I need some info about 996 prior to purchase, Please help!

[AB911]

I have been a 911 fan forever. It's the only car that I would drive any generation of it and feel good and love it. I first decided to purchase a 911SC mainly because I like aircooled cars more, especially that vintage look, and also because they are not too expensive yet. However, I changed my mind and decided to look at another inexpensive 911 which looks a little bit more modern and rides more comfortably. I am not looking at this as an investment, I just want to own a 911 once in my life but if the car appreciates then better, even slightly. I am not going to take the car to track. I just want to be able to daily the car or maybe drive it at least 3 days a week. If I daily it, it's gonna be 30 miles a day.

This is a list of things I would want to know and decide if the 996 is the right choice for me or I should forget about 996 and having a 911 at all.

-My budget is more around the non turbo 996, that way I won't spend a lot of money and feel guilty haha. But I have heard that Turbo doesn't have the IMS/RMS bearing issue and has more potential to appreciate in value. Do you even recoomend getting a regular 996?

-If I do PPI, will the inspector be able to tell if the IMS/RMS bearings have been changed to a ceramic one? What is the cost to take the car to a shop and have them change the bearings?

-If the bearings are replaced, is the 996 considered a reliable 911? What major issues have you had with this car?

-Would you recommend daily driving the 996? about 30 miles a day!

-What Annual cost in repair/maintenance does this car have? I won't Mod the car, so please dont include the mods you have done.

-I am not rich at all but I believe I can afford a 996. I mean, the regular 996 is cheaper than a fully loaded nissan altima or similar but still I feel kind of guilty for thinking of buying and owning a 911. Sometimes I just tell myself I will just stay happy with diecast models but nahhh I gotta own one. How is the cost of ownership? Will this car make a hole in my pocket if I own it for 4-5 years?

-Is the 996 relatively cheaper to repair and maintain compared to other 911s?

-Is it easy to work on this car or everytime I gotta take it to a shop?

-If I end up buying one, What mileage should I look for and what year model should I look for to have the least amount of problems?

I'd highly appreciate your input. I really want to know If I should own a 911 or not.

Thanks.

[robfike]

I can address some of your questions.
I sold my 1980SC in February. I loved it!
I got my 1999 996 Cabriolet in June.
I LOVE IT!
The more I drive it, more I love it.
Mine had the LN IMS bearing installed before I got it. Make sure to do your homework on any 996 you're looking at. Make sure to get paperwork documenting any work done.
When you get one, you will want to drive it all the time. Comfortable, fast, good gas mileage, (27 mpg) fun.
I got mine in June with 23,000 miles. It now is just about to turn over 30,000.

[FPB111]

Originally Posted by AB911

I have been a 911 fan forever. It's the only car that I would drive any generation of it and feel good and love it. I first decided to purchase a 911SC mainly because I like aircooled cars more, especially that vintage look, and also because they are not too expensive yet. However, I changed my mind and decided to look at another inexpensive 911 which looks a little bit more modern and rides more comfortably. I am not looking at this as an investment, I just want to own a 911 once in my life but if the car appreciates then better, even slightly. I am not going to take the car to track. I just want to be able to daily the car or maybe drive it at least 3 days a week. If I daily it, it's gonna be 30 miles a day.

This is a list of things I would want to know and decide if the 996 is the right choice for me or I should forget about 996 and having a 911 at all.

-My budget is more around the non turbo 996, that way I won't spend a lot of money and feel guilty haha. But I have heard that Turbo doesn't have the IMS/RMS bearing issue and has more potential to appreciate in value. Do you even recoomend getting a regular 996?

-If I do PPI, will the inspector be able to tell if the IMS/RMS bearings have been changed to a ceramic one? What is the cost to take the car to a shop and have them change the bearings? NOT unless he pulls the trans out it will cost ~$1800-$3000 depending on the area of the country you are in and the amount of "while you are in there" you decide to do.

-If the bearings are replaced, is the 996 considered a reliable 911? What major issues have you had with this car?
This car recently pulled 239 hp @ 7k rpm on a dyno The 243,000 mile '99 just popped back up... - Rennlist Discussion Forums

-Would you recommend daily driving the 996? about 30 miles a day! Many owners do. There are quite a few 100k plus daily driven 996.

-What Annual cost in repair/maintenance does this car have? I won't Mod the car, so please dont include the mods you have done.
Folks will give you a wide range of costs. My 2003 cost me tires, oil, and gas over 7 years and ~32k miles.

-I am not rich at all but I believe I can afford a 996. I mean, the regular 996 is cheaper than a fully loaded nissan altima or similar but still I feel kind of guilty for thinking of buying and owning a 911. Sometimes I just tell myself I will just stay happy with diecast models but nahhh I gotta own one. How is the cost of ownership? Will this car make a hole in my pocket if I own it for 4-5 years?

-Is the 996 relatively cheaper to repair and maintain compared to other 911s?
Yes

-Is it easy to work on this car or everytime I gotta take it to a shop?
One of the easier 911s to work on. Parts are expensive if you don't shop around, and they will still cost more then domestic car parts

-If I end up buying one, What mileage should I look for and what year model should I look for to have the least amount of problems?
2005 - 2007 C2 or if you have the money 2009 and later.
Maintenance records are often more important then mileage. 1999 - 2001 3.4 ltr have more robust dual row IMS bearing but suffer cracked heads and d chunk cylinders more often. 2002 - 2004 have weaker single row IMS bearings, for which there are multiple fixes available, and a generally more robust engine.

I'd highly appreciate your input. I really want to know If I should own a 911 or not.

Thanks.

I expect others will chime in.

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by AB911

I have been a 911 fan forever. It's the only car that I would drive any generation of it and feel good and love it. I first decided to purchase a 911SC mainly because I like aircooled cars more, especially that vintage look, and also because they are not too expensive yet. However, I changed my mind and decided to look at another inexpensive 911 which looks a little bit more modern and rides more comfortably. I am not looking at this as an investment, I just want to own a 911 once in my life but if the car appreciates then better, even slightly. I am not going to take the car to track. I just want to be able to daily the car or maybe drive it at least 3 days a week. If I daily it, it's gonna be 30 miles a day.

This is a list of things I would want to know and decide if the 996 is the right choice for me or I should forget about 996 and having a 911 at all.

-My budget is more around the non turbo 996, that way I won't spend a lot of money and feel guilty haha. But I have heard that Turbo doesn't have the IMS/RMS bearing issue and has more potential to appreciate in value. Do you even recoomend getting a regular 996?

Absolutely!! I have driven a 2000 996 for ten years straight as a daily driver and love it. I've put 150,000 of the now 184,000 miles it has on it.

-If I do PPI, will the inspector be able to tell if the IMS/RMS bearings have been changed to a ceramic one? What is the cost to take the car to a shop and have them change the bearings?

I don't think so. Cost is usually associated with a clutch replacement, so I'm guessing maybe $2,000 to $3,000 total, max.

-If the bearings are replaced, is the 996 considered a reliable 911? What major issues have you had with this car?

Yes. It's a very reliable car, overall. I've replaced the Air/Oil Separator (AOS) myself (involved job). The water pump impeller wore out (easy DIY replacement job). I've replaced the brake rotors, brake pads, engine mounts, spark plugs and spark plug tubes, serpentine belt, air filter, etc. All easy DIY jobs. My second gear synchro is shot. Pretty common issue after 100,000 miles, it seems. One of these days I'll rebuild or replace the transmission. The other synchros for the rest of the gears are perfect.

-Would you recommend daily driving the 996? about 30 miles a day!
Yes. I have for ten years. Still do, even though I also now own a 2009 997.2 C4S.

-What Annual cost in repair/maintenance does this car have? I won't Mod the car, so please dont include the mods you have done.
Very little. Occasional oil changes, brake pad replacement, etc. Very inexpensive car to own, truth be told.

-I am not rich at all but I believe I can afford a 996. I mean, the regular 996 is cheaper than a fully loaded nissan altima or similar but still I feel kind of guilty for thinking of buying and owning a 911. Sometimes I just tell myself I will just stay happy with diecast models but nahhh I gotta own one. How is the cost of ownership? Will this car make a hole in my pocket if I own it for 4-5 years?
See my above statement. These cars are very DIY friendly. Easy to work on. The cars are reliable even with a TON of mileage. Many of these 996's have gone 250,000 miles or more with very few issues.

-Is the 996 relatively cheaper to repair and maintain compared to other 911s?
I'd say about the same. I have a 1984 911 Carrera, a 2009 C4s, a 2007 Cayman, and the 2000 996. All seem to cost about the same to maintain, overall.

-Is it easy to work on this car or everytime I gotta take it to a shop?
Easy to maintain by yourself, for the most part. It's not too computerized compared to the later 997's and 991's.

-If I end up buying one, What mileage should I look for and what year model should I look for to have the least amount of problems? I'd highly appreciate your input. I really want to know If I should own a 911 or not.
As much as I love my 2000 996, the standard advice is to buy the newest one you can afford. With that said, I'd say if you can spring for a 2004 996.2, go for it. However, the flip side is that my 2000 996 is still a heck of a great car, and is definitely cheaper to buy than a later 996.2.
Yes, you should own one. They are amazing daily drivers and you will really never tire of getting in your car every day and driving it, no matter how mundane the drive. Porsche builds great cars.

Thanks.

My thoughts

[JMo]

I was you 3 months ago. IMO you are asking all the right questions. My advice is to take your time and find YOUR car, don't settle or rush into it emotionally - at the same time, don't overthink it. It's clear you want this car. Walk away if it doesn't feel right and DEFINITELY get a PPI from a PORSCHE SHOP that knows the 996. You want a well maintained car with all records and only a couple owners tops. Speak with the mechanic who has worked on the car - ask questions. Expect to have to put a couple bucks in after purchase (negotiate obvious needs off PP to offset) - I made a budget that included purchase price and work I knew needed to be done / wanted done. I drive my 2000 996 C2 daily (30 mi) and LOVE IT. Best purchase EVER. Very DIY friendly car and super fun to work on - within the first week I did the engine mounts, trans mount, plugs, filters, oil etc. I am lucky in that regard - there is a DIY shop near me with lifts, tools etc.

To sum this up -- "It's so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." FB

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

My thoughts

Excellent write up

[Taco Truck]

Go for it! Definitely buy one with the IMS fixed. Don't believe it when you hear, "if the car has more than 40,000 miles on it, don't worry about the IMS, if it was going to fail it would have." Mine went out after 60,000. It is a 2002 [996.2].
These are good cars. The air conditioning works well [as opposed to the air cooled cars], the suspension is MUCH better, too. Comfortable and able to give you many hours of fun!
I have seen a couple of 996 Turbos for under 50,000 but the maintenance costs are higher.
Have fun!

[bob deluke]

I recently sold my 77 Targa and purchased a 1999 996 cab with hardtop. Has 61K, full leather interior and is in good condition overall. P.O. Was a checkbook mechanic and didn't work on the car. After purchase, I replaced all filters, new serpentine belt, plugs, plug inserts and LN spin on filter adapter with fresh Mobil 1 ow-40 oil. Did the gundo hack on exhaust for better exhaust sound. The IMS has not been done, Will do next spring. Having too much fun driving the car. Quick, great handling and has all the amenities of a modern car. A different experience from an air cooled Porsche. Price was right and couldn't be happier. Go for it!

[whatyoumaydo]

Long time lurker here. I hope a few more 996 owners chime in with responses. I'm in a similar position as the OP and I'm very interested in what you daily drivers have to say.

I'd like to add my question: Original 996 cars are 12-17 years old now; aren't they reaching an age where they will start needing little fixes (belts, hoses, switches,etc) all the time? Even a well cared for, low mileage car that is 15 years old is bound to start to show its age, right?

I'm certainly not against doing some simple DIY stuff, but I'm not sure I want to do a lot of it to my daily driver.

Thanks all!

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

I'd highly recommend getting a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a qualified Porsche indy shop. They will know what to look out for, as far as red flags, and it should give you an idea of what condition it's in before you purchase it. There are also a lot of great detail about common problem areas/fixes for the 996 in our tech library here: Pelican Parts Technical Articles - Porsche 996 & Porsche 997. I'd recommend reading up on a few of those.

[tuden1]

I have been researching this for a while - asking exactly the same questions you are asking. Definitely make sure the IMS bearing was done. From my research, it appears that frequent oil changes, and (counter-intuitive) hard driving/more miles are keys to avoiding these other potential issues. >> Do some research on cylinder scoring and d-chunk failure for the 996. After carefully considering the above, I determined that the small but considerable (and seemingly random) risk of a total engine failure, at a cost of $20-30k (more than doubling down on the car's cost), means that I will wait to get a 997.2 when they are in the low $40s (and some are getting there now). My $0.02.

[jrg77]

I have seen on a video, and read in a couple of forum entries that the IMS issue is die to lack of use.

The explanation was the oil drained from around the bearing, got "rancid", and when the car was used again the oil pitted the bearing, and diminished its effectiveness.

The guy also said that the cars that regularly saw track time did not have the issue.

Are there owners that find this accurate?

Is this abiut letting the car sit, or is daily driving sufficient?

I understand cars that sit rot their belts and hoses. Daily/regular use keeps everything working together.

Also, what, besides a well maintained car, does one need to change on a regular 996 for it tobe prepared for HPDEs?