As already mentioned. These cars are all about the options. Make sure you find a car with all the things you want. EVERYTHING on these cars was "ala carte" right down to the painted valve stem caps! A good clean history (service, accidents, etc) and PPI trumps CPO. Look into extended warranties. I would personally look for a car owned by a fellow Porsche enthusiast.

And most importantly TAKE YOUR TIME and find the perfect car for you. The are (unfortunately) not rare cars. There are many to choose from if you give yourself ample time to find one.

I bought mine from a PCA member and the car had been babied, lots of options and all history at a great price. Try here for some good classifieds. http://mall.rennlist.com/scripts/featured/ads.cgi
these are the classifieds from the Rennlist forum, another great resource. http://forums.rennlist.com

Good luck!
Andy

 

I'll hang out here as I go through the process....this seems like a very friendly and Porsche passionate group!! Now.....if anyone knows of a mint condition,
triple black Cab 4.......

 

Here is one: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

I don't know what the price range that you can afford. If you decided to buy a car that happens to be in S. Cal I can take a look at the car and let you know. Save you a trip.

 

Thanks, daytrader!!

I'd love to find a car to drive back from California!!! I know that I want a "4" for sure, and my price "limit" probably has me in the 2002, 2003 range, based on the cars I've looked at so far....

 

Here is another one from S. Cal.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

 

If you stay with 02 or 03 with less than 50K miles you can get some really good deal.

 

That's what I've seen....some pretty nice '02 - '03 advertised cars for under $50k.....I'm just trying to understand how to start differentiating them a little!!!

I guess if I had to compromise at all, I could go with silver as second choice color, and I could probably be convinced that I don't "have" to get a "4".....
I assume since the forum is "6 speed" that we all want manual???

 

You probably dont NEED a C4....but you should drive both a C2 and C4, they drive differently....I liked the C4 better personally...it felt more planted...some lik ethe C2 because its easier to toss it around, and get it sideways and slide it around....The C4's AWD and PSM systems make that more difficult, it wants to keep the car from getting sideways....so its more like its on rails....its a preference...The C2 is lighter by a few hundred pounds....not that big of a deal....but it will be slightly faster...like .1 seconds to 60..lol...if you can feel it good luck...i couldnt in my test drives...If you plan to drive it in the rain or snow GET THE C4....its the most stable car I have ever driven in the wet. I actually look forward to rainy days...lol....

 

Porsche designed the c4 more for stability rather than the functionality of the awd... the extra weight on the steering, because of the front wheel drive gives better feedback on what the car is doing, hence the heavier steering. The extra driveline is a no issue as far as reliability/maintenance is concerned.

 

Living in Michigan.....

All my vehicles are AWD - even my son's A4....I look forward to the first 10" snowfall!!! (Don't worry, not in the Porsche!!)

I actuall have driven both a C2 and a C4, and do find the C4 to be more fun....I like the tighter rail cornering.....

 

Research the different generations in the 996 family. I looked for a car & found one in June, In Long Island city NY. A 2002 C2 with 87,000 miles for 31,000. Clean carfax & the high mileage didnt bother me based on what I had learned about the 3.6 320HP motor. The 3.4 motor, I learned had issues with the rear main seal and as such, I wouldnt have felt as good about the high mileage with that motor. Reading the carfax led me to know that the car was a Texas car, which meant a lot of highway miles. Also I wanted a C2 as opposed to a C4S, because the car is lighter & has more RWHP, due to less drivetrain HP loss. I found the car on autotrader. The net is a wonderful thing when looking for a car.

 

Some of the best options:

Heated seats for the open window canyon carving LSD for autocrossing/track (1999 option, and 2004 Anniversary Ed. option). X51 power kit (added horse power and wider grin on your face). If I were going to get an 02+ car now, I'd go for the Anniversary Ed since it is usually loaded with all the goodies including LSD and the power kit

 

We actually just got one in, I was just about to put it up in the for sale section, if you'd like pm me and I can provide all the details. It's pretty nicely optioned, 03' Arctic Silver/Graphite/Black top, miles are roughly 37K or so. even has the sport exhaust, which is pretty rare. if this doesn't fit, GL with your search, and welcome to the 6!

 

Sweet! Another Michigan guy on 6 speed. Whereabouts in MI are you? Im in SE Michigan.

The supply is limited here in MI, which makes the internet a wonderful tool for guys like us.

Good luck in finding a car.

 

Thanks for the welcome!!!

I'm in the Grand Rapids Area.....looking forward to the winding roads along
Lake Michigan!!!!!

I've already been to Florida on one wild goose chase....Going to Southern Ill on
Saturday to look at another one....there are VERY few cars to choose from in the
whole midwest!!! (at least that is what I tell my wife, so I can run to the nice
Florida weather!!!)