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I would like to see some stories on how some 996s are getting up into high miles. Mine is up to a mileage level I usually switch to a newer model. However, I seriously do not lust after anything else. Mine gives me everything I want, and still has me smiling on my daily 35 miles commute on a great twisty California Hwy 49. Truly still love my car and turn my head to see it longer as I walk away.
2003 Red Cabriolet C2
miles 95281. Owned for 7 years. One prior owner, who put first 17k on it.
Preventative new IMS and clutch at 75k, with water pump, AOS,
no major issues, replaced broken ignition switch, turn signal.
usual maintained stuff done
I've got 166k on mine. I got it with 135k. I had the engine built by FSI at 153k. (elective build, but it had some problems that would have eventually become problematic - hence my decision. Glad I did it when I did...). I've done lots of work besides the engine to include suspension and interior work. It seems to always need a little something - though I've addressed all the big stuff
There is already is another long thread on high milage but ill play here. I just hit 203k miles on the original motor during a 360 mile road trip. I got it at 199k with very few records. Ln besring wss put in around 185k miles.
There is already is another long thread on high milage but ill play here. I just hit 203k miles on the original motor during a 360 mile road trip. I got it at 199k with very few records. Ln besring wss put in around 185k miles.
I did a search but could not find the thread. Can you post link? I can take this one down.
I got a '99 C4 with 121k this fall. For my fleet, that is very low mileage, but obviously not for Porsches. Mine had a pretty good history for the first 100k including IMS and tranny rebuild, then son got the car from dad and it wasn't kept up quite as well. But all it needed was fresh fluid. Brakes and suspension were fine. Chasing down some lights--1 upstream 02 sensor, SAI system, airbag light. I did plugs and upgraded to 997 coils b/c that'll make the next swap easier. All easy DIY stuff, at least for me. It drives great! I'm lucky that the interior is in great shape, at least to my eye. Sure, it has paint chips. I don't know if I'll replace them. The windshield is cracked. I'll likely bit the bullet and have that done at some point.
I think the most important thing is accepting higher mileage cars won't be perfect. I've got some leaks (I don't think the tranny rebuild was a perfect job). If you try and make them seem just like a 5 year old car with 50k miles, it'll be darn expensive. (And any maintenance costs will balance differently if you aren't a diy'er, especially if you patronize a dealership). I'm not saying to treat them like beaters, just that the over the top neurotic conditioning that owners of much more expensive 911s isn't necessary.
The good news is that if the motor, like mine, has made it to 120k and runs great, it'll probably run that way for a good long time. I'll change the oil regularly and not lug it, but I doubt it'll ever have bore scoring issues. Furthermore, there is a huge advantage to knowing the car and its history. There is generally something a seller is not telling you (or doesn't even know) with that slicker car.
Finally, what else are you going to get? If you want a 996 trying to pretend it isn't a 996, sure, get a 997. If you want a fatter car laden with computer crap, get an even newer one. If you are ready for a change, then its time to change. But if you love the 996, even if you have some unexpected major bill, it'll be worth it. There is some uncertainty associated with older cars, but I'll take that over the immutable fact of depreciation and all the lard and goo-gahs of newer cars.
I've said this before, but I'll reiterate... "High Mileage" is usually considered to be over 12-15k miles/year. On a 20 year old car that equals 240k - 300k miles. In other words, a 20 year old car with 100 or even 150k miles isn't really a "high mileage" car (not in my book anyway). In fact, I'd be much more comfortable with a car that was driven 5-10k miles/year (which is low to normal mileage) than one that was driven much less or that sat idle for long stretches of time... Rant over
I've said this before, but I'll reiterate... "High Mileage" is usually considered to be over 12-15k miles/year. On a 20 year old car that equals 240k - 300k miles. In other words, a 20 year old car with 100 or even 150k miles isn't really a "high mileage" car (not in my book anyway). In fact, I'd be much more comfortable with a car that was driven 5-10k miles/year (which is low to normal mileage) than one that was driven much less or that sat idle for long stretches of time... Rant over
We got ours 3 years ago with ~150 000 km on it. The engine had been replaced around the 100 000km. Since we bought it, she has put on an average of 15 000 km on it over the past 3 years, despite it being stored in winter.
Paranoid about all the sounds the engine makes - is that ticking? Do I have bore scoring? When will my IMS explode? Is my AOS going to crap out? Oh wait, my AOS already crapped out 2 days after I bought it, lol ...
Mine only has 83K on it.
It only had 51K on it when I bought it in Sept 2017.
I don't think I'll ever sell it.
What would I replace it with?
I might add to my fleet, but the 996 is always going to be my go-to car.
I had been thinking about buying a 944 and swapping an LS into it for a hotrod, but then decided that money could be better spent toward an FSI rebuild.
12-15-2020 | 06:46 PM
High Mileage 996s
