2004 911 Targa w/ 51K miles - top end rebuild?

[scottmandue]

We are saving up for a new car for my wife in a year or three...
We are considering the usual suspects, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, etc. budget is $20K - $30$.
So I'm board and wonder "how much Porsche can you get for $20-$30K?"

And I stumble across this:

Cars for Sale: Used 2004 Porsche 911 Targa for sale in Los Angeles, CA 90029: Coupe Details - 453018515 - Autotrader

"The motor runs smoothly and powerfully and has just completed a top end overhaul with new seals, gaskets, and an updated permanent-fix IMS bearing. Other services (full records can be supplied) include new air filters, spark plugs, engine motor mounts, a rear-main seal, belts, and a fresh oil and filter. "

So, I'm thinking needing a top end rebuild at 50K miles something really bad must have happened?

NOT buying just curious.

PS, yes I know the new targa has a heavy glass roof but I think they are cool and if I were shopping I would love to have this car... except for the rebuild.

Ideas?

[id10t]

Car sat for a long time?

[scottmandue]

I really need this Porsche... please go to my gofundme page to donate

[wildthing]

I've seen early 997 base models advertised at $35k.

So yeah, late model 996 with very minor issues (other than the much talked about IMS/RMS) would be in the $20 to $30k. I'd skip the ones that need a rebuild. Also check the affordable 996 thread.

May have had a cracked head - it happens to the 996 rarely. I'd want more background. It's a $22/23K car

[scottmandue]

Just to reiterate not buying (don't have the $$ right now) but if I was in the market this car would be perfect for me (Targa with a stick).

Not sure how the Targa affects the value, I know some of the purists hate the heavy glass roof (I'm way past my boy racer days and the cool factor of the roof tickles me) however I don't see a lot of the modern Targa's on the road so I am guessing they didn't make that many of them?

[icemann427]

If it needed an IMS bearing, the top end was probably just one of those, "Well, since I have it apart, I may as well do the top end, too." I did the top end of my 930 just because the clutch donut wore out and I had the engine out...

[onewhippedpuppy]

That's pretty odd for the 996, typically if they have issues they are big like D-chunk or the IMS. There don't seem to be many annoying little issues like valve seals.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

That's pretty odd for the 996, typically if they have issues they are big like D-chunk or the IMS.

I have heard of the infamous IMS... what is a D-chunk?

[willtel]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I have heard of the infamous IMS... what is a D-chunk?

When a D shaped chunk of the cylinder wall liberates itself followed closely by the owner screaming "Doh!".

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I have heard of the infamous IMS... what is a D-chunk?

A portion of the cylinder cracks, it impacted some of the early cars early in their life. If it hasn't happened by now you are probably safe with anything out there in the used market. I believe it was related to a block casting defect and pretty rare.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by wildthing

I've seen early 997 base models advertised at $35k.

So yeah, late model 996 with very minor issues (other than the much talked about IMS/RMS) would be in the $20 to $30k. I'd skip the ones that need a rebuild. Also check the affordable 996 thread.

Ahh....no.

Early 997s, (including S models), can be found regularly for $25k or less w normal miles for the year. That would be over 100k for a 10 year old car. I passed on a 2009 base Carrera 997.2 w manual, sport chrono and loaded w other options for $31k a year ago. It had some issues, (clean title but re-sprayed due to tree branches falling on it in a storm), it was a beautiful silver/black coupe. Normal price for those is high 30s.

996 cars seem to be in the teens, (or less), depending on miles and exact year, configuration, etc. Obviously, a tip cab is going to be an $8.00 car.

[WPOZZZ]

https://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/ctd/6163903368.html

There's this car, and I know it quite well. Thought about buying it in 2010 when it had 26k on it. I bought my E55 instead and an acquaintance bought this one. Used as a DD in his medical practice going from hospital to hospital he piled on the miles. Red light came on on his dash and didn't stop and he blew the motor. New motor installed and he puttered on. Traded this car and a 993 cab in for a new Porsche last year.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by willtel

When a D shaped chunk of the cylinder wall liberates itself followed closely by the owner screaming "Doh!".

I think that the D-chunk is much more common of an issue with the 996.1 cars with the 3.4L engine and less so on the 996.2/997.1 with the 3.6L

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Jrboulder]

The high $20s 997 is just so tempting and it wouldn't be hard coming from aircooled.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

The high $20s 997 is just so tempting and it wouldn't be hard coming from aircooled.

Gotta drive them first. Going 996 to 997 is a big step towards GT. I find that a 996.1 is the most satisfying of that generation to drive, they retain a lot of the raw, tossable, rev happy feel of the older cars. But the 997 is definitely better looking.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Gotta drive them first. Going 996 to 997 is a big step towards GT. I find that a 996.1 is the most satisfying of that generation to drive, they retain a lot of the raw, tossable, rev happy feel of the older cars. But the 997 is definitely better looking.

Any experience with the Targa? What are your impressions?

I have never even SEEN one in person.

GT works for my old a$$.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Gotta drive them first. Going 996 to 997 is a big step towards GT. I find that a 996.1 is the most satisfying of that generation to drive, they retain a lot of the raw, tossable, rev happy feel of the older cars. But the 997 is definitely better looking.

I had a very early 996 coupe, (1998 production), 6-speed w full H&R suspension including adjustable sways, hollow turbo rims w Pilot Sports, aero bodywork, sport mufflers, short shift, etc., etc...

It was a great car, if a little battered. I think you saw it when I was hauling it home and we met in Kansas. Handled like a dream.

At the time, a friend bought a then new 2007 997 cab w tiptronic, base model w a lot of options. It had the factory Porsche active suspension w the magnetic shocks(?) Anyhow, we traded cars once for some reason and I was blown away by how much faster it was compared to my car and it seemed even grippier in turns w that suspension and the turbo rims w 19" tires it came with. It was also about 1000 times nicer of a car, even discounting the fact that it was new and mine was thrashed. The 997 interior is still the high point of all 911 interiors, to me.

I also drove a late 996 C4S 6-speed when I owned that car, completely stock and mint w low miles. Great looking but what a fat pig compared to my 996. Just night and day, really slow. Not fun.

The 997 is the nicest 911 to me and the 996 is the bottom of the heap. YMMV.

[ZAMIRZ]

Originally Posted by speeder

The 997 is the nicest 911 to me and the 996 is the bottom of the heap. YMMV.

Fact.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by ZAMIRZ

Fact.

Werd
If I'm going to drive an expensive car I'm going to look good doing it. The front end of a 996 is just wrong.