Should I buy 2003 996?
 

I have a chance to buy a 2003 996 cab (with hard top) with 27k miles, std, 2 owners for 21 k. Car has two very small door dent but otherwise is very clean shift fine. No smoke no chatter or ticking when started cold. Top in great shape. IMS has not been done. Pulled the oil filter and no signs of failure. The first owner (13 years) put around 1200 miles per year but the Porsche dealer only change the oil every 2 years. The second owner put around 5k per year and changed the oil about the same. Car was always garaged. Don’t have detailed records only car fax. I know it should be done every year. Should I take a chance with no detailed records?

Ppi

Had Ppi done checked codes cam angle and over revs. All seems OK question is would sitting and lack of oil change cause long term damage that will show up later?

Possible. It is the general knowledge. Use this to your advantage

Take 3k off negotiated price for IMS work and clutch

Too late PPI showed silver shavings in oil filter. Second one that I've look at so far with the same thing. Thinking of going to a 09+ Boxster S PDK wanted a 911

This is a must. Don’t try to talk yourself out of doing the IMS—before you put a mile on it. $20k gamble.

TC

Lucky catch......actually not lucky, smart on your part. Good and critical due diligence on these single row IMS bearing cars, 911 or Boxster. Risky territory. You could look for a less risky '99 double row IMS 911 as there are a bunch for sale and many reasonably priced. I am with AA717driver, after a purchase with a clean bill of health, drive straight to an IMS upgrade.

I would stick with your pursuit of a 996 coupe manual.

I would, too. Great car. I have a 99 and am very happy with mine.

I’ve got an lns upgrade bearing for my boxster somewhere .
Bought it when I bought the car for piece of mind as I planned to drive that lil bastard hard .
Iirc the last time I remember seeing it I had left it perched on top of my clash CDs in the music room .
It’s probably been knocked of by the cat now , and sitting on the floor behind the bookshelf .
Wherever it is , it’s given me great piece of mind during the last 5 years .
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another .

Thinking of going to a 09+ Boxster

and I got a friend who bought a 2003 996 to whom I said to do the IMS bearing (I will help). He got complacent and 5 years later had to buy a new short block.

If it were my car, I do the IMS bearing, period, done, no rolling of dice. That is the ultimate peace of mind.

By the end of this week it will rollover to 173,000 miles .
at this stage the labour to fit the new bearing is probobly more than the cars worth :D

Well I pulled the trigger and bought a 2001 996 with 63K on it. New IMS, Main seal, clutch kit, New tires and refinished wheels. Spent its life in Texas 2 owners. Love the color. He pulled the sump pan and oil filter , bore scoped 5&6, no over revs and low cam deviation. Now I need to figure out why it was traded in. I am sure the car will tell me. Purchased at Euromotive in Cherry Hill NJ for 24K really nice place to do business.

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'03 Targa😎

I’m not sure what you mean , but great photograph to go with the text ....

I guess I forgot to add 'YES' to the OP's title question.:cool:

That green with that interior is beautiful! Great job! My 996 has the double row bearings. I habent replaced the IMS bearing and probably won’t. It drives like a dream and gives me a lot of good vibes every time I get behind the wheel. It has 125,000 miles plus on it but drives smooth and quiet. There’s a bit of a tap when I first start it for the day, but that goes away after 10 seconds or so. Great car.

People get old.
People get sick.
People get bored.
People move.
People divorce.
People get laid off.
People lose garage space.

Sounds like the car was maintained at a high level.

What a great color combo.
Please post more photos!

Welcome to VT the green state

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