your take on 1999 911

[hrscrk]

gents

been porsche-less for a year and it's time to change that

word is that 1999 911's are solid, reliable, currently low priced and not black pits.

sounds like what people used to say about the SC

so: your thoughts before i begin a serious search?

thanx

[Elombard]

My opinion - based on internet reading

If you change the IMS when you change the clutch and DONT track it will be no problem.

There is no good way to cool the oil so you have to run like $20 per quart oil on the track.

There is some other failure issues but they are relatively rare it seems.

[inaminit]

My opinion (I have 2-99's) is that they are a lot of p-car for the money. The 99 is the value sweet spot for water cooled 911's. As mentioned, you must deal with the ims bearing right away if the car does not have this upgrade already done. So-so interior, but comfortable on a trip. You cannot compare the water cooled cars to the air cooled-totally different driving experience. Get in one and go around some corners-you will be favorably impressed.

[Bleedsblue]

I'd have trouble picking a 996 over an air-cooled car if I needed one fun car (with a separate daily), but I think a 996 compliments an air-cooled well. Alternatively, I think if you just had one, the 996 is better for almost all daily driving. I don't have experience in the early 996s, just the post-fried egg ones, but I like them a lot and they are hard to ignore for the money once you've driven a clean, well sorted one.

[Cook&Dunning]

Not much love for this car. Not sure it will change. I like that you can easily fix the IMS. Lots of car for the money. Still not loving it. Great value though. Now if someone figures out a backdate - money!

[Nick Triesch]

Here is the deal, The IMS bearing does go out in these cars. More than you know. Just a few weeks ago my Wife's best friends boss had his IMS go out in his 2002 911. The motor was ruined. Then a few days ago I was at my local Porsche shop and a guy had his Boxster in because the IMS bearing destroyed the motor!!! He was thinking of just letting the car go and not finding a replacement motor. These cars are not worth putting in a $15,000 motor in a car worth $10-20,000. And that was in just a few weeks span! Also, the interior looks like it is from a Honda.

[Kidasters]

Prices are low for a reason. Supply and demand.

Personally - I never liked the styling of the 996, even after they changed the boxter headlights. I'm sure its a lot of car, they wanted more displacement, and that was the only way to get it. I guess if you HAVE to have a Porsche, and that fits your budget, well OK then.

[cheekybird]

Any 996 is an amazing car for the money! Very reliable IMO.

[twistoffat]

Like most have said, the IMS is a big worry. If the Car has had an upgrade I´d consider one. Most of the other known issues like Radiators and Rear oil seals are relatively cheap to fix. At current prices you do get a lot of car for your money. Not gone on the looks however. I was never able to tell the difference between the fronts of front gen 996´s and Boxsters. Not a fan of the fried egg headlights.

[ej911]

i have a thing for 996s. they are the first watercooled 911s, but still have some classic qualities about them. if you compare them to older 911s, they have everything that people strive to have when modifying say a 993 or 964. 300hp, better suspension and brakes. what's cool is that you can retrofit many of the evolution or tuner parts from 997s, that is technology from 2012. they are not overly chubby like some of the newer cars, and seem relatively small in comparison. that is one of the cool qualities of the older 911s they are small sports cars. i believe the styling will continue to grow on everyone and now the lines, dare i say it, are becoming classic. i think the next big jump in prices will be 996.1 cars, especially the Aero Coupe.

[Drisump]

Like many on this thread, I think they are a lot of car for the money. Yes, the front view isn't great, yes, the interior was a strange departure from the 911 lineage but it really is a very capable car. I have driven many enthusiastic miles in them and they are awfully good, reliable fun for the money. Are they as good or better than our a/c cars? They are faster and more comfortable but IMHO lack obvious character....both in driving experience and aesthetics. The engines are a bit of a wild card, if an owner attends to the IMS issue, there is no reason for these cars to not hit 100k miles before requiring work. That being said, I have never heard of these cars achieving some of the crazy mileages that many A/C cars have. The dry sump lubrication in the A/C cars seem to really promote longevity even when driven enthusiastically mile after mile. Are they a currently under appreciated future classic? Personally, I think production numbers and comparitively cheap 997s will certainly keep a lid on pricing for the forseeable future. As a driver for the money....best value in the 911 universe. Cheers

[eastbay]

You have to LOL about people with sugar scoop headlight cars looking down on fried egg headlight cars

[911 Rod]

After the majority of the engines blow, and the cars go to the wrecker, the remaining ones will become collectors.
You heard it here first!

[Driven97]

I think the '99 in particular isn't bad. It has the early dual row IMS that has a very low failure rate.

It's the 00-05(ish) cars that have the worst version high failure rate IMS bearing.

The rest of the M96/M97 issues are of course there though.

[bbturbo]

I had a 996 C4... loved it for what it was. Is it an air-cooled 911? No. They are totally different cars that really cannot be compared due to technological differences. My 996 was a lot of fun, good in all weather, and now are very good buys.I sold mine before the markets fell on them to not take such a big hit, or I would have kept it. I say as long as you do your research, and get a PPI. Find one that has documentation. Best of luck.

[RedCoupe]

Would love to have a blown up 996 or 997 to swap a LS engine into (Renegade or similar). Sure looks like great fun!

[hrscrk]

THIS is great stuff guys.

my last 911 was a 964 and the most powerful of the 5 911's i've owned -- unfortunately a cab. and i was going broke dealing with top issues...

so it's gonna hafta be something special for me to go to water cooled.

but -- there is the budget issue.

greatly appreciate your input

[Cook&Dunning]

Putting on my flame proof suit - My next Porsche will be a 981 Boxster - just waiting for the S to depreciate down in to my price range. Of course it will be sitting beside my 89 3.2, not replacing it!

[Tremelune]

Are you considering a 996 because you want a 911 and it's the cheapest, or are you buying one because you love the car over other options for similar money? What's the job you need this tool for?

For the $15-20k you can pick one up for, I'd buy a Cayman instead—it's straight up the better car. If I needed rear seats, I'd buy an E46 M3 or E39 M5. I'm not saying the 996 isn't solid, reliable (after IMS is dealt with), and good bang-for-buck, but I don't think it's the best out there. Audi is making the best-looking "regular" cars on the road today (with the exception of the s550 Mustang, but I digress)...

After having recently purchased a 2006 Cayman S (love it), I have strong doubts that any 21st century Porsches were built as well as the impact-bumper cars. To see that the 997 Turbo has the same painted plastic interior door handles as the crappy ones in my Cayman was disheartening. Fit, finish, and quality (mostly interior, I guess) is a far cry from a 964. Having come from an '84 944, I never dreamed I'd have gripes about a 21st century interior.

[R K T]

Originally Posted by hrscrk

but -- there is the budget issue.

This is the key factor in buying a 996, or any car, but especially a 996. I've seen several guys get all excited because they have $19,000 to buy a 1999 996, but no extra budget for anything that might come up, and things will come up! Even the IMS "fix" will eventually wear out along with other things.

I'm not a hater but certainly not a lover of 996s either. I couldn't believe the interior in the first 996s. I couldn't believe Porsche would actually go that cheap.

Not trying to convince any 996 lovers that they are wrong! :-)