This is not a thread to bash 996's, that is NOT my intent!
I was looking on Pelican's classified section and found a post for a '99 996 Coupe 6-speed w/ 41K mi. for $29K (his reserve on ebay). From reading his Pelican/eBay info on the car it sounds pretty good. I started looking around and found several mid-mileage 996's in the low 30's.

I think I read somewhere that it was expected the 996's would become far more popular for track cars now that the prices are coming down. Makes sense to me. I know I wouldn't mind having a 996 for a track car/DD.

The eBay car is here: 996 Coupe
I have no association with car or seller....yada yada yada

 

thats good.

 

"I know I wouldn't mind having a 996 for a track car/DD."

Hell ya or even a Boxster for that matter...

Curious would panels and minor damage to a 996 NA be cheaper to fix
than same on a 993 due to materials and abundance?

 

Here's another one w/ 42k mi. 996 on Pelican

 

yeah, i wouldn't mind getting one to beat around and preserve my 993.

 

If you have nervous days over the SAI problem (which is more annoying than a true problem), what would you do with a car that is statistically prone 1) engine expiring (check 996 board) 2) Rear main seals that could be a continual issue 3) transmissions that are throw away if a problem occurs like a bad synchro

 

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ght=996+prices

 

Didn't they "fix" those issues in the 01/02 years?

I heard to stay FAR away from the first year 996's because of those engine and tranny issues.

 

Yeah, I've heard that too. I'm thinking I read that in Excellence, but I can't remember.

 

Some of the motor expiring went away with the '01 on. They also tried everything possible with the RMS. Sometimes it works, and other times you just add it to your list of yearly maintenance. The tranny stuff is just the way they are produced. Porsche does not sell, or even give parts info, diagrams, or service data on the trannies. They are replacement units..

Does that mean that are not OK cars? They are fine, just you need to be aware of potential items as with any car. I think though that this will keep the price pressure down on these cars, especially as they get older. The lower the prices, the more a potential $9K tranny bill, $1K RMS maintenance, etc will cause buyers to have second thoughts.

 

[QUOTE=Sonic dB
Curious would panels and minor damage to a 996 NA be cheaper to fix
than same on a 993 due to materials and abundance?[/QUOTE]

Absolutely it would be.

 

There is some interesting information here from one of the specialists in the UK that rebuild 996/Boxster engines. http://new.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled

Hartech is another one and has just opened a new engine room.

 

With the prices where they are I don't see how you can beat an early 996 for a track car. Bob, your info isn't quite true. The transmission was originally intended to be a factory only rebuild but many shops in the US now do it. That's if you need a rebuild. They seem to be tough as nails. The engines hold up pretty well on the track too. And if you blow one, get a rebuild for 10k.

There are many many more 996s club racing than 993s. Last year in C stock, where the basic 996s race against 993RSCSs and 993TTs, there were more race starts by 996s than any other model. One of the great things is that you can swap pretty much all suspension parts with cup cars and R/RSs.

Fun car, low price. How can you beat that.
Jim

 

Jim - There are more places starting to rebuild them. It is not the same as a G50, and the parts at this point are limited. And Porsche offers ZERO support and parts info for this effort. I know Patrick was one of the first to start with this. As far as Porsche is concerned, no one other than the factory can open and repair them.

 

FYI, in the December 2006 issue of 911&Porsche World there is a buyer's guide for the early and late model 996 related to this very topic. They discuss the pro's and con's of the car and what a great value they are; primarily panned by the critics for it's looks and being the first-gen culprit as a non-air cooled car. Some cylinder wall issues did occur with the early 996 models but mainly the early Boxter. Newer model 996s show very rare occurrence. The list of known issues for the 996's are surprisingly few compared to earlier cars, including the 993. It's good reading if you plan to buy one and provides tips on what to look out for on a search. Oil changes, btw, are a cinch. Mine has been an excellent track car and highly reliable so far. Upgrading the suspension and sway bars transforms the car. But then again it did the same for my 993. The RMS problem, btw, is not isolated to the 996 and 997, it spans back many model generations. My car is under warranty still, didn't need the RMS fix; the dealer was nice enough to change it anyway because they have yet another new fix. Because it was under warranty and performed, they said they will honor it after it expires. I have enjoyed mine so far. The depreciation; too many 996s on the market, and lack of respect for the car is an issue, but those with an open mind who will actually drive one will likely have their expectations exceeded. It did mine, even compared to the air cooled cars which are admittedly fun drivers and have an unbeatable engine note. I suspect the good-buy to be had will begin to persuade people and once enough Porschephiles drive them, the respect for these cars may finally increase and get the cudo's they deserve.