aadrew10

Hi Everyone,

Last summer I bought an 81 SC. My very first car. I barely made it the 150 miles home after buying it. I spent all summer diagnosing a few problems, repairing the alternator, fuel injectors, plugs, wires, filters, and eventually tore the engine apart to replace some broken head studs. During this I discovered the engine has a 3.2 upgrade, meaning bigger pistons and cylinders. The insides of the engine look to be in brand new condition. I'm not sure how many miles are on the engine, but the car has around 140k. I even built an on-board dyno for one of my classes here at school:
https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...o-project.html

I've been having a blast driving it around for the past 6 months, but now I'm interested in a 996.

I am worried however, that a newer car will be out of my budget when it comes to repairs and maintenance. I'd like to know if you guys think someone who has rebuilt an SC engine successfully will be able to hang with the 996 engines. I definitely can't afford to (and don't want to) take my car in all the time, and I really like tearing the things apart myself. The thing I'm scared about is the risk I think I would be taking jumping from a solid running SC that I put back together myself, to a potentially non-solid money pit.

I've seen some great looking deals on craigslist. Here is one:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1726106258.html

What do you think?

I know I'll get flogged forever by the air cooled guys if they caught wind of my ideas, but most of them are Porsche purists, and 'Porsche purists suck' haha.

Thanks a bunch,

- Andrew

direwolf

Welcome to the fold.... dont worry about what the air breathers think.... Go drive a 996 and then tell us what you think.

Sorry to report, that the car you are looking at on CL has sold already. But...There are plenty more out there!!!

Pac996

I can't help you pick a car that wont cause problems for you. I do believe driving the car instead of parking it for winter or only once in a rare while driving it is bad for the cars. Even in a garage which ever valves being in the open position while sitting there isn't good for keeping things clean and shiny inside. Worse yet the gummed up injectors after fuel sitting for periods of time.

Take your time and find one well documented and taken care of. Plenty will pipe in the inspections and such. Standby.

Barn996

Good post Andrew...we won't even make fun of you for owning an SC. I had a 79' SC before my current MY99 996 and as suggested, go and drive several 996s and see how they compare to your current Porsche. There are plenty of good buys out there. My running costs for 3 1/2 years of ownership have been very reasonable to date. I would reccomend the 996 for sure.GL

redridge

that 996 looks huge next to this guy, I would not buy from a short guy....

ivangene

having JUST gone the other way I can tell you the 996 is a fabulous car and maintenance is more $$$ but less frequency - a newer car just needs fewer "little things"

dont be scared, be smart. Read, plan, and be prepaired. The 996 C2 is much more like a get in and drive everyday car.... but you should take steps to prevent a major issue and just do it!

(you might find yourself missing the air-cooled, BUT in your Porsche ownership evolution, it is a required step IMO - as was getting and air cooled for me )

Marc Gelefsky

Never buy a car with an air freshener around the shift boot

ivangene

OIC - we are picking apart the craigslist car

well he just bought his Coolpix camera to take these photos and didnt even wait to get the car home to take "real pics" - just right in the parking lot as soon as he opened the box and turned the bloody thing on

salesperson probably took them for him - LAME-O

what the hell is that joystick in the cubby?


there, better???

Marc Gelefsky

Actually, that car has some nice items, like the sport seats! 3 spoke wheel, 02 wheels...etc

But... still, there is that air freshener

ivangene

bolster looks a little worn from the guy who is a bit large to get in without his ars dragging down the seat back

one of my pet peeves!! HATE when people sit on the seat back and slide thier fat a$$ down it !!!!

PS the carbon fiber seats helped "fix" those people - one time sitting that skinny thing up the bung hole and they tended to try a little harder or never get back in the car

gota911

Ed, that ^ is how she (below) sits down in a car. BTW, she NEVER wears panties! Would you not let her sit in your car????

white99c2

I did it from a '79 SC to a '99 996.

htny

I say go for it, we can use another guy who turns his own wrenches around here

Graufuchs

Same here...SC to 996...Couldnt be happier....20yrs of refinement.

4 most common issues with the 996s....as seen on rennlist...or in my mind anyways

1. Coilpacks- easy fix -not to bad on wallet
2. Coolant reservior- easy fix -not too bad on wallet
3. AOS- PITA install but again not too bad on wallet
4. RMS- PITA install but not too bad on wallet, doesnt necessarily have to be replaced right away unless its pissing and getting on clutch. You can upgrade IMS bearing while your in there.


Scary things about 996
-IMS failure present and catastrophioc on a small # of engine..requires new motor.
-Intermix issue due to cracked head, affects even a smaller numbers of cars, If cuaght resonable early engine can be saved.

I say go for it but dont neccessarily get a car with low miles....If I were in your boat Id look for something 45k and up...something used enough but there are plenty of fun miles for you left.

I purchased my MY00 3 months ago and absolutely love it.....Ive replaced plugs and the coolant reservior.

Car runs very well and looks incredible.

My old SC for ***** and giggles...



and the new 996....after a few upgrades....

wanabe911 owner

Or just do what I did, keep your aircooled ride and buy a 996 anyway!