Upgrade to 996 as Main Car?

hytem · 05-09-2007, 04:50 AM

I'm toying with the idea of "consolidating" my 82SC and 04 Jeep Liberty into an 01 911 C4 cpe with low mileage. I only put about 5K miles per year on both cars, and my SC is taking up the garage space. Like the SC a lot but I don't drive it as much as it wants to be driven. The cost differential is in the $15-20K range.

What do you guys think? The 996s are the water-cooled generation. I don't know what the C4 gives you, since these cars are pretty good in the winter anyways. The idea is to have one car in the garage. And I don't see a 25 year old SC as that main car, though it's a peach of a car.

mb911 · mb911's Garage

I would love to do that as well.

81 911 SC · 05-09-2007, 05:30 AM

Just make sure you have a PPI done before taking the plunge. The 996 is probably a pretty nice car. Personally I would love to ditch my audi and 81 SC for a 993 C4S however with a 2 year old and wife that is not really an option.

hytem · 05-10-2007, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 81 911 SC
Just make sure you have a PPI done before taking the plunge. The 996 is probably a pretty nice car. Personally I would love to ditch my audi and 81 SC for a 993 C4S however with a 2 year old and wife that is not really an option.

Well, this would be a low mileage Porsche dealer-certified 996. Where I service my SC. Those are the the cars you want, though you might be paying top dollar. I understand the rear main seals are a problem with the 996, and this one is being replaced along with a 30K mile tuneup.

I'm still not sure why 4-wheel drive in a 911? Any rear-engined, rear drive car is good in snow. Is there a racing reason? Better high speed control?

EarlyPorsche · 05-10-2007, 07:00 AM

Steering in the snow with no pull in the front is worse. So add 4 wheel drive and you can get through. That and I am sure ferdinand wanted you to be able to bog through some mud from time to time too.

ljowdy · 05-10-2007, 07:04 AM

My friend has a 996 C4. I had a 996 C2. His car would run circles around my car when it came to cornering. He was in Mammoth during a severe snow storm and said it pulled with all 4 wheels and he never got stuck, even on ice.

ljowdy · 05-10-2007, 07:06 AM

Forgot to mention. You're correct, the RMS (rear main seal) is a REAL problem... Get Porsche to certify that it has been replaced and they will honor the warranty for extended period of time.
In many instances, Porsche installed a brand new engine after a couple of seal replacements

03TARGA · 05-10-2007, 07:27 AM

996 covers a lot of cars. The early models,1999-2001 with the 3.4L were more prone to problems. RMS is one of the issues. Here is a link to an article that sheds a little more light on the problem and a little less fear. Good luck with your purchase and keep us informed.

http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

They are great cars and you can really get used to the level of performance and comfort they offer at the same time. There's no doubt that you're driving anything but a true sports car - with a bit of daily driver refinement.

I own a C2 so I can't speak for a C4 and it's all-wheel drive system, but I hear they are great cars. The guys over on the Rennlist 996 forum love theirs.

I will add, however, that you will miss the SC. There is a definite level of rawness in the older cars that probably can only be approached today by the Lotus Exige and Elise. But they don't make good daily drivers. So there you go.

Have you driven one for any length of time yet?

hytem · 05-11-2007, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 03TARGA
996 covers a lot of cars. The early models,1999-2001 with the 3.4L were more prone to problems. RMS is one of the issues. Here is a link to an article that sheds a little more light on the problem and a little less fear. Good luck with your purchase and keep us informed.

http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf

Thanks for the article. The main problem seems to be the 99-00 models--lesser problems in 01, though the same 3.4L engine. It looks like they changed the engine to a 3.6L in 02.

Can I tell anything from the engine number about when the engine was produced? I understand that modifications were made by 01. Maybe the VIN would tell me at what part of the year the car was produced.

I'm concerned that the RMS has been changed on this car after less than 30K miles on it--it could be one of those 5-10% mentioned in the article that have problems. My inclination is to steer clear unless there is a failsafe warranty.

hytem · 05-11-2007, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 450knotOffice

I will add, however, that you will miss the SC. There is a definite level of rawness in the older cars that probably can only be approached today by the Lotus Exige and Elise. But they don't make good daily drivers. So there you go.

Have you driven one for any length of time yet?

I've driven an SC for about a year. Never driven a 996. I agree the SC isn't an everyday car, though many here seem to drive 80s cars every day. Mine is a bit noisy--but I suspect that can be solved with a better muffler. The gearbox could be better for a car of this quality. And then there's always the question of reliability of a 25 year old car. But it's a classic and it handles well. All the comfort stuff is irrelevant--have that in the Jeep.

Actually, I like having 2 cars--the Jeep is a nice complement. The SC has been low maintenance the past 6 months--insurance only $119 per year driving under 2500 miles. You can't beat that.
(I just checked the insurance on an 01 996 C4 cpe, and it's only slightly higher than my Jeep. So insurance isn't a factor.)

I want to thank all you guys out there for the excellent feedback. I'm so impressed by the Porsche expertise in this group.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I drove a '99 996 about 6 weeks ago and I was very impressed! I think you'll be happy with the 996, but you may miss the SC!

mcvgums · 05-11-2007, 06:50 AM

I have a 99 996 as my daily driver and it has been a great car, fast and comfortable, but there is less passion and feeling than my SC. They are very different cars! It is funny that non-pcar people don't know the difference.

I have had no trouble with my 996, and I have had it at the track. The engine is 6K plus installation if you blow it or RMS, so knowing that it is not a big deal to run it hard and everyday and save the tender stuff for the SC.

RallyJon · 05-11-2007, 07:01 AM

How about a 993 C4? Daily-driver friendly enough but still has that old-school Porsche feel.

I "consolidated" my Subaru STI and my old '71 RS replica into the 993 and I'm pretty pleased with it. Sure I gave up a bit on each end, but I get to drive a Porsche every day.

jkarolyi · 05-11-2007, 07:23 AM

Take a long drive in a 996 before you take the plunge. Ask the dealer/shop if you can "borrow" one next time your car gets serviced. They are incredible cars to drive, but not much like your SC. My impression of them is that they feel much like the Acura NSX I was considering purchasing a few years back. More power, textbook perfect handling, and I'm sure a great commuter car as well. But they just don't have the direct, raw feel you assumably love in your SC. 996s are great cars, but they are completely different from a 911.

GothingNC · 05-11-2007, 08:43 AM

I was having the same thoughtsbut decided to keep the SC.

I do like the fact of having multiple cars in-case one is out of commission and I need a back up quick.

Also, I would not prefer to drive the Porsche in Snow due the the salt killing the paint and trying to watch out for the other idiots on the road driving their SUV's with their bald 50 inch summer tires