quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
And whatever you do and no matter how well you know your friend, have a PPI done. If possible, have it done by somebody that hasn't worked on the car before.

My plan was to call the shop that did all of that work and offer to pay for their opinion of the car as it relates to my plans. I asked the seller and he said he was fine with that as well. Since they had it for a while to do that long list of work. He told them to make it right, so they dropped the engine and did the RMS and IMS and clutch and on and on. The seller told me the only thing that he ultimately declined that was recommended after his "do everything" ask was to take the whole engine apart and redo the cylinder linings. The shop's mechanic and his friend said they felt that was over the top.

You are on the right path getting a professional opinion... the 4 owners concerns me.... the 90K I can't quite figure out why all that work was done on it... the dern engine is just broken in.

Oh speaking of the oil separator.... every shade tree mechanic on the internet was telling me the engine was shot... here is a video of my wife taking the Boxter to the shop:
https://youtu.be/bwiN2DKnvd0

Rule #1 of a PPI is NEVER have the shop that worked on the car do the PPI.

Get an independent opinion.

Also, go to Rennlist.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
And whatever you do and no matter how well you know your friend, have a PPI done. If possible, have it done by somebody that hasn't worked on the car before.

My plan was to call the shop that did all of that work and offer to pay for their opinion of the car as it relates to my plans. I asked the seller and he said he was fine with that as well. Since they had it for a while to do that long list of work. He told them to make it right, so they dropped the engine and did the RMS and IMS and clutch and on and on. The seller told me the only thing that he ultimately declined that was recommended after his "do everything" ask was to take the whole engine apart and redo the cylinder linings. The shop's mechanic and his friend said they felt that was over the top.

R0gue I’m a long time Porsche owner from 1989 to present. Currently have a Boxster S and a GT3 RS. I am also a PCA National Instructor.

My $0.02 is that if the car has had the IMS issue fixed and documented and you have a knowledgeable PPI done then it should be a good buy. As said above because of the previous minor accidents this car will never be an investment purchase but Porsche’s were meant to be driven and in fact they are relatively easy to maintain, particularly compared to MB’s.

I’m assuming this is has a manual and not the PPK transmission as those are worth considerably less.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
Thanks guys! I'll give the ultra simplified rundown here. I have the opportunity to pickup a 1999 996 (non turbo) w/ 90k miles. The deal is pretty low-cost comparable to what I can gather through the usual online offerings (Autotempest et al).

A couple of CA examples on FB Marketplace

1991 911 with 62K miles

2001911 with 63K miles

I've heard that all the new Porshes have automatic transmissions... this just can't be true.... I for the life of me can't figure out why anyone would by a 'true' Porsche with an automatic transmission ...

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I've heard that all the new Porshes have automatic transmissions... this just can't be true.... I for the life of me can't figure out why anyone would by a 'true' Porsche with an automatic transmission ...

I believe the S and 4S models are available with 7-speed manual.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I've heard that all the new Porshes have automatic transmissions... this just can't be true.... I for the life of me can't figure out why anyone would by a 'true' Porsche with an automatic transmission ...

This is unbelievably wrong. Mercedes doesn’t sell any manual vehicles in the US, and BMW has a handful of M models.

Porsche, meanwhile, has the following models and trims available with a manual transmission (some will be released in the coming months:

Boxster
- Base
- T
- S
- GTS
- 25 Yr Edition

Cayman

- Base
- T
- S
- GTS

911

- S
- 4S
- GTS
- Targa
- GT 3
- T

I'm more of an air-cooled 911 guy than water-cooled (my current one is a 993). Admittedly the 996 was never really on my wantlist of 911s. While the goofy 'egg eyes' I could tolerate, the fact that it shared the front clip with its sibling Boxster at the time I simply could not. Nor could I like its relatively slab sided form compared to the previous 993 and later 997, but that's more a comment on personal taste. I will say that the 997's shape is more to my liking and the 991 is even better still. The cabins of many 996s have always felt very Japanese to me: built to an assembly line level of "high" quality shading towards a mass produced kind of feel, unlike the pseudo hand-built aura that the air-cooled cars exuded and later iterations of 911s have gone beyond. With the 996 generation, it's not really luxury, but not exactly chintzy either. YMMV.

Others have already noted the issues with the IMS and rear main seal leaks. It should be noted that even if the IMS bearing has been replaced, these are a WEAR part and this fix is NOT a one-time deal, regardless if the shop used the "best" aftermarket solution of the many that were available at the time. Of note, the first redesigned factory bearing was a disaster when it came to longevity; some have even claimed that it was worse than the original design. In general the savvy shop will go to the aftermarket for a more durable solution, but keep in mind that these too will eventually wear out and need replacing.

============================================
SIDE NOTE:

As for the automatic vs manual tranny argument: roughly four out of five new 911s purchased today are sold with PDK transmissions, Porsche's high-tech version of a slushbox. While it's well known for its slick, smooth and FAST shifting character (the optional manual box is utterly outclassed when it comes to shifting speed), the PDK tranny has one serious Achilles Heel: it has zero capability for repair when it goes bad. Break a PDK, buy a new (or salvage) PDK. It for all intent and purpose is essentially a sealed "single" part, at least in the eyes of Porsche. If I were in the market for an AF 911, I would be that one who would steer very clear of the PDK if the factory warranty was long expired.

I think there are some enterprising souls that are trying to rebuild these transmissions. But aside from buying up a bunch of broken PDKs and trying cobble together a few working examples out of the carnage, there's not much help or support from the factory.
============================================

Aside from the IMS issue, 996s in general are quite reliable cars and more than worthy for use as an 'everyday' car. They're still relatively easy to work on and parts are readily available, both new and used. HOWEVER it's still very much a Porsche, which means that shop time and resultant repair bills tend to be on the wrong side of the cost curve. But their fun factor is huge, their price of admission is generally very budget-friendly even for well kept, low mileage examples. Yes prices have begun to creep up, but aside from the niche specialty versions like the GTs (and perhaps the Turbo), they're a pretty affordable way to get into a 911 these days.

As for my take on your price: it's a fair bit too high given your brief description of the car and its known history. Someone already mentioned $15k as a price to start with; frankly I wouldn't budge off that number that much if at all unless it can be shown and seen that all of that accident repair work was done to a high degree of competency and quality. FUBAR'd repairs will always be any car's value downside, but especially so for an emotional purchase type of vehicle like a sports car. This car's relatively high mileage (for a 911) is not really a severe downer as long as the car's maintenance history is well documented and was done by shops/mechanics with good reputations for working on the type, but ultimately there still will be some amount of negative impact on value. And finally, a VERY thorough PPI by a well-qualified Porsche specialist in both mechanical and damage repair who has no history with the car would be the first thing I would get done.

This is pretty much all this prick has to offer. Good luck.

Porsche Club GB, using their own records and those of members -it's a big following here in UK, and even includes me - figured that 8% of all the 'then'new 986 engines and Boxsters that shared it, had IMS bearing issues - my own 986 among them. I guess that in the US, with so many more Porsches than we have over here, looking after them is comparatively cheaper. all I know is that the work done to MY Boxster, mainly replacing the IMS bearing, cost me almost $8000.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tacfoley,

quote:

Originally posted by Fdan:
Unless you do your own work, they are ridiculously expensive for repair and maintenance.

How difficult are they to work on yourself?

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by Fdan:
Unless you do your own work, they are ridiculously expensive for repair and maintenance.

How difficult are they to work on yourself?

I'm planning my Porsche ownership over time - I bought the lift last year and hope to purchase a 2008-2013 in the next five to seven years.

I guy can dream right?

Following this one....

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

CarFax shows two "rear ender" accidents in ~2010 and ~2015 w/ "minor damage" in the life prior to my friend. 25k miles since the 2nd rear ender.

I LOVE German brakes.

quote:

Originally posted by SHOOTIN BLANKS:

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

CarFax shows two "rear ender" accidents in ~2010 and ~2015 w/ "minor damage" in the life prior to my friend. 25k miles since the 2nd rear ender.

I LOVE German brakes.

I can just picture the four little perfect puffs of brake dust ketting aerosolized off the wheels upon impact.

While a 996 is probably my least favorite 911, I wouldn't turn one down for the right deal & history.
997, 993 & 964 are my favorites.

Definitely hope it works out for you if you pursue it. Still a fan of your Merc, too.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
While a 996 is probably my least favorite 911, I wouldn't turn one down for the right deal & history.
997, 993 & 964 are my favorites.

Definitely hope it works out for you if you pursue it. Still a fan of your Merc, too.

The way it's shaping up, (if I get this Porsche) is that I'll sell my Subaru to my dad cheap (he needs a car badly), and I'll try to sell the Merc through the summer. If it sells, I'll get a new Subaru for winter and for 4-door jobs. But if it doesn't sell, I'll get a set of Gislaveds and I'll drive the Merc year round!

Seems a shame to put it in the salt after being spared for 23 years. Up until now I've really treated it like Royalty. But if it's only worth what it's worth, you may as well drive it. Perhaps I'll get it undercoated.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
You are on the right path getting a professional opinion... the 4 owners concerns me.... the 90K I can't quite figure out why all that work was done on it... the dern engine is just broken in.

Oh speaking of the oil separator.... every shade tree mechanic on the internet was telling me the engine was shot... here is a video of my wife taking the Boxter to the shop:
https://youtu.be/bwiN2DKnvd0

Four owners on a 911, particularly one this old, is nothing to be concerned about. A lot of 911s are lease cars that turn over the first owner in a couple years. A lot of them are bought by people with money to burn and turned over in the first couple years. You'll find a lot of cars that have had four owners in 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I've heard that all the new Porshes have automatic transmissions... this just can't be true.... I for the life of me can't figure out why anyone would by a 'true' Porsche with an automatic transmission ...

The 992s were PDK only at launch. Manual models are out now, but are, not surprisingly, slower. The PDK outsold the manual something like four or five to one on the 991. It's a more capable transmission that is also less work on the driver. I understand the stick appeal, and I bet a lot of buyers do, too, but it doesn't translate to sales.

When I got my private pilot's license, the instructor said when three things go wrong on the way out to fly, take the day off and stay on the ground. 1.) old, high’ish miles. 2.) three minor accidents, 3.) frame damage straightened. If I'm honest, I'm just not up to the task of taking on a second old Euro car at this point. And I'm even a little uneasy about the idea of a lightweight front end like that.

I'm disappointed. But "Better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground".

Good call. I’m sure you’re better educated now and there are better examples out there.