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Please help - about to pull the trigger on this one
Fellow Rennlisters, does anyone know anything about this 996.2? There's no service history on the car, other than what's listed on CarFax. Here's the info:
More information would be helpful. Mileage, price, what you saw when you looked at it and drove it, etc. Before you spend money on a PPI, what did your own inspection show? How did the clutch and shift linkage and gears feel? How does the cab top work? Did you pull the dip stick and actually look at and feel and smell the oil, did you look at the coolant, and the brake fluid, when you drove it how is the alignment and wheel balance, how do the tires look, etc.? Do all the lights and switches and gauges work? Windows, heater, ac, etc. etc. etc. You need to give us more real information...like pictures.
CO2 US model
XSC Porsche crest embossed in headrests
226 Internal production code related to tires
342 Seat heating
411 18" Carrera 5-spoke wheels
437 8-way electrical seat, left
438 8-way electrical seat, right
476 PSM Porsche Stability Management
537 Seat memory, left
680 Bose sound system (analog)
939 Draped leather rear seats
981 Leather dashboard and door panels
982 Draped leather front seats
985 Internal production code related to front seat backrest material
432 Tiptronic buttons for steering wheel
09991 Porsche Exclusiv Program
The car is a 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet with 95,142 miles at Dream Car Chicago in Villa Park, IL.
Yes, IMS is my big concern, but so is the lack of service history. Also, the car had a clicking sound - either exhaust leak on a right-rear side, or a lifter, on cold startup. I don't remember if the sound went away, but I don't think it did after it was gently warmed up and driven. Then, after 20 mins, I drove it full throttle and it was strong to about 6900 RPM. I didn't push it all the way to redline.
Everything on the car is solid. Everything works and the car drives well, shifts perfectly, brakes were all done, the top works perfectly.
The clutch felt "normal" with mid-way engage and dis-engage. No slip under WOT torque.
More information would be helpful. Mileage, price, what you saw when you looked at it and drove it, etc. Before you spend money on a PPI, what did your own inspection show? How did the clutch and shift linkage and gears feel? How does the cab top work? Did you pull the dip stick and actually look at and feel and smell the oil, did you look at the coolant, and the brake fluid, when you drove it how is the alignment and wheel balance, how do the tires look, etc.? Do all the lights and switches and gauges work? Windows, heater, ac, etc. etc. etc. You need to give us more real information...like pictures.
I didn't pull the dipstick. I forgot these cars have one. I tested everything on the car, it all works flawlessly, AC is cold.
Aside from IMS, the right rear ticking, there a lot of black dirt on the bottom of the engine, indicating a very slow leak (I think), even though the car is in the showroom and it doesn't appear to leak oil.
According to Jake Raby, resident guru, when it sounds like a 996 lifter it never is. You need to know what is making that noise before buying. Engines and engine work is expensive.