You could also consider a certain mid-engined Porsche of the same generation. You will get all the same modern amenities and a performance boost (compared to your 912), and an even lower buy-in price (depending on miles, condition, etc).

 

All depends on what you want, Mr. MLB Pitcher with a gnarly beard.

Entering the Carrera fray for me was an exercise in finding what I believed to be a good candidate to run well for several years. 2003 C2 california car with 71k miles and a well documented service book in the glove box = $21k. It's not my main car in the sense that I have a reliable Honda that is good in winter and bad weather. I do drive it every damn day the weather allows though! Taking it down to Vegas for a 1,000 mile trip in mid-November.

But I have no illusions about it being a Honda. It can and may fail without much warning, and that's ok. Price I pay for driving my dream car . I'm in the process of spending several years to refresh, modify and shore up my own car, but that's not really relevant to your journey.

If you want a 996 that fits the age old 'bulletproof' label, you'll need to, imo, shop for a cheap one with a compromised engine and rebuild it properly. Total cost around $30k and you'll have a ~300whp Carrera that, by the accounts I've read, can approach the durability cars like the 3.2L G50s are known for. Only it will do circles around a $30k aircooled car, be more comfortable, push 180mph under the right circumstances, etc.


The more I drive my Carrera and enjoy its balance, performance and overall personality, the more I question both my sanity and that of the crowds that shun what is an incredible car. Last weekend I had some fun drives with new, modified Golf Rs, Aston Martin V8s, etc. Looking around I couldn't find a single car that had as good a mix of performance, cost, aesthetics, and chuckability in very tight corners. Several guys came up to me after certain sections of road noting how much fun it was to watch the 996 do what the 911 was meant to do - dart into turns, scream out of them without hesitation (rear weight bias ), brake forcefully while losing zero composure, etc. It's just one helluva fun car to take out because it's not too pretty to brush against a bush like the Lambos and Astons. It's not too ugly that you have to overlook its profile like the STis, Golfs and other hatchback franken-'sports' cars.

 

I have looked at and driven five 996s, ranging from high miles to low, and from years 1999 to 2003. Some had poor interiors, some had been abused on the inside, and some may have just had a bad encounter with a stray shopping cart. I even drove a 2007 997 with a sport chrono package and factory aero kit--what a nice car. With the exception of one car (the 2003 that barely started, had an impression of the battery in the hood, and what I only hope were mashed potato stains in the center console) all drove really, really well--maybe deceptively so.


For now, my wife gets the big, safe, modern car. I'm looking for something more interesting. But until I get my royalty check for Pet Sounds () my Carrera GT will have to wait. I am going to try and hunt for a bargain.

 

Have any 912 pics we can drool over?

 

 

beautiful 912!

 

Good looking 912.

 

This 912 is definitely not ready for the concourse: painted headlight rings, Talbot mirrors on the fenders, McAfee/Gurney aluminum wheels--all period, but definitely not original. It was painted a slightly darker shade than its original Irish green--enthusiasts can tell. The intermittently working odometer shows 36K miles, not sure if it is 136K, 236K, 336K... When I brought it back to life I wanted to fix these things right away, but now I see that they make the car unique. Others do a such fantastic job in restoring these cars. I am not going to sell anytime soon, but I do love to tinker and drive and I am not too concerned with resale. Next projects are to lower the car a bit and get some support back in the original seats.

Sorry, I digress...I am looking for a 996.

 

That's fun to listen to, nice 912. Love the mirrors on the fenders.

 

Hey neighbor, nice car! Whereabouts are you, I'm in Belmont Shore.

You have to take the cost of maintenance into account. If you're looking to spend as little as possible, I think you're looking for a 99 with original engine and good service records, no IMSB work done. Has the original dual row IMSB, just leave it alone and drive it. Small chance the IMSB fails. I'd maximize my chances by having the PPI check for metal in the oil and filter. Do a leakdown to mitigate chances of cyclinder scoring. Make sure you get a cold start on the car, listen rattling in the engine or smoke.

Once you get into changing the IMSB, now your looking at while you're in there...$$$$. This will likely not add value to the car. Make sure you take into account consumables when looking into car and negotiate accordingly (brakes, tires, clutch...etc). Water pump and AOS tends to need replacing on these cars, bonus if they've been done recently.

You will need to wrench to address minor things regularly, but it sounds like you're ok with it.

 

I bought a 99 cab, with zero documentation, orginal ims, and do exactly zero maintance a year except one oil change. I paid market price at the time, and so far it's great. In fact I think most people are lying about their extensive "well documented" service histories.

 

I'm in the "Long Beach Ranchos" area, Studebaker and Spring--go down to Belmont shore all the time.


I generally take very good care of my own cars, but honestly don't have ALL service records since, once out of warranty, I will often do simple things myself--sometimes I don't have time or expertise so I seek various independent specialist or shops. I guess I expect other owners to be about the same. I think this is the danger with the 996--so many like me are starting to get them as a "first Porsche" and don't do consistent maintenance, or do it themselves at less than Porsche spec--may have amplified perceived problems with them. It is just a used car after all, and will cost time and money to repair and maintain.

I know I could get a great Boxter for less than the same year 911, that's actually what started me on this journey--but a 911 just appeals to me so much--and has the blessing of my wife, which helps.

 

Cool, the Rancho area is nice, we were looking into that area as well.

Looking at my prior response, it wasn't very clear. If you need any kind of serious work done on the car, it gets expensive very fast with these cars. Comparing that to $15K car...the question of retaining value is kind of moot. You can mitigate that by buying arguably the best build year of the lot - 1999 model year. Dual row IMSB with low failure rates and less cost cutting. Probably the best chance at just buying, driving, and selling unscathed.

I hear you about older cars and maintenance records. I think that makes the PPI more important, but to each his own. But most people don't do their own maintenance in LA. In LA...of all my friends, colleagues, and family (that drive cars only) - I'm the only one that wrenches. And if someone is getting serviced at decent shop, that shop is going to keep records.

EDIT: My car is freshly serviced from Callas Rennsport, let me know if you want a test drive...could be a useful baseline for you.

 

+1 for service records. I bought a "cheap" 1998 built 996 (equivalent value of approx 13.5kusd), looked good, ran great, needed a bit of easy mechnical work (front brakes, tyres and lights sorting out). Less than 1000kms later I'm looking at an engine rebuild. I really wish I had a PPI done and just maybe I would not be in this position. My cheap car is probably going to end up costing me in the region of $27K at which point I would be looking at much better cars with history etc.
Love the 912 by the way. I have a thing for green cars (including my 996).

 

Mrjonger, It looks like Callas Rensport would have been convenient when I drove to El Segundo every day--still need to find a local Porsche specialist, maybe they would work. Often times my mechanic needs to be near where I work rather than where I live. I should probably come check out your car.

So, in general, is a '99 with unchanged dual-row bearing better than a 2000-01 that has had the bearing changed (ceramic LN)? I have been assuming immediate bearing/clutch work regardless unless it has been recently done. Part of the calculus.