[glenndeweirdt]

Lance, Unfortunately your advise is a little late.
Final update on my ill-fated 996. On a sub zero afternoon this January I started my 996 after it was cold soaking in my parking lot all day. The post-startup cacophony from the engine compartment ( a combination of metallic grinding, moans, and hissing) was distressing to the point of near fecal contamination of my skivvies. It was determined on examination at my local forensic mechanic that my P-car had suffered the dreaded cracked cylinder sleave syndrome. Replacement of the engine is the only remedy known to mankind for this unfortunate malady. I found it unwise to spend $17K for a Porsche crate engine with install on a car with a market value hovering in the low 20's. My daily driver is now an '05 Maxima but I am currently looking at a CPO '07 BMW 330Xi sedan (don't tell my wife).

On the positive side I got almost $23K for my '83 911SC and was able to turn that into an '03 Boxster with 22K miles and Porsche Certification from Napleton Porsche. I love the Boxster-and I am not gay!