Wow.. i was searching Autotrader.com and it seems like it's a buyers market for 99-01 Carreras.... althought it's been a bit since i searched, i was finding many cars with what seems like low miles (30-40k) for prices hovering around $30k (give or take a few thou)... I'm considering getting a 911... it's looking like the Carrera is the most affordable and still looks great... this would be my
first Porsche... I'm wondering what's considered "high" mileage for one of these cars for that price... in other words, if i was wanting to spend right around $30-$32k'ish what mileage should i be able to get for that price ?? any feedback would be great from some of the knowledge vault on here.

Thanks !

 

I am having the same issues. this site does not seem to be as popular as I had hoped

 

Not trying to discourage you but I had read that these early 996's had occassional very serious and expensive engine issues. That was the alleged reason for the Kmart prices on these cars. Don't know the failure rate but I sure would want to do a bit of research before laying out big money.

 

Do your homework. These model years represent a great value for Porsche. I bought a '99 C2 Cabriolet a year ago. The RMS issue is WAY overblown in my opinioin. There is some good material from DocPorsche on this forum that addresses many of these concerns. If you do your research, have a good PPI done before the buy you can mitigate many of these concerns.

 

jjb, I wasn't talking about the RMS issue. That's no big deal and didn't stop at 2002. I was talking about the "Big Bang". Intermediate shaft, timing chain? Don't know, I've heard both. Point is, when it happens, you put the motor behind the building and buy a new one (ouch!). Is this an overblown rumor or is there truth in it? I'm sure I read that this is why the earlier 996's do not have any resale value. If this is not the reason, than what would make them comparatively cheaper than cars made before and after them? Maybe some of you know this one?

 

wdonovan,

In my research,I found that all of the early 996 issues are overemphasized on the web. The RMS issue is the most common, but also easiest to catch if you are looking for it. The intermediate shaft, timing chain, etc. may statistically have higher failure rates than a 993, but I didn not come across any owners who had a failure or knew directly of a failure in an early model 996. I suspect my sample size was over 100.

To your point, the 'big bang' nature of these failures does make it a higher cost failure, but I don't think it is fully to blame for the relatively low prices on 99-01 996s. What is driving this, in my opinion, is not that 99-01 models are underpriced, but in reality that 96-98 993s are relatively overpriced and are holding much of their value given they are the last of the air cooled models. In my estimation, the 993 commands at least a $15K premium over the 996. For instance, when I bought my '99 996 Cab with 41K miles a good price was around $35-37K. '98 993 cabs with the same mileage were bringing in ~$50K. You are basically paying for a new engine with a 996. This premium may be more than enough to replace an engine in the unlikely instance of catastrophic engine failure - depending on how you do it (new/reman, Porsche Dealer or independent shop). Also, I don't see a corresponding 'bump' between model years 2001-2004. The values from '99-'05 seem to go up at a consistent rate.

So, your choices essentially are:
[ol][*]Buy a 993 and pay the premium[*]Buy a newer 996 ot 997 and pay a premium[*]Buy an older 996, do your homework to mitigate as much of the risk as possible[/ol]

Remember - you are going to have to replace the engine eventually. Maybe thats 300K miles, maybe 200K, maybe 100K, maybe less. That's a question/risk that you will have to weigh against the money you have to spend. Given this is a 'pleasure' car for me I went with option 3. You will have to weigh the options given your circumstances.

 

Well, if that blown engine thing was blown up then it would stand to reason that these earlier 996's are very good deals. Never heard of the other reasons you gave for the low prices.

 

The engine issue is only with the early Boxter.I have alot of Porsche freinds and do not know of any that have had problems with the engine with the older 996 cars. I think the 993 version is higher because most Porsche people like the looks better and the simple air cooled engine. It is more tradional Porsche. In fact many call the 996 varaint the runny egg design. I personally like the looks of the 996, but viva la difference. The new 997 has more of the 993 look and the back is wider like the 993.

I bought and still own one of the first '99 911's.I only have 40,000 miles on it and the car has been perfect. The cars do have a problem with the raditor coolant overflow bottle. Most of these by now would need to be replaced.

Great cars but dated compared to the 997 but still satisfying to drive. You will notice the 2002 modelsjump it costs alot. This is because ( I think) the larger motor, a more HPand valve lift in addition to varible valve timing. This gives the car more grunt at starting off the line.

Great cars you will enjoy itand the gas mileage is very good unless you keep your foot on it.

Good luck to you,

Lee