I have been looking for a 997 ..
Any reason to or not to buy an 05,
Or, any reason not to buy a 06 4S (repair problems), both of these are in the 35000 to 45000 mile range and CPO ed
This will be a Tiptronic (bad knee unfortunately) had to sell my Boxster and decided to go back to the "real" PORSCHES ....oops...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ASAP

 

New IMS bearing didn't arrive until the '06 model.

 

if you want to buy a p-car - get one that still has CPO - it will cover you in 99% of situations.
get '06 car as '05 car will not have cpo anymore. '06 car should have it until '12

if you can - get '09 car instead, people find them in $65K-$70K ranges these days. it is well worth extra money compared to $50K '06 car.

 

SKIP '05, AND pay attention to "Production date" and don't get an '06 unless the build date is 2nd half of the year.

The ONLY reason I'd buy an '05 is if it has ALREADY had IMS replaced by Porsche, with the new bearings... otherwise, you maybe gambling with engine failure. Just look at the other thread with the guy who had his engine failed ('06 car with '05 build date)!

 

RMS although very rare is more common in early model build '05's, it's about a $1,200 fix. If I were you I would spend 5K extra for a late '06 997. But if there is good warranty and a favorable PPI including DME readout then you should be good to go. Also check with the warranty on what is and what is not covered.

 

if you will buy a car - schedule and run a PPI with a dealer and check with a dealer if this car still has active CPO status.