Good day knowledgeable Rennlist members. Any opinions on a upcoming purchase and the potential for future repairs.

Me and my wife will be using the car for weekend drives. No tracking but I do love power.

Narrowed my choices to a 2007 Turbo coupe with 74,000 mi.
Being sold by a friend at a reputable So Cal Porsche dealer for around $55K

2 other cars I have my eyes on. Both are 2006 Cabriolets S models. One with 30,000 miles the other with 50,000. Both cars are immaculate and 1 owner vehicles.
15,000 less than the Turbo.

Many idea what I am looking at taking car of a high mileage Turbo? Is there a high potential for costly maintenance and repairs over the 2006 Carrera S models?

The Turbo is right at the max for my budget. The 2006 models leave me some money leftover for possible repairs.

Any input on the IMS issues by the 2006 model year? Were the failures far and few between by that model year?

Thank you all for any info/advice you may have for me.
You all have a wonderful Holiday season!

 

No IMS worries on turbos. No doubt the torque of the turbo is intoxicating - I've owned two. But I get more joy driving my naturally aspirated 997S. With the turbo, there is not much time in gears 1 and 2 since it moves so fast. In your position I'd opt for the 997S. Good luck - the hunt is half the fun.

 

To be more correct, the pre-2009 turbos do have an IMS, it just not problematic as Mr Brennan notes. The pre-2009 turbos use the old 993 block and the IMS has an oil fed bearing not a "permanent" sealed bearing as in the base and S 911s (called the M96/M97 engine). Porsche has used the intermediate shaft design since the 60s... we need a historian to weigh in here.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

I didn't think that the Mezger engine had an intermediate shaft - I stand corrected I probably was thinking of the 9A1 - that one doesn't have an intermediate shaft...I think.

 

I'd shoot for a lower mileage, maybe CPO 997.2S (no IMS in the .2)

 

would that be a 2009 and newer? There are some of those in my price range.

 

Yes

 

I wouldnt buy a 75k mi car. look at the porsche certified used cars on the web site

 

I always have heard that Porsche engines can go a lot of miles. Is it the possibility of very expensive repairs/maintenance that may arise at that 75,000 mark? And thanks so much for all of the info coming my way.

 

Just drive the turbo and the S and see what you love the most.
75K is nothing for a turbo and there are no expensive maintenance or repairs to be done. Idem for the S.

 

The turbo mid level service is 1500 minimum. Engine must be dropped for it. Coolant pipes are known to blow as well, causing lots of problems. So do your homework on the turbo before buying.

 

If you can, spend a little more and get a 997.2

There is a very good reason 997.2 cars carry a big premium on all models turbo included.

 

I highlighted the sentence in your post which rules out the Turbo as far as I'm concerned. A common error made by many used car buyers is that they will purchase a Porsche for the low $50Ks, and assume that the maintenance for the used Porsche will be similar to other $50K cars they have owned. The Turbo probably stickered in the $140Ks in 2007, and it will have maintenance expenses of a $140K car and not a $50K car.

 

i appreciate that advice and I feel that with the increased stress level of going to my max. budget I would probably take away the joy of owning the car by worrying too much about something going wrong or when my next service would be due. I believe I am going to lean towards one of the 2006-2008 Carrera S models and if I feel there is too much concern about the rare IMS issue I could always have that addressed and still b on the low side of my budget.

I can still shoot for a Turbo at a later time when I may have more $ to work with.

Thanks for all the help/advice/opinions from u all

 

I like your idea of targeting 2006-2008. Larger IMS which is much less prone to failure. Don't be afraid of higher mileage cars. Do a thorough PPI and have it bore scoped. Set aside $$ saved on the purchase for "that day" and go enjoy the car.