nk215

Where’s the ad? I didn’t see any link.

If possible, get one with very low miles (<20K miles) regardless of year (05-08), you can then get a platinum warranty on it for 6years/60K miles for around 3.5K if I remember correctly.

What’s your budget? From what I’ve read, 997.1 has about ~10% chance of bore scoring (vs 30+% change of IMS for 996 small IMS bearing engine). No one with a tip has reported a bore scoring issue yet (or I didn’t look hard enough).

talkenrain

Absolute maximum budget is $30k (including air fare/transport). Grey or black C2S, Cab or coupe. Temptronic or 6 speed, must have power heated seats and full leather. I'm not afraid of high miles but it must be in good condition and the more options the better... I wrench my own project cars for most but major issues so something with minor problems are interesting to me if that helps fit my budget. This will not be a daily driver so if it needs to sit while being worked on, it no big deal... I'm maybe not the typical 997 owner but I seem to get an enormous amount of pleasure tinkering & wrenching. Almost as much as driving...

996AE

I know CM area well and can take a look at the car for you. I just bought a 2008 997.1 base cab from Newport Porsche.

PM me if you need local RL and PCA member eyes on her.

Derek Zoolander

For <=$30k C2S, you're looking at a 100k+ mile car... Stretch it to $35k for better options.

KenC4S

I was able to pick up a 07 C4S with 65k Miles for just 35k from Texas. additional 1k for shipping to me in California. just fyi

talkenrain

Thanks for the price references. Very helpful data. Seems like prices are higher here in the northwest...

996AE

My neighbor just bought 2008 997.1 c2s 22k miles Austin TX mint 39k. Cpe, MT. White/Blk

Really nice car.

Just spent 3.5k on major service as car sat for a few years in garage not driven. changed all fluids, new tires, spark plugs (time not miles) and full detail.

Car is sweet.

squid42

I don't see that. At least for cars with manual transmissions you can just schedule a clutch job and while doing that check which IMSB you have. If it is the wimpy one, have a better one overnighted while the transmission is dropped anyway.

And from that point on your own resale ads will be able to specifically say which IMS you have.

gtvr6

Hey - I've been looking at early model 997's and I've noticed a difference in price between the 2005 & 2006. The only reason (difference) I can see is that you can still get a third party warranty on the '06s (with low miles) but you don't have as many (if any reliable companies) willing to cover the '05s.

I was about to pull the trigger on one in Texas and when I couldn't get a reliable warranty company to cover it, I backed out. Since you're looking at higher mileage cars, I don't thing the warranty will be an issue for you.

Good luck.

99711mike82

Squid-

I see what you are saying, but its just that stigma of any model before '06 that most educated prospective buyers will have. That stigma comes with a cost in the market. Everything you mention is great and true, but you need to factor in the cost of labor to get it checked out and if the smaller IMS is present, then factor in the cost for the aftermarket IMS parts, etc, and in the end, you have approximately 10% of the cars value that you need to budget for to get things up to par. This is the reason I excluded any 05 models from my search and ended up going with an 07 C2 instead... For me, the piece of mind was worth the premium I paid.

Just my own anecdotal experience.

-Mike in So Cal

nk215

+1.

I saw <= 30$k (all inclusive) and think that the OP should wait a little longer. Too many compromise to be made for a dream car at that price point.

After inspection, transportation, air tickets and taxes, there's not much for the vehicle itself.

squid42

We don't disagree. It really depends on the specific numbers. If a 2005 really comes at a discount, is manual and there is no evidence of the clutch ever having been done you can follow this procedure pretty much for free if it has the bigger IMS, and if not you don't have to pay for an extra transmission drop.

If it's a tip you could hope to beat the seller into a sales price so low that you won't lose much if you later have to sell it as a roller.

Personally I am more unamused about possible cylinder scoring. I consider the IMSB problem to have a clear management path to a calculated risk. The scoring is much more difficult to deal with. Essentially if the car is already old and doesn't have it you hope for the best.

talkenrain

Hey experts, I'm being told by a non Porsche dealer, an 05 997.1 C2S (3.8L) does not suffer IMS issues. Is this true?

AltVelo

Hey Talkenrain, the reference I used is engine serial number and details are below. What the dealer told you is wrong. I didn't note down where I got it from though. You can find the number at the rear of the engine by the sway bar.

"I did some digging into the 997 work shop manual and extracted the following information on which engine has the old or revised larger IMS bearing:

Base engine (3.6) has designation "M96", has both the older IMS and revised larger bearing, you will need your engine number to determine which one you have:

Engine (3.6) number up to M96/05 69507475 has the older IMS bearing and Engine number from M96/05 69507476 has the larger revised IMS.

"S" engine (3.8) has designation "M97", also has both the older IMS and revised larger IMS bearing:

Engine (3.8) number up to M97/01 68509790 has the older IMS bearing and Engine number from M97/01 68509791 has the larger revised IMS.

The older IMS bearing can be replaced, this requires removing the transmission in order to get access to the bearing.

The larger IMS bearing can also be replaced but a tear down of the engine is required.

The work shop manual does not mention the date for the IMS changeover."

talkenrain

THANK YOU.... Thats what I thought but wanted to be sure. Theses guys will say anything to get the sale....