I have had a 996 for about five years now. It is my daily driver and has been the most reliable car I have ever owned, overall. It had 37,000 miles on it when I bought it and now has 119,000. Along the way, it has been used on track about six times with no problems whatsoever. I finally had the (original) clutch replaced a few months back, and while that was being done I had the IMS bearing and flange replaced with the LN Engineering items, which essentially elliminates the IMS failure issue. The bearing and support cost about $600. I had the RMS replaced also.
If you want total peace of mind, buy the car and then have to IMS and flange replaced, as well as the very inexpensive RMS.
Enjoy the car.
