I'm thinking of buying a 911

[rporzio]

Hi everyone, I've owned and driven my 944 for nearly 30 years and am now thinking of buying a 911. We're going to look at one Saturday and have seen a few over the past couple of weeks.

A couple of days ago my girlfriend looked at one for me up in Watertown MA (I'm in Tampa) and it was nice but I had some concerns. Listed as a 2000 C4 I noticed it didn't say that on the rear deck Shouldn't it?

Thanks and looking forward to finally owning one of these beauties. Ralph

[porterdog]

The waters are deep my friend. The cars themselves are capable of awesome, but there are Significant Issues with certain years. Given the size of the investment you would do well to do a LOT of research before jumping.

Regarding badging, those are removable so you're better off decoding the VIN and getting a Pre-purchase Inspection (PPI) from a shop that knows Porsches well.

Good luck.

[rporzio]

Thanks porter, we're going to see a really nice (at least in the pictures) 03 Saturday with only 32k and 2 owners. Color scheme matches my 944 too!

[COLB]

You can learn a lot by searching the threads about buying a 996.

FYI, here is what a "good" one looks like in terms of condition & maintenance:

Want a 996? Here's one...

Check out the craigslist ad -- you should be looking for similar work done on any 996 (IMS, AOS, cooling hoses, clutch, brakes.)

Don't get infatuated with super low miles on these cars -- almost everyone who knows them will tell you that a regularly driven car will be less troublesome than a garage queen.

Make no mistake -- a 996 is a used car, not an "appreciating classic". Buy one that has had the major work done, or buy a less expensive car and budget for the work (and do it as soon as you buy it.)

[Storage Man]

R,

If you get serious about this car here are a few very knowledgeable tech advisers for the NE PCA.
Their might have a couple of Pelican's out in the area also that can take a look for you as well.

German Performance Service BMW Porsche Mini
Marc Feinstein ( I have never used Marc's group but he is very close to Watertown Ma.)
70 Hichborn Street
Brighton, MA 02135
617-206-4604

EPE Home
Jerry Pellegrino (Have used and spoken to Jerry, valued member of the P car community)
165 West Central St.
Natick, MA 01760
508-651-1316

[redridge]

the badge should say "Carrera 4"... but also silver brakes. The best way to tell if it is a c4 is the frunk, if it has a collapsable spare its a C4. C2 has a full size spare on the 996. The frunk should look like this...

[rporzio]

oh, oh. That's not what I'm seeing on this car... have a look HERE...

[dicklague]

Looks like a 2.....and the color? Is white a color? and the interiors....pretty bland....but of course a matter of taste.

[TheSt|G]

You want your first experience with a 911 to be an early automatic 996?

[dicklague]

White with tiptronic!

Get a real Porsche.....keep looking.....

Also keep the GF/wife out of the search....the car is for you right?

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by thest|g

you want your first experience with a 911 to be an early automatic 996?

lol stig.

[RSBob]

Two little words which can save you thousands of dollars (and they are not 'go see Cal') are Pre-purchase inspection by a reputable shop not used by the owner

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by NYNick

lol stig.

I like to think I can appreciate most things in some fashion or another, but I really strain when it comes to a non Metzger automatic 996.

[rporzio]

ok, thanks guys. I messaged the guy in VA from the link provided to me above but haven't heard back and I'm going to look at one here in FL on Saturday. Here's the link to THATONE
What do you think?

[darmahman]

Still - get a PPI of your own choosing by someone the dealer has no association with.

[CCM911]

I totally wanted to say the same thing. Ditch the GF and get a man's Porsche.

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You want your first experience with a 911 to be an early automatic 996?

[rporzio]

More than likely I've abandoned any thought of the white one in MA but am now going to look at THISONE Saturday, what do you all think? Thanks, Ralph

[NYNick]

RPorzio.
I've owned a few of these 996's. There are some things YOU HAVE TO DO before moving forward on these cars.
First and foremost is to inquire about the IMS fix and whether it has been done or not. If so, make them prove it! If not, walk away, or plan on getting it done yourself. If you don't, you're gambling with an engine blowing up and it's replacement costing you $20k. Google Porsche IMS Failure or Class Action Lawsuit. There's a suit pending right now and you need to learn about this issue.
Second, get a car fax to verify the car's basic past history.
Third, arrange for an independent Pre Purchase Inspection by a local shop other than the one that's selling it. These can easily be found by making some calls or emails to the local PCA chapter where the car is located.
Fourth, you're in the 911 air-cooled portion of Pelican. You could probably get better advice and direction from the guys over on the 996 Forum, or maybe even Rennlist.

BTW, that spoiler isn't a stock spoiler. Aftermarket?

Nick

[rporzio]

excellent advice Nick, thank you and I apologize for being in the wrong loc as I'm new to the 911cars, I'll move over there shortly. On a car with only 35k should I still consider doing the IMS fix ASAP? Thanks, Ralph

[yelcab1]

Correction: If the IMS is not done, your chances of having problem is 5%.

Do or don't, take the risk or not, is up to you.

I know I take more risks in the stock market.