Related, four years ago, I was shopping for a 997 and the local dealer had a 2005 that was a company car used for Porsche driving experiences. It had been damaged (extensive) and rebuilt by Porsche. Nothing on the Carfax. Clean title. However, the dealer shared the whole issue including a complete listing of parts replaced, painted, etc. I could have bought it for cheap, drove it and sold it without disclosing the rebuild...

 

porsche dealerships use the cpo checklist for any ppi and any good indy will be far more comprehensive in what they look for than a dealership. i woudn't ever trust a dealership to ppi the car unless it was part of the cpo process in which they certify all is within "spec" and you have a two year warranty to fix all of that which they either overlooked? or neglect to find, which can be a lot. believe me.


if you're going to ppi a car ( which is ok but not essential unless you don't know yourself what to look for.. ) then take it to a known porsche indie that knows turbos! dealers are by the book folks and that's it. they once "certified" a car to me that had 2nd gear popout. imagine that!