Looking for a 996 project car - The journey begins
 

Folks, I just thought I would introduce myself to this neck of the woods. I'm a long time Rennlist member, but haven't frequented the 996 section much. Only recently have I come to appreciate the platform after taking a ride in a friend's well setup '99 coupe. That was fun. :bowdown:

Anyway, as the title says, I figure I might as well start by putting out a request to the local community: I'm looking for an early 996 generation 911 (ideally a 1999/2000 dual row IMS car) that I can slowly turn into a track/street focused vehicle. Coupe and manual transmission are a requirement... color and options don't matter. Will consider (and perhaps even prefer) higher mileage examples.

I'm definitely not looking for a fully baked car, and this is meant to be more about the journey rather then the destination (yes, I know... this will cost more in the long run). In fact, I'm very much looking forward to the slippery slope down into bankruptcy. ;)

Let me know if you have leads... and I look forward to getting to know some of you better.

Miata eh? You'll fit right in here. Welcome and good luck with the search!

Thanks. Yeah... my foray into this automotive money pit, I mean hobby, started with a Miata.

Worked my way through a few different cars since then:

1994 Mazda Miata
2004 Subaru STI
2002 Honda S2000
1987 Porsche 911
1997 BMW M3
1995 Porsche 911
1993 Mazda Miata
2012 VW GTI
2001 Subaru Impreza RS
1997 Porsche 911
1991 Acura NSX

Clearly I have a problem. ;)

Your track list is longer, but similar to mine.

I went:

1994 Miata
1997 M3 (Sedan)
1997 M3 (Coupe)
1999 996 (this will be my last stop for a while)

What's your budget?

My 2 cents says start with the engine end of the process if you are going to track it. Apparently there's a ton of stuff needs to be done for the 996 engine before going track crazy. Once you get your head wrapped around that, then you can hunt down any number of roller chassis' where the engine has gone tango uniform. Get your engine cost sorted out first. I'm guessing here - but you ain't gonna like what you hear vis-a-vis the early 996 engine track plan.

You can have fun at open lapping days with a 996, but I have also read if you actually track it and have sticky tires on the car then other components come into play.

I only have suspension and exhaust upgrades and do show up to open lapping days. Strictly more to learn the behavior of my car and work on my driving skills.

There's some reasonably priced 996.1's on the sfbay craigslist. I know when I was looking for a car there were a few high mileage examples under 15k.

Heh. I say "this will be the last one, I promise" to the wife every time I get a new car... but then 1-2 years later the cycle repeats. I don't think there is a cure.

I've been starting to research what may need to be done to the engine, but since the plan is to evolve the care over a period of time (1-2 years), I'll probably start with the preventative stuff.. eg. IMS/RMS, if an oil baffle is required to prevent the engine grenading on high speed corners, etc.

Could use advice on any potential weak points.

$15k-ish seems like the current market starting point for an early high miler with a bit of patina.

This won't be a dedicated track car... so being able to drive to the local track, empty the tank a couple times, and then be able to drive back at the end of the day is definitely appealing.

Not being facetious, but all I can say is; The Engine.

If I were to give specific advice, I'd be out of my depth cuz I've never been inside one of the engines. But - there a people who have been inside them, and make a lot of recommendations. I had visions of tracking around, but a few threads about 'money shift repair' and 'grenaded my engine' from the track crowd had me re-thinking. Of course, Jake is pretty much the final word, and once you get on that trail, you'll know what I mean about 'start here first'.

Suggest you may get much better value (and road holding/cornering) by hunting down a 3.4l or other modified Boxster S.
Whatever you choose, the 9A1 engine is less flawed than the M96 according to the experts.

Also check the Los Angeles Craigslist...some manual coupes that would make great track projects are there.

Welcome on board, interesting that the naming of the mitia here in aus is MX-5 which IMO is a more appealing name to me! Anyway, there was someone on here just recently that was asking about a semi track/street car value his might be for sale. Unless you're looking to do everything yourself.

Yeah, good call. I've started local, but am slowly broadening my search. Have a lead on a couple within shooting distance of my price point.

Thanks to all who have PM'd leads... keep them coming!