JC-Trojan

I’m looking at this 996:
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sf...204845904.html

-year: 2000
-miles: 85k
-price: $18k
-vin: WP0AA2990YS621575

I like the Guards Red color and black interior. I realize it will need some work such as IMS but I’m curious to know what you experts think of this car AND what would be a fair price for it.

Thanks in advance!
JC

TexSquirrel

If it passes an invasive PPI, then go for it.
It is fairly priced.
Although tow hook being installed makes me wonder a little bit.

JC-Trojan

Thank you! And great eye catching the tow hook.

Goofy1

Not sure how the prices are, but that seat looks terrible...
I also wonder what will happen when you remove that clear bra on the frunk....

philbert996

Great color and good price
Just get the most thorough/invasive PPI you can.

Any maintenance history?
Does it have a clean CARFAX report?


Remember this is how a CARFAX report works:
Clean CARFAX = means nothing
Accident/mileage issue on CARFAX = severely lowered value

Weazer

I like the car, but I would discount an offer by the cost of having the IMS done. 2000 is a transition year, some cars had the 1st generation dual row IMS bearing, others had the 2nd generation smaller single row IMS bearing which is most prone to failure. No way of telling which is which without separating the engine from the transmission. At 85K miles without documentation of a prior IMS service, whichever IMS bearing the car has is due for a change/upgrade as the consequences of failure are disastrous to your wallet, and will seriously harsh your mellow.

ZuffenZeus

I like the Guards Red color and black interior. I realize it will need some work such as IMS but I’m curious to know what you experts think of this car AND what would be a fair price for it.

Thanks in advance!
Nice example at the price, but here's the hard pill to swallow. You'll must get the cylinder bores scoped. At least have someone scope bank 2 for scoring. Don't trust the seller when they say "no mechanical issues"... that's just seller BS. Get an pre-purchase inspection if all possible. If you can't and still want the car, then at least get a Durametric and test the health of the engine. Look at camshaft deviations, rough running index, fuel trim, etc. Listen very closely to passenger side of the engine for any signs of ticking sounds.

Also, check for any signs of intermix. The coolant should be clear and orange/red in color. The mk1 cars suffered for many problem with D-chunk and intermix.

Obviously, there are cosmetic issues. The guards red cars of this period all have clear coat issues. If you notice on the front bonnet, the clear coat is bubbling up. I'm not talking about the clear bra on the front. Usually these cars that see a lot of sun, all tend to lose their clear coat over time. The darker paint color are more prone to the problem. Also the interior will need some TLC from a leather upholsterer.

Again, be careful, an engine rebuild will cost more than what you pay for the price of owning this Porsche.

eltristo

As a guy who is getting an engine rebuild due to a mediocre PPI, I could not possibly agree more with this sentiment. There are, of course, plenty of cars which will never have an issue, and you are free to take that chance, but the problems can be more expensive to fix than the price of the car.

philbert996

Don’t remember D-chunk and intermix surfacing very often while researching the 996.
How common of a problem are they?

808Bill

Very, look up 996 Y2K Syndrome

Rdrcr

Tow hook, seat condition and fuse box cover missing???
Van Nuys?...need ownership history and additional maintenance history on this example...

Mike

TexSquirrel

+100!!!!!

My guess is they JUST bought it, pulled it off the tow truck (hence the towhook) took some pictures and posted it on Craigslist.
They've driven it 30 feet and in their expert opinion it is in great mechanical shape!
No problems will pop up that quickly...but will once it has been bought and driven 50-100 or maybe even 1000 miles...or however far it is from California to TX.

Get an INVASIVE PPI...or just gamble with your money.
That's what I did when I bought mine, I gambled that the seller wasn't dumping trash on me.
He'd had Jake install The IMS Solution, and had kept up with maintenance so I figured it was less risky.
But I COULD afford a full rebuild if necessary.
I got lucky..although I'd still like an FSI rebuild someday. (I keep thinking about getting in line, but I don't want to be without my 996 for several months!!!)
Others have not been so lucky and have paid for it.

JC-Trojan

Thanks for all the good info everyone.

Argeo

I'm not so sure an accident on Carfax is a kiss of death.

If pictures are taken, it's a minor accident that is cosmetic and a reputable shop does the work, I wouldn't hesitate. Plus, a lot of accidents go unreported just for this reason.

NYoutftr

There are a good amount of very nice 996 cars out there if you look hard enough and are not in a hurry.
IMO.....pass
There are too many little flags as previously pointed out
You are looking at thousands of dollars of maintenance that would need to be done, if there is not documented proof.
These cars are not cheap to maintain, much less play catch up on maintenance.
Advise, buy one from a Porsche enthusiast with documented history,

Pay it upfront, or pay it later, you are still going to pay it to own a Porsche 966