Ed Hughes

The market speaks in values-there's a reason the 996's are cheap....semi-crummy interior, worst headlights, slab sided, and there are the known issues that have to be dealt with, if not already. They have performance, but the soul is gone-try driving a couple.

993's are getting hard to find, but it seems there are still good C2's in the 30's. S's get a premium for sure.

Good luck!

zirrah

Yeah it's the visual issues with 996's, they still drive great and sound great. I hate the interiors and headlights, always have.

WPOZZZ

If you get a 964 cab, you'll need to get a 89-91 and no later because they removed the rear seats in the 92+ cabs.

Mike Murphy

Good info all, I'll keep you posted. I want to sell my current car first, so with these specialty cars, it could take a while, especially since I'm trying to get top dollar. In the meantime, I'll be looking for cars that are up for sale.

ChemMan

I went from a 3.2 Carrera to a 996 and I was very happy with the move. I have two young children as well. The 996 is a great 911 if you get the IMS issue taken care of proactively with the LN engineering solution.

NYNick

Better move quickly on the 993's. The coupes have escalated dramatically already, although all the CAB's across the board seem to be a better value these days. (356's excepted)
Funny how the coupes were 'base models', and the Targas and CABs were expensive options, yet nowadays the coupes bring a premium over both.
That's how they getcha!

SiberianDVM

I love my P cars as much as anybody else, but there is no way that any variant of the 911 model will be as comfortable for 4 people, even 2 small ones, as my 1999 M3.

I agree with you on the newer BMWs; I had a 2008 335xi that spent more time at the dealership than the salespeople did. I got rid of it after a year. The 1999 M3 is a whole different beast, with a few quirks, but a blast to drive.

IMHO, a E36 M3 coupe or saloon would will fulfill your needs, be fun to drive, and would not kill you quite as much on maintenance, as there is much that you can do yourself, and quite a few indies that would rather work on these than Porsches or newer BMWs. Plus, the price will be about half.

Dr Mitch

You might have an easier time with car seats in the back of a 996 (my father has a C4S). My kids are quite comfy (no car seats anymore) in the back of my 964.
I would (and of course, DID) choose the 964 over a 996 (I like the wide body 996's only). But the 996 is a very nice car to drive - very responsive steering, but quite a bit more harsh over bumps etc vs the 964. The stereo is pretty good in the 996, A/C works great, has heated seats, more of a luxury sports car vs driving machine that the 964 is.
That said, with the drop in 996 prices - perhaps a 996 TT?? No IMS worries, and more than enough power!!

sonett43

I'm in about the same boat, I've started selling my 2005 BMW 545 at 80,000 for fear of impending expensive repairs....it has been an extremely reliable, comfortable and somewhat fun family hauler, big motor, manual gearbox, lots of goodies.

But now I've got a 1991 C4 coming in from the west, should be here in a week, and I'm stoked, I'll run snows on it during the winter....my 8 year old can't wait to be hauled around in it....He's just about ready to ride up front, when mom doesn't tag along...in fact, his mom is excited too...she thinks she might get to drive it from time to time.

photos upon arrival.

ChemMan

I agree with Mitch. The 996 is a great car but the 996TT is much better. No IMS issues. I moved from the 996 to a 996TT. Kids fit fine in the back.

Mike Murphy

Really? I never considered a turbo because I assumed that they are going to be more expensive to repair than a naturally aspirated one. Aren't they more rare and therefore, less people want to work on them? This has been the problem for me with the M5: my mechanic and other mechanics I've talked to said that they shy away from working on these.

SARGEPUG

If you rally want a 3.2, you can get it to blow cold, just need an avg of $5k to spend on a system upgrade.

theiceman

996TT was the most produced Turbo in Porsche history. These are run of the mill water pumpers that any indy or dealership can work on .

the 930 however .. that's a different beast ..

NYNick

You can't be "stoked", you live in New Jersey!
Fuggetabowtit!

niche

Look into 996tts. Bargains right now.