Yes - another IMS thread.
Basically, I have a favorite mexican place. I go there often. The father/mom who runs the place work their butts off. I have watched their children work hard there too- growing up and becoming hard working adults.
Last week, one of the kids pulled me aside and said "Hey... you like porsches...look what I bought." He took me out back to show me his "new" 996 mark2 2002 carrera 4 cabriolet.
WOW! I exclaimed. The kid likes cars. He worked hard for it. He deserves it. He was genuinely happy about his purchase and I was happy for him.
Not wanting to spread IMS paranoia, I asked him if he had a maintenance history on the car. He handed me everything in the glove compartment- which wasn't much. The car was at about 80,000 miles. I could find no hx of IMS service, or even oil changes for that matter.
I asked him if he knew anything about these motors. He said no. Not wanting to burst his bubble or rain on his parade with my own fears, I said little.
Tonight, he was driving it around the parking lot and I spoke to his dad (the restaurant owner). He told me his son had originally gone into get an $11,000 996, and got upsold to this $20,000 car. I told him about the IMS, and not to get worried about it, but to have it checked, and I gave him the name of a local p-car mechanic I know to go over the car.
I'm of two minds on this. First- the engine sounded tight. Nothing was loose, and I have no need to piss on this kid's cheerios. There seem to be plenty of people here who have no concern over the IMS issue, and drive with little regard to it.
On the other hand, learning the kid was a little in over his head from dad, I felt the need to at least recommend the car have a go over from my local p-car guy. I'd hate to see him lose an engine at this point due to IMS/ chunking/ whatever....
Soooo.... what are the ethical considerations/obligations regarding IMS awareness/vs/ hysteria?
I told the dad I didn't want to spread fear over the issue, but at the same time, I told him to get the car looked over. I hope I did well from both sides of the IMS concern isle!
