I just walked away from a long-distance deal on a 911. The price was great, but there were a few too many red flags for my liking, so after a questionable PPI, I bailed.

I did find another car locally, though. It's a 2003 C4S that's in good (not excellent) cosmetic shape, has a TON of options and a fresh IMS.



...and 102k miles on the clock.

I know, I know. At least fifty of you cats are thinking, "Great, another dude looking for everyone else to make a 911 buying decision for him!"

I have a 2003 Land Rover Discovery with 101k miles and do all the maintenance myself. I take that thing on road trips a few times a year and have pretty much no problems with it. It's just not "used up" yet and I don't mind the mileage.

My question is if a C4S with high mileage and a pretty decent maintenance history is "used up" and getting ready to really tank in value or not. We're looking at around $23k for this thing. It'll be a weekly-to-daily driver. Do they start blowing smoke and pissing on the garage floor at some point?

If the PPI's good, would you go for it?

 

Price seems really good for a C4S with that amount of miles. If its taken care of (internally) you should be ok and not take much (if any) of a depreciation hit. These are great cars, I've heard/seen some pretty high mileage ones, well over 101k.

My personal thought it, if cosmetically it isn't good, mechanically it probably isn't either, but that is just me judging books based on the cover.

 

Yep I would go for it. If you had asked me the same question before I got my (first) 996 two years ago I would have said no. But I have become convinced that miles are not the enemy on these cars. And if it includes all you say it does I'd probably try to push the price down a hair more and then go for it anyway if I liked everything about it.

 

He's asking a little more. I'm shooting for $23k. I'd give the interior a 9 and the paint and wheels an 8, cosmetically. Some rock chips and curb rash are about the extent of it.

 

Miles are getting up there, say you put on 30k in 4 or 5 years , a 996 with 130k on it is going to be harder to sell,
Remember every moving part and non moving part has 100k on it, all parts have a life span and are not cheap to replace .
Personally I'd get a 50k car

 

If you're used to taking care of a '03 Land Rover, the 996 should be a breeze.

That price range is on the bottom of the scale for c4s model so you should be good. Personally whenever there is a fresh IXX or fresh oil change is what concerns me as debris in the oil might not show up until after some mileage has been put on it.

 

Whats stopping you from looking at something with 50000 miles on it? Maybe an older 996. I think that would be the wiser choice for you. Just my opinion.

 

This. Sincerely the previous owner of a Disco 1.

Seriously, miles are just about irrelevant on these cars. Condition and maintenance is everything. I recently sold a 1997 Boxster with 137k that ran and drove great, no major engine work and the original IMS. My 996 had almost 100k on it when I sold it, it's the highest mileage 996 that I've owned and probably the best driving of the bunch. I personally prefer cars with a few miles, because they typically have had most of the routine repairs taken care of.

 

What the hell is IXX?

 

I have 110k on the clock on my 996 and my only complaint is that it uses a lot of oil. Runs and drives great, although I did install PSS10's because the struts were gone. I say go for it. Mine wasn't supposed to my dd but love driving it so much that it is.

 

There were two recent sales of C4S's that went for under $20,000. Both with just over 100,000 miles. Both appeared to be in good shape. I think my high dollar on that car would be about $20,000. See this thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l-on-ebay.html

Miles would not concern me. Mine has 147,000 on the clock and it runs great. You will have a little harder time selling it, though. 2 thoughts to counter that: 1) Buy it at the right price now and your depreciation hit won't be too bad; 2) Don't buy one of these cars with the resale value in mind. Buy the car to enjoy. In a few years and 30,000 more miles, sell it for what you can and just know that you had a blast with the car. Think about the guy who bought it brand new and the depreciation hit he took after 3 or 4 years and 30,000 miles (probably $40,000 in depreciation loss).

 

When I shop for a car, it is not with the intention of selling it a few years later. I always think that I will keep it forever. Of course, a few years later, my taste changes or I just want to upgrade and then I kick myself in the a$$ for having spent all that money on upgrades and losing money on the deal. Oh well, that's just me

 

It an abbreviation for that part which shall remain nameless.


TC

ETA: If you're buying a 996 as an investment, good luck. We don't have these cars to make money, we have them because we have the passion (and don't have money to burn).

 

I'm a "keeper" kinda guy with vehicles, too, and my house is the only big tangible thing I consider an investment. I feel like this car is only worth the amount of fun and memories I'll have with it, which will certainly exceed the price of admission! It doesn't sound like guys are having to do an overhaul after 150k or anything, so I should be good to go.

And regarding the 50k mi. C2, if I can get so much more equipment for the same price (albeit with higher miles), the C4S makes more sense to me.

 

Keep looking. You can find a similar car with around 80 - 90k miles for the same money if you take your time.