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I would say, generally speaking, most Porsche owners are at work...
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The chink in your plan is cosmetics damage and mechanical neglect go hand and hand with high end German car most times.
If your plans are really custom you might want to look at a compilation of wrecked vehicles and beaters with blown engines. Low miles,perfect maintain but totaled car then pull engine trans and install in a blown up beater. I love me a rally 911 |
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I'm a former dealer Porsche Tech and have owned a bunch of 911's.
Do not buy a 996. More money but find something between 1978-1998 Edit: the 996 is plagued with catastrophic engine problems. |
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OP, Seattle is not far from LA. don't be dumb and pay to ship it.
1. Yes you can have a PPI done when you aren't there. You find the best Porsche place in LA and YOU call and make appointment for the car in question, then you have the BUYER just drop it off. The shop calls YOU back with details 2. If it passes you fly your ass down there and drive that mutha fucka back. WHy? because it will be one of the most fun trips you've taken in a while and while you're down there you can get some sun light to reverse all the brain rot from living in Seattle. My personal experience though is a beat to fuck performance car on the outside equals and EVEN BIGGER beat to fuck car on the inside aka engine, trans, driveline. If Skippy McFuckstick lets his shit get beat to crap on the outside do you think he gives a fuck to do the maintenance right, nope nope nope. Buy a well taken care of but high mileage version and you'll be WAY better off. Also buy it from a private yet rich individual who has multiple Porsches. |
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I've never bought any of my used Porsches with out a PPI. I have also never shipped them. I always flew to where they were when a deal had been made following the PPI and it was also pending my inspection on arrival.
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I have one with 86K on it.
Purchased it about 6 years ago with 72K or so. Runs and works well for me. |
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The chink in your plan is cosmetics damage and mechanical neglect go hand and hand with high end German car most times. If your plans are really custom you might want to look at a compilation of wrecked vehicles and beaters with blown engines. Low miles,perfect maintain but totaled car then pull engine trans and install in a blown up beater. I love me a rally 911 View Quote |
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Let me ask you this. With 911s selling at all time highs and targas coming back en vogue for some reason, why are you choosing a 911 to make a budget trashy car?
My experience is just based on owning 9 of them |
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What? Intermediate shaft failure, water pump impeller grenading into the head jackets or cylinder walls coming apart? Seriously, there is a reason they are $15,000 cars and the generation prior to it are 60-150,000 cars. I love 911's. kick in an extra $15,000 and buy a old SC. You will sell it for what you paid, even after beating on it. Mine, http://i.imgur.com/wDKqX77.jpg View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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The internet tells me its a non issue on the 1999-2000 cars. Seriously, there is a reason they are $15,000 cars and the generation prior to it are 60-150,000 cars. I love 911's. kick in an extra $15,000 and buy a old SC. You will sell it for what you paid, even after beating on it. Mine, http://i.imgur.com/wDKqX77.jpg Water pump issues seem to be a 996 and 997 issue that seems to be solved by replacing the water pump every 50k. A for the cylinder walls coming apart, Similar to the IMS failure, that is somehtign that was an issue with the post 00' cars and in 3.6 and not the 3.4. As much as I would love a 993 or 964, I'd hate to do what I'm going to do, to one of those. I'll get one someday, but for now, I have an idea and I'm not going to let it die. |
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I have finally decided to buy a 911. I have a plan to make it fairly custom, so the idea if buying one with some actual value (993, 997, 946...) to it, is a bad one. The plan includes things like spray paint, tagging, bike rack, dents, dings, and over all does not require a perfect cosmetic car. It will however need one that is mechanical sound. I'm calling it my Trashy 911 project. My search for said car had brought me a couple of cars that seem to fit the bill in the LA area, but I'm in Seattle, so that's going to make things a little difficult. I'm not sure how to go about getting a PPI, not sure I'd just have it shipped or just fly down and drive it back (cost is about the same). Last time I bought a CA car was 10 years ago and I didn't not get a PPI. I flew down and drove the car back. 10 years later, I'm replacing that car and buying a Porsche, but I'll not forgo PPI this time. I am aware of the IMS bearing issue, RMS issue and the fact that the maintenance on it will be a little more expensive than my BMWs or VW. But, What else should I watch out for? The real question here is, who has purchased cars sight unseen and had PPI done remotely. Shipping cars? things to look for watch out for and such? View Quote If you don't have to deal with emissions where you live, try to find something that won't pass California's draconian emissions testing. Non smoggable cars can be a nightmare to Californians and sold cheap but no big for those who live in non smog states. ETA: If you are doing some kind of faux patina/beater look, look in places where hailstorms are common. Might find one that was an insurance write off due to hail damage. You will probably get a smoking deal on something with bad or missing catalytic converters or somebody's stalled track day project that they de-smogged. |
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1. Buy Porsche
2. Rip engine out 3. Install Something not made by them. 4. Enjoy. |
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Op, all these guys telling you not to buy it aren't wrong. Buying a 996 at this point is about the same category as "find a woman you hate and buy her a house"
The only way to own a 996 is to find a low mileage one that's been meticulously attended to. The ims issues are only the surface of the problems that these cars have and as age plays more into them new and exciting problems will surface to eat your money. You'll get all the shitty parts of owning a p car with none of the good ones. |
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I have nothing to add that hasn't already been stated about the 996. I really miss mine in spite of some of the headaches. The 993 I had before that was even worse with the carbon build-up that required engine rebuilds. The PPI should uncover most of the challenges and give you what you need to make an informed decision.
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I have finally decided to buy a 911. I have a plan to make it fairly custom, so the idea if buying one with some actual value (993, 997, 946...) to it, is a bad one. The plan includes things like spray paint, tagging, bike rack, dents, dings, and over all does not require a perfect cosmetic car. It will however need one that is mechanical sound. I'm calling it my Trashy 911 project. My search for said car had brought me a couple of cars that seem to fit the bill in the LA area, but I'm in Seattle, so that's going to make things a little difficult. I'm not sure how to go about getting a PPI, not sure I'd just have it shipped or just fly down and drive it back (cost is about the same). Last time I bought a CA car was 10 years ago and I didn't not get a PPI. I flew down and drove the car back. 10 years later, I'm replacing that car and buying a Porsche, but I'll not forgo PPI this time. I am aware of the IMS bearing issue, RMS issue and the fact that the maintenance on it will be a little more expensive than my BMWs or VW. But, What else should I watch out for? The real question here is, who has purchased cars sight unseen and had PPI done remotely. Shipping cars? things to look for watch out for and such? View Quote 2002+ are the better years to buy performance wise. Look better, and faster. I came so close that I made an offer on 2 Carrerra 4s's last year but they each fell through. I would not get one without maintenance records. Good news is that most have had the IMS issue fixed. Do the PPI, AND GET THE IMS FIXED. Do not skimp on either of those. After you've done all that you should be good to go. 911's are pretty bulletproof when when you keep up with maintenance. In regards to the shipping I shipped my 328i because it had immaculate records. I would not ship a 996 without looking at it. Too many variables. Go look at it and then ship it back. |
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If its low mile, go for it.
I bought my 957 S from TX, shipped to OR sight unseen. But the dealer promised a 7 day return garuentee if I didnt like it. Ive also bought 2 NSXs out of San Fran/LA and flew down and drove back up too. So it depends how big a deal the purchase is and what garentee you have. |
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Have owned a 2000 since new. Was the wife's daily driver for five years, then my DD for 3 years, and then just a fun car.
I've done a clutch, water pump, rear wheel bearings, a smog pump/air pump hose, an alternator, two (2) MAF sensors, and batteries. I also installed aftermarket shocks/coils. Up to around 125K miles by now. All in all, a great car. My complaints include sticky radio buttons, the insulation falling off the defrost air supply tubes and blowing little pieces into the car, the sux ass stereo, and the constant tire replacement. I would buy again in a heart beat. Still puts a huge grin on my face. My only regret is not trading it in after 5 years on a turbo or GT3. |
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Have owned a 2000 since new. Was the wife's daily driver for five years, then my DD for 3 years, and then just a fun car. I've done a clutch, water pump, rear wheel bearings, a smog pump/air pump hose, an alternator, two (2) MAF sensors, and batteries. I also installed aftermarket shocks/coils. Up to around 125K miles by now. All in all, a great car. My complaints include sticky radio buttons, the insulation falling off the defrost air supply tubes and blowing little pieces into the car, the sux ass stereo, and the constant tire replacement. I would buy again in a heart beat. Still puts a huge grin on my face. My only regret is not trading it in after 5 years on a turbo or GT3. View Quote |
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Let me ask you this. With 911s selling at all time highs and targas coming back en vogue for some reason, why are you choosing a 911 to make a budget trashy car? My experience is just based on owning 9 of them View Quote |
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I'd buy a lower mile one that's had a minor accident and or a rebuilt title of you want a beater. Should be cheap, and then you can repair the cosmetics to your liking.
Techs tend to only see the cars with problems. There are a lot of these cars still on the road with 150k plus miles. IMS bearing is a big one but you can fix that with an aftermarket solution. Sounds like you want a 996 rat rod. Cool idea. The cabriolets are often priced lower than the coupes. Maybe get a cab and just totally remove all the folding top parts. Go look at it in person though! |
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LS7 Cayman S.
I just saved you $20k so can I borrow it once in a while? |
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Forgot to mention, look in Arizona and Vegas too. Lots of nice cars around those areas.
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Because it would be fun. 996s will likely never have any real collector value, so I won't feel bad about it. View Quote Just because you get a PPI doesn't mean shit. Not all are done by master mechanics. Not all catch everything. They are just like a home inspection and most folks know 996s are shit in terms of the major problems and price them as such knowing something will go wrong. Hence most shops have a 996 crate engine laying around ready to go. |
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Yes. Without hesitation. Despite being an older model, the vehicle had fewer issues and trips to the mechanic than the wife's subsequent CL500 or her current E63.
Look for a well maintained example with low miles. A car with no wrecks. Get a PPI from a legit place. But, if I was buying today in the used market, I'd get a turbo. Maint is going to be considerably higher, but there is a significant increase in performance. Perhaps not usable performance on public roads, but an increase in performance nonetheless. The turbo's provide essentially supercar performance at an "affordable" price. Affordable being a relative term, of course. The GT3 I drove was a bit "raw" for the road. Basically a street legal track car. While the turbo was silky smooth and crazy fast, the GT3 was less refined, more demanding, and semi-crazy fast. Did I mention the stereo? Truly the worst stereo available. Horrible. Next to the stereo in my Chevy PU or the subsequent 4Runner, the stereo in the 996 is like a portable am radio. Of course, I've only planned to replace it for 16 years. |
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"Never meet your heroes" is how I explain my Porsche ownership experience.
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Serious question for those recommending a 993. If he gets a 996 and the engine explodes, he could buy another one and still have spent less money. If the engine doesn't explode then he has saved a ton of money. Could you purchase a warranty?
Never owned a porshe, but the 996 seems like a huge bargain if it doesn't explode. |
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Here ya go... 2000 996 for Sale in Auburn This '99 in Redmond has the IMS and RMS issues fixed supposedly. View Quote Though that has the turbo bumper and I like it. I also LOVE the interior. |
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I'd buy a lower mile one that's had a minor accident and or a rebuilt title of you want a beater. Should be cheap, and then you can repair the cosmetics to your liking. Techs tend to only see the cars with problems. There are a lot of these cars still on the road with 150k plus miles. IMS bearing is a big one but you can fix that with an aftermarket solution. Sounds like you want a 996 rat rod. Cool idea. The cabriolets are often priced lower than the coupes. Maybe get a cab and just totally remove all the folding top parts. Go look at it in person though! View Quote Same idea here except it will be flat black with white accents and in nitro green "Trashy 911" sprayed painted on the side. I'll put a bike rack on it and make it as low as I can get away with. |
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LS7 Cayman S. I just saved you $20k so can I borrow it once in a while? View Quote What I should probably do is just sell the damn thing before it costs me a bunch of money |
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Within the last year I bought an E46 M3 track car candidate in California and had it shipped to the East Coast.
The starting point is to fully grasp the Achilles Heel of whatever you are going to buy. For a Porsche - I recommend that you find an indy shop that is a long-time advertiser in the local PCA chapter magazine. They'll have the experience and the earned reputation for a competent PPI. Do NOT use a dealer for a PPI. I recommend that you find an exhausting PCA track Tech Inspection forum - and have the shop inspect to that standard as a minimum. I also strongly recommend a compression test and a Blackstone oil test (I did both). Have the shop express the oil sample to Blackstone to avoid losing time. Blackstone will rush it if you are pressed for time. I flew in, inspected the car and test drove it. I had the shipper (enclosed shipping) pick it up within an hour (great timing!). It took 2 weeks to the East Coast - same truck. Shipping is a serious goat rodeo. First - create a spam email for pricing inquiries. You'll regret giving them your phone number. I had to get an app on my phone just to block calls from them 8 months after the car arrived. The overwhelming majority of shipping is a national auction system where one truck moves the car one segment - then it is dropped and awaits the next low bidder for the next segment. That is how 80-90% of cars are transported. Its a broker-based system. I rejected that in favor of one truck for the full trip. If you need a reference to the good broker I used - PM me. FWIW - I would avoid the 996 in favor of another older model. Build thread(in progress): https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/2007940_CWO-s-Track-Car-Build-Thread.html |
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Already been looking at that one. Havent called on it yet, but I'm finding them as low as 11,500 in CA and TX. $700 in flight, fuel, and hotel to get it here. I can save $5000. Though that has the turbo bumper and I like it. I also LOVE the interior. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Though that has the turbo bumper and I like it. I also LOVE the interior. |
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Within the last year I bought an E46 M3 track car candidate in California and had it shipped to the East Coast. The starting point is to fully grasp the Achilles Heel of whatever you are going to buy. For a Porsche - I recommend that you find an indy shop that is a long-time advertiser in the local PCA chapter magazine. They'll have the experience and the earned reputation for a competent PPI. Do NOT use a dealer for a PPI. I recommend that you find an exhausting PCA track Tech Inspection forum - and have the shop inspect to that standard as a minimum. I also strongly recommend a compression test and a Blackstone oil test (I did both). Have the shop express the oil sample to Blackstone to avoid losing time. Blackstone will rush it if you are pressed for time. I flew in, inspected the car and test drove it. I had the shipper (enclosed shipping) pick it up within an hour (great timing!). It took 2 weeks to the East Coast - same truck. Shipping is a serious goat rodeo. First - create a spam email for pricing inquiries. You'll regret giving them your phone number. I had to get an app on my phone just to block calls from them 8 months after the car arrived. The overwhelming majority of shipping is a national auction system where one truck moves the car one segment - then it is dropped and awaits the next low bidder for the next segment. That is how 80-90% of cars are transported. Its a broker-based system. I rejected that in favor of one truck for the full trip. If you need a reference to the good broker I used - PM me. FWIW - I would avoid the 996 in favor of another older model. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Eyesofsilver/M3%20Folder/Track%20Car%20Build/IMG_3804.jpg http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Eyesofsilver/M3%20Folder/Track%20Car%20Build/IMG_3816.jpg Build thread(in progress): https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/2007940_CWO-s-Track-Car-Build-Thread.html View Quote An e46 was one of the cars I've been looking at as well. I've followed your thread. Cool stuff. |
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I bought a Lotus sight unseen (& without a ppi). It was a bit nerve wracking, particularly wiring the money and hoping a car actually showed up a couple days later.
Worked out ok in the end, but for future out of state purchases I think I'll fly in to at least look at the car before purchasing. |
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I bought a Lotus sight unseen (& without a ppi). It was a bit nerve wracking, particularly wiring the money and hoping a car actually showed up a couple days later. Worked out ok in the end, but for future out of state purchases I think I'll fly in to at least look at the car before purchasing. View Quote I'm actually going to look at one tomorrow. If it's as nice and well cared for as the owner makes it seem, I'll have a PPI and make an offer if it checks out. |
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Email was less of a problem for me than texts. The texts were seemingly never-ending. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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SNIP http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Eyesofsilver/M3%20Folder/Track%20Car%20Build/IMG_3804.jpg http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Eyesofsilver/M3%20Folder/Track%20Car%20Build/IMG_3816.jpg Build thread(in progress): https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/2007940_CWO-s-Track-Car-Build-Thread.html View Quote |
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Well, I've either made the best or worse automotive decision I've ever made...
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Already been looking at that one. Havent called on it yet, but I'm finding them as low as 11,500 in CA and TX. $700 in flight, fuel, and hotel to get it here. I can save $5000. View Quote |
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