pchak

Hey Guys,
First time posting on the "water-cooled" side of the street here on Rennlist. I've been entertaining selling my 993C4 Cab in order to get a 996. Why? Call it "maintaining domestic tranquility". My wife won't learn to drive manual, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna drive a 4 speed by getting a 993 tip (I know, while some people may think that it's a blessing that their significant other is unable to drive their P-car, I would prefer for a lot of reasons that my wife to be able to drive any car in the garage). My wife really misses our Boxster (w/tip), so I figured that the 996 would be a reasonable compromise (the next step would be to convince her that a Coupe would be more practical, and would allow me to DE again, but that's ANOTHER battle ).

I've done the usual search of archives and FAQ, and aside form potential RMS issues, couldn't find any other pattern in issues with the car.

Would someone please post me a short list of their niggling issues?

thanks!

kilrgt

The only issue I have has has been the RMS, Its a great car, and lets face it Most Porsche leak oil anyways, I will tell you to buy the newest you can afford 02+ for the usual reasons.The 996 does a very good job of being a great daily driver, and a weekend tracker.I am sure you will miss the 993, but you are replacing it with a great car...even better some will say.

dmac

I bought an 02' 996 C4 cab with 22,000 miles and have had it for a few months with no problems and there were no problems before either, except the clear coat cracking over some spots of the light wood interior.

Good luck. BTW, with the rollover protection on the 996 cab, some tracks/clubs will let you do DE's without adding a rollcage!

aben8057

The only issue I really have is my wallet. I cant seem to keep it closed when it comes to modding my 996. DOes anyone else have this issue??

tentster

Alex, vrey nice Porsche. Did you tint those headlights? or just did a little Photoshop?

Otto

tentster

I have a 99 tip, also, aside from the RMS (which I will hopefully fix within the next week) problem, going on for the last 4 months, but hasn't become worse, I can't complain at all. Have 55000k and it just runs, and runs, and runs, no issues at all. I am one of the many that is seriously contemplating jumping into the SC chain.

Otto

gota911

Wouldn't it be easier and solicit fewer responses to ask "Who does NOT have this issue?"

Orient Express

99s had issues with cracking coolant expansion tanks, and some with can sensor seals, but all in all it has been a good reliable car. I would suggest that you look at 2002s as the best year of the 996 run.

washington dc porsche

A cracked coolant expansion tank was my problem expecially since it's not covered under porsche's extended warranty.

Res Ips

Early 996's 1999-2001 seemed to have an unusual number of cabin rattles. All of which are resolveable. RMS is a issue on some, but not all cars. Its not "life threatening"--if it leaks you fix it. Coolant tank cracking as indicated above, but generally the drive train and power unit are fairly bullet proof as log as the car wasn't "abused".

Jim

smshirk

I have a 2000 Tip and like it a lot more than I thought I would. So much stop and go traffic in Atl that I knew I would not drive it to work very much, and as long as I spend 2 hours a day on the road, i might as well enjoy it as much as possible. Many here say Tips are far inferior, and in a stright line they are, but I've learned that I am much faster on the back roads, particulalry in the mountains than I've ever been. I never track it, but only because I don't have enough time.

Zen dude

How come 2002 is the best year?

yetis

I have beat the living crap (not on purpose, NYC commute) out of my car, putting almost 35k miles on the car in one year. This includes a couple track days and several long trips, including a very long, frustrating trip to Indi for a certain F1 race.....
So far, the biggest problem has been a coolant tank issue. Happened one week after I bought it used. If you would like some nits, well I think the Xeon lights kind of suck (01'). Recently, my wind shield washer system stopped pumping, a minor issue in my opinion.

Thats it. I love the car, I am never selling it. One day it will have a SC or a turbo engine in this very car.

SteveFromMN

RMS
Coolant tank
Glove box hinge breaking
Visor hinge breaking
Rare but some engines just blow up for no apparent reason.
Parking Break Switch
Seat belt switch
Air bag light
Some cab tops have had problems also rare.
If you buy a used 996 probably all of these problems have been fixed under warrenty by the first owner.

djantlive

RMS
Expansion tank
Rattle
MAF

I don't understand your rationale to change cars. Who would trade cars from a 6 spd to tip so wife can drive it? What kind of BS is that? That's the least of your worries. You'll be upset with a tip. You'll also be upset when you get an RMS that keep on coming back. You'll be even more upset when you get rattles and buzzes when you drive that you keep on discovering (I've been to dealer for noises 6 times in 8 mo.). You'll wonder what on earth you were thinking when your wife decides to back into a car in the driveway....