Congrats on the 996! Agree w all the above (esp Niagara PCA group). I met a bunch of these guys at few weeks back at a Glen HPDE and they are great (I am from New Jersey PCA).
I bought a similar 996 last year - 1999, 40k miles, but IMS had been done already.
Here's what you may be in for with the 20 year old 996:
- new coolant reservoir - they tend to split/crack moreso than usual on these models, as I am led to believe. Just had mine replaced
- ignition lock - gets a little stubborn/sticky over time - had mine replaced
- bushings for horn on steering wheel frame get compressed and lose their expansion ability - resulting in constant contact for horn which wont stop honking. i only learned this when i noticed an empty fuse socket, and the horn went off as i inserted fuse.
- new plugs, new coils
- new brake pads all around (especially if you are going to track it)
apologies if this is all common knowledge, and you may or may not have these in your 996
thankfully i have been doing oil/filter changes on my own
cheers