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

I always mistake the 996 for a Boxster, that's reason enough to not own one.

Then spend your money on keeping it reliable would be my advice. Have fun whatever you do.

I just got a 997 from 2005 in New York for $35k with 43k miles on it. For that price, you know I was looking at 996's, but the 997, which is a better car, and much better looking both in and out, has now started to sell for less than $40k, so it is worth looking into. My car was cheaper because it is an '05 which is the first half-year they were selling it.

A couple of other points that came up in this thread. Do not get a Boxster or Cayman -- you will always feel like you compromised if you are a 911 guy like me. Better to get the best 911 you can afford -- it will always be "more car" than the two seaters.

Also, regarding the IMS bearing issue -- I researched the hell out of it and the two best links are here:

IMS Porsche Settlement Information Center

and

Great Thread To Ascertain the REAL Risk If Your Car Is in the Class of Cars With the IMS Problem

Thanks for the links, happy to say the VIN in the wife's new 997 does not fall in the range of vehicles affected.

Cheers Al

Just bought a 996tt


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386637030.jpg

I have owned air cooled 911's since 1971. Right now I have a 1980 SC and a '99 996. Both are great cars. Period.

This spring I will probably sell one of them for more garage space, but I honestly don't know which will be offered first.

I never owned 996. I kind of like the non traditional headlights. I dont like interior at all. I test drove a 2003 996 targa and 2004 996 twin turbo. 996tt engine is very reliable no IMS issues. 997 first generation 2005-2008 cars have couple of potential issues. IMS bearing failiure and even worse Cylinder Bore scoring. If I could afford it I would get a 2009 Carrera S with PDK tranny. Interior is much nicer and 380HP are nice also.

Nice cars!!

Simply not true.

I feel like there is no bad Porsche out there. I personally have a spot in my heart for all of them. I currently own a 987.1 cs, 996 c2, 951, and a 912. My 996 has 178k with its third motor but, I don't expect the motors to last forever in these cars. Race inspired to me means engine rebuilds just come with territory. The 996 does feel underpowered for what it's supposed to be but, I love how it responds in winding street driving. I would agree with some others on the 996tt is an amazing machine if you're after some serious power potential and being being reliable in doing so. I always buy my cars with work needed to them so I can design it how I feel fit and end up spending the same as a well sorted stock car.

Try this from Rennlist, pretty good overview.

The Ultimate Preowned 996 Buying guide. - Rennlist Discussion Forums'

Whoa....I thought you sold your 930. SmileWavy

Its true. I sold the 930 :(. It left for California the morning after this picture.

Two completely different driving experiences. The 930 was a raw, fire breathing, ear splitting piece of masculine automotive art. The 996tt ... scary fast without spilling my latte.

Just bought an '03 996 this week.

Interesting read and thanks for the input here, exactly what I was hoping to read when I posted the original thread.

I realize there are lots of concerns and well documented cases of engine failures and IMS issues, and naturally curious how common they really are.

Seems all cars have some inherent malady, some are more serious than others (3.6 valve guide issues, SC/Carrera head studs, etc.). I suppose it depends on personal experience where you stand on these topics.

That said, I'm still intrigued by the 996 of late given it's low value and impressive performance. Certainly some shortcomings on the styling front, but a compelling value.

Love my 50K mile 99. Fast, dependable, affordable and very, very easy to live with as a daily.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386734669.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386734704.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386734850.jpg

I bought a '99 996 in Feb '04 and an '87 Carrera in December of that same year.
The cars couldn't be more different, yet you can tell they share the same DNA.

I'm often asked, which do you like better? Impossible to answer. I love them both for different reasons.

I completely upgraded the suspension on the '87. The engine is untouched. It runs like a top (130k miles), handles extremely well and is bank-vault solid.

The '99 has had its suspension upgraded with coilovers and f/r sways. I went whole hog on the engine a year or so ago and had Jake Raby build me a stage II 3.6 which dynoed at 306hp at the wheels. I love the car. It is analog, light, responsive and quite the hooligan. 996s are great cars, especially once you engineer out the flaws.

I autocross both cars on street tires and have a blast doing it.