[jeffgale]

Hi. Hoping I can tap into the collective wisdom here. I am considering buying a 2002 996, 6 spd, 50K miles. Price seems fair.

These have that Rear Main Seal issue, I know. The car had it big time and the engine was replaced by the dealer at 36K in 8/06. Also had a new clutch at 40K in 1/07. (Doe these really wear that quick? Receipt says it went into the dealer with some sort of grinding sound.)

Car also has an extended warranty with Service Protection Direct which runs until around 149K.

Questions:
-Did Porsche figure out the RMS by 2006 so that the engine doesn't have the issue any more? I've never read anything about repeat failures on these.
-Do clutches really go that quickly on these.
-Anyone ever heard of that extended warranty outfit. It was sold through a dealer, I think.
-Is 2002 a real problem year with lots of stuff going wrong?

I have owned a '78 SC and an '88 Carrera. But I am a novice on the 996.

Thanks for whatever help you can give.

Jeff