Help me pick a 911 and Hopefully Welcome Me as a New Owner
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Help me pick a 911 and Hopefully Welcome Me as a New Owner
I own a 7 series BMW and I think its time for me to find a clean 911 Carrera, 02-04, and of course I have a few questions! 
1. Are there any known issues with those years? Anything I should look for that smells trouble?
2. How is the reliabilty on these cars? The warranty is long expired so i dont know if i should get extended warranty or just go "as is"? CPOs are just too overpriced, $10k plus over the price that i can get one a non CPO for!
3. These cars are not about electronics and tech toys, like the 7 series, they are about the driving experience (not saying that a 7 series drives terrible, but it is a huge car) so are there a lot of electrical problems, like the 7 series?
4. I want a cabriolet but i have been reading this forum and people are ape-**** about the "4S", no? if so then why? cuz of the parts that are from the turbo and i dont think they make a 4S Cab, right?
5. Any downside to the convertible vs the coupe, other than additional weight and less rigid? And what is your opinion on Coupe Vs Cabriolet? Why would you pick one over the other?
6. Any options i want to look for? Leather stitching, colored seats backs? any of that
7. Anything else you want to add!
thank you so much, your help is greatly appreciated
and what kind of introduction would it be without some car pics
745i, 21in wheels, Active Cruise Conrol, Michelin PS2 tires, 245s fron and 295s rear, HID yellow 3000k Fog Lights, H&R Springs, 2 TVs with wireless headphones, Vacuum Doors and Self-Closing Trunk...
1. Are there any known issues with those years? Anything I should look for that smells trouble?
2. How is the reliabilty on these cars? The warranty is long expired so i dont know if i should get extended warranty or just go "as is"? CPOs are just too overpriced, $10k plus over the price that i can get one a non CPO for!
3. These cars are not about electronics and tech toys, like the 7 series, they are about the driving experience (not saying that a 7 series drives terrible, but it is a huge car) so are there a lot of electrical problems, like the 7 series?
4. I want a cabriolet but i have been reading this forum and people are ape-**** about the "4S", no? if so then why?
cuz of the parts that are from the turbo and i dont think they make a 4S Cab, right?5. Any downside to the convertible vs the coupe, other than additional weight and less rigid? And what is your opinion on Coupe Vs Cabriolet? Why would you pick one over the other?
6. Any options i want to look for? Leather stitching, colored seats backs? any of that
7. Anything else you want to add!
thank you so much, your help is greatly appreciated
and what kind of introduction would it be without some car pics
745i, 21in wheels, Active Cruise Conrol, Michelin PS2 tires, 245s fron and 295s rear, HID yellow 3000k Fog Lights, H&R Springs, 2 TVs with wireless headphones, Vacuum Doors and Self-Closing Trunk...
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,699
From: MD
Rep Power: 173
Answers in RED
1. Are there any known issues with those years? Anything I should look for that smells trouble?
Just RMS and IMS really.
2. How is the reliabilty on these cars? The warranty is long expired so i dont know if i should get extended warranty or just go "as is"? CPOs are just too overpriced, $10k plus over the price that i can get one a non CPO for!
CPO shouldn't be that much more. There is a lot of debate about the need for warranties with a 996, mostly because of possible IMS bearing failures. Do a search and decide for yourself.
3. These cars are not about electronics and tech toys, like the 7 series, they are about the driving experience (not saying that a 7 series drives terrible, but it is a huge car) so are there a lot of electrical problems, like the 7 series?
I'm not aware of any electronics issues. The electronics on a 996 are rudimentary. If you get an '03, the audio system has a MOST bus, making upgrades to the lackluster system difficult, but not impossible.
4. I want a cabriolet but i have been reading this forum and people are ape-**** about the "4S", no? if so then why? cuz of the parts that are from the turbo and i dont think they make a 4S Cab, right?
C4S is available as a cab, but you don't see very many. To say people feel so strongly about the C4S and universally so is an overstatement. There are advantages to the C2 as well.
5. Any downside to the convertible vs the coupe, other than additional weight and less rigid? And what is your opinion on Coupe Vs Cabriolet? Why would you pick one over the other?
Purely personal preference unless you plan to track it.
6. Any options i want to look for? Leather stitching, colored seats backs? any of that
If you like body kits get one that already has it, they are expensive to add. Go to the 996 pic thread and look for interior shots to pick up things you like. There are lots of ways to go including CF, painted consoles, leather interiors (standard on C4S), sport seats, etc. Again, these are expensive to add, it will be less expensive to buy one that already has some of what you want. You should want PSM, and PSE, and an aftermarket suspension.
Lastly, once you decide what you want don't limit your search to your local area. I would widen the net to at least 500 miles.
Just RMS and IMS really.
2. How is the reliabilty on these cars? The warranty is long expired so i dont know if i should get extended warranty or just go "as is"? CPOs are just too overpriced, $10k plus over the price that i can get one a non CPO for!
CPO shouldn't be that much more. There is a lot of debate about the need for warranties with a 996, mostly because of possible IMS bearing failures. Do a search and decide for yourself.
3. These cars are not about electronics and tech toys, like the 7 series, they are about the driving experience (not saying that a 7 series drives terrible, but it is a huge car) so are there a lot of electrical problems, like the 7 series?
I'm not aware of any electronics issues. The electronics on a 996 are rudimentary. If you get an '03, the audio system has a MOST bus, making upgrades to the lackluster system difficult, but not impossible.
4. I want a cabriolet but i have been reading this forum and people are ape-**** about the "4S", no? if so then why?
cuz of the parts that are from the turbo and i dont think they make a 4S Cab, right?C4S is available as a cab, but you don't see very many. To say people feel so strongly about the C4S and universally so is an overstatement. There are advantages to the C2 as well.
5. Any downside to the convertible vs the coupe, other than additional weight and less rigid? And what is your opinion on Coupe Vs Cabriolet? Why would you pick one over the other?
Purely personal preference unless you plan to track it.
6. Any options i want to look for? Leather stitching, colored seats backs? any of that
If you like body kits get one that already has it, they are expensive to add. Go to the 996 pic thread and look for interior shots to pick up things you like. There are lots of ways to go including CF, painted consoles, leather interiors (standard on C4S), sport seats, etc. Again, these are expensive to add, it will be less expensive to buy one that already has some of what you want. You should want PSM, and PSE, and an aftermarket suspension.
Lastly, once you decide what you want don't limit your search to your local area. I would widen the net to at least 500 miles.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,708
From: Houston, TX
Rep Power: 190
Road noise will be much louder in a cab. Both cars a very noisy. Get a PPI (inspection) done on any car you wish to buy. Check into the warranty. If you can afford it I would buy it. 2k for a warranty and 12k for a new motor. Not they they just die but if money is tight now it will always be worse when there is a problem.
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