Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Carlton
I'd say the 2009 997 is getting more spendy than I'm comfortable with. Not wanting to risk a total engine failure, it seems the way to go is with a 2005 with the old IMS style bearing that's been updated or have it updated.
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And that's where we go full circle in the discussion, IMO.
Because out of the riskier 05-08s, only "some" 05s are potentially elegible for an IMS upgrade without splitting the case (which is cost prohibitive). And you *cannot* tell which is which without buying it first and taking a look - I doubt the seller will agree to split the tranny from the motor in a PPI ;-) A car that has already been done would be the ticket for sure, but likely pricier.
There is an active lawsuit where VIN #s have been released "in scope" but in practice, people are finding out the numbers are not accurate enough to base a purchase decision on... So your best bet if you are a gambler is a super early 05 997 whose VIN you see in the lawsuit (I can't post the PDF of it, if someone can host it for everyone, PM me)
>So worst case on a 997 is that you have to replace the engine. It looks like a replacement engine is about $15k installed. Yeah I'd take the 05-08.
Stats wise, I understand, odds are good. But if you are in that bad group, it's gotta suck. Also from direct experience (a friend who blew his CaymanS on track racing me), those numbers are not necessarily accurate anymore. Porsche had engines/labor discounted as goodwill for a while, but now they sell you a stripped block (which BTW is still not a 9A1, so the clock starts ticking again) and by the time you factor labor to strip your block, replace whatever makes sense to replace, my friend was quoted closer to 20-25K. (He went aftermarket and 3.8 instead for the same $;-) And the car's value is still that of a MkI.
Personally I want this car to be the last newish 911 I ever buy (don't want electric steering or 7 speed box, or PDK), so I don't know if Gen1s make sense yet. I'd sleep better with a 9A1 - but there are so few of them for sale. Then again for the longest time M96s were bad and now with LN's solution they are desirable again, who knows if someone won't come up with a clever fix for 05-08s down the road ?