I've been looking into the '98-'04 (996) 911's and they seem pretty reasonably priced around 20 grand or so. I think the 911's from that era look nicer than the new ones, but that's just me. Anyways, just wondering if anyone here has driven one? I see most of them with pretty high miles (80K-100K) but they look like they're in great condition. Any thoughts good or bad?

 

The 996 is the bastard child of the 911 range. That's not to say they aren't a nice car or good to drive, because it's still a 911 after all, but they're not well liked by Porsche enthusiasts.

They were the first water cooled 911, which is good or bad depending on your personal opinion. I tend to be in the 'it's bad' camp. And the styling with the boxter looking headlights is sort of the low point for 911s in most people's opinions.

You'll find that a 993 series 911 (1995-1997) in similar condition will almost always bring significantly more money than a 996.

All that said if you want an 'affordable' high performance 'exotic' car, a 996 might be a good choice.

Just know that insurance and maintenance will be expensive.

 

01 996 turbo would be fun and are decently priced

 

Yeah, that's another reason why I'm skeptical about getting one. I'll have to call my insurance company and see how much more it would be compared to my Mustang. I can't imagine it's going to be too much higher, but I could be wrong?

 

I think maintenance cost is really where they will get you.

Compare not only insurance but common replacement items, brake rotors and pads, tires, and oil filter. Stuff like that.

 

^indeed. Also, you may want to ask a seller if it's had a recent service done. I know with Ferrari's and Lambo's, some of the best selling points are that it's had a recent service done. I'm sure Porsche's are the same way, where a 100k mile service could be several thousand dollars.

 

True! One of my old Boss' had a Ferrari 355. The 30k mile service interval cost him $12k!!!

 

****. What the hell do they do that adds up to 12 grand?

 

Every seen a Ferrari in for service, the whole rear if the car is practically disassembled to gain access to the engine. I was shopping a used DB9 recently when I got a turn of the facility. Crazy. Put me right off ever owning a mid-engined car. And nope, I didn't buy the Aston. The price was too good, it actually scared me.

 

I can't remember exactly what he said they do but I believe they actually pull the engine and open it up and do full inspection of the internals, re gasket everything, new belts, hoses, chains. Ferrari are supposed to be race cars and they treat them as if you are driving 30k miles at the race track at the 8000k rpm redline.

Just think if you are consistently in the 6-8k rpm you would effectively be putting triple the mileage of a normal car that runs 2-3k rpm most of its time.

I would say its prob overkill to spend 12k on a 30k mile service but Ferrari owners pay it.

 

True story. The last 'user friendly' Ferrari, if that can even be said about a Ferrari was the 308 which had a transverse mounted engine. You could do the regular service on that car with the engine still inside the car by removing the passenger side rear wheel I believe. Every mid engined Ferrari since has had a longitudinal engine that needs to be removed for service.

911's are somewhat the same. Not as bad as a Lambo or Ferrari to maintain but definitely in a league above your typical car. And again it can be said that the last 'user friendly' 911 maintenance wise was the 993 because the air cooled engines are comparatively so easy to remove and work on.

 

Well I test drove an '02 911 Carrera today and was very impressed. Tons of power, much faster than my Mustang for sure. Felt a lot more comfortable to drive too. Seems like the perfect size car, not too huge but not small like a compact car. Really considering getting one of these now.

 

Be careful with the 996 series (first of the water-cooled). Many issues and not cheap to fix. By the way, the 996 started in 1999, the 993 models (I owned one for several years) was from 1995 to 1998). Incredible machines but so expensive to own. Every part is priced like gold.

 

I've never owned one but driven a few 911s and cannot get past the go kart driving feeling, that being my personal feel on the infrequent drives.

Two of the reasons why Mustangs are so popular are reliability and maintenance costs as opposed to European sports cars. Considering a used Porsche would have to be a one owner from the original owner, with very low mileage, documented maintenance, garaged, no body work and factory paint to reduce the money pit risk.