hi all,
i know our 996 cars get a lot of bashing due to the ims issue, but i'm just curious why people focus on this when almost EVERY porsche seems to have inherent flaws that are even more expensive to repair than the $2k for ims/rms upgrade?
just on top of my head, i know my 1989 cab was a FUN, but the AC was known to fail and it had old freon, so if need AC, many spend $3k to convert system to modern unit.
as for prior years, while there are glory tales about 1979 to 1989 carreras that go 300k miles, the more common descriptions that i've seen on cars for sale are porsches new top-end and/or rebuilds around 100k - isn't that at least $10k+?
also, the 915 transmission is terrible and haven't many people spent good $ having to rebuild?
as for newer 911's, the 964 are notorious for oil leaks(regardless of how often it's fixed), and the 96 to 98 year 993s are also known for constant o2 sensor/ck engine light issues that are $1-2k to fix each time?

bottom line, i think similar to the 964s being out of favor before, i think eventually the well-maintained 996s value will rebound and(not depreciate much) and their owners will be pleased.

PL

 

964 is also in the same boat, why just because of covered bumpers?
996 because it shared the same head lights as the Boxster, water cooled and new engine designed to save Porsche money and are not race worthy.

 

I think the shared headlight asthetic thing causes the 996 stepchild syndrome even more than self destructing engines!

 

IMS is by no means a final fix to the M96 weaknesses.

Scored/slipped/cracked cylinders, cracked heads, AOS replacement, disintegrating timing chain pads, block leaks, etc.

A Jack Raby $18K engine is really best fix available.

Or get a GT3/Turbo or 997.2.

 

I think it is a simple supply issue. Porsche made a lot more 996's than previous models which leads to lower prices. The price drops you see for the 996's will happen to the 997's, and then the 991's.

As far as the headlight/IMS/engine issues, I think those are real issues. But, on these forums they are blown way out of proportion. I have met a few other 996 owners since getting mine and they just drive their cars oblivious to all of the issues because they don't spend time here.

 

Laughing and smiling all the way to the bank.

 

I think it just feels like they're the red-headed stepchild because you own one, so you're immersed in conversations/research/forums/etc. about the 996.

 

 

IMS I think is blown waaaaaaaay out of proportion. I think the 996 gets flak for the headlights mainly. IMS/RMS/other issues - only the interested are aware, whereas anyone can comment on the headlights being the same as a Boxster's.

 

None of the people who have asked me about the car - at gas stations, restaurants, at stoplights - have asked, "Eew, is that the 996 with the intermediate shaft bearing issue? I sure wouldn't want one of THOSE." Similarly, nobody has noticed that it has radiators and shouted, "My God, man, coolant! Heresy!"

Best compliment to date was a VERY burly black dude who eyeballed my 911 and said, "Thanks for driving a MAN'S Porsche."

The air-cooled guys are going to hate on everything that isn't. Newer-gen water cooled guys are going to hate on the 996 because newer is better in their minds, and DEAR GOD, the headlights aren't elliptical. I don't think Porsche itself minds the 996, since it's the vehicle that brought them out of the stone age (oil-cooled) and, along with its 986 cousin, revived Porsche's profitability.

996 drivers are driving the 911 that changed everything for Porsche. I'm cool with that, even if some dweebs on the Interwebs aren't.

 

My favorite Porsche is the 996.2 GT3. I have a few other P cars including 997 turbo S, 3.8 RS, 997.2 Carrera S. I think it looks futuristic especially in GT3 bodywork. I love the narrow body and relative lack of curves compared to 993, 997, 991. The driving experience is as analog as I want it. I spent some time washing it yesterday and got reacquanted with the shape. The 964 is getting more attention lately. Just wait and see, the 996 GT3 will be at the top of the list in the next 10 yrs or so. I like the 996 turbo as well, and especially the shape of the 996 C4S.

 

996 was the first departure from small sports coupe towards the Carrera's eventual and now solidified status as grand touring car with the 997/991. The 911's heritage is not one of a grand touring car, so people buying it for that reason don't really understand it's not that Steve McQueen small type racer anymore. If anything the Cayman's proportions are much closer to what made the 911 concept a legend.

The big mistake with the 996 ws not making it visually indistinguishable on the outside from the 993. So that you could not tell from the outside if it was a 993 or 996 and had to pop the lid to see if it was water-cooled. The appeal of the 993, and hence the knock against the 996 would have been minimal. You would have had the high fenders and round lights of the air-cooled that give so many a boner, while having the speed and ease of maintenance of the 996. The perfect combination built in numbers so abundant that there would be no need to pay up for the 993 unless you were a die-hard for the old leaky engines. And I suspect most, certainly not all, are really after just the 993 looks and not the engine.


It is kind of amusing how folks pony up a huge premium to buy a Porsche thinking they are getting a race-oriented engine, when in reality they're getting the street version. Cha ching. Granted Chevy does this as well with the Corvette but I guess their buyer's aren't willing to pay another $30K for a plush seat and leather-wrapped cup holder.

 

Plus, 996 = faster than 993

 

there is nothing less inspiring than the lines of a 996 C2...

 

Less inspiring, more aero, modern, simple, smooth.

The 993 is a classic, but extremely dated by today's standards. Some love that, some want newer.