I would go for one with low mileage. Higher mileage cars are much harder to sell later on without selling them cheap. Be patient. I'd keep looking, as there are so many for sale in TX.

 

Try searching CARS.COM

Full leather was a must for me.

 

How about a curveball: Compared to 996 with 30K miles at $29K, would it be worth it to spend extra 6K for 05 997 with 40K miles?

http://www.domanimotors.com/web/1585...-911%20Carrera

I know with 997, they increased the weight...as well as HP. Would these cars be a wash in terms of performance?

 

I would do the 997 for the little bit of price jump.. that is, if you still don't want a fast car.

If it is speed that you seek, there are a lot of nice 996tt at the 40k and below range. The turbo is like night and day with the 996NA in the thrills department.

Another bone in the equation..have you looked at the 996 gt3s yet?

 

My $0.02...

First place #3, particularly if it has always been a California car (minimal salt/rust issues). Ask a Porsche dealier to pull full service records for you (using the VIN number), check to see if the RMS has been replaced with the upgraded unit.

Second place #2. My reading of various threads (here and Rennlist) suggests that replacement engines are not NEW, but rather factory REBUILT. It'll have the upgraded RMS but the same IMS risk (however small) that car #3 has. It also has some substantial dings in the front and rear bumpers that suggest that some owner in the past hasn't babied it as much as they're maybe letting on. 86K miles on the chassis is nothing.

Third Place #1, primarily because the "stying" done by previous owners isn't at all to my liking (and not executed well, IMHO).

Regardless of which you go for--these or any others you may find--get an independent Porsche specialist mechanic to do a thorough pre-purchase inspection for you. The $250 or so for this is money well spent.

Good luck!