Jaybatl911

I have finally decided to buy a 911 and have found a few locally for sale. They're all in very good shape, low miles, etc but someone at a local Porsche dealership told me to run like my hair was on fire! He's now gotten me a bit scared so I thought you guys could help me out.

All three of the cars I'm considering have between 25,000 and 50,000 miles. The low mileage car is my favorite. He said it will just be a money pit. I'm especially concerned about the IMS problems these cars have had over the years. What's the typical cost of replacing it should it go out?

Please tell me the pitfalls of owning my dream car.

Thank you guys for your time and help.

Reiver

If I carried a jack it would be a late model scissors type.

Jaybatl911

No clue what that means but thanks....

Reiver

Me either, posted in the wrong thread.
However, you might want to try the water cooled section as this forum is for the air/oil cooled 911.

Ed Hughes

A '99 996 is a dream car??

Reiver

Just a quick search tells me Excellence Mag, in their buying guide, recommends passing on any '99 model because of the first year teething problems for that new platform.

Cuda911

Jay, post in the 996 forum. You'll get plenty of help there.

And, re: IMSB: "What's the typical cost of replacing it should it go out?"

Basically, the cost will be whatever you paid for the car, since it will be toast. You have to replace the IMSB before it goes out. You will find a million posts regarding this topic if you use the search feature on this site.

Amber Gramps

'99 is a nightmare of a car. google "porsche 996 IMS failure"

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...65788261,d.cGU

....or D-chunking

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...Uzui1y7TAH_NEQ

WPOZZZ

If the IMS goes, you'll need to rebuild your motor. There are companies out there that rebuild them at a cost of $8k+ shipping, removal, installation, fluids, hoses, water pump... All in all, if your motor blows, your repair cost will be equal to the worth of a car with a good motor.

DreamCarrera

This thread is embarrassing for many reasons, not the least of which is the snobbery displayed here...well played air cooled fans, well played...

BTW, amber lamps, the probability of an IM$ failure in a '99 is very small due to the double row bearing, but I'm sure you are well aware of that due to the fact that you seem to know everything...[hint: the failure rate on the '99-'00 double row bearings is well under 1% according to Porsche]...

DreamCarrera

Good one, way to knock the OP down a few pegs...you 993 stud you...

Ed Hughes

A little sensitive, aren't you? Seems like therapy may help with your complex.

I looked at 996's and considered them a few years back. Was very close on a 6-GT3 last year. I simply don't view them as dream cars. I don't view a 997 as a dream car, nor my 993, for that matter. Porsches are great cars, and many of them awesome, for the most part-but not so sure about dream car.

The plain and simple truth is the depreciating prices of 996's have people thinking they've found the deal of the century. Typically, those people haven't spent any time learning about P-cars and their idiosyncrasies or issues. They do need to get educated before jumping into a "deal".

Ed Hughes

Ha, just noticed the avatar-musta hit a nerve.

Reiver

This isn't snobbery, he asked a question about issues.
2013-2014 Excellence Porsche Buyers Guide.
Page 118 Shoptalk.
"Porsche experienced a number of engine teething issues with the 996, so many that we recommend skipping the first-year cars..."
He asked about the first year car convertible.

race911

Actually, it's near zero. The intermediate shaft BEARING, on the other hand......

Anyway, we must have something in the oil in the Bay Area/Northern California--most recent dead M96/M97 engined cars I've been offered somewhat recently were a Cayman S, and two '99 996s.