I must have a 3.6 996 , any do's or don'ts

[threegunner]

Commuting to work this morning (through Hayward on Jackson street. If i'm describing your car please PM me) I see a beautiful gray on gray 996 with a GT2 aero kit and 19" BBS wheels next to me. Gorgeous looks and wonderful sound. All around beautiful fast car. I've convinced myself this model will be my next car. I'm very familiar with the air cooled models but not so with the 3.6 996.

Will you 996 owners out there chime in and educate us future 996 owners and H2O cooled converts what to look out for with this particular model (3.6L, 02-04). The do's or don'ts in buying a used 3.6 996 and some pics of your 996 please.

[earlyapex]

1. Do take your time. These cars were made in high numbers so there is the right car out there for you. You just have to be patient.
2. Do get a thorough inspection at a trusted shop.
3. Do get a maintenance history. A well maintained car is better than a low milage car.
4. Do get a car with a waranty.
5. Don't overlook cars that have had the RMS replaced. As long as the fix is good and the car is in spec, you should be fine. See #4.
6. Do look at the PCA regional sites. You will find many nice cars there.
7. Do post pictures of your car when you find it.

[Mookster]

See my post on the the 996 list (page one toward the bottom of the list).

The big "problem" item of discussion in the 996 is the RMS (rear main seal).

The RMS, as discussed, seams to be a bigger issue in 3.4L engines vs. the 3.6l engines. Draw your own conclusions.

The one wish items I was looking for was the 5 point 18" wheels vs the 17" wheels currently on my ride. I was able to compromise and went cont instead.

The Areo package seems to be a popular package (spoiler and rockers) it adds cost and does not make the vehicle go faster.

I have driven the tiptronic and purchased a 6 speed. The tip was okay...not my cup of tea.

Be sure to get a PPI from an independent mechanic.

The 996s are fun cars.

[threegunner]

Thanks guys for your replies.
I had to resort to renntech.org for more 996 owner input. What I found there was a plethora of threads describing 3.4 and 3.6 996 castistrophic engine failures and cost of repair. Very discouraging.
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6470&st=20

[Mookster]

My research showed a lot of talk about the RMS issue but I was unable to really find a person or shop, in my area that had first hand experience with this problem.

The "facts" do show the RMS/catastrophic engine issues were more relevant in the 3.4l engines vs. the 3.6l engines.

Get a PPI. If needed get a CPO vehicle from the dealer. This will provide you the safety net you feel you need.

The Rennlist site does have a more active 996 board and many issues have already been discussed. Search as needed.

I have owned a 1972T and 1983SC over the last 12 years. I can honestly say I do not regret my purchase of the 996. The car is fast, refined and fun to drive. Each model has its own idiosyncrasies.

Good luck in your search.

[mambodave]

I just went to a 996 TT for a daily driver.. Best decision I have ever made .

Good luck in your search.

[Rockafella]

I have a 3.6L 996 and an aircooled SC. The 996 has been fantastic reliability wise so far. It had a RMS leak early in its life and the seal (not the engine) was replaced under warranty. End of story. This is a car that was driven daily, but is now being driven occasionally since the wife and I carpool as much as we can.

The SC is also a great car. But it had an engine and trans rebuild at 70kish miles (broken case studs and 2nd gear synchro). It is an autox/DE car for me now. I do not abuse my cars, but I do drive them. Clearly, reputation is only part of the equasion. YMMV depending on the individual car.

You will remember the bad stories (one or two stories on the net of a catastrophic failure on the way to work for no reason) but will not remember the good (cars with thousands of track miles). Keep in mind that you should look for VERIFIABLE trends, not heresay. A car where someone runs it dry of oil (think "it's a lease") does not guarantee failure of your car.

[jwetering]

I replaced my hot rodded 911 (carbs, cams, suspension, etc) with a Seal Grey 2002 996 about two months ago and am absolutely *thrilled* with my decision. I am not looking back, not even a little bit. The 3.6 cars are fr%$^#&king fantastic. Loveit.

[BReyes]

The 996s are also bulletproof. Drive them daily and no problems either way.

If there is a rule you should know rule number one when buying your 996. Don't sell your 911.

Regards

[threegunner]

Still searching for the right 996. Focusing on the 02-04 3.6L.
Question: Did the factory provide the U.S. with a streetable 996 GT3 look?

[BReyes]

Here in my neighborhood there are so many 996s sitting on high line lots that in one morning you will find several to your liking. If i was in the market I could find a TT Cab with aero and 19's that looks like your most mild mannered friend could drive it home for you and will pound at any PCA coming to the region this summer.

Porsche made lots of special ordered cars and still does.

Good luck in your search. Imagine going beyond the chase and savoring your catch!

I have never seen or heard of a factory GT3 look alike. It is a whole different animal. Have you thought about Rennsport III in Daytona in November to find her?

[racer]

"streetable GT3 look" - yes. The "aerokit" (front bumper, side skirts, and rear wing) were the same ones used on the Euro GT3s. Makes your regular 996 look like an early GT3.

[BReyes]

True, I found one GT3 look for sale today. Must say aerokit's front bumper would have a long way to go to be as strong as a stock 996 front bumber which can take alot.

[rgdalacrity]

BReyes,
Why did you say not to sale your 911. I have an '87 and am thinking about buying a 997.

[Aerkuld]

Originally posted by rgdalacrity
BReyes,
Why did you say not to sale your 911. I have an '87 and am thinking about buying a 997.

If you sell your '87 you'll only end up wanting, then having to buy another one later. That's what happened to the gentleman that I bought my '87 from who was selling it to get a 996. I've just bought a 996 and I'm keeping the '87 - I consider it a lesson learned.

[jwetering]

How timley - I just *delivered* my liteweight 911 (carbs, cams blah blah) to it's new owner last saturday. Note that I replaced it with a 2002 996 about a month ago, but the new owner only just got around to squaring up with me.

Anyway - by tuesday I was laying awake at night thinking about what my next air cooled car would be. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret for a millisecond gettting the 996, and I don't think I could ever daily drive a 911 after this 996. But air cooled 911's are really cool, kinda like motorcycles for the guy who's gotta have four wheels (that would be me)

The 996 is a really reallly nice driver. PUH-lenty fast, and handles and feels entirely like a Porsche should. Sure I'm thinking a suspension upgrade, but that's exactly how I felt about my stock SC suspension as well. The 996 gets *MORE* looks than the 911 did, and in the flesh it's a beautiful car to look at. Remember this is coming from a former dyed in the wool airhead.

Guys who say the car is soft and that Porsche had somehow lost the thread with the 996 are just plain wrong. They have either never driven a 996, or have done so but with their heads stuck up the arses.

Now, with respect to engine failure. The RMS issue is nuthin' The new seal design works - fulll stop. What *may get you is an Intermediate shaft falure. Both the bearing and the sprocket were under engineered, and in some cases the designs) lead to catastrophic failure. This was supposd to have been fixed by 2002, and there were certainly modifications made, but a close friend of mine bougt a very low mileage 2003 model (20K miles) recently and he grenaded his motor after only three months of enthusiastic ownership. My car is 40+K miles on the other hand, and is a real pussycat. I know more happy 996 owners than sad ones.

Anyway - long story short: 996 great car, 911 super cool neat old hobby cars, if you can manage to own both then do so!

[Aerkuld]

jwetering - You're 'new' 2002 996 looks just like my one. I picked that up about a month ago too...



I think you sum it up perfectly and I would also tend to think that the majority of the people who criticise the 996/997 have probably never driven one. It is one heck of a good car and far easier to live with on a daily basis...but there is just something about the air cooled cars.

[speeder]

I'd love to have both, but if I can only have one it's no contest to have a 996. Your car is gorgeous, Aerkuld, absolutely stunning as a daily driver. And it is as well-mannered as a Lexus but will walk all over anything short of a high 6-figure exotic, (or a higher spec new Porsche).

[RF5BPilot]

I agree with previous posts in that the 996 is an amazing, well-tuned, well-balanced, powerful, dependable car. That said, the very act of refinement removes some of the unique character of the earlier air cooled cars (imho, pre 993).

So the good news is that the newer cars are more "turn key." I am still impressed that I can hit the cruise control and get a genuine 29-30mpg at 65mph--and yet, have it respond so well to the throttle. As in any car, consider the options you get and how well they will age. Some features are great with a new car under warranty...but pale with the weight of their upkeep over time.

My '69 911s was a pure European version. As a small block, it started to get decent power at about 4,500rpm, at 5,500rpm you could hear the cams come alive, and from 5,500-7,200 it screamed like a banshee trying to claw its way from the engine compartment into the back seat. It was great. On the other hand, given the traffic we drive in near large cities and the impact that weather has on the older cars, I can drive the 996 and simply not worry.

So, if you can have both a 996 for transportation and an early 911 for sport--that's ideal. For a single car, the 996 is hard to beat. The 3.6l engine vehicles seem to be aging well with no consistent, major weaknesses showing up.

[450knotOffice]

Well, mine's not the 3.6 but rather the 3.4, but it's been reliable as can be for the year and 17,000 daily-driven miles that I've had it for and was very well cared for before I bought it from its one previous owner. I've said time and again on this forum that the 996 really is a true sports car in the 911 tradition and is definitely not soft, as so many people who've obviously not driven one in anger like to claim. It is a highly refined, very quick (and fast -174 mph), very agile, and very well built sports car that can and does easily show its beautiful rear end to the supposed "real" air-cooled 911's on any road any time (highly modded and lightened air-cooled's not included, but then again, even those cars would be shown the door when pitted against an equally prepped 996, so it's still a true statement).

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my air cooled '84 Carrera and lavish a lot of time and love on that car; and drive it hard as often as I can. I plan to never get rid of it. My dad had an old early 911 for 20+ years and was as addicted to them then as I am now. I simply am not one of those people that feels that Porsche somehow lost their way. They haven't. They've simply moved ahead with the times, and in fact have stayed at the forefront of the market all along. The water cooled 996's were the benchmark sports car that all others strived to match until Porsche bettered themselves with the 997 and moved the game along once again.

I invite those who have not driven one in anger to do so and then tell us whether they still feel Porsche has lost its way and gone soft. I bet they change their tune. There is nothing wrong with a great sports car that also happens to be comfortable too.

Btw, I've tracked mine at Willow Springs four times already and have thrashed it mercilessly and yet it has never missed a beat, ever. That car is one tough machine, true to the Porsche tradition.



And there's nothing wrong with this interior either. It's functional, stylish, solid and rattle free, and all leather (including the dash)


At the track. Yes, these cars love the track.


The two together