Long time lurker, 1st time poster. Thinking about putting my big toe in the water after 3 years of reading this board. A few noob questions for the board.
I am looking at a 99 coupe. 6spd with 70k miles. New tranny, clutch and starter at 63k. Covered under Porsche warranty as he purchased used from Porshe dealer. Very clean in and out from pic's owner has sent me. Carfax looks fine and the asking price is 26k. Does that price seem in the ballpark? California car. How can I find out all the options included in the car before I drive 3 hours to see the vehicle and also, does anyone know a PPI specialist in the Simi Valley/Ventura area. Thanks for reading. I have really enjoyed visiting the board the last few years and am counting on your support when my wife throws me out the day I drive home my dream vehicle. Just kidding. Sort of...

 

Options should be on a sticker under the front decklid (trunk lid). The sticker is white and contains a list of meaningless numbers. Write them down and find a decoder online. There are a couple option decoder sites online; just Google for them.

I think $26,000 is certainly in the ballpark for that car, if all is as described and assuming no evidence of body or paintwork, which would indicate a prior wreck. Just be aware that 996 prices, in general, are still falling. (Think: just another used car.) Don't be upset if you pay 26 and see a similar car for 24 next month. I think there's a floor approaching.

 

is it a CPO car? since the current owner bought from p-car dealer.
it is in the ball park, in fact, a little low

 

The current owner said he bought from a Porsche dealership and it was certified with a warranty. I'm assuming it is a CPO. He did say that he was having transmission problems and the dealer put in a new tranny, clutch and starter right before his warranty expired.I asked if there was any oil leakage and he said absolutely none. Sounded legit. Said he has owned 9 911's. Was this the year and model with RMS issues? He is sending me more pics today along with a pic under the deck lid of all the options.

 

RMS could be any year.
if the current owner has had many 911s, then he knows what he's doing, and hopefully he will main. it the way it should be, and he should have all the proof for any main. / repair work he has done to the car.
one tip> make sure the 911 is the same color as your old car, so your wife won't notice when u get home!

 

That price sounds a bit low, but if the PPI checks out (and the PPI should be done using a different mechanic at a different location), then that sounds like a good car. I find it very hard to find the 996 under $30k in good shape. I would be surprised if the values keep dropping...

 

The local Ferrari dealership had a 2000 C2 Cab with 54k asking was $29,900 firm. Gray supple full leather interior, 18" turbo-looks, 6 speed, recent clutch, good tires, maintenence history, Ferrari trade-in. Was only there a few weeks before it sold.

 

i looked for months all over and 26k seems very fair and a little low to me- most of the cars that were 25-27k had issues and/or 80k mi- if it checks out it should be a great buy- you can always find another wife- a good deal on a 911 now thats something to jump on!

 

FYI, I bought my '99 Artic Silver couple for $20,500 with 94K miles about two months ago. Car sounds like yours, it was in good shape and everything checked out on the PPI and it never had any bodywork. 5K more for about 25K miles sounds about right or if anything a better deal. Good luck, you won't regret it.

 

GL on the buy..... my advice is if you can afford something better do it..... if i do it all over again i would at least get an 02 and up...... btw i have a 99 cab artic silver.......... very nice ride......

 

Does it have a clean title or damage on the carfax? Why so low?

 

The price is low. As the other said, do a PPI and check the carfax.

 

ALWAYS do a PPI..... carfax doesn't mean jack unfortunately......

 

I'm looking for a DD and keep flippin between the 993 and 996. I like the look of the 993 a little more, but like the creature comforts of the 996 and also feel the AC will work better in the 996. (I live in the desert) The one thing that scares me after reading posts ad nauseum, is the RMS issue on the pre 02 996 vehichles. Is there any rule of thumb mileage wise when the RMS issue could occur in a 99 and if the vehichle I buy does experience an RMS failure, how much is the repair? Also, does anyone have a PPI person in the 1000 Oaks, Simi Valley area? Sorry for the nube questions in advance. Tino

02 Tundra
99 Sienna
97 Contour (dd looking for relief help from the bullpen)

 

Tino,

Don't let the internet scuttlebutt scare you about a pre ’02 because of RMS.issues. The truth is the RMS leak can happen to any year car and has happened in the 997. The bottom line it is an oil leak from a seal and can be fixed for under $800. Hell getting the AC fixed on any modern car can easily cost you more than that. There is no proof that any year car is more prone to having an RMS leak. Ok rant off.

As a former 993 owner and current 996 daily driver, all I can say is you will need drive the cars and decide what is important to you in a daily driver situations. The 996 and 993 go about things differently. The end result is both are great cars but with different strong points and weaknesses. The 996 is decidedly a more modern car with excellent AC performance, while the 993 is the best of the air cooled cars its AC performance something you would see in a Honda in the early 80’s. The 993 will likely have somewhat higher maintenance cost over the ownership of the car. The 993 does have great character and aural stimulations that the 996 lacks. The mechanical whirls and the sound of the fan are just fantastic in the 993.

Ride and comfort will be greatly dependent on suspension, tires and wheels. The 993 have a reputation for a very short life span for the factory suspension, while the 996 does not seem to suffer from this. If the suspension of any 993 you are looking at is original it more than likely needs new struts. I am sure you are familiar with the SAI issues with the 993 so I won’t bore you with those.

The bottom line is drive the cars and decide what you like better. Make an informed decisions and definitely get a PPI on any car you purchase, but don’t let the fear of an RMS leak be reason you don’t get a 996. Have fun with the search.