996 vs 928 buying advice
06-21-2016, 11:22 AM
#91
Drifting
Do yourself a favor and avoid Robert and Victory Motors in Houston. Search rennlist threads and proceed at your own risk. Don't know if has been mentioned but cars.com and autotrader.com are two other lead generators.
06-21-2016, 12:22 PM
#92
Three Wheelin'
With a base price in the mid-high 80's, and nicely equipped 996's originally selling for $100K and more, it's hard to VASTLY overpay...I paid $30K for my '99 C4- and while that was 4 years ago and the previous owner had dumped over $20K into upgrades, it's still a whole lot more than the $18-20K people seem to be spending these days.
If I could go back knowing what I know now about the car, I still would have bought it...it's been fantastically reliable and I have yet to see a 996.2, 997, or 991 that I would rather own. Sure, maybe a Turbo would have been nice from the power and "yay Mezger" perspectives, but there has not been a single day I have regretted the purchase.
I hope that - even though you paid more than you might have - you can still derive some enjoyment from your 996.
If I could go back knowing what I know now about the car, I still would have bought it...it's been fantastically reliable and I have yet to see a 996.2, 997, or 991 that I would rather own. Sure, maybe a Turbo would have been nice from the power and "yay Mezger" perspectives, but there has not been a single day I have regretted the purchase.
I hope that - even though you paid more than you might have - you can still derive some enjoyment from your 996.
I paid a lot more than you for my C4S Cab just 5 yrs ago and have no regrets. The PO installed some performance goodies (short shift kit, exhaust, headers, airbox and tune) but, cosmetically, it's all OEM. Brand new, its MSRP was over $100K and it was in phenomenal mechanical and physical condition when I picked it up -- always routinely maintained by a dealer (which is good and bad).
Part of me hangs on to the thought that I might still have it when 996es eventually appreciate in value but they're just too much fun to drive to waste time waiting and watching them sit and rot in a garage. Mine is my daily driver from April-ish to November-ish (last year, it was so warm I drove it into Dec/Jan). That said, I just got it professionally detailed to fix some minor damage done by a hawk last Fall and now I'm admittedly a little fearful about taking it out! It looks brand new! lol
FWIW (knock-wood), other than a water pump, my maintenance has all been routine.
-Eric
06-21-2016, 10:21 PM
#93
didn't see it mentioned, so I will add the safety dimension. Having long time 928 and Boxster ownership history only, my personal experience only applies to those 2.
If I planned to have kids in the car for commuting/shuttling, school zones are some of the most dangerous places to drive. Ask any local police officer where all the traffic calls generally lead in the morning or mid afternoon.
With that in mind, consider how comfortable you would be getting hit with kids in the back. A rear ender makes me shudder with a rear engine chassis.
My second 928, an '88 S4 5 spd, was a daily driver for many years. With my 8 yr old daughter one day, we were victims of a violent collision. She was in the front, we both walked away from a nastily totaled Porsche. I consider them very safe.
Otherwise, take the Boxster and avoid the back seat uncertainty all together.
And that '02 Boxster is all the power I need to have an exhilarating drive anyway at 2,700+ lbs., one of the great momentum sports cars of all time.
For reference, '02 Boxster with 65k mi purchased in '14 for $10,700 in excellent shape. 85k mi now, around $4k in routine upkeep including a set of tires to date. After many years of Porsche ownership and many close friends with them of all types, I consider this very reasonable for maintenance costs.
ymmv!
Good luck!
06-22-2016, 09:05 PM
#94
Track Day
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I have a 1988 928 S4(sadly automatic-only regret) and a 2002 996 C4 Cab so from your original question on which I buckled and did both.
I purchased the 928 first 3 years ago($11k), then realized I missed the 911(had a 1991 964 Targa back in mid to late 90's before kids got older and not practical). and paid $26k for the '02 C4 Cab(with a free hard top) with great previous owners that had everything done(IMS, RMS, clutch & flywheel and many others fixes) and has 60k miles on it now. Second owner and garage queened it. First owner put 46k miles on it first 7 years, second owner 8k miles 5-6 years. I've put 6k in 1 year.
If you're patient you can find a good 928, but the prices are rising-making me happier but making your patience be tested. I have 123k miles but know it's more based on odometer issue and CarFax so I estimate closer to 130k but factored that into negotiations.
Many more options out there for a 996 as others have pointed out.
They both have yearly maintenance and some bigger ticket items
928-
timing belt(and tensioner) every 45-60k
electrical gremlins
heater/AC issues
pre 1989 odometer(non-digital)
upgrade brake and fuel lines..
996
everyone's mentioned the IMS, RMS, AOS alphabet soup as KC Attry stated.
Coolant reservoir and water pump(just did these 2 weeks ago)
Tires yearly if you drive it the which you should(need now)
BUT, they are both really fun to drive and if you can do some maintenance on either you'll save a ton. Rennlist forums are exceptional in both cases. The 928 one has lots of part options and big time specialists that you can glean plenty of info from.
BUT, budget accordingly. I could easily but 8-10K in my 928 right now and make it a 20k plus car, but I am doing it piece mail and DIY with help from friends on bigger jobs , plus my wife loves driving it too and that allows me to keep the 996 in good shape as well I can only spend so much..and I don't feel comfortable DIY on the 996-
I purchased the 928 first 3 years ago($11k), then realized I missed the 911(had a 1991 964 Targa back in mid to late 90's before kids got older and not practical). and paid $26k for the '02 C4 Cab(with a free hard top) with great previous owners that had everything done(IMS, RMS, clutch & flywheel and many others fixes) and has 60k miles on it now. Second owner and garage queened it. First owner put 46k miles on it first 7 years, second owner 8k miles 5-6 years. I've put 6k in 1 year.
If you're patient you can find a good 928, but the prices are rising-making me happier but making your patience be tested. I have 123k miles but know it's more based on odometer issue and CarFax so I estimate closer to 130k but factored that into negotiations.
Many more options out there for a 996 as others have pointed out.
They both have yearly maintenance and some bigger ticket items
928-
timing belt(and tensioner) every 45-60k
electrical gremlins
heater/AC issues
pre 1989 odometer(non-digital)
upgrade brake and fuel lines..
996
everyone's mentioned the IMS, RMS, AOS alphabet soup as KC Attry stated.
Coolant reservoir and water pump(just did these 2 weeks ago)
Tires yearly if you drive it the which you should(need now)
BUT, they are both really fun to drive and if you can do some maintenance on either you'll save a ton. Rennlist forums are exceptional in both cases. The 928 one has lots of part options and big time specialists that you can glean plenty of info from.
BUT, budget accordingly. I could easily but 8-10K in my 928 right now and make it a 20k plus car, but I am doing it piece mail and DIY with help from friends on bigger jobs , plus my wife loves driving it too and that allows me to keep the 996 in good shape as well I can only spend so much..and I don't feel comfortable DIY on the 996-
06-22-2016, 09:18 PM
#97
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The hardest part is that KBB states the value of private sale to be $15k for a 1999 coupe with around 80k (most of what I look at) but asking prices are b/w $18-20 with some of those needing an IMS job.
06-23-2016, 12:44 PM
#99
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
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What do you guys think is the price too high?
http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5600331378.html
http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5600331378.html
06-23-2016, 01:03 PM
#100
Leo, how about this?
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5630505501.html
IMS done, which is a positive or a negative depending on how / where / what documentation comes with it.
Has Florida tags (and the pics look to have been taken there, too).
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5630505501.html
IMS done, which is a positive or a negative depending on how / where / what documentation comes with it.
Has Florida tags (and the pics look to have been taken there, too).
06-23-2016, 01:19 PM
#101
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Leo, how about this?
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5630505501.html
IMS done, which is a positive or a negative depending on how / where / what documentation comes with it.
Has Florida tags (and the pics look to have been taken there, too).
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5630505501.html
IMS done, which is a positive or a negative depending on how / where / what documentation comes with it.
Has Florida tags (and the pics look to have been taken there, too).
06-23-2016, 01:59 PM
#103
Instructor
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06-23-2016, 02:08 PM
#104
Shameful Thread Killer
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Since you don't wrench, and you need it as a DD, I suggest you find and talk with an indie mechanic first, then go shop the car. Deferred maint is typically the bane of low priced 996s. The one you found above for $15,500 on lien looks like it may be the exception. However, you need the advice of a decent local mech before writing the check.
The only Boxster I would consider is the later model S with the 3.4 engine. For the price on those, you might as well go with the 996 mk1. I and most people consider the 911 to be the iconic example, and the Boxster(right or wrong) is considered the poor red-headed step child. Notwithstanding that the Boxster S with the 3.4 can hold it's own with an early 996, it also doesn't have back seats.
The only Boxster I would consider is the later model S with the 3.4 engine. For the price on those, you might as well go with the 996 mk1. I and most people consider the 911 to be the iconic example, and the Boxster(right or wrong) is considered the poor red-headed step child. Notwithstanding that the Boxster S with the 3.4 can hold it's own with an early 996, it also doesn't have back seats.
06-23-2016, 02:11 PM
#105
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Since you don't wrench, and you need it as a DD, I suggest you find and talk with an indie mechanic first, then go shop the car. Deferred maint is typically the bane of low priced 996s. The one you found above for $15,500 on lien looks like it may be the exception. However, you need the advice of a decent local mech before writing the check.
The only Boxster I would consider is the later model S with the 3.4 engine. For the price on those, you might as well go with the 996 mk1. I and most people consider the 911 to be the iconic example, and the Boxster(right or wrong) is considered the poor red-headed step child. Notwithstanding that the Boxster S with the 3.4 can hold it's own with an early 996, it also doesn't have back seats.
The only Boxster I would consider is the later model S with the 3.4 engine. For the price on those, you might as well go with the 996 mk1. I and most people consider the 911 to be the iconic example, and the Boxster(right or wrong) is considered the poor red-headed step child. Notwithstanding that the Boxster S with the 3.4 can hold it's own with an early 996, it also doesn't have back seats.
