Anyone move to a 996?
 

Thinking of adding one to the stable next year. Any insight is appreciated.

Pretty reliable, just put the Jake Raby IMS bearing and drive the snot out of it.

Had one as a DD for 2 years, 50 miles round trip for work. I replaced an idler pulley, MAF, and air/oil separator during ownership selling at 102k miles.

Heard plenty make it to 200k+ miles.

thanks. What year was it?

I've got a 99 that just goes and goes ,no problems in my 15,000 miles of ownership. Now is at 51,000 miles

Prices are dropping fast on 997's, hold off for a short time, I think the 997 is a much better car.....will you be allowed to drive it to the office ? :)

no doubt a better and better looking car. I can park in the back :)

2000 Aero

The reliability of the engines between the late 996 and 997's were pretty much the same (same engine). If the IMS failed, goodbye engine.

Ims?

IMS= intermediate shaft. Porsche admitted that there wasn't any performance difference between the 996.2 and 997.1. They are both very good cars and alot of car for the money... 996 turbo is the best bargain out there right now.

Had a 2001 Cab DD and traded in 2 years ago on a 997.2 C4S. Both great cars, very reliable, but the 997 is WAY better.

2009 997.2 finally did away with the IMS problem.
But, if you buy a 996 and update it, the IMS problem should not bother you.
Good deals to be had.

I had an 01 996 C4 that functioned as my daily driver and my DE car. I drove it for 3 years. Other than exploding its motor on the back straight at WGI, gutting its transmission at VIR, developing a rear main seal leak on its replacement factory crate motor and a myriad of other small issues mostly related to drive train it was a great car. Of course it was also a soulless piece of crap to drive and I was delighted to replace it with my first GT3 (which still remains a much better buy even at twice the price IMHO). Recently I sold my second GT3 (simply because it wasn't getting driven anymore) and the new replacement will be a resto-mod built around an 84 coupe outfitted with a 993 motor. It will cost twice as much (at least) as a 996 by the time I'm done but will be ten times the car. Am I giving the impression that I'm not a great fan of the 996 (or 7 for that matter)? I simply prefer the involvement of driving a real 911. Driving a 996 is like driving a very well sorted Volvo as far as I'm concerned - Overweight, isolated and dull albeit extremely competent and fast.

I daily'd a 99 coupe for about a year and had absolutely no problems with the car. It had about 90k on it and ran like a Swiss watch. I bought an 02 Turbo last month and have put on almost 1k on it just driving and it's a hoot when you get on boost, but it's no 930. It does make a good daily/cruiser!

The headlights are really growing on me. As all other designs had round headlights, I now think of the 02+ 996 as unique. lol

Oh yeah, I dig the 996.2 headlights.....a lot.

I have a 3.6l powered SC now, it's lots of fun -- great power and incredible sound

So - I had a 1987 Carrera (as can be seen in my signature) that I sold by a huge mistake...
http://imageshack.us/a/img96/4352/qwq8.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img43/9384/mtz0.jpg
I was missing the Porsche game too much and ended up selling my 2004 Audi A6.......
http://imageshack.us/a/img517/2413/p1030420x.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img691/6008/p1030440g.jpg
.....adding some $ and picking up a 2000 Carrera C2 Convertible (with a hardtop). It is a WONDERFUL car. Very reliable (knock on wood). I did the IMS, RMS last year along with the clutch; and I have now had the car for 3 years (~30K miles). I have done a few small things to it (coil overs, intake, windscreen :), and some other odds and ends) and it is great.
http://imageshack.us/a/img534/3666/dsc04162n.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/3916/sfvn.jpg
HOWEVER, I was missing the classic Porsche feel/rumble. I had been looking to get back into the classic game however; with SC's and the older 80's Carrera's going up in price I knew there was no way I could get one. I contemplated selling my 2000 to get back into an 80's - until a few weeks ago I came across an unbelievable deal on a 79 SC Targa.
http://imageshack.us/a/img38/2444/fdsz.JPG
Now I have two :) Even though I haven't yet driven my 79 (had my mechanic drive it and take it right to his shop) I can't want to get back into the older, more raw 911.

In any sense - they are all amazing cars. I am now in a bind as to whether I can hold on to two 911's.... The 996 is fast (it really is); however, the 79 is raw :D

Good Luck!

Paul

Research the IMS issue in the 996 forum searches and if you are into home repair, the Raby IMS is the way to go. I had a 2006 997s, however, be aware that from 2006-2008 the IMS was a non accessible IMS version that requires splitting the case to replace- which is stupid!!!!- so- get yourself a deal on a 996 or 2005 997, replace the ims (the equivalent of dropping the engine/clutch change in terms of work/ access), and enjoy. Of I were to do it again, I'd get a 2005 997- much better interior and styling, buy that's just my humble opinion!:) -huge deals on 996's though- you just have to look at those headlights!

I bought my wife a 996 ,she wouldn,t drive my 3.6 SC and doesn,t like driving our 993 which replaced the SC.
She liked the car but I didn,t and became increasingly scared of the IMS issue as the miles climbed. We sold the 996 in 2010 before the LN engineering IMS fix was generally known.

We just got my wife a 997.1 Carerra S in Atlas Grey, picking it up on Saturday. Will let you know what I think once she lets me drive it LOL

Cheers Al