Hurdigurdiman

Hell you could DIY everything yourself when the engine is on the deck. That's if your mechanic will give you the chance. Drop him a couple of hundred in his back pocket and he might just let you do it yourself. Or get him into the nearest pub and get him sloshed hahaha.

Woodman71

Be sure to align those cap badges properly with the valve stems if you DIY!

808Bill

Low 20's, damn! I sure hope it turns out better then it looks...

318touring

Ask the OPC whether you can supply some or all of the parts yourself - if they don't have special pricing for PCGB members.

I always use Design911 for most of my parts, and I'm at the other side of the world!!

Use discount code 911UK09 to get 5% off your parts. They also do free shipping for bigger orders (sometimes).

Luke Reid

Ok - so here's where I went wrong

1 - deciding it had to be a Targa - these are premium here - only 2 other manuals I could find in the same ballpark and one of them was wrapped. Plus this had aerokit and sports exhaust (sic)
2 - comparing to my recollection of how a 996 should feel from 15 years ago.
3 - no PPI
4 - last one I went to see - by the time I had decided to pull the trigger - it was sold.
5 - no PPI - at least I should have got the sticker price down!

I'm having a second go tomorrow and setting it out as must, should and could (things to do next) then I will know what I have let myself in for. I can't help thinking that this is still the best of what I have looked at and every time I go out and see it on my drive I am filed with joy!

Caveat emptor!

dan_189

Lots of good info, I'm g​uessing a lot of that cost would possibly be a new OEM exhaust. Similar scenario almost happened to me, has a car PPI'd came back with 16k worth of work needing to be done with the majority of that cost was a new OEM exhaust.

I walked away. However you could just supply an aftermarket exhaust if that's the case for you.

Luke Reid

Yep - exhaust is about 1/3 of the cost - but the car just passed it's MOT test (annual roadworthiness) so it's good for another year. I will update tomorrow.

Kalashnikov

Post the full list of "things" they have recommended to fix. Most of it is most likely BS. You can drive INDEFINITELY with slowly seeping coolant and oil as long as you keep on adding the fluids. I doubt that your exhaust is damaged to the point where ALL of it has to be replaced.

dgjks6

I believe all 996's are $25-30K cars. If you buy one for that price you don't have to do anything. And if you buy one for less than that, by the time you fix everything you are at that price. I know there are people who get out for less, but there are also people who are in way more than that (my 996 ownership experience).

808Bill

Really depends on who's doing the fixing...

dan_189

Aftermarket or even good used components can be had for a lot less, its also a DIY if you're mechanically inclined.

jaetee

Wow! $10k worth or work quoted by the same shop, after only 3k miles following a 60k service.... Now you know why the car was up for sale. Personally, I might be inclined to look around for another Indy shop.

That said, you seem to have a great attitude and love for the car already. I sense a great outcome for you down the road...

Best of luck! Looks like a winner of a 996! Targa w/aero and stick is a very, very rare combo!

TonyTwoBags

You can get a full aftermarket exhaust for under $2k. I'd use it as an excuse to improve the car's soundtrack

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod15...e-996-C2---C4/

JimmyB

I have that package, minus the headers. Like it a lot. LOVE the sound!

TonyTwoBags

Cool - I'm loosely planning to DIY it this summer. Your 200-cell cats running well with O2 spacers, no problems I should be wary of? My research so far suggests it's a decent quality setup that sounds good. Thanks for anything you can provide, may even help OP.