Barn996

I sure hope not.

petonic

Hi Fronesis -- I got bitten by the bug 2 weeks ago. Did a very concerted nationwide search for a very specific combination: 2004/5 Yellow Cab Turbo. Ended up finding an 04 Yellow Cab Turbo X50 with ceramic brakes with 32K miles on it.

I paid about $55K for it, and it was just down the road in Atherton (from San Francisco). I know that I didn't get a "smoking" deal, but after the mechanic (RMG) did the PPI, was confident that I got a fair deal. That's all that I was looking for.

I'm simply amazed. For $55K, where can you get a car that is even close to this?

I'm in love... with my wife. Who suggested that I up my range from the non-turbo to the turbo. I'm glad that I married her.

Barn996

You did very well petonic, way to go. Any pics you could post of your new turbo?

fronesis47

My wife loves 911s and drives them closer to the limit than I do. At one point in this search, when I felt like I just didn't want to pay that much money for a Boxster, I thought about some alternative cars -- Z4, S2000, etc. I mentioned this to her and she just scoffed at me: it's not a Porsche, why on earth would you bother!

street rod

Sounds like you have a great wifey.

mikes_996

Remember the saying "there is no substitute"..

Ds1

Hey everyone,

fronesis47 has a great thread going here. I am literally in the same boat with how he feels about the 996, and am at the same point in my 996 search. Not to hijack the thread, but:

Consider me a Porsche "enthusiast" having owned 3 various cars in the past, but never a 911. Do you AT ALL think it could be a good idea to buy a 996 ('00-'03) at auction or even lightly wrecked Copart style? (don't shoot at me!) The reason I ask is one of my best friends is a dealer, so we do auction deals together all the time. I have about a $16-18k budget, so if I could come out at that price including some simple modifications (Turbo rear bumper, coilovers, exhaust) it would be wonderful. Only thing is, I wouldn't want to get stuck with a car that needs a $10,000 engine...

Fronesis, keep us updated!

Gonzo911

$16,000 engine.

DJonathanSilva

I have also been in the search for a clean 996. I have been looking for a solid month now. taking my time, reading everything i can. Signing up to forms etc... I probably go through Ebay, Autotrader, classifieds, & Craigslist 3 to 4 times a day ahah. My eyes hurt.

Non the less, i agree that the market can be a little funny. You can see a 02 C4S with 90k for 23-24,000. Then see a 99 C2 with 90k for 22-23,000. I have come to the point after looking for a month that, the prices are all over the place. For me, zeroing in on the exact combination of car is what will validate me in spending more money for the exact comb...

Oh, cant forget. PPI,IMS,RMS,AOS...

street rod

Stay with it, the search is really quite fun and the side effect is you learn alot along the way. When you finally run into the right car you will know it. My search took 1 1/2 years and I, like you, looked at the auto websites every day. Get out and drive the ones that look promising. If it doesn't feel right or there is some story involved then just move on. The 996 is a great car and I am loving mine. Good luck with your search.

fronesis47

To DS1: I too have a contact that can go to auctions, but I just don't think it's a smart move with the M96 engine. You might get a good looking car for as little as $12K, but if it needs a $15K+ engine it's not a deal at all.

To everyone else: have had a couple of interesting leads from forum member PMs. Thanks!

Also looking at a car on eBay and wondering if any Rennlisters are close by and could give it a look. The seller is happy to let me have a PPI done beforehand, but before I spend that money it would be great if someone eyeballed it first. In watching eBay auctions closely, it seems that auctions often end at wholesale prices, so I'd be willing to pay for a PPI beforehand if someone had actually seen the car. Here's the listing: link

babylonboots

After owning my 996 over a year, I have to agree 100% - "There is no substitute".

You'll never look back, so hang on for the ride of your life.

Ds1

fronesis: Exactly, thats what I'm thinking. Not to sound like a Civic owner or something, but I wish there were other engine options for this car! Problem is, I feel like any M96 is a risk unless it was an enthusiast owned and documented maintenance car.

Any advice for fronesis47 or I about things to look for on a 996 that would indicate a better than usual engine?

2K7TTMIA

Cool story and a cool wife.

what gives, No pics?

If it's a price you're comfortable with and the car is better than average condition with some desireable options, definitely hard to pass up on the emotional purchase.

fbgh2o

For those of you looking.

Mine is for sale and I will help you import it back to the US.

https://rennlist.com/forums/9054516-post173.html