When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
They say "dont buy the first 996 you see", "dont buy a 996 without a PPI", "buy the best example you can afford, etc LOL
I disregarded all of that...
After many many years of being a member of Porsche clubs/forums/etc and helping others with purchases, I ran across a car that I couldnt walk away from.
Found a 1999 C2 on Craigslist locally to me that had been on there a while and the price kept dropping. Took the wife and kids to have a look at it yesterday. Seller was "motivated to sell this weekend" as he found a 996 Turbo he wanted to pick up, "taking it to carmax tomorrow".
After taking the car for a spin and talking price I made an offer that was eventually accepted. Ended up having a friend drive it home as I followed with my wife and boys. My buddy (also a highly skilled auto tech) has a 997 C4S so figured he could give it a shake down on the way home.
The car has 112K miles on it, 6 speed, came with Fikse FM-10 wheels and a set of Turbo Twist wheels. Carfax shows 7 previous owners and a clean title with only one "damage reported" by the guy I bought it from last year. Apparently his wife backed into something while taking it out of the garage and there was a police report issued but the rear bumper was repaired (no paint damage but the rear bumper cover is still a bit wavy". Seller claims the previous owner did an IMS upgrade and clutch back in 2016 and produced a receipt but i'm skeptical. The price was very right so I looked past that and crossed my fingers.
I put the car on my lift once it got home and its missing most of the under carriage panels, the front bumper seems to have been repaired and the engine has its share of seepage but it drives fine, doesnt overheat and doesnt have any error lights on the dash. It has some type of Eibach springs on there. I'm not sure if they are part of a kit or what the deal is with them but the car feels planted when driving.
Seeing how the car was first registered in 1998, it seems its eligible for "Historic" tags here in my home state of MD so that'll help get it on the road and to a specialist this coming week for a PPI.
Im looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and getting to work on this thing as soon as possible!!!
Thanks! I was planning on restoring the headlights but it looks like the insides of the housings have melted?! Is this common? I'll take better pics of this issue when I get home later today but it looks like someone put the wrong temp bulbs in there and the centers of the housings in front of where the bulb is placed has melted away some
Curious how much a Litronic upgrade would go for LOL
I have a very similar purchase story. I was looking at more expensive 996s, but bought a local one off Craigslist. Also an early build 1999 C2. I have had it a year and a half now, and I love it. I have been transforming it back into a track car which is how it started its life.
I have a very similar purchase story. I was looking at more expensive 996s, but bought a local one off Craigslist. Also an early build 1999 C2. I have had it a year and a half now, and I love it. I have been transforming it back into a track car which is how it started its life.
Rock on! Do you have a build thread? Would love to see what others are going through
Thanks! I was planning on restoring the headlights but it looks like the insides of the housings have melted?! Is this common? I'll take better pics of this issue when I get home later today but it looks like someone put the wrong temp bulbs in there and the centers of the housings in front of where the bulb is placed has melted away some
Curious how much a Litronic upgrade would go for LOL
Probably your best option is to purchase aftermarket headlights on eBay or Amazon. There are several versions for the Mk1. Be thankful you have the Mk2 because there are no aftermarket solutions for headlights on the Mk2 996. The aftermarket headlights are suitable for standard halogen based systems like what is on your car. Good news is they use a projector (HID like) lens to better focus the light without the pains of configuring a Xenon ballast type system.
Rock on! Dgo you have a build thread? Would love to see what others are going through
I do not have a build thread on what I've done, but I have thought about doing a video showing some of the mods and the cost of parts and installation.
Probably your best option is to purchase aftermarket headlights on eBay or Amazon. There are several versions for the Mk1. Be thankful you have the Mk2 because there are no aftermarket solutions for headlights on the Mk2 996. The aftermarket headlights are suitable for standard halogen based systems like what is on your car. Good news is they use a projector (HID like) lens to better focus the light without the pains of configuring a Xenon ballast type system.
Ive taken different headlights apart in the past so I figure this was worth a shot. Found an economical pre-owned headlight set that also had lens discoloration so lets see
The state of Maryland goes by model year not in-service-date when calculating age so I have to wait until Jan 1st to get my "Historic" tags.
The car is going through a PPI which will ultimately provide a state inspection sticker but since this car will not be a daily driver, its going on my collectors car insurance policy so historic tags are ultimately preferred. Rather than wait, I got some 30 day temporary tags so I can get the car to the dealer tomorrow for the post purchase PPI and drive it around before the weather gets worse and I get super busy at work.
No rush for tags I suppose. Ive posted the Turbo Twist wheels for sale and I think i'm going to swap out the Fikse FM10s for either some Sport Classics or some 17" wheels (for now).
Scheduled the PPI and an interior detail for tomorrow but I cant drop it off until after work. I was going to have them do the oil change also but the $300 price turned me off considering filter and oil cost under $100 locally. I'll take care of that after work today.
Update by the end of week with what the dealership finds
I'm somewhat jealous sir. I saw the car you bought on Craigslist Friday morning, after I'd scheduled to see a similar car near Washington DC. As your car was another hour of travel for me I decided to not look into it. Well, that and it looked too good to be true. I guess I was wrong.
I ended up buying the car I looked at, a silver over black 99. 110k miles, no extra Fikse wheels and only the base 17" wheels on it. I also didn't have a PPI, but at my budget level I can't afford a PPI on multiple cars so I rolled the dice. And your car was listed at less than the car I bought. Perhaps I should have been willing to travel further...
I'll be following your thread. Fingers crossed for the both of us!
I'm somewhat jealous sir. I saw the car you bought on Craigslist Friday morning, after I'd scheduled to see a similar car near Washington DC. As your car was another hour of travel for me I decided to not look into it. Well, that and it looked too good to be true. I guess I was wrong.
I ended up buying the car I looked at, a silver over black 99. 110k miles, no extra Fikse wheels and only the base 17" wheels on it. I also didn't have a PPI, but at my budget level I can't afford a PPI on multiple cars so I rolled the dice. And your car was listed at less than the car I bought. Perhaps I should have been willing to travel further...
I'll be following your thread. Fingers crossed for the both of us!
Awesome! We can travel this (rocky?) road together! Are you getting youre car inspected after the fact? Do you have a thread on your car?!
I've been tracking the car I bought since it was posted originally. I admit it was the Fikse wheels that attracted me to the car even though I'll likely sell them off to free up some project cash LOL
10-14-2018, 09:49 AM
DGI's Project 996 "Sally"
