Prices Keep Drifting Up
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 434
From: Apalachin, New York
It would be interesting to do a poll to see how many folks park their car outside during the day as well as night, and how many keep it garaged in relation to bits breaking.
I have not had any problems with interior bits breaking over 20 years. But my car isn't sitting outside during the day or night, unless I am driving it. The only problem I have had with bits deteriorating is with the ***** on my radio which became soft and greasy last year. New ***** we very cheap and easy to replace.
But let's not forget, these cars are over 20 years old. Something is going to need to be replaced. Don't care what brand of car it is.
I have not had any problems with interior bits breaking over 20 years. But my car isn't sitting outside during the day or night, unless I am driving it. The only problem I have had with bits deteriorating is with the ***** on my radio which became soft and greasy last year. New ***** we very cheap and easy to replace.
But let's not forget, these cars are over 20 years old. Something is going to need to be replaced. Don't care what brand of car it is.
Over the years you tend to forget about the those small things like, ignition switch, headlight switch, Oil Pressure sending unit, radio *****.
I think they get blurred over the 3 and 4 digit items. I did add them to my spreadsheets along with receipts over the years
As far as garage kept, always, day and night, unless I have a construction project going on and I need to use garage area
Last edited by Fieldsport; Jun 14, 2022 at 11:51 AM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 654
From: Charleston, SC
I've added 12k miles over 5 years, garage stored, now sitting with 36k. 1 year in OH climate controlled, and 4 years in SC non-climate controlled.
Interior wise the sunroof headliner is sagging as happens to most, and the broken visor mirror cover which is fixed with those replacements from Amazon. Climate panel got pixelated but that was an easy fairly cheap replacement, now have to do the bulbs on the instrument cluster. Reverse brake light switch, and sounds like I'll need to do the driver window motor since it barely drops enough to clear the frame. Original owner had some things done like the ignition switch, but again nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. Had to do some of these to my previous BMW which was 8 years newer.
I'd say it's been about as expected for an older German car.
Interior wise the sunroof headliner is sagging as happens to most, and the broken visor mirror cover which is fixed with those replacements from Amazon. Climate panel got pixelated but that was an easy fairly cheap replacement, now have to do the bulbs on the instrument cluster. Reverse brake light switch, and sounds like I'll need to do the driver window motor since it barely drops enough to clear the frame. Original owner had some things done like the ignition switch, but again nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. Had to do some of these to my previous BMW which was 8 years newer.
I'd say it's been about as expected for an older German car.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 13
From: California
I was a dealer for the first 25 or so. The rest were as a consultant helping people sell their cars on BaT. It's fun, but a lot of work to do it right.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 331
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
It would be interesting to do a poll to see how many folks park their car outside during the day as well as night, and how many keep it garaged in relation to bits breaking.
I have not had any problems with interior bits breaking over 20 years. But my car isn't sitting outside during the day or night, unless I am driving it. The only problem I have had with bits deteriorating is with the ***** on my radio which became soft and greasy last year. New ***** we very cheap and easy to replace.
But let's not forget, these cars are over 20 years old. Something is going to need to be replaced. Don't care what brand of car it is.
I have not had any problems with interior bits breaking over 20 years. But my car isn't sitting outside during the day or night, unless I am driving it. The only problem I have had with bits deteriorating is with the ***** on my radio which became soft and greasy last year. New ***** we very cheap and easy to replace.
But let's not forget, these cars are over 20 years old. Something is going to need to be replaced. Don't care what brand of car it is.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2,455
Likes: 1,329
From: Mt Juliet, TN
I agree with what brontosaurus says about being cautious wearing rose colored glasses viewing the 996. I love me some E46 action, so I use that model as my yardstick for value vs cost vs enjoyment. The S54 is a very capable motor. Great looks. Real good all-arounder. 100,000 mile E46s going for $30k. A same year 996 likely has tens of thousands fewer miles and is only slightly more expensive in today’s market. Those Bimmer cars are going on 20 years and they have their own unique issues. The E46 M3 is a fantastic car, but, the sense of wonder and the joy I have driving a 996 is without price. The intrinsic value goes up each day I own mine.
There were more non-Mezger 996’s built than E46’s (2000-2006).
There were more non-Mezger 996’s built than E46’s (2000-2006).
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,119
Likes: 5,710
From: Illinois
Mine is a cab, outside year round in Ontario weather (I have a hard top). I've only had it just less than three years though. I'm pretty sure it's spent most of it's life indoors and I haven't had most of the problems that we keep sharing (i.e., "broken bits"). Hot starter issue resolved with new starter, but the cable was great and the alternator already replaced before me. IMS had also been replaced already. Anyway, I may have preferred a bunch of those things to a full rebuild for scored bores, but having the rest of the car in such great shape made the engine rebuild an easier decision...even if it doesn't make the price drift up!
Strangelove said it best. We are in the "aspirational" stage of pricing where 996 prices were so low that we had a wave of non-discriminate buyers that didn't know the first thing about the 996 other than they saw it on Need for Speed. Hey, I thought it was pretty cool as well.
Next phase will be more discrimination as people start to understand the issues and readily available solutions. But most importantly the costs to either keep it in awesome shape or get in into shape.
Engine Part Refresh. $15k
Suspension Refresh. $2-7k
Exhaust Refresh. $4-8k
Intake and Software. $2k
Total. $23-32*
*doesnt include wheels, brakes, exterior stuff and interior stuff. Sure, it can be a lot less if you are a good wrencher.
Eventually, most folks will figure out that they have 2 choices.
1. Buy a 996 that hasn't been well maintained for a realistic price and then put the above referenced refresh costs into the car. As an example: $25k purchase price + $23-32k refresh
2. Or buy a well maintained and well sorted 996 for $45 to 50 that you don't have to do anything too.
This example becomes even more dramatic when you factor in wheels, brakes, interior and exterior stuff. not to mention if the car has bore scoring and needs a rebuild.
Bottom line is that the "aspirational" buyer will be replaced by the "enthusiast" buyer that will begin to factor all this in. More importantly, it will be reflected in more bifurcation with prices going forward. And yes, many aspirational owners will become enthusiasts!
I am very bullish over the long term on well maintained M96 996s. Premiums will become a reality.
Last edited by GC996; Jun 14, 2022 at 01:55 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 686
Likes: 380
Can confirm. I bought a well-cared for and seemingly sorted, desert owned, clean carfax 996 last summer. 40k miles for $41.5k. On the higher end of the price spectrum at the time. I have added 5k miles in the past 6 months and done virtually nothing. I've changed the oil. I did an ignition switch and a window regulator. But the car has never had any engine faults or given me any pause (knock on wood.) My resale value is whatever. No regrets buying a more expensive 996.
Last edited by pulpo; Jun 14, 2022 at 01:23 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,119
Likes: 5,710
From: Illinois
Can confirm. I bought a well-cared for and seemingly sorted, desert owned, clean carfax 996 last summer. 40k miles for $41.5k. Probably on the higher end of the spectrum at the time. I have added 5k miles in the past 6 months and done virtually nothing. I've changed the oil. I did an ignition switch and a window regulator. But the car has never had any engine faults or given me any pause (knock on wood.) My resale value is whatever. No regrets buying a more expensive 996.
NY will start it on the sell side with his well documented 996.2 that he will be selling.
Those with wrenching skills have a boatload more flexibility.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 960
From: NJ/NY area
Do you know anything about the Toyota 1.6 4AGE motor? If so, what do you think of it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 788
Likes: 275
It's a bit difficult to find info on the 3SGTE at a glance, bu tit looks like it's a turbo, which I'd expect it to do quite well and address the torque issues. Nearly all of the Japanese motors seem to be bulletproof, and there's probably nothing I'd rather have in terms of reliability, but torque just doesn't seem to exist on naturally aspirated 16-valve four cylinders. I don't know if they don't have variable valve timing or just don't have it tuned for low end torque.
Do you know anything about the Toyota 1.6 4AGE motor? If so, what do you think of it?
Do you know anything about the Toyota 1.6 4AGE motor? If so, what do you think of it?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 3,028
From: Miami
It's a bit difficult to find info on the 3SGTE at a glance, bu tit looks like it's a turbo, which I'd expect it to do quite well and address the torque issues. Nearly all of the Japanese motors seem to be bulletproof, and there's probably nothing I'd rather have in terms of reliability, but torque just doesn't seem to exist on naturally aspirated 16-valve four cylinders. I don't know if they don't have variable valve timing or just don't have it tuned for low end torque.
Do you know anything about the Toyota 1.6 4AGE motor? If so, what do you think of it?
Do you know anything about the Toyota 1.6 4AGE motor? If so, what do you think of it?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 942
From: Henderson, NV
GC took the words right out of my mouth. I'm twice as old - you touch me the wrong way and it's a $3500 bill
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2,299
From: Washington DC
I don't know, my cup holder has been pretty damn sturdy! Fits and holds two Monster drinks easily. When I picked up my car I was pretty impressed that the mirror flap from the visor did not fall out onto my lap 
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 7,119
Likes: 5,710
From: Illinois
https://vimeo.com/718152271
Last edited by GC996; Jun 14, 2022 at 04:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 420
Likes: 256
From: New Orleans, LA
I just figured out that the cup holder actually holds two. Never new it. Never pushed it hard enough. Barely use it. But I did forget about the mirror flaps. Mine did fall off about 10 years ago and I just replaced them after one of the guys on a thread provided an Amazon link. Quite frankly didn't think about the visor kinda like I don't think about the radio. Too busy listening to the symphony behind me.
Symphony
https://vimeo.com/718152271
Symphony
https://vimeo.com/718152271