I’ve got $30k to play with. Looking for a 911. There are a couple of low mile 996 that I like (sub 30k miles) or a couple of 997 Carrera S (100k plus miles). Posting in the 997 forum, I might be biasing the outcome. Is the Chrono Plus package worth a mileage trade off? This would be a fun car with occasional track days. Sold my ‘69 big block Vette and will be selling my ‘99 FRC Corvette track day car.

 

Fair assumption. I don't care for the looks of the 996, exterior or interior. It also has the small IMS bearing with about a 5% failure rate based on statistics I've seen here and elsewhere. All that said, if you can find a well cared for 996 with less than 30K miles and just plan on using it as a fun weekend car with occasional track days, why not. I still think a 2005 base model 997 with minimal options could be bought for about the same money without going above 100,000 miles. As for sport chrono, all it does on a manual transmission car is change the throttle mapping. Some say it's worth a premium, others disagree.

 

I would bump the budget to 35k and look for a 997.2 base Carrera.

Find one and go drive it, you will understand.

You can add sport plus to a non-Chrono - PDK for a few grand, transforms the car. So I would not get hung up on needing Chrono.

Here is an article that speaks to five reasons why a 997.2 base Carrera is the answer:

https://www.pca.org/news/2018-04-10/...-all-be-buying

 

I have owned a $30k 996.2 Coupe and now a $40k 997.1 Cab. 30k is top of the line for all but turbo 996s. I will say that both cars on the road drive very similar. I would just get the best sorted one.

 

I should have said coupe with manual. I have found a couple of 997.1 S models and a couple of 997.2 S models in my price range but with 100k plus miles. Is it worth trading more miles for an S or is the base 997.2 good enough? This is one of the S cars:


https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/ctd...012436712.html

 

Coupe with a six spd manual, forget about Chrono, you do not need it.

Go see and drive as many cars as possible, the “one” will speak to you.

I looked for about one year for my second 997.2.

Top of the list was a base six speed coupe.

Ended up with a 997.2 C2S six speed Coupe with a factory aero kit and double the original budget.

GLWYS and enjoy it, that’s half the fun.

 

I think $35K is going to get you a really high mile 997.2 and personally I would prefer a 997.1 C2S over a base 997.2 for the same $. To each their own though.

I second the discussion on the looks of a 996, they just don’t do it for me. I will say that on the track it feels lighter than my 997 but most definitely slower.

 

I tend to agree with the 997 choice. Not only do I believe it looks better, but it is aging better as well. The suspension modifications done from the 996 to 997 make a big difference as well. Other than the 996 C4S, In my opinion, the 997 looks better with wider hips from every direction/angle. Yes, you can get a lower mileage 996, but If I were to buy any 996 I would immediately consider budgeting $2000-3000 for an upgraded IMS bearing. I have been a staunch advocate that the infamous IMS Bearing problem is way overblown. Especially when you consider the amount of 996's built, Number of 996 vehicles produced: 179,163, and 997 , Number of 997 vehicles produced: 215,092. Compared to any previous generation 911 these numbers are huge. Still, unfortunately the majority of those IMS bearing issues were in the 996 generation even though the percentages are small. So you take a bit more of a gamble with the 996. I have a 996 engine installed in my 986 Boxster and I swapped out the IMS bearing just for peace of mind. The bearing I pulled out with 65k miles on it was in pristine condition and in great shape, granted it was a more robust dual row bearing too, but I do sleep better at night.


Number of each generation article.
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/prod...ons-13735.html

 

What about this car?
I have the carfax if you want.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

 

That seems very well priced! Sport seats and Sport Chrono too.

 

OP - I'd try my darnedest to find a way to get a 997.2 Carrera S. There are clean high-mile examples out there. But if you can't swing it (which I understand, since it's a distinctly different price level), then go with Patrick's advice above ^^^. Either way, make sure the car you buy isn't missing the third pedal.

 

2005s also suffer from the ims bearing. When I bought my 04 with 55k miles I had the oil changed and the filter opened up to see status. I also had oil tested. All clean so I passed on IMS with plan to do same at about 70k at same time clutch would be done, since it has to be opened up anyway.

25k is great price assuming clean carfax

 

The 05 has the replaceable IMS though and at 50k miles it is an opportunity to do the clutch. For $3k you can have a LN certified mechanic do both an basically eliminate the IMS worry.

 

I am liking this one
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=520439111

 

Thats a great deal assuming its mechanically sound and take care of.

Id probably go that route personally, 05-06 Base 911, mid 20's, put 3-5k into for modifications and preferences and you have a great weekend/track car that you can also enjoy on the street time to time.