Orient Express

A 2002 low mileage car that has been sitting, is a time bomb for RMS/IMS issues. 2002 was the year that almost every car had to have these pieces replaced, in some cases several times. If this car has not had the RMS/IMS changed out, that is a 15K deduction on price. The engine on that car is ripe for catastrophic failure.

I would take a clean, well cared for 2002 with 50 ~75K miles that has had the IMS/RMS updates on it any day over a low mileage 2002 that has been sitting in the garage for all these years.

Targatoo

Maybe he knows his car and knows there's a problem with it.

soverystout

This is a bit extreme but I do agree there are concerns.
No PPI = let him keep it
Did you look under the car to see if you saw any leaks? Always bring a small flashlight with you to help inspect a used car purchase.
Dirty can be cleaned, scratches can be buffed.
It's a low mileage, low option, neglected 02 996, and it is in no way, shape or form (even with a pristine PPI) worth $33K.

Pristine PPI ? $30K tops! And then you still over paid. But if you really like the car it's bearable. Many nice 996s out there.

ivangene

WOW @ O.E.

RF5BPilot

I think the car will clean up.

My concern would be dry seals (which may or may not expand with use--which is consistent with Orient Express' note about thje IMS) -- and most importantly, internal corrosion which would be exacerbated by regularly starting and letting the engine run a bit (so it can dump moisture & acids into the engine). Would be better to pay a shop to prepare it for storage...then leave it alone.

francars

To the OP - Look, as you can see on all the concerns and comments from everyone there is something fishy here. By no means we (at least myself) are not trying to scare you off on the Porsche purchase experience. I think we ALL have been there were we see a deal and really want it but we need someone that is not emotionally involved in the deal that can give us some feedback. When I am looking to buy a used car I always do my homework and ask people I know about the potential vehicle I am trying to pursue. It has helped me make wise decisions in the past and safe me TONS of $$$ down the road.

Just my .02

Tfg50

Like the range of posts have pointed out there is no consensus on the necessary attributes of the best used 996. It's all about managing risks and enjoying the ride.

I have especially appreciated the breadth and depth of the comments. Helps wanna b P-car owners along their journey.

Fred

Orient Express

Yeah, tell that to the new owner when the engine blows the Intermediate shaft and needs to be replaced.

ivangene

sorry... I agree....just not sure where you get the data to support it:

"is a time bomb for RMS/IMS issues. 2002 was the year that almost every car had to have these pieces replaced, in some cases several times. "

from what I have been reading the failure mode is fairly uniform and not concentrated on 2002's - just saying (not to start an IMS storm thread out of it)

Flat6 Innovations

From what we have seen nothing is worse for the IMS than sitting static.. The engine oil really attacks the rubber seals and begins washing out the permanent lube big time.

Just ask the guy that had a failure at 1800 miles from a car that was 12 years old... Yes. 18 hundred miles. He drove it only on Saturdays to olay Golf and he lived at the Golf Course!

I'd rather have a 100,000 mile car as a low mileage one.. In fact my 996 just turned 123K and no, thats not its original engine, it failed.

EricD

The owner's reluctance to get a PPI done (at your own expense) would make me walk immediately, low mileage or not.

I also happen to think that low mileage used cars are (imho) over-rated. The car is almost 10 years old, it should have been driven (a lot) by now. You're not picking up a new car from the dealer's parking lot and the resale price of your vehicle is driven by it's year-model as much as it's mileage.

In about a year, it will be a 10 year old car, 2 generations behind the current floor model, not matter it's mileage.

Also, this is definitely not a collector car. Who buys a standard C2 to park it in a garage indefinitely?

As far as the state, my car is dirty but I drive it everyday. If I was storing my car, it would have a cover on it and be well taken care of. The rock chips I have on mine are there because I commute with it, not because I neglect it.

The poor condition of the vehicle (dirty, scratched, messy interior), the owner's reluctance to go through a PPI and the very high price would steer me away from that vehicle.

There's plenty other 996 C2's out there for you to pick out of!

Tfg50

If this car were brought to you what would you do to make it a reliable daily driver and what should the budget be.

Tfg50

Jake?

Flat6 Innovations

Sorry.. I am on a plane headed to LA and had a sketchy connection.

I'd treat the engine like it had 50K on it, replace the IMS, AOS, RMS and variocam wear pads along with the tensioners and the full meal deal. Thats about 9K total in preventive work and it would need it.

It would probably need a full injector service as the injectors hate sitting around and so does the fuel pump and fuel filter. Nothing is worse on any car or engine than sitting static.

francars

Are you mechanical at all? You might be able to do some of the DYI stuff and safe some labor maybe. Find someone close to you that knows about these cars and maybe invite him to help you out. Just a thought...