Here we go again

[fogcity]

It's been a few years since I posted and since I sold my 84 Carrera. A couple break downs made me get a new car, a Passat, because I thought I should be more responsible now that I have a toddler. Anyway, I've dreamed of driving that car again (literally) and can't get Porsche out of my mind.

I hate the VW, and kind of "decided" to get a 2006 BMW 5 later this year - you know, cooler car, more fun and sportier, warranty left, etc. Anyway, I was surprised to see that the 1999-2000 Carrera's are going for around what I planned on paying for the BMW (low 30k'$), and what I really want is another Carrera - so, the reasearch begins: What do I need to look for? What milage is too high? Can a person purchase a (good) warranty for these years? Can I expect to have a "red-line it everyday, drive-it-like-you-stole-it, what an amazing car, this is so easy to work on" kind of car like my 84 was?

Also, can someone point me to a link explaining any differances between 911 models of 1999-2002?

Thanks (it feels good to be back on this board).
(this post has been carried over from the 911 forum - didn't know where to ask my questions)

[450knotOffice]

Welcome back! I have both - an '84 (I love that car - my first 911) and a 2000 996 (Guards red).

My advice to you is to go over to the Rennlist 996 forum and check it out. That forum is VERY active and will have all of the answers you need.

On a personal level, I find that the 996 is worlds more comfortable, quiet and sophisticated than the older Carrera but can be thrashed to within an inch of it's life time and again with absolutely no side effects. I've tracked mine at Willow Springs raceway here in SoCal and have maybe 750 miles of 5000 to 7000 RPM track miles on it in the last year and the car runs like a swiss watch. It's fast as hell on the track (ask my friends in their older Carreras about my car's speed) and handles just as a 911 should. It has a definite rear weight bias which any 911 driver will recognize and a very light, communicative and yet accurate steering feel. And mine is bone stock because I also use it as my daily driver (lucky me). If I were to add a sport coil-over suspension package (like Bistein's PSS9 system), a GT3 aero kit, GT3-width wheels and tires, and a sport exhaust system, I'd have a car that's every bit as harsh and track focused as the most hardcore old-school street 911 out there. It's all about what you want out of the car. But, even bone stock, the car is amazingly agile, quick, and fast and feels at home on the track.

Test drive as many as you can and drive them hard. Take them all the way to 7000+ RPM. Take the RPM's up to 4000 in third and then punch it and feel the huge mid range pull these cars have. Take them hard around corners, etc. Don't just cruise during your test drives. You might come out with the wrong impression otherwise.

Good luck to you and keep us informed.

[Der Meister]

What he said.
(Scott's my neighbor and was part of my inspiration in getting my 996 about 2 months ago.)

To really experience the motor's power, you do need to take it over 4k rpm.
It's nice to advise the salesperson or owner before you do this so they know you're not out of control, ha.

I've got 2 little ones and they also love it.

[450knotOffice]

Dave, what's your Rennlist "name"?

[Der Meister]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Dave, what's your Rennlist "name"?

Meister Fahrer....

[bcoats]

funny, I'm in the same boat here, drove a 1999 yesterday with 56K on the odemeter, pristine for $30K, I loved the car, surprisingly fast and very tight

[450knotOffice]

I loved the car, surprisingly fast and very tight

...and it seems another air cooled die hard has seen the light.

Most drivers of older Porsches are surprised when they drive a 996 for the first time. I was.

[fogcity]

I know it's been argued over a million times, but all the threads about engine failure are making me think that I may want to stay with the air-cooled. 993's are starting to look pretty nice.

[Der Meister]

Originally Posted by fogcity

I know it's been argued over a million times, but all the threads about engine failure are making me think that I may want to stay with the air-cooled. 993's are starting to look pretty nice.

I also love 993s, aka last-of-the-aircooled, but it's a question of what you want.
Nice 993s are fetching bigger prices than comparable early 996s.
(That was not the case 3 years ago.)

I would've had to pay ~$5k more for a similar '96-'97 993.

I was looking for an almost-daily driver, and the 996 is just a much more "modern" driver (quieter, smoother, elegant cabin, little bigger back seat for kids, etc) not to mention faster, arguably better handling, and all the flat-6 Sturm und Drang that you could ask for....

If I just wanted a classic investment-grade car just for weekend car shows, I would have gotten a 993 (or 356).

But imho really the positive side-effect of high 993 prices are great 996 deals out there.

Btw, here's a nice 996 with 2 years remaining on powertrain warranty:
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=371169

Anyway, like Scott was saying, you should go do some test drives.

[Der Meister]

Here's a nice one, Ruf body kit, 30k miles, $30k, only thing it's in Alabama.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=389449