I'm currently selling my last convertible and looking for my next weekend project. I'm looking at cab's only, probably a 2002 or 2003 with the 3.6, with the goal to avoid the IMS issues. My target is somewhere between 45k to 75k miles - I've read that garage queen cars are more susceptible to IMS?

The big question - C2 or C4. I'm looking into adding a blower or a turbo down the line (think project car). Can a C4 drive line handle the extra power? Does it make a big difference putting the power down? Is it any less fun to drive than a RWD?

2002 or 2003? Is there any advantage to considering a 2001 or earlier model?

 

If your thinking of adding a blower or turbos down the road, save yourself the headache a buy a 996TT now. They sell at stupidly low prices for what you get. The garage queens have higher chance of RMS failure but it's no big deal since the leak is usually small and you can wait for a clutch replacement to fix it. The AWD in a NA 996 is not needed and takes away the fun factor. In the Turbo it saves most people from killing themselves if they've never had a RWD 911. Take a hard look at the cost/reward factor between a Turbo 996 and a 996NA.

 

I agree with Duane that you should consider buying a turbo now instead of buying a normally aspirated car and trying to add more power later. There are two advantages here - the first is the relative cost/benefit of doing it this way vs. modifying a car. The second is that the turbo engine isn't susceptible to the IMS problems that are sometimes seen in normally aspirated cars. The turbo uses a different engine.

I don't agree with Duane's comment that AWD isn't necessary and takes away the fun factor. I've driven AWD and RWD 996 cars, and I promise you that there's still plenty of fun in the AWD version. If you plan to drive in wet conditions or light snow, then the AWD is great. Many people (me included) believe that the C4S is the best looking variant of the 996, and it's only available in AWD.

If you decide to buy a 2002 or 2003 car, it doesn't really give you any assurance that you won't have an IMS problem vs. a 2001 car. This problem is very rare in any of them, but it can happen in all normally aspirated 996s (except the GT3) and first gen 997s.

 

Thanks for the input guys - getting a 996TT right off the bat would be ideal but I think it'll break my budget. This will be a good weather only car, snow and rain won't factor into the AWD decision - I think it's going to come down to what I can find in good condition. The only premium I'd be interested in is the C4S, which I agree, looks great.

Besides the IMS failure, are the 3.4L engines more prone to failure than the 3.6L? I've read about the cylinder cracking being a bigger problem for the 3.4L.

What about problems with the cabriolet roof? I haven't read much good or bad about it - I know they'll wear out eventually, but what about problems with the motor and mechanism?

Finally, where can I get a full list of options for these years so I can compare the value (to me) of different cars?

 

You sound like you've done quite a bit of research. I would just caution you that you shouldn't put too much credence in "common knowledge" about the cause and rate of IMS failures. The truth is that no one besides Porsche knows the answer, and they're not likely to share that information. To say that an eleven year old car with low mileage died because it was a "garage queen" is highly speculative. Maybe IMS failure is a matter of age and not mileage. Without hard data, everyone is guessing.

 

1) You cant avoid IMS/RMS Issue from Year 99 thru 08 they can all fail regardless of Year...
2) Dont be a dumbass and watse your money on a Poser Blower... Be smart and get a Turbo.
3) If you really want to be a dumbass and put a Poser blower get a 3.4L (99-01) and not a 3.6L (02+)
4) Advantage between 02 VS 03 is very little, as far as i know only the Optics were Upgraded To.
5) Get a 997 C2 and NOT a 996

FYI:- Low Milage 9-11 Years Old 996 = Money Pit...

 

I have TPC turbo on my 2000 C4 no problem with drive line i love it i am very happy with TPC turbo..... car is very fast fasterden turbo and it cost chipperden turbo you can buy C4 fore 20 to 25 thousand and add turbo fore 12000 thousand including install out the door most will cost you 37 $ that's chipper den turbo and faster and lighter car.. C2 will be lot faster if you buy one i will go with 2000 or 2001 mike at TPC say M96 engines have same power as M97 engines short stroke engines is better with turbo...

 

yeaaaaaaaaaaaa dont think soo. 2001 TT can be had for under 40k. And any Chipped TT will eat your TPC... Chip only cost $1000 ish and your 500+ HP then... Goodluck getting that out of your M96... GT1 Block is Built-Proof

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item35b3953acf
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item3369935ae5
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item45fb8e1cd7

 

It's unusual to find a car that's "chipperden" turbo and "fasterden" turbo. Rare combination.

 

1st buy a car you can afford and afford to pay for issues. (1k to 2k in o s#!t fund)
2nd Don't try to make a 996 NA into something it is not. Adding turbos or superchargers are just going to cost you a lot more money down the road.
3rd if you want more power then buy a turbo. Lots of mods for the turbos to get more power and the engine is a lot more reliable then the M96 when modded.
4th buy the newest car you can afford that is CPOed or has an aftermarket warranty.
5th Drive it like you stole once you bought it every now and again.

I personally would stay away from a very low mileage 996. One that has some miles on it and some good service history would be the one I would buy.

 

Best bet is to buy what you can afford knowing you are going to spend some $$'s on it.... even better if you can find a good car that will need a clutch.... negotiate a lower price and then replace the clutch, RMS and IMS bearing....

All that plus a service will cost you around $3000-3500....

Cheers...

 

That's actually the best idea I've heard so far... AOS while I'm in there as well?

 

I didn't do the AOS.... I was inclined but my guy said to leave it until it was a problem.

So to ensure I didn't save any money I had him install a 997 Short Shift Kit... I mean after all I wanted to feel something different after spending ALL that money! :-)

 

If you love unreal power....C4S
If you love surreal power...Turbo

If you go with the C4S I recommend doing 2 upgrades right away to enhance the driving experience, which is what I did with my C4S:

1. Upgrade to the GT3 997 Shift Console
2. ECU Flash (There are a few on the market but I found Vivid Racing to offer the best BANG for the $$$; And I am extremely pleased with the ECU Upgrade)

 

i know quite a bit about the m96 but very little about the turbo motors . the 996 turbos seem to be so cheap . how is maintenance and reliability with the turbo ?