Quote:
Originally Posted by TPorsche912
I actually just thought about starting a thread on a topic very similar to this one, but this will do. Has anyone considered the value of air cooled cars going up in direct relation to the perceived mechanical issues associated with the water cooled cars.
Lets face it, even in the Porsche community we all have some fear of the IMS and rear seal issues of the water coolers, even the cooling issues on the Cayenne. I'm pretty sure that any buyer has been warned of these issues. I certainly don't mean to step on the toes of any 986 or 996 owners, or same thing for the 997 cars.
I am an air cooled kinda guy, that has contemplated purchasing a water cooled car. Living near Phoenix, I have a very good window on a considerable market for used P cars of all sorts. I have seen what appear to be killer deals on many water cooled cars. I'm talking 2005 and up models in the $10k - $15k range. While I have not personally inspected any of the cars, they certainly appear to be well cared for. Many of these cars have remained on the market for months without a sale. The air cooled cars on the other hands are scooped up in days. Whether its a 993 or a 914, they just don't last long on the market. The only water cooled cars that go quickly are the ones that have had the IMS issue already resolved with documentation to prove it.. That's what leads me to this post. It's very obvious why those sell quickly, and the others don't.
On the same topic, has Porsche AG let down it's following by not doing a better job of standing behind their obvious engineering failures, unless of course you force the issue with a class action suit. It just seems that once the cars are out of warranty you are s.o.l. on getting any support. Is that making it even more difficult for owners to move the car on once the warranty is over, and also driving the market soft for those cars?
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Well...let me be the first to day I love the watercooled cars. I've owned a 996 and a 997 and they were brilliant cars...very fast, comfortable and good looking.
Also, let me point out the air cooled cars have certainly had their issues...case issues on the 2.7, head gaskets (or lack thereof) on 964's, broken studs on the SC, clogged SAI passages and upper end problems on 993's, etc.
That being said, air cooled gets the attention for many reasons...lower production numbers, last of the "hand built cars', etc. However, I think the reason reason is the air cooled engine "defines" Porsche. For decades Porsches were air cooled. Championships were won with air cooled cars. Posters in little boys' bedrooms were air cooled cars. And the sounds, oil smells, etc. were uniquely air cooled. When I look at my '72 or drive my '76 I KNOW I'm in a PORSCHE...it cannot be confused with any other car. The air cooled cars are unique and will NEVER be made again. The fortunate few of us who own one covet the experience and the few who want that experience are, apparently, willing to pay for it!