First time posting - big fan of the community. Hoping you can help me with my decision process, here is my situation:

A 996 TT Cab MT has caught my eye in California/Upland at CNC motors. The car looks clean and checks a lot of my boxes but, here is the catch, it has a fair amount of modification: G2 Intercoolers, Bilstein Coilover, Light Flywheel, Solid Motor mounts, ROTIFORM wheels and adjustable drop links. The car is priced right - but having researched items like LWFW, get a lot of FUD around impact on crankshaft - also worry perhaps it was heavily tracked tho makes me wonder why a convertible. Trying to decide if should bite bullet and get a PPI, site unseen, to get an expert opinion on overall condition and how those modifications impact ride, I actually like some of the output of the modifications but fear, as some would say, my fillings coming loose and the car being beat up from heavy track use. Appreciate any thoughts or feedback - I live in TX so not easy to go look at and not sure wise to spend $500 on PPI without some assurance its the clean/right car. Appreciate any guidance ya'll (its a TX thing can provide on this topic.

 

Hey - I'm in Texas also and am just starting to think about selling my 04 TT cabriolet - where are you in TX? Also, if this goes nowhere, then I can't stress strongly enough to get the PPI - that $500 can save you a lot of $$ and heartache later.

 

I would not buy a tuned 6turbo without seeing it and driving myself. There are great tuners and bad tuners and can be a chore to get a car back to being able to drive. Mods usually are deducted from the value of a stock car btw. Sounds like a car to run away from unless you go see it.

 

The car looks pretty nice on their website and I think they have a decent reputation. A lot of the upgrades are good ones - and I doubt a cab was a track rat. I still would never buy sight unseen and I definitely would get a PPI from a good local indy shop - I'm sure you could get a referral from someone on here is who is in the area. I'm with Turbodan - I have to see it and drive it myself even if it is a brand new car.

 

I've bought several Porsches sight-unseen over the years - to get the car you want, you need to look nationwide. Consequently, I like to buy from an individual rather than a dealership. With an individual, you get a better feel for the car because you can talk to the actual owner and get an idea on how the car was used and cared for.

Personally, if you aren't sure about this car, then I'd pass. There will always be another one come along. You'll know when it is the "right" car. I spent 18 months looking for the '99 C4 that I bought back in 2013, then after I sold it, I spent 6 months looking for my current 996TT. I almost pulled the trigger on 3 cars before I bought my current car. I am really, really glad that I remained patient and waited for this one. Inevitably, as soon as you pull the trigger on a car that isn't exactly what you're looking for, another one will pop up on the market that is better and you'll kick yourself. At $49,980, the car isn't a great deal. It's priced OK, but not cheap or under market priced.

That being said, changing the engine mounts to the softer stock units is no big deal. Other than the LWFW, I don't think the other mods will make it difficult or jarring to drive. I've not driven a 996TT with a LWFW, so I can't give you much advice there. My 964 had a LWFW, and to be honest, I didn't care for it at all as I don't track my cars. But, from the ad, it doesn't look like a track rat, and likely isn't due to it being a cabriolet.

 

I personally wouldn't buy a sports car without driving it first.

As for the LWFW, I have one in my 996 Turbo and don't find it hard to drive. It is however noisy when sitting at idle in neutral with the clutch pedal released.

 

of the listed "mods" the only ones that you would even "notice" would be the solid motor mounts ( they might even be simply semi-solids ) and the lwfw. none of them actually increase whp. though the lwfw is quicker revving and well. lighter.

i'd bet anything, that car had not been mercilessly tracked. if you like it. get a ppi and go from there.

 

I think the car sounds well sorted. I agree with above K9 and yes even Doc. I have a cab with a lwfw and some of the other mods (suspension is one thing I'm glad I upgraded). I don't track it...(well once just to get to know the car). Site unseen probably not.
PPI by a reputable dealer (or someone you trust) yes.

 

Cnc has a reputation to uphold, lots of people know them from doug demuros youtube. Either look for a rennlist car or fly out there and pick an unaffiliated shop to do a ppi at. Id like to give the benefit of the doubt to the human race but what ive seen recently id take a weekend vacay to check the car and other cars out.

 

Always great to have a fellow Texan!

That car looks nice but I’m not a convertible guy. The motor mounts, ICs and coil overs are a plus IMO.

If you’re hesitating, the car isn’t for you. Take a step back and ask yourself what you want and then don’t settle. For me, I wanted a stock/minimally modified, accident free, manual coupe, with very few POs. I saw a lot with 5-11 POs. I came close to getting a heavily modified TT, it was the first one I drove, but the PPI showed it was rear ended. Clean CARFAX though, so get a PPI for sure. I wasn’t keen on the mods either, but I was getting impatient, I’m glad I waited.

Looking nationwide is good, but as you say, I wouldn’t buy one without driving it. I actually had 3 PPIs done in a month, 2 in one week. One in SoCal, the other in Denver. I was going to get the SoCal one but changed at the last minute (owner’s behavior changed) and opted for the 2-owner Colorado one, which checked all the boxes. Rented a car 1 way there and drove it back. Mine came from a dealer but they specialized in them, plus they gave me a box of new parts the PO had acquired for the upcoming 60k service, most dealers wouldn’t have done that. Others have had similar road trips too, it’s nice to read them.

Keep us posted.

 

I have the angle/devil convo in my head - the boy inside me wants the 996 TT, my dad's voice is the buy a kia (in this case buy 991 c2)... Im thinking will pull the trigger and invest in the $500 in a PPI and if they come back staying its a fine example, will take a flight to investigate further.. Main concerns was if all those mods should be an immediate disqualify but sounds like those mods may be pluses from a driving exp perspective albeit hurt resale which is not a concern. Also agree on comment about being patient - definitely feels like market is priced at higher range, but with bitcoin/stock market at record high's its to be expected i guess. Thanks all for the thoughtful responses - learn so much just reading your thought about how to approach situations.

 

Who thinks about resale on a car you don't even own yet? LOL Just buy it if you want it. Life is short.

 

^ +1

 

For clarification i said resale not a concern.. but understand where your coming from and agree about life too short..