That's a loaded question. Prone is too harsh, IMHO (And EVERYTHING I write is just that, my opinion), just more likely, I'd say. It's just that there isn't too much $$ difference between on 01 & an 02 to warrant not getting an 02 with all the improvements and a larger engine. But all the 996's can IMS and RMS fail, as well as the MKI 997...just appear to be less prone than the 99-01 3.4's. If I could have found a nice 00 or 01 for $18- $20k, I'd have bought it, anticipating an hefty repair bill, and modded the crap out of it, or, If I'd found one with the engine already replaced for a good price. But all the nice ones I saw were low mileage, original engines and only 3 or 4k less than what I ended up paying for my 02 with 37k miles on it. The $25k and less ones were high mileage and beat to hell...not worth it too me. Mine was only $32k, but I knew when I bought it I would have to put maybe $3k into it for cosmetic + repairs, so really, I paid $35 for a low mileage pristine unit, if you look at it that way. And I still have the 'creaking wooden ship' suspension at low speeds that I'm still tracking down, but I figured I'd want to lower it some and I'll probably go ROWM030, and take care of it that way. When I went to the dealship to drive the REALLY nice "benchmark", CPO 996s, I was able to directly compare, side by side, an 03 to an 00, and I just found everything SO much nicer on the 03, even the materials used on the dash, etc, I knew I'd have to get a MKII 996. The dealer wanted $51k for the 03 C2S coupe, and $38k for the 00 C2 cab. The 03 had 22k miles, and the 00 had 18k miles. I could not see spending "S" money when there is no more hp, for wider hips. BTW, if you see X51 on the option sticker, look hard at that car. Hard to find, and usually nicely optioned and better hp.

 

I think each car has to be looked at individually. For example my 99 C2 had 78k on chasis but rebuilt engine 8500 miles old (mechanical over rev). It also had a light hit on left front that was fully repaired. But all that I took into consideration along with it having upgrades. In the end the $25650 I paid helped make the decision easier. Others may not want the risk, but knock on wood she has been great the approx 2k miles I have put on her in 3 months.

 

I have to agree with perrinva's commentary.

I looked at over a dozen 996s. I fell in love with one and had it PPI. It failed. The seller paid for the PPI after it failed and he was a bit shocked. It was well worth the hassle.

There are quite a few if you are patient. I now know my price threshold. $35K for a 02 with < 50K miles. $42K for a 02/03 C4S <60K miles.
Do the PPI. Do the PPI.

 

Awesome information, guys. I know sometimes it's a PITA to hear the same questions over and over from people new to the 996 so thanks again for taking time to post your thoughts/advice.