Happy New Year. New to list and seriously considering 01/02 996. Owned a 356 1600 Super Cab and love the cars. I know a 996 is a completely different animal. I'm ready for a state of the art drive. I have a couple of questions:

1. Any problems with 996 i should know about?

2. Recommendations for independent shop North of Philadelphia (Willow Grove, Landsdale, Main Line).

3. Recommendations on dealers to buy car (or dealers to stay away from!)

Thanks for your advice.

 

99-01 Carreras are 3.4L and 02-04 are 3.6L. Seems that 02 and on 3.6L cars have had numerous RMS leak problems, therefore dealer fix was replacement of the motor, I would advise you look into service history, I had a 00 C4 3.4L and had encountered trouble free use for 4 years, no problems, and independant shop in Willow Grove Pa is A.W.E Tuning, they are a board sponsor here.

 

The trans and RMS problems seem to hit all years. I would have the car check out and buy an extended warranty. I don't think I'd own one out without some warranty in place.

My 00 was in the shop a lot for rattles, no major mechanical problems. Transmission went out right after I sold it (15K miles), it was replaced in warranty.

My 02 has been very good, only been in for annual service. You might check out the differences between 02 and 99-01, you can see some details below; that was a recent post responding to the question...

Good luck!
Roy

There is a ton of differences between the <02 and 02 onward cars. Other than the 20 hp the 02 car has much better aerodynamics, 25% less lift in front and 40% less in rear lift. The chassis is 10% stiffer (25% stiffer in the coupe), something that made a big difference in squeaks and rattles when I went from an 00 Cab to an 02 Cab. Some other differences:

- Improved exhaust, better sound (get the PSE anyway)
- 3.6 liter engine (up from 3.4), not much faster, if any, but the extra torque is very useful imo
- Bose Stereo was ranked the best stereo in a convertible by one of the mags
- if the car has the 18" wheels, they are 23 lbs lighter than the previous wheels
- 3 spook steering wheel is standard
- instrument cluster from the Turbo (I'm not sure this is an improvement, your speed is not on the left, not directly under the tach)
- Cup Holders!!
- Glove Box
- Improved VarioCam (VarioCam Plus from the Turbo)
- Rear glass window (not plastic)

IMO, the 02 is a much better all around car than my 00 was.