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I've been lurking in these forums for months if not years before making this first post. After endless research and searching for cars I finally picked up a 2003 C2 6spd in seal grey with a black interior with 190k kms (118k miles). Over the course of the journey, I've gone from someone that first said 'anything but a 996' to now being convinced that for someone like me the 996 is absolutely hands down the best 911 out there. I bought this beauty for CAD$24k (USD$17k) and couldn't be happier.
It came with a clutch replacement and new IMS bearing at 120k kms. Service history is documented from 2008. It was sold to me by the partner of the local indy Porsche mechanic here in town and came with a 30 day warranty.
I love that the 996 is the underdog of the 911 range, I love that the purists hate it, I love that I picked up a 2003 911 for 50% of the price of a 2005 997. I love that it drives better than most of the 993's out there. I love that it's still small and compact. I love that I purposely bought the C2 as it's the lightest and slowest 911 in the range, I love that I can hold the throttle down in 2nd for a few seconds longer than faster cars and hear that roar and feel that pull at 6500 rpm without going double the speed limit.
I've already made a few upgrades. Some not planned, I hit some road debris on my first road trip and blew a tire so now have Pirelli P Zero's on the rear axle. Some planned, I have a friend that's a welder that helped me do the bypass mod on the mufflers.
It's not a perfect car, there is a small RMS leak and the rear shocks are leaking fluid. In the mail right now are a set of Blistein B8 shocks, H&R springs and Eibach sway bars which I think will transform the handling. I'll keep an eye on the RMS leak but I reported it to the seller while the warranty was live. They are helping me out with the installation of the new suspension and we'll see if the leak warrants taking the engine out or just waiting until the next clutch replacement.
Anyway, my name is Iain. Thank you for all the previous posters for educating me to the point where I could make this happen.
Last edited by El Roso; 03-30-2020 at 12:12 AM.
Reason: typo
Some pictures of the exhaust work. I'm not really sure if this is the Gundo hack or the Fister D mod but I do know it's the same exhaust routing as the Porsche Sports Exhaust. I'm not a total hooligan but really think it could still be a bit louder. If I were to do it again I would just join the two pipes and bypass the muffler completely.
deadly IMS overrated like some other more current events
Yeah, I am in the frame of mind that if the car lasted 10+ years and 120k kms before the IMS got replaced it was probably fine anyway but it doesn't hurt to know it's been replaced.
I'm not paranoid about this car and plan to drive it daily. I park it on the street and drive it in the rain. It will be cared for but driven and enjoyed.
Welcome to the show. You’re gonna love the way the car drives with your inbound suspension googahs. You found an all-around good looking 996. Enjoy in fine health!
Hey, I'm in Victoria as well. Congrats on the new car! Its my favourite colour for that model.
Just sold my 15 Boxster S PDK and waiting for a build spot on the GTS 4.0. I'm looking at the '03 C4S at the dealer while I'm waiting (may be a year or so) Did you look at it?
I love that the 996 is the underdog of the 911 range, I love that the purists hate it, I love that I picked up a 2003 911 for 50% of the price of a 2005 997. I love that it drives better than most of the 993's out there. I love that it's still small and compact. I love that I purposely bought the C2 as it's the lightest and slowest 911 in the range, I love that I can hold the throttle down in 2nd for a few seconds longer than faster cars and hear that roar and feel that pull at 6500 rpm without going double the speed limit.
I love that you hit all the reasons why I also love my 996 C2 in one concise quote. Oh, and that you're also Canadian!
I love that you hit all the reasons why I also love my 996 C2 in one concise quote. Oh, and that you're also Canadian!
I'm glad we agree! I can't understand all the 'hate' for this car but as my friend said to me 20 years ago, 'Anyone that hates a 996 has never driven one'
I'm glad we agree! I can't understand all the 'hate' for this car but as my friend said to me 20 years ago, 'Anyone that hates a 996 has never driven one'
exactly, and I always throw in that I can never see the headlights from behind the steering wheel...and tbh the headlights have come to grow on me.
03-29-2020, 11:51 PM
First time Porsche owner now drives '03 996 C2
