Slidershoe,
You know Thunderhill is just next door in Willows right... and PCA run friday track days... and even half days.
At 50 you would be right around the average age i would guess.
I have a 2001 Cab and you will probably find (like me) you get all the usual issues.
MAF
O2 sensor
Cab rear window (99-01 only)
Coolant bottle cracks

None of these are a big deal and most are DIY if you have the correct number of thumbs on each hand.

Here are some gratuitous pics of Thunderhill to temp you

 

Why are you waiting so long, stop waiting and enjoy. If you regret, sell. The cars seem to be holding their numbers at that level.

 

Alright......the motivation is there. Now I will just try to figure out if the '99 is a good way to go or if moving to a newer year is worth the money.

Dare I ask if the engine failure in the '99-01's enough of an issue to spend the additional to get into the 02's and newer?

Thanks all

 

The '99 - '01 models do not have a corner on the engine failure market. There were some '03 and '04 car that had engine failures too. To help guard against a major repair expense, getting a warranty is a good idea. You may never need to use it but it will help you sleep better at night.

If you go with a '02 - '04 model, I would recommend you try to get a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned from a Porsche dealer) Adds 2 years and an additional 50,000 miles to the original 4/50 warranty. THere are some minor differences in CPO versus original warranty, but you can check on that when the time comes.

 

Alright....I am motivated now.

I guess the question is if there is enough reason to avoid the '99-01's and go to the 02-04 (I think I have those dates correct) to avoid the engine issues I see discussed.

I dont want to open a can of worms at the same time being new to p cars I would like me first experience to as positive as possible (darn...does that imply I think there might be a second?)

Thanks all.

 

after paying for two college educations and a wedding, i felt it was time to indulge myself with one of life's just rewards.
just sold my 87 carrera, bought a 2000 996.
btw---that is in addition to my 83SC dedicated trac car.
exactly what is it you're waiting for?

 

I'm 58. Bought a 2001 C2 new and have driven it as a daily driver, ever since. I have done all required maintainance and have had no problems with the car. It now has 65,000 miles. I live in Florida and the A/C works just fine. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it!!

 

Life is too short...Go buy your dream car. Don't worry about what could happen, just do it. Get the newest one you feel you can aford (and then buy a more expensive one).

 

No, there is no reason to "avoid" the '99-01. So long as it is a well maintained car, there should be no issues. Pre-Purchase Inspection, full service records, and close personal inspection will help in getting you into the right car.

The '02 and up cars are improved from the earlier cars, in that the engines are bigger, a bit more HP, different ergonomics, etc. They are reasons to go with the newer cars, but not reasons to "avoid" the older one's.

 

I'm 57 bought my first P car 2 yrs ago, used with a CPO. best thing I ever did. Many of my friends have gotten cancer or heart problems, do it before it's too late. This forum will assist you if you have any problems and advise you as to repair, maintenace etc. You will have great fun driving your car and people will go WOW when they see you in it.

 

What they all said: the 99-01s are great cars, the 02-04s are even greater for most people (slightly heavier is the only major downside).

 

50 is the new 30. Where the hell have you been? There are some guys at your age ready to check out the new Focus or Saturn and are quite content.
Older guys with pot bellies climbing into their P-car are going through a medical condition called menoporche and they merit our compassion, understanding and a twenty-five year old blond with sunglasses sitting on her forehead.

You only go around once and if you want a P-car get the damn thing but if you think 50 is old you might want to find a guy with a nice couch and tell him about it a couple of times a week.

 

Slider, if your too old then I'm too young. If you think 33 is too young to own a PORSCHE, don't get one. I have been told by some of my "friends" that I'm in my mid-life-crisis....what? I have just gotten to a financial point in my life to afford one, I'm just a kid to some. Live a little and get one. Just consider all aspects of your purchase, appeal to yourself and others (of course, it's a pcar). Initial cost of purchase, and maintenance of pcar. Just do your research and you'll do fine. Best advice is go PORSCHE Certified.

 

31 and on my second p-car- maybe like the 10th one at 50? Never to young or to old.

 

OK.....so now I am motivated.

At this point, being new to pcars, I wonder if I am setting myself up by looking at the '99-01 cars rather than spending more to get into the 02-04's (I think I have these dates correct). It appears that the 02's and newer are significantly more $.

If I get the car and everything looks good, I have an engine prob and replace it, is the replacement engine likely to have a problem for the same catastrophic failure reason? Or is it really just an issue with original engines?

Sorry for what is probably a very ignorant question....clearly I am not a car guy. :^(

Thanks