Year: 2002
Make: Porsche
Model: 911
Price: $47000
Mileage: 35000
Color: Seal Gray or Silver
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (State): CA
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: 4WD & AWD

Thanks to those of you who have already provided me with extremely valuable advice....my search continues, so I thought I'd post exactly what I'm looking for here on 6Speed.

While I'm not looking for an 'investment grade' ultra low mileage car, I also don't want a high mileage car as this will be 4th vehicle in the household, so occasional weekend NorCal canyon cruiser, maybe 2-3K miles/year. To date I have seen plenty of 25-35K cars for sale, but either my timing was off or it wasn't the right car.

A few of you have talked me out of the 2001, so I'm concentrating on '02s and '03s. Which is too bad, as I found a well spec'd low mileage seal grey/black '01 in San Diego (doesn't have the front bumperettes either). It only reached $40K and change on eBay, so I am assuming their $48K asking price is way, way high:
http://www.automotive-excellence.net...rnia/17234223/

That being said, what I'm looking for specifically is a 'no stories' stock or near stock grey or silver car, black interior, manual trans with under 40K miles. Exhaust, tune, and light mods are OK.

I'd prefer a west coast CA/AZ/NV car, but regardless the front bumper must be perfect, no marring from a license plate (yes I know front plate is the law in CA but I don't care, I don't have one on my S8 and I'm not having one on a Porsche).

I've passed on a few cars to date (local car failed PPI due to coolant leaking from oil cooler, and I didn't like the black/black X50 car in AZ).

I have found a few cars that are spec'd to my liking ('02 Aero Package car at Polar Porsche in NJ looks great), but a cross country transaction isn't that appealing, and I'm very hesitant to spend $45K+ in hard earned cash on a car I can't see/touch/drive.

I'm willing to pay fair market for the right car, but I'm not willing to overpay for the wrong car. Again, exhaust and tune are OK. A ton of baubles and bolt-ons are probably not ok--no aftermarket aero kits or rollbars.

I've spent literally hours reading about 19s and would prefer a car with 18s as I need all the sidewall I can get to navigate through SF to my favorite roads, plus I value handling/grip over looks for this application.

Again, thanks to those of you who've taken the time to reply to my private messages. And thanks in advance for sending any leads my way.

 

I would love to hear why people told you to avoid 2001's. I have an '01 and absolutely love it. Was for sale a while back but decided to keep it. You should take people's opinions on forums with a grain of salt as most don't even own the car you are talking about. Do your own research and don't pass up on a good car. I have seen the number of 996TT's in nice shape decreasing dramatically and prices inching up.

 

I absolutely agree that internet opinions should be taken with a grain of salt...and I'm trying to incorporate all the facts/data/opinions into my decision with the goal of buying the best car possible.

FWIW, the only forum I'm really using for research is this one.

From what I've learned, the '01s have no glove box, no bose sound, different interior detailing (button finish?) and the much debated structural rigidity difference.

Excellence Magazine Buyer's Guide states:
"For 2002, a number of change were made in the Turbo's sill, roof frame, seat pans, and tunnel to improve the flexural torisional strength by 25%."

I'm definitely not claiming this is true, just repeating what I have read.

Here in 6speed, it appears to be a well debated topic indeed.

 

I did a ton of research before I bought mine a few years ago and for my 2 cents:

No glovebox means nothing to me;
No Bose means even less as all the stereos in these cars suck worse than the worst rental car you could get at hertz which is why they are all upgraded;
Never heard of the button issue;
I have never heard 25% claim increase in rigidity from 2001-2002 (maybe 996 vs 993). I strongly doubt that source and if my car is any measure I would throw that out the door as well. I mean if the car is built like a vault and drives like a vault do you think you would notice anything?

Again, I would challenge anyone to get into a 2001 vs a later 996TT without knowing which is which and tell them apart after driving them hard (except for the glovebox). These are just silly arguments. Buy the best car you find and be happy.

 

I'm with bmwtmx on this one. No glove box but you get a tray under the steering wheel for the manual. The BOSE system sucks and for the life of me I can't figure out how BOSE stays in business with their crappy products. The rigidity issue is bunk. Have no idea what buttons are different - same on mine from 01 to 04.

I'd recommend checking out Rennlist for research as well - good info there too. I think the 01s represent a phenomenal value if they have been well maintained. I wouldn't insist on eliminating that year at all.

 

Thanks leftlane, appreciate the input, and I agree with you on Bose, I wouldn't own Bose Home theatre products either.

 

Interested in a cab??

 

Thanks Powderjay, but I'm not a ragtop man....

 

Don't ignore 01s -- same parts. ~30k miles would be nice to make sure any oddities would've popped out by then (get it? )

But do make sure price is reflected -- used market on 01s was hard when I sold mine a while ago.

 

Henry does the second gear pop out tend to happen within the first 30k miles? If so it seems like a higher mileage well taken care of car could be less risk than than one with ultra low mileage.

 

2nd gear popout can happen for (at least) 2 reasons I know of.

Factory assembly issue (shimming) -- allegedly early cars
Smash 2nd gear and round off teeth that keep it engaged -- years don't matter here

My 01 was a very clean 17k CPO car -- the P.O. didn't drive it hard at all and didn't know it had pop out for 5 years (or he would have CPO'd it). Half way back on my first drive home it started. Quick $5k lesson there...

My advice:
Don't be too hasty -- get a serious PPI done by a well rep'd shop. Don't take owners word for a damn thing. Also don't be afraid of cars with track/HPDE history, those are usually better maintained that your street variety anyway. At least my GT2 is.

 

Thanks, this is great advice !

 

Bump...still looking for a west coast 996TT with low to moderate miles!

 

ive got an 01 for sale if you change your mind...

 

The search is over...I finally found the 'right' car...thanks everyone for their insights, advice, and guidance. There's no way I could have pulled this off without the knowledge I acquired on Sixspeed...I had to drive and look at several cars to truly understand what 'good' looks like.

So I ended up with a 2002 six-speed, 3 owner (same owner last 7 years) 43K miles, bone stock, no stories, no paintwork. Full leather with leather console (I didn't want supple leather), lightly optioned. All service records from day 1. Seller paid for PPI ($350) and $1200 for the items noted (CV boots, 1 axle seal).

and I came under my planned budget...which is nice.