Came across an 04 C4 CAB..22,000 miles Black/Cinnamon. Car is clean no paint work..Asking 41,000. One of my concerns is a potential IMS/RMS issue on such a low mileage car.

Would like to get advice of the board

Thanks
Peter

 

If you like it, buy it. You can have the IMSB replaced with a ceramic unit from LN Engineering for peace of mind.

 

Would you avoid taking it places just because you don't want to add mileage? Personally, that would make it a non-starter for me, and I can see myself thinking that if I owned it.

I don't think there's any harm in finding a higher-mileage example, unless there's something especially desirable to you (colour, configuration, etc) about this one.

 

For $40k you can buy a 996 TT or 997.

Unless there is something about that car you REALLY want, I don't see why you would go for it. It will be 10 years old in four months. It is not a collectible vehicle either.

 

I understand the appeal of the low miles. One way to look at it is if you are going to be putting more than 5000 or so miles a year on it, I would think the desireability of the low miles lessens as it will soon have 40K to 50K which seems to be much more common.
Regarding IMS, RMS, and other concerns the best thing is to obtain maintenance records showing proper service such as frequent oil changes, etc. Even with that, you should probably budget for some of the more costly services such as RMS/IMSB replacement within a few years.
Have a good PPI performed before you buy, and use any needed repairs to negotiate the price down if applicable.

 

If you have $40000 to spend. Don't spend it on a 996 in any condition or how low the mileage. Look towards a younger car in the 997 models or even a TT or even an air cooled older model. The IMS problem could still rear it's ugly head with such an unused low mileage 996.

 

Agreed. $40k is an awful lot of money for a 996.

 

I saw the TT comments coming right after I read the price. train wreck about to happen soon...

 

Is it a C4S convertible? If it's in great shape the price isn't too extreme. I certainly wouldn't pay $41k but that car would easily fetch $37K on a dealer lot.

The C4S verts really take the look of these cars to the next level. IMS issue is a concern on any car. I wouldn't put to much stock in "my car has 100k on the original bearing, it will be fine." That just isn't something you can say without actually inspecting the bearing. Does that fact suck? Yup. But it is the price of admission.

 

Why not pay just slightly more and get TT convertible if OP is keen on verts? If he's asking about IMS in the first place, I'm sure the few thousand difference(maybe not depending on if stars align) will have him sleeping better at night with a TT vert, not to mention the cost will also be offset by not having to do IMS retrofit or other various "solutions" out there.

 

I'll throw out my car as an option if you're worried about the potential IMS issues. 2004 Cab with the engine replaced by Porsche six months ago (has the new bearing Porsche used on latter 997's), also had the clutch replaced when the engine was out.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ngId=349772499

I currently have the car listed for sale at $30,500. It's been a great car, but my wife will only let me keep one sports car at a time.

Link to the for sale ad on Rennlist - https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=44617

Good luck in your search,
Chris

 

I just pulled the ims from my '02 at 63k miles and replaced with lne. I had my car for two years until I noticed oil drop on garage floor and decided to do ims/rms and aos as preventative maintenance. Old bearing was fine. Found issue with oil cooler when I was in there - water leak fixed. Yes cost me $2-$3k - but look at it this way .. Much less than depreciation or sales tax on a new one !