Going from a 350Z to a 996 C2?, USA 1999-2000 996 911 C2 Coupe tips
 

Hey everyone, i currently own a Nissan 350 - I purchased about 7-8 months ago (It was a 2003 preowned right now it has 15,000 miles - I've slapped on track items like JIC FLTA2 Coilovers, Full brake setup, harness bar/kit, wheels, bolt ons etc etc) ... I've always wanted the Porsche 911 and I would like to own a piece of history so... here is what im asking

The years im looking at is probably 1999-2000 ( earlier 996 models) and i've seen prices ranging anywhere from 30-40,000 USD with milages all over the place... but I'd love to have a low milage car something thats 50k miles or less!

What i want to spend?
I want to spend about 30-35,000 USD for the car

I dont think any warranty would actually matter since the readings i've done relating to clutch (wear and tear item) wouldnt matter anyway because for obvious reasons...

I know that for my Z, i can beat the crap out of the car in a spirited run having it reek of clutch and brake smell and it would still work... also the parts for replacement + labour is obviously cheaper.
I know that Porsches are basically bulletproof in terms of construction and build (from consumer reports they claim the porsches are among top reliable cars with Honda, Lexus etc etc) but reliable based on driving like a grandma or will it still be reliable if I take it to the limit... (considering that a clutch replacement is 17 hours of labour + about a grand in parts from the dealer - figur... 2500 dollars while the clutch for the Z if I get the clutch + flywheel kit from nismo its basically 800 bucks + about 5 hours labour figure 1200 or half the price)...

As you can see I buy a car to drive, not just to pose it around the pub... and I do think the Porsche 911 as one of the top performance cars out there should be driven...

Please enlighten me
http://www.renntech.org/forums/style.../notworthy.gif

So what is it you are asking??? Confused on this one. Are you asking if anybody wants to sell you a 996?

well just some test drive procedures to see if its a clean car ...
signs of problematic cars
how would the components hold up with aggressive driving/minor track use
cost usually to fix the wear and tear items etc...

I track the crap out ofmine and the only thing I have had to replace is the clutch. BTW, the Z is one of my all time fav cars. Check my sig.

if u do an aftermarket clutch that can handle more power and abuse
how much is labour and such?
i heard the dealer clocks 17 hours

I'm not sure if the dealer will install an aftermarket clutch (I tried two locally). The dealer charges $1700 for clutch service alone.

Labor for clutch is about 8 hours-10 hours book time not 17.

If you want something other than OEM you need to have an indy install it.

If your going in for a new clutch here are a few things to think about....

If you want to get a light weight fly wheel....BEST performance upgrade you can do for the
money if your already going to change your clutch.

You should be able to do this and go with a factory clutch....
They do make performace upgrade clutches and race clutches....

Can't say I can recommend either for a street car....

I can tell you to avoid the "Performace" one from FVD....cooked itself in a couple of months...
got so hot it warped metal parts.....this on a car whos first clutch lasted 40K...so its not like
I kill my clutches....PS they did not stand by their product.....

So if your going in and you can stand a little gear noise at idle...then find yourself a good
light weight flywheel and clutch package w/ a stronger spring plate.

Car will spool up a LOT faster and pull a whole lot better out of the turns.

But stay away from the performace/race clutch material too much heat for a street car.

Just my $.02

Congrats, I went from an 03 350 Z myself, I loved the Z lots of power, but not at all like the Porsche. Unbelievable, the way a Porsche handle, they some how make it ride nice and handle better than most of the other cars I've had. I love It and I'm sure you will too.