akfalar

Hey there, so i have been in love with the Porsche since i had a 67' 911 in high school, college followed I got married, it was sold. 12-years later I am ready to drive a 911 once again.

I have a budget of $30,000. Would anyone have a recommendation on the Year make model of C4 that i should buy based on Reliability and your knowledge of market conditions. Like a good arranged marriage i would be happy with a 964, 993, 996 etc. the only thing is it has to be a coupe and a 4. This will be a daily driver.

Thanks!

rpm's S2

30k will probably not quite get you the more desirable 02-04 996 C4S, and a nice 993 C4S is even more. If you are set on awd then a 99-2001 996 Carrera 4 is probably your best bet in that price range.

You don't want a 964 Carrera 4... way too complex and expensive to repair. There is a good reason that awd system is nicknamed "Sputnik."

RF5BPilot

I wouldn't suppose to try to talk you out of a C4. But rpm's is right, that's a minimal amount for a good C4. You can get yourself into a bad feeback loop where you don't have enough for a good car, so you get the car you can. There's a good reason it's being sold for less, and you get more than your share of mechanical work that needs to be done...which places even greater burdens on your limited funds. Spouses can lose their sense of humor rather quickly when this happens.

If you want a C4, consider waiting a bit longer until you can buy a newer one in good condition -- as well as have the buffer to handle unexpected expenses.

Gaspasser19

Interesting logic. Why would he prefer a Mk I over the Mk II 996 C4 when the latter is probably within the top end of his budget? As the old saying goes, buy the newest one you can afford.

2K7TTMIA

+1 on the previous advice; unless a well cared for / documented C4 shows up or you can increase your budget closer to $35-40K, the improved MK2 C4's are the way to go. then add a few more $$ for maintenance, unexpected repairs that may be needed after your purchase...

Gaspasser19

I just don't think even a well optioned Mk II C4 is going for $35-40K these days. If they are, I'm going to flip mine for a Turbo.

roadsession

I think prices are all over the map.
To include taxes, insurance, a well optioned and sorted MK 2 C4 coupe from the 2002 - 2003 era is around $35K in the north east.

The OP has a budget of $30K - not sure if that is 'all -in', and doesn't indicate where he lives - but if $30K is max budget and he's in the north east, he may be looking at a Mk1 C4 Coupe.

soverystout

i agree. A Mk2 is a C4S. They didn't come as "just" a C4 in the Mk2 verison of the 996.

So folks see the pretty red brake calipers and more shapely body and then you get bigger $$$.

2K7TTMIA

correct, and IIRC, Arnee sold his red beauty for $35K

Gaspasser19

Ah. I realize our disconnect. You are limiting the discussion to coupes while I was considering cabs too.

Dennis C

I higher mileage 2002 or 2003 C4S (70 - 80K miles) could probably be purchased in the $30K range. Personally, I have no issues with a higher mileage car if it has been properly maintained. Some might argue this is actually a good thing for a 996...

akfalar

Wow! good stuff, Keep it comming!

I have been looking at a 2003 C4S for around 35k. It has 60k miles on it. Pretty stock.

Question: Should insist on IMS ???

soverystout

Private party or dealer? If you were buying my car and insisted on me spending $1700 minimum to upgrade the IMS, I would tell you to go jump in a lake.

I do believe it is important to do the update but if it hasn't been done, you can try to factor that into the purchase price (if the seller is knowledgeable about the issue) and then have it done at a shop of your choosing.

If the seller isn't knowledgeable about the issue he/she is not going to want to hear about how it makes there car less valuable.

That's what make the buying process so fun!

akfalar

I'm looking at two cars right now:

A: 03' w/ 60000 miles @ $33k Manual

B: 02' 2nd owner car with 45,000 miles, @ $34,500 (with the IMS done) TIPTRONIC

Opinions? The are both C4S and i can live with the tiptronic...

Has to be C4 for winter driving.

rpm's S2

Yes, you should definitely buy a car with an intermediate shaft...

So when you said $30k in the initial post you were just messing with us?