The time has finally come for me to begin shopping for one of my dream cars a 996 911. There are a few nice 1999 911s in my area with around 40k on them; there are also some nice 2001-2003 911s with around 60k on them. I’m stuck between lower mileage which I like, but also I know the later models have all the kinks ironed out.
I’m curious to know some owners opinions on the subject

Thanks
-matti

 

The general opinion seems to be that older cars with low mile (aka "Garage queens") are more likely to grenade. Cars that are driven and are maintained properly are a safer bet. Always look for service records and confirm scheduled maintenance has been done on time.

 

99's get a bad rap for everything from exploding motors, being the first H2O cooled 6, to the "ugly" head lights. Just make sure the car you choose has been maintained, has a documented service history and has the options you want. The older cars some have some features not always found in later cars, cable throttle, LSD, traction control. The 99's always get bashed in the forums, from porosity issues, IMS, RMS, etc.........Check the other forums too and you will find as many engine issues there as in the 99-01 996's. I have a 99 and would recommend a well maintained one to anyone.

 

what are you looking for? Cab? coupe? Price range?

 

Don't kid yourself, the are lots of kinks left in the 2001-2004 996s. It was 2002 that the engine went from 3.4 to 3.6 and VarioCam went to VarioCamPlus. But the RMS/IMS problems continued. But don't let that stop you, they are wonderful cars.

 

i hands down am trying to get my hands on manual coupe

 

Try Porsche of Wallingford in Conn. I traded my '03 996 to them (Seal Gray/Black and it has a lot of goodies which I put on the car (short shift, stereo with i-pod/Sirius, Fisker modified exhaust, built in K-40) and is a great car. Looks like it is still available and not too far from Vt.

 

No offense but--IMHO--the headlights on the MK1 look much better than the MK2.

 

I'd go with an MK2 car. 2002. between 40 and 60k miles there is no real world difference regarding the risk of the engine going bad. 2002's have a few kinks ironed out, and the interior is slightly updated. And, if you get a cab, the rear window is glass.

I have a 99 bty.

 

I just went through the exact same thing. I was looking at couple 02 c2's with 27 - 37K miles, and an 03' c2 with 61K miles. The 02's were lightly optioned with no records, the 03' is nicely optioned with PSM, heated/pwr seats, auto dim etc. And 03' had records and it is a CPO car. So I went with the CPO car. In speaking with Porsche service techs, low mileage on a 8-9 year old Porsche is not a good thing. These cars are meant to be driven, if they sit there you have to ask if regular services were done, fluid changed etc. becuase a lot of people thinks if the car is not driven it doesn't have to be maintained. Also, RMS/IMS problems, if they show up, most likely would have shown up by 50K or ealier. If the car don't have the issue now it probably will not.

Good cars with records can definetly be found in your price range. I ended up paying $28K for the 03' coupe. It just showed up today and looks beautiful. I will post pictures when the freaking weather gets better.

 

I bought a '99 996 with 30,000 miles 2 years ago. I've now put 20,000 miles on it. I did blow the motor, which cost $10K to be replaced. It was the intermediate shaft. It blew almost right away, although I took it to Watkin's Glen, so it wasn't street driving.

Otherwise the car has been great. No complaints other than the defective engine that the original owner never stressed enough to break. If you buy an old 996, make sure the guy drove it hard, at least.

 

I purchased a 2000 996 C4 with 60K miles and at 70,000 miles had intermediate shaft probkem also metal shavings.

Walter Porsche replaced my engine with a new and updated one. Already have all the recalled engine issues fixed on this new engine to date. With 2 years unlimited miles warranty on labor and parts....

 

I'll second that.

 

I would like to point out that despite my blown engine, I still LOVE my '99 996. Every time I get in that car, I am grinning from ear to ear.

 

So, are you saying that those with original engines not to stress their engines too much?