RagtopSL

I am an older guy trying to live his dream and I need your wisdom about the possible purchase of a 2003 996 Carrera with 12,000 doc miles. I am not your typical first time Porsche owner, 65 years old and have not driven a 6 speed in 30 years. Being on a limited income concerned about major repair issues Rear Main Seal and possible engine failure. I am going to have a PPI, but I think these failures can still occur. My family does not understand my love for the automobile in all forms. They think I am crazy to sell 2 cars so I can get the Porsche ( 2010 Mercedes E350 & a 1978 Mercedes 450SL ). Please comment as I value your knowledge about Porsche motor cars.

Thank You

dennis hiip

Read this. It should answer your concerns. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...sed-996-a.html

fpb111

Also this
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ing-guide.html

LordVicious

If your already dealing with a '78 Merc 450 SL (way high on my personal list of cars I wished I owned but never did) then I cannot imagine a 996 being a problem for you. Given the battered reputation of the 996, especially with regards to lower milage examples, I wouldn't pay much over $20k unless the car has some really unique provenance. The 2010 E350 is worth almost twice an 03' 996.

VA951

That low a mileage would make me pause. They will probably want more because of it and these cars do not seem to like not being driven.

KrazyK

You deserve whatever you want but two important things:

1. The 996 will be your fun car and not your only vehicle.
2. If your on a fixed income as you said, you better know how to work on it yourself and not depend on a dealer or indy shop.

Welcome and good luck!

Chuck W.

Speaking from a few steps in age behind you (59) ... Go for it. Life is short and our time is shorter than most. Driving a 6 speed is like riding a bicycle, you'll quickly get the hang of it again. You can not take it with you... spend it and enjoy it while you can. Someday your family members may understand. If not, it is their loss. Good luck and keep us posted.

sparks259

aftermarket warranty.
do you due diligence and make sure they'll be around if you need them.

Macster

Limited income? Well, there's limited income and there's limited income. The winner of the$600,000,000 Powerball jackpot could be facing living on a fixed income but the estimated $270,000,000 left after taxes if the winner takes a lump sum payout works out to $1,000,000 for 270 years. Now that's a limited income I'd like to have.

Anyhow, I would point out that owning one of these cars can be a rather expensive proposition. Unless your limited income is substantial maybe you need to reconsider?

Even if one is a DIY'er there are still expenses of keeping one of these cars roadworthy.

And the reality of getting older may mean if the car breaks down and you are unable to repair it yourself then you have to pay someone to do this and if your income is severely limited you may be faced with a non-operational car that is nearly worthless.

Also, you can't imagine how expensive it can be to get old.

I'm familiar with an elderly couple who are paying $6K/month for assisted care. This does not include medical expenses, medicines, and other personal items that they need. Might mention the man has been retired longer (30+ years) than he worked. He's in his mid-90's.

It could be worse: A co-worker is paying $9K/month for the care of his elderly parent.

Dying with money and not being able to take it with you is not a real problem.

Dying broke is not a real problem.

Going broke before you die. That's a real problem.

So with a limited income maybe you need to rethink your desire to own a 996?

RF5BPilot

Having owned Mercedes, you're no newcomer to expensive repairs. The nice thing about an '03 is that it's sophisticated enough to be pleasant, good balance of fuel economy & performance -- but actually, fairly simple systems so you don't see them just falling apart around you.

Like a Mercedes, how it's been used and maintained - matters. Did the owner change the oil yearly even when few miles were driven? Was the brake fluid flushed every other year? These things can add up.

Having owned two Ferrari's -- I think the Porsche is the most economical, well made, high performance car that I've seen.

If you haven't driven a stick in a while, find someone who can spend a little time reminding you how to use one in ways that don't lug the engine, wear out the throwout bearing (sitting with the clutch pedal in when stopped), or put unnecessary wear on the synchro's (double clutch).

No matter how good the PPI comes in, figure you should at least do a 30k service. Also, given how little it's been driven, I'd even consider changing the oil again not too long after you start using it. With a good shop, I think I'd also have them check the other fluids just to make sure they don't see particulate matter floating around that's been kicked up by corroded parts now suddenly running after a long time of disuse.

I think the '03 is a good choice--but other years can be good choices as well.

Good luck.

James

btw -- once you get it, join the local PCA and attend some of their Driver's Skills events (street driving, accident avoidance, etc.). They also have Driver's Ed -- which are track days....a different animal. But with the Driver's Skills, they can get you comfortable with how the car performs so if you find yourself on a slick surface, a bit fast in a corner or needing to dodge something -- you've got it.

thedugger1

You're 65, want the car, have obvious experience with euro cars, both late model and older. Despite the panic you might read when trolling forums, you'll be fine. Frankly, I've owned a number of Mercedes and if you can deal with their service and parts costs, you're way ahead of the game. There's always a reason to say no, do don't over think it. Buy the best you can and have it checked out. The 12K miles sounds great and wouldn't scare me in the least. As an insurance policy, you can always have the RMS and IMS done and for the age I would do a full fluid, filter, and belt change.

Most importantly, don't get worked up over what you read online. Remember, most folks (all makes) use forums to research problems and issues, not to rave about how trouble free their cars have been!

Best of luck. As an avid Mercedes guy, I can assure you that you will fall in love with your 996!

dennis hiip

I'm sure you thought of this but I'll say it anyway. MB and the 996 are two different animals. I also have a MB and although they are both great cars, the Porsche has limited room, a sporty/stiff ride, shouldn't be driven on rough roads, etc. I don't think I would want it as my only car. But it is what it is. A fun, fast, good handling sports car that gets a lot of attention and admiring looks.

ivangene

wisdom - whoops wrong thread for me

KrazyK

Please dont sugar coat how cheap the 996 is to own. One significant engine failure $20,000, several smaller problems at one time is also very expensive. Dont expect to buy one and not put way more $$$ into it than you will ever get out of it. I stopped adding up the cost of parts I have replaced. Its too depressing.

But good luck with whatever you decide!

silotwo

If not now, then when? Live your dream now as "someday" often does not arrive in time. Paraphrasing the words my wife said to me when I was stressing over whether or not I should buy a Porsche at age 52. She said that after witnessing my Father suffer in a nursing home, wheelchair bound, and hearing him lament about how he should have spent his money because at that point most of his assets were exchanged with the state for so called "care". We realized how wise her words were when three years later my wife was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer, it's okay, she is in remission and we both view every day as more precious than we ever did before and we make it a point to "live" every day.

I am 58 now and have two Porsches, and oh yeah - I am now unemployed and enjoying my life, wife and kids, and both Porsches more than I ever had time to before.

Do your best to select the "right" car for you. Low mileage is no guarantee of lower cost of ownership. In my case, the lower mileage car has cost a lot more, fortunately the bulk of the cost was covered by a 3rd party warranty. I recommend a strong 3rd party warranty, especially on a low mileage car, seems that most issues do arise with-in the first 50k miles that would have been covered by the original warranty had the car been driven.

I had an eye opener last week, met with the service manager of my local Porsche dealer to express my displeasure with their service operation. The manager agreed with everything I said, offered to do some rework on my C2, and stated that they desired to retain my business as I was a top customer. He typed some stuff on his keyboard, looked me in the eye, and said "you have brought over $100,000 in business to us in the past 5 years, so yes, we want you as a customer". I am thinking (and hoping) that this must include the $50k I spent buying the first 996, and hopefully most of the balance was covered by the CPO and 3rd party warranty.

Happy hunting... and you will get good advice from the members of this community. Sometimes you have to look beyond the style of communication to see the true value of the experience being shared.