jeffm

....great

jeffm

Unfortunately, those are the kind of stories you don't want to hear.

I'll see what the PPI turns up and also make sure they look out for scored cylinder walls and metal flakes in the oil filter. Being right at $30k, I honestly don't want to spend another $2500 right off the bat for IMs and clutch. I think with the VIN in the lawsuit range, that's enough to return the car, per the contract clause. I'd ask that the dealer cover that, but I know there's not enough room in the deal.

Maybe Porsche cam find some history of the car.

JCD911S

Regardless of statistics, whether chances of any failure is high or low, the risk exists with any car. As long as you're willing to accept the risk and any subsequent consequences, go for it. If the risk is too great for you, chances are you won't be able to enjoy driving the car with the fear of something happening always lingering in the back of your head.

Risk can be minimized with good maintenance and warranty whenever available, so take those into account.

The question isn't really whether the 05 or any other year will have issues since no one can ever predict these things. The question is- what's your tolerance for risk?

jeffm

^^^^^ Exactly.
Worst case, I get my 996 and Boxster back. Sell the 996 myself and I've saved $30,000+

alexb76

Do the PPI, if all is good, check VIN# vs. the Porsche Database to see if you're impacted, then see WHEN does the class action lawsuit expires for you (there's a 10yr limit or something), so between now and then you can drive knowing Porsche will warranty IMS failure, but then just budget for $3K to upgrade the bearings AFTER that date, while doing IMS you can also do clutch (or vice versa), to cut the labour cost down.

At the end of the day, 2005 failure rate is under 5%, BUT the results of failure is catastrophic... basically statistically the max risk is 5% * 25,000 = $1250, let's triple that... if your 2005 car is $4K under 2006 then it's worth it. From what I've seen 2005 cars are costing a lot lower than 06+ hence good value for money IMO.

jeffm

According to the website, my vin falls within the settlement range. It's slightly unclear if it's still covered, but as it's a non CPO the highest amount if it fails would be 25% of the engine replacement/rebuild cost. Basically somewhere in the realm of $15k out if pocket for catastrophic failure.

jeffm

"A properly completed Claim Form must have been postmarked or otherwise transmitted by no later than October 15, 2013. If you experience an IMS condition in a Class Vehicle in the future, you may be eligible to obtain payment for the repair by promptly contacting PCNA at 1 (800) 486-9809 and arranging for PCNA to inspect your vehicle in order to confirm that an IMS condition existed that requires such a repair."

I'm fear mongering myself....sorry.

utkinpol

Look, some motors do blow. Most of them don't. Do not go bananas over all this. But truth is - if you go with cheap car then it helps to have a reserve to replace a motor. If you look at market prices it kinda sits like this - a dfi car like '09 price is about to be same as '05-'06 car plus a price of a replacement motor. More or less.

If you will have to drop gearbox for any work ask mechanic to open ims and remove outer seal from the bearing so its internals will be seen and mechanic will be able to assess the condition.

rvp325carrera

The same folks who wax on about IMS failures often ignore the (much more likely) statistical probability of a fatal motor vehicle crash.

-- Fear out of proportion to actual risk: this typifies the human condition --

[As a Neuroradiologist, I see significant cases of traumatic brain injury more often than 99.9% of the population. Often in kids. Do I lock my 4 year old son in his room?? No. Because I recognize my vantage point is "skewed" to say the least...]

BUY the car if it suits you. Seriously.

Proud owner of a DD,
Carrera 4S coupe 2007, 61500mi

Edgy01

You'll find the 997 to be one of the best deals ever in the history of the Porsche 911. Highly reliable.

The deals that you can get today on these cars are unbelievable.

jeffm

I was a little burned on the 996 I just bought, so I'm just a little gun shy. A local Dodge/Jeep dealer just took this 997 on a trade in and they don't have much history on the car. The deal I got was good enough and they took both my 986 and 996 on trade in. As they just flip trade-ins, I don't expect them to have all the service records. On the positive side, they had 8 Vipers, a 996TT, and a Ferrari 458 Italia in the showroom and some sort a Masaratti that rolled in the same day. So they do sell their fare share of high end cars.

I'll just have the PPI done and see where the chips fall.

Redline911

The reason you're getting a screaming deal is that the car has 70k miles and no service history. If you were buying a 50k mile car fully documented it would be mid to high $30's. You're better off by spending that $2.5k to replace the clutch and IMS. You'll then have a worry free car for a still great price.

myw

i wouldn't worry about ims risk if your 997 has the mid 05+ larger bearing. if you have the first batch of 05s with the smaller bearing (indicated by the ims lawsuit) then just budget for the ims fix.

+100000 re the reason why you are getting the screaming deal is re no service history.

utkinpol

Well, strictly from $ perspective it may end up cheaper to buy a car in low $40k but with known service history.
Also, be realistic about your budget. It is not a $30k car. Toyota camry is a $30k car these days. You get into a car with sticker in a $75k area. Work on those cars is expensive. If you are not pro grade DIY guy and car got no CPO warranty it may bite your wallet hard. If $3k after shelling out $30k is an issue then i would think about it twice

targaC4S

Exactly. If you don't want to spend 3k after spending just 30 on a 911 you may want to rethink which car you are buying. With an 05 you could be out 15k if you don't spent the 3k. One simple problem can run you a couple grand. Maybe you want something with a warranty?