Concerned with long-term reliability of 997.1
04-13-2012, 11:45 AM
#18
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I bought my '05 base C2 with ~21K miles and CPO in early '09 when the auto market was at its nadir. Right now I could sell it privately for about $5K less than it cost me.
I've had little go wrong with it, but anything which goes wrong with these cars is venomously expensive, unless one wishes to DIY, which I do not. A starter cable needed replaced ($950) and the shifter cable broke ($500). Fortunately I had the wisdom to purchase a 6-year exclusionary warranty ($4600, half what the dealer wanted for a Fidelity) which paid for both repairs, and I still have 5 years to go under warranty.
I also had the clutch done (previous owner had to have ridden it or slipped it continually, it was stiff and half-worn @ 30K miles) and the LN-IMS retrofit, which cost me $2300 I believe, including RMS and the oil service.
I've replaced the front pads and all 4 tyres (bought Bridgestone A/S since I don't do performance driving, and after 10K they've still about 75% tread left). In all, I consider the car having displayed exemplary reliability to this writing. Thanks to the low price I paid, the relatively light depreciation ought to balance-out any out-of-pocket repairs not covered by the comprehensive warranty. So I feel rather set for the next 5 years. At that point, with the car 12 yrs old and out of warranty, I will re-assess my situation and options. Meantime, having test-driven the new 991 I've absolutely no desire whatsoever to own one, so if in 5 years I do wish to get another Porsche, I would be most likely looking for a low-mileage 997.2. I've long despised the ridiculous teardrop taillights, but taken in perspective with the myriad obnoxious new features of the 991, those taillights seem rather more liveable now
The pleasant thing is, as a Porsche ages it becomes "vintage", so there's actually a panache to driving one a dozen years or longer.
I've had little go wrong with it, but anything which goes wrong with these cars is venomously expensive, unless one wishes to DIY, which I do not. A starter cable needed replaced ($950) and the shifter cable broke ($500). Fortunately I had the wisdom to purchase a 6-year exclusionary warranty ($4600, half what the dealer wanted for a Fidelity) which paid for both repairs, and I still have 5 years to go under warranty.
I also had the clutch done (previous owner had to have ridden it or slipped it continually, it was stiff and half-worn @ 30K miles) and the LN-IMS retrofit, which cost me $2300 I believe, including RMS and the oil service.
I've replaced the front pads and all 4 tyres (bought Bridgestone A/S since I don't do performance driving, and after 10K they've still about 75% tread left). In all, I consider the car having displayed exemplary reliability to this writing. Thanks to the low price I paid, the relatively light depreciation ought to balance-out any out-of-pocket repairs not covered by the comprehensive warranty. So I feel rather set for the next 5 years. At that point, with the car 12 yrs old and out of warranty, I will re-assess my situation and options. Meantime, having test-driven the new 991 I've absolutely no desire whatsoever to own one, so if in 5 years I do wish to get another Porsche, I would be most likely looking for a low-mileage 997.2. I've long despised the ridiculous teardrop taillights, but taken in perspective with the myriad obnoxious new features of the 991, those taillights seem rather more liveable now
The pleasant thing is, as a Porsche ages it becomes "vintage", so there's actually a panache to driving one a dozen years or longer.
04-13-2012, 11:52 AM
#19
Tpenta, sounds like you got a good deal on a hard driven, high mileage car 
They say every classic 911 costs $20.000, whether you pay it at purchase or later at the mechanic.
So, maybe we can safely say every mechanically sound 997.1 costs $60.000
They say every classic 911 costs $20.000, whether you pay it at purchase or later at the mechanic.So, maybe we can safely say every mechanically sound 997.1 costs $60.000
04-14-2012, 10:25 AM
#20
Track Day
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Great video...
I too have bought an '06 C2S and was concerned about repair bills, etc. I've had it for about 2 weeks now and I'm happier the more I drive it. I think the joy of driving this car will overcome most repair expenses in the future.
I too have bought an '06 C2S and was concerned about repair bills, etc. I've had it for about 2 weeks now and I'm happier the more I drive it. I think the joy of driving this car will overcome most repair expenses in the future.
04-14-2012, 01:56 PM
#22
By the way, I forgot to mention that the driver-side radiator fan died 4 months ago as well. Also, the button for opening the front trunk doesn't work any more. Replacement part is on order.
Well, I don't relaly know for sure what the previous owner did. But I do know that having to change the transmission at 50k miles is not normal on these cars. I have been driving German manuals for 20 years so I am fairly certain I didn't contribute to it.
Also, the car had dangerous over-rev codes. Unfortunately, I didn't do that check when I purchased it. Like I said, I've learned my lesson...
-T
Well, I don't relaly know for sure what the previous owner did. But I do know that having to change the transmission at 50k miles is not normal on these cars. I have been driving German manuals for 20 years so I am fairly certain I didn't contribute to it.
Also, the car had dangerous over-rev codes. Unfortunately, I didn't do that check when I purchased it. Like I said, I've learned my lesson...
-T
04-14-2012, 03:27 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
By the way, I forgot to mention that the driver-side radiator fan died 4 months ago as well. Also, the button for opening the front trunk doesn't work any more. Replacement part is on order.
Well, I don't relaly know for sure what the previous owner did. But I do know that having to change the transmission at 50k miles is not normal on these cars. I have been driving German manuals for 20 years so I am fairly certain I didn't contribute to it.
Also, the car had dangerous over-rev codes. Unfortunately, I didn't do that check when I purchased it. Like I said, I've learned my lesson...
-T
Well, I don't relaly know for sure what the previous owner did. But I do know that having to change the transmission at 50k miles is not normal on these cars. I have been driving German manuals for 20 years so I am fairly certain I didn't contribute to it.
Also, the car had dangerous over-rev codes. Unfortunately, I didn't do that check when I purchased it. Like I said, I've learned my lesson...
-T
You can only decide to do 1 or 2... if you wanna keep the car, follow my earlier post for what maintenance to do NOW, as Palmbeacher said, it costs $2300 or so to do clutch, IMS, RMS, Oil, and then you know that for sure you prevent the $15-20K engine failure which no one wants AND had a fresh clutch to boot... I'd say honestly anything else on the car is quite reliable and just needs regular basic maintenance and you're good to go!
Good luck.
04-14-2012, 06:18 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
+1...
Ok, since you got an '05, you got the old version of IMS, and that MAY FAIL. This is pretty much the achilles heel of 997 and unfortunately you got the model year with the problem (this was fixed in 06+).
Good news? It's a *relatively easy fix* with LN Engineering bearings.
So, here's what I recommend:
- If you wanna keep the car, 100% upgrade to LN Engineering IMS, and while they're at it, get RMS replaced, and do your clutch (saves you $2-3K from future maintenance)
- Ensure you do NOT USE 0W40 oil, use Porsche approved 5W40, Motul is a good one.
- DRIVE the car regularly, and do not let it sit for a long time.
- Change the oil AT LEAST twice a year
If you did the above, I think your car will be very reliable in the long-run. Now, if you are not comfortable with above, can try to maybe sell it? but know that '05 cars are not very desirable and you may take a big hit!
Good luck.
Ok, since you got an '05, you got the old version of IMS, and that MAY FAIL. This is pretty much the achilles heel of 997 and unfortunately you got the model year with the problem (this was fixed in 06+).
Good news? It's a *relatively easy fix* with LN Engineering bearings.
So, here's what I recommend:
- If you wanna keep the car, 100% upgrade to LN Engineering IMS, and while they're at it, get RMS replaced, and do your clutch (saves you $2-3K from future maintenance)
- Ensure you do NOT USE 0W40 oil, use Porsche approved 5W40, Motul is a good one.
- DRIVE the car regularly, and do not let it sit for a long time.
- Change the oil AT LEAST twice a year
If you did the above, I think your car will be very reliable in the long-run. Now, if you are not comfortable with above, can try to maybe sell it? but know that '05 cars are not very desirable and you may take a big hit!
Good luck.
04-14-2012, 06:52 PM
#26
Break the car in according manufacturer's recommendation. Change the oil once a year. Use 0W40 oil (recommended by Porsche engineers not some random bloke on RL). No need to worry about the IMS. It's a rare failure.
