I would in no circumstances consider 87,000 miles a "high mileage car". Maybe in a Yugo or a Kia, but not in a Porsche. If the "usual suspects" have been sorted, I see no reason why these cars shouldn't go 3, 4, 500k before a rebuild. Great channel! -Tom.
I think its typical rebuilds aren't necessary unless you start racing, or really pushing the limits. While not Porsche, my experience in JDM Skylines and Silvias have their engine mounts and frame bushings fail earlier than actual engine itself in daily use.
Exactly, I don't understand this low mileage fascination at all. If the car is right for you, well maintained and fully loaded with options who cares. Ok maybe above 200k miles I would pass. My 130k miles C4S drives just fine
80k it’s a low miles from 2004 and Porsche cars are meant to be driven unlike ferraris and lamborghinis. An old car what is only have a few miles can cost you more to service than a 100k miles what has been daily driven and regularly maintained .
I wouldn’t avoid “higher mileage” 996s as long as they are well maintained. If a higher mileage car had frequent oil changes and is up to date on maintenance and in good overall condition, I’d take it over a lower mileage example with less history. Chances of bore scoring on a well kept 996 are lower than one that has sat and may have skipped or had infrequent maintenance. My 2 cents from my own experience
I agree. My 996.1 with 30K miles failed due to bore scoring. No car, not even a Porsche is going to do well if it sits most of its life. Engines need to be worked, lubed, etc.
I bought a ’99 C2 with lowered ride height, 19” wheels, a free flow air filter etc. I have since dialled all of that to factory spec, right down to 17 inch wheels. Now it’s just 👌🏻 It’s a delicate thing and makes you smile by being just an honest simple driver’s car. Definitely not the fastest thing on the road but just a proper gentleman’s sports car that does not attract attention.
This is great, as you alluded to, us 996 nuts truly enjoy hearing any positive recognition for the car we all love... Can't wait to see how the search ends!
I purchased my 04c4s with 97,000 miles just over 5 years ago from the original owner with no IMS upgrade. But it was regularly serviced by Porsche dealers. I had all the danger signals in my head about IMS failure and bore scoring, but the PPI reflected that the car was still strong with no engine or other issues. Mind you, it has always been a Southern California car, so rust wasn’t an issue. It now has 137,000 and still runs great. I replaced the IMS bearing when I replaced the clutch, and the IMS was just fine. Sure some minor issues that are expected, replaced the alternator, the cabriolet pneumatic slaves needed replacing, but nothing big. My driving habits are similar to yours, and I just can’t find a good reason to upgrade it, and I still get compliments from fellow PCA club members. Actually I think any low mileage 996. has a higher chance of engine issues than a mid to high mileage 996. You’ve come a long way Will. 😄
Will, I love the C4S heckblende rear reflector. IMHO, it makes this 911 one of the most attractive from the rear view. I like where you are going with this!
I recently bought a 996 C4S and it is the best car I have ever driven. It has the comfort and the analog feel. Also IMO the 996 C4S and the 964 are the best looking 911s made
Cars with “high mileage “ are generally taken care of. I bought a 112000 mile 996 C4 convertible. Runs great did a 60k maintenance and all is good. I would rather have a car with miles on it than the garage queens.
I had a 996, 2004. I bought it before knowing they were not well liked in the 911 community. I thought the car was beautiful, maroon ish with fancy Porsche wheels. It had 24k miles and was in great shape. I picked it up for about 25k and drove it for two years. I had zero issues with it, the only thing I did was oil changes. It was a fun car, should have kept it.
I've been watching your channel for some time now. My channel is all about 996s. I own two a 996.2 Carrera cabriolet and a 996.2 Turbo S cabriolet. On my channel I rebuilt the M96 engine and solved all the "issues" with it from the bore scoring, AOS and IMS. When I did it the Carrera had 102K miles. The bore scoring was nonexistent and the IMS was already addressed. Although I swapped it for the LN Engineering model. If I can do all of that in my home garage, then these cars are awesome and are not difficult to work on. Honestly, the 996 stands out because it looks different and boomers don't really like change.
I bought my 99 around 2003 and yeah I thought it was a very well put together car, mine was a low option c2 and the interior was pretty uninspiring but there's a certain freedom in the cheapness that really lets you enjoy the car. Also to be totally honest, when I was cross shopping used 993's back in 2002-2003, their interiors really arent anything to write home about either.
I’ve got an arctic silver 997.2. While I didn’t want a silver originally, the spec was good and the price so went for it. It has now grown on me and suits the German engineering in my eyes. I also get compliments on the colour and when I’ve washed it it looks amazing in the sun. Looks clean longer than other colours too. It’s a bloody silver bullet my man. Dont let silver put you off. Every one bangs on about GT silver but Arctic is a longer tradition in the Porsche world. Hell they are all nice though!
I’d get the earliest build 996 possible. It’s the lightest 996 made, Jake Raby also states that the early build is the one to get. I’ve owned a 2001 and now own an early build 1999 and can definitely see why they are so loved.
interesting that you've owned both! I have 2 99's, one an early build and the other not, and there's definitely a bit of a difference. Weird, isn't it?
@@AV-sf5xq Interior materials were 993 spec leather, solid through-color plastic, vinyl headliner. Exterior had amber tail lights, and mechanically there are rumors of much better build quality because they were "hand built" with the last 993's in early 1998. In real life, it's just a feel difference. My early build has had 9 owners and currently sits at 190k miles, and I've driven it all over the east half of the US, and it remains one of the most solid feeling cars I've ever driven.
I had both 996TT and C4S, and you're right. The 996TT was too fast too easy to enjoy as much as the C4S. I wouldn't hesitate buying that C4S if it's verified to have no bore scoring, and IMS replaced, the rest can easily be fixed. The beauty with the 996 is that you can convert it to RWD without any warning lights, or traction control issue, and it's reversible. If I ever sell my 992 carrera T, I'd get a 996 4S or 997 S with plans on upgrading the engine bore size with nikasil if it ever goes bad.
I wouldn’t be afraid on purchasing on a high mileage 996. Mine was close to 80k and it runs great. Of course if you’re not feeling comfortable then it’s better to just walk away. The right 996 will come your way. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
996 is my favorite 911. It's the one that came out when I was a junior in high school. It was also the first 911 I bought for myself when I finally decided to pull the trigger. I purchased a 2000 C4, 6-speed manual coupe in black. I'm in a 991 C2S cab now, but I still think about that car every single day. I'll own another one day.
As someone who's owned multiple Porsche's (SC, G, 993, 997) over the years, & also a tuned/precision built 996TT that was literally mind numbingly fast. I can understand where you're going with your intrigue. I recently purchased a 14k mile 2017 Maserati Granturismo, and I absolutely love everything about it. But, I'm seriously considering considering a 996.1 to add to the stable. There's just something about the first-generation RWD coupes that I absolutely love anymore, but never really did in the past. Good luck with your search pal, and I'm hoping you end up with a 996.1 so I can live vicariously through you as my guinea pig. Lol
I went through this recently, not far from you up the road in NC. I ended up with a 2001 C2, but I had a hard time finding one I thought was worth buying and I did end up paying top of the market for that year/model. I found three main problems: First, and most significant, a lot of people maintained these cars really poorly. You could poke around the engine bay and immediately see a lot of work required. Old coolant tanks, original water pumps, original AOS, cracking hoses, etc. The most significant was the IMS bearing, people act like putting a L&N Retrofit on is a permanent fix, but it's not, only the Solution is. The ball bearings on the others have a service life and often these were done 6-8 years ago and need replacement, but sellers weren't willing to move on it for varying reasons, so you are buying a car you immediately need a $3200 service on. I walked on several due to this reason. The second was mileage, I really wanted an early 99, but most of them had 130k+ miles on them and were in rough cosmetic shape. I'm not overly obsessive about miles and cosmetics, but I would have preferred to pay for one that was kept better and I see a lot of stories of engine failures above the 120k mile mark. Then modifications. A lot of owners have added huge decklids and modifications that I feel ruin the aesthetic of the car. This was a smaller subset but was something I had to rule a few out on. I think the 996 market is headed in the direction the air cooled cars went about 5+ years ago. People are starting to see the value in the cars and slowly starting to revert them to original and maintain them to a higher standard, but it's not entirely there yet and finding one that is drivable and ownable is somewhat difficult.
@@Rennthusiast It isn't much different with the air cooled cars, some of the shops I've spoken with are seeing a lot of these cars show up to unravel or undo poor ownership decisions prior. It's costly but they were so cheap 15ish years ago, people just didn't invest in them because they weren't worth much, now they are and people want to take advantage of the higher values. My 911SC had wood screws holding the headlights in 😖
I've owned both a C4S and now a 40th Jahre and the 40th is such a better/more fun car. The C4S steering feels numb and in regular form doesn't make enough power to be a thriller to drive. The X51 might change that, but still if you are looking for fun I would go RWD, all day long. It's the most true NA 911 experience.
It’s hilarious to me when I see a C4S here in Southern California. Like, why? There’s no snow here, and you’re now driving a heavier car with worse steering. Just bad decision all around.
I own a 40th anniversary car and a G body and both are stress inducing 😂. I would recommend a 40 Jahre if you can find one and just do the maintenance and stay off the forums or else you’ll have nightmares of chain guides and IMS failure and never want to drive the car.😅
@@anthonyvierra1975 Forums are dumb. People keep writing all kind of stupid things on the internet. I have never ever got a single useful information out of them.
I purchased my 04 C4S in February. I just love it. I didn't know much before I bought it, but knew that the 996 was in my price range and that the all wheel drive would pay dividends up here in Montreal. Can't wait to see what you get.
Great series! High mileages could also be beneficial with these modules. Especially with IMS and borescoring issues are already occur with lower mileages. Driving myself an 996:1 with 163k km with out issues. Early Models are also less affected by borescoring. also check the conditions of your coolers, this is a Common Point. Had to change all 4 this year.
I owned a 98 C2 and a 01 Turbo - the Turbo was amazing but I much preferred the C2. One thing to watch out for with the Turbos is the gearbox, I eventually returned mine to the dealer because it was popping out of 2nd.
I have been looking for a 996 turbo convertible ( 2004) and don't like what I have been seeing on Cars and Bids and BAT. I appreciate this video as a way to discover a prize.
Gotta chime in and say its worth waiting for a "special". 40 jahre, aero, c4s. The baseline 996 interior was so abjectly awful that only the specials were worthwhile.
ooof. Going for a C4S without comparing it vs. a C2. As others have said, X51 might help mitigate it a bit, but the C4S I test drove was definitely sluggish compared to the C2 I now own.
I just can’t get past the smoothing away of all the best 911 curves and the cheaper looking boxster interior. But for the money it’s hard to beat I guess.
The guy I sold my 99 black C2 coupe to in early Janurary listed it for sale a few months latter. He initially listed it for seven thousand more than what I sold it but last I seen, he dropped it five thousand. It had 103k and was on it's original IMS and RMS. 996 buyers are looking to pay the lowest price especially not having the IMS update so they can to mitigate loss in case of catastrophic failure.
For a 996 or a 987 if you are worried about IMS and bore scoring then avoid low mileage cars. Cars that sit, are garage queens or don't see longer drives where everything gets up to temps are the ones that have problems. Just about to turn 89,000 miles on my 07 Boxster S.
Silver/Grey C4S is meh. The 3.6 is most likely to have bore score issues. As others have said, the early 996 is the best driver's car, the power in the 3.4 hits hard in the upper rev range like the early 911's, they are the lightest, the 3.4 sounds TERRIFIC, the first iteration of the series (always best). I remember the first time I drove a 996. The forums have you expecting the worst. It blew all my expectations away. I immediately knew it was going to be my next Pcar. It was and compliments my 964 very nicely. If there's one thing I've learned about the Porsche world, the cars the "purists" hate are often the best.
Watch this be the car you keep. I love my aero kitted 1999. LSD, throttle cable, can turn TCS off. One of the few material things that consistently and continuously makes me happy,.
Hi. So fun you into buy a 996, will follow this closely :)…though as a former low mile C4S owner. Here is my thoughts. Its to heavy, and a litle hard on the suspension. Its not so fast I wanted to be. And with the bore scoring issue holding me awake at nights, I couldnt keep the car and be calm. So I sold it. Sometimes I wish I didnt, its so beautiful ! But then I remember 😅…If I decide buy one again I would for by a 1998-99. No IMS or scoring. Good hunting 🫶🏼
Why not buy an early 997 C2 with the M96 engine - I have a September 2004 manual and its such a revvy perfect power band car for road use- all you need is the sport seats, sport steering wheel and an aero kit is a huge bonus. Its a great driver without the pasm, and sunroof, its a 996 with a better body and cabin. Go and buy the cleanest low mileage one you can will be a good investment as they never sold many C2 as most were C2s and c4s and its the purest version.
People need to get over the higher mileage on the 996. The lower the miles, the more issues you will have. I have an 03 986 S and the mileage is 74k. Mine has been rock solid. A friend bought a 2000 with 23K and had a ton of issues. All maintenance and suspension had to be done and he has put way more into his car than I have with the higher mileage.
I’ve got an arctic silver 997.2. While I didn’t want a silver originally, the spec was good and the price so went for it. It has now grown on me and suits the German engineering in my eyes. I also get compliments on the colour and when I’ve washed it it looks amazing in the sun. Looks clean longer than other colours too. It’s a bloody silver bullet my man. Dont let silver put you off. Every one bangs on about GT silver but Arctic is a longer tradition in the Porsche world. Hell they are all nice though!
There’s a Carrera White early-build 996 Carrera in King of Prussia PA I just found, that’s just about the nicest 996 I currently see listed on the internet. 3/98 build just like mine!
I was considering a 1999, 996 with 60k miles but there was a knock coming from the front suspension and it had the original IMS bearing. The owner changed several of the front suspension components but the knock was still there so I passed.
Amazing video @Rennthusiast! We exchanged a message on Instagram. I was afraid you would take the GT3 or Turbo road in your quest. I will be glued to UA-cam to know more about what you’re deciding. Waiting to see about the PPI and the high mileage one.
I think a 996 is a money pit for little performance UNLESS you go for the Metzger engined Turbo. In any case, count on spending money on lots of "wear-items" that you don't understand, tire wear that happens overnight, gremlins and problems to happen on anything that moves or turns. Anything with 3 letters is a problem; CIA, FBI, DOD ..OOPS ( wrong forum ) I meant to say; RMS, IMS etc .Make sure you have a really good mechanic available and on hand. And, unlike the forums tell you, 100K miles is a high mileage car with a constant need to replacement parts. Did you know, they no longer REPAIR cars.? They REPLACE PARTS. Catchink! But hey, it still IS a chick-magnet, the paint still looks new after 20 years ( if maintained properly) the interior is still old-fashioned but functional, the car rails like crazy but two hands on the steering wheels will work. But if feels like an old sports car...which it is. Hint... METZGER engine car ONLY and of course a MANUAL 6 speed. After all, you do want to buy some new parts for that gearbox, or the water pump or the turbo or fix that oil leak. The usual. Experienced owner 996 ( 2000) and 996 Turbo ( 2002).
Im selling mine Carolina exotic cars, 2000 with new porsche engine , big nut replaced under warranty, only asking 28k in amazing shape, every day think I might just keep it as it drives so well.
I’ve got an arctic silver 997.2. While I didn’t want a silver originally, the spec was good and the price so went for it. It has now grown on me and suits the German engineering in my eyes. I also get compliments on the colour and when I’ve washed it it looks amazing in the sun. Looks clean longer than other colours too. It’s a bloody silver bullet my man. Dont let silver put you off. Every one bangs on about GT silver but Arctic is a longer tradition in the Porsche world. Hell they are all nice though!
83.000 miles "high mileage"? I know Porsches aren't Volvos but my neighbour has a 2008 Volvo V70 that has 640.000 miles on it. Just gives you some perspective. LOL.
Hey Will, sent you an email about my 2004 GT3 that I have for sale, not sure if it’s what you’re looking for or if you saw it. Either way, great cars to own and enjoy!
A 996 is the only 911 I can afford and I actually love the looks even on the c2 without the beautiful hips of a c4s or Turbo and the headlights aren't bad at all IMO. The huge cost of an engine rebuild is just too off-putting in a worst case scenario. Getting a ppi is great but I'm not sure how many sellers are going to let me take one to a shop to drop the oil pan to look for bore scoring. I'm so conflicted and I'm probably just not wealthy enough to pull the trigger.😂
You can scope through the spark plug. Just put the piston bottom dead center. If it does have bore scoring it will be obvious, there's no hiding it from the top-down scope.
4-wheel drive is for Land Rovers, turbo’s are for diesels, convertible sports cars for posers. Get the GT3 if you have the money, else the 40 Anni, and put on modern high-end suspension bits for much improved ride quality.
Another 996 fact: the 1998-1999 models dont suffer from bore scoring…. And the 1998 is the only year without drive by wire (cable operated). So for me the 1998 carrera 2 manual is the one to have 😅
@@Rennthusiast at least, and they are always on back order. But it really looks good and it’s backed by Porsche to fit and work perfectly. I was out for fun today on my new to me 2014 C4S with manual. I forgot just how much fun a 911 is and nothing has that same feel.
Hmm wonder what too high is? I am in the would let it go for the right price category. New factory shortblock 2 years ago with low 4 digit miles on 60k mile chassis. Looks a lot like the red one with Fuchs but grey. I’m probably in the more than you want to spend category even if I would be taking a huge loss.
Arctic over Graphite is the least desired/valued color combo in any 996 variant, just knowing what you disclosed in the video, w/87K miles I'd peg this car for $33-$35K. I wouldnt pay a dime over $35K (with documented IMS).
My moving in and out of cars isn’t always about being disappointed…it’s basically about running its course and moving on to the next one. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Indeed! Hopefully you can shed some light on the 996 with your platform. I appreciate your down to earth style (as far as Porsche ownership is concerned). I don’t think people realize how much of a gamble these cars can be.
100% agree the ugliest Porsche they ever built hands down. And with the least amount of quality on the interior. I said this on Wills thread when he first talked about buying a 996.
I would in no circumstances consider 87,000 miles a "high mileage car". Maybe in a Yugo or a Kia, but not in a Porsche. If the "usual suspects" have been sorted, I see no reason why these cars shouldn't go 3, 4, 500k before a rebuild. Great channel! -Tom.
Mines at almost 200k without needing a rebuild 🤞
I think its typical rebuilds aren't necessary unless you start racing, or really pushing the limits. While not Porsche, my experience in JDM Skylines and Silvias have their engine mounts and frame bushings fail earlier than actual engine itself in daily use.
Exactly, I don't understand this low mileage fascination at all. If the car is right for you, well maintained and fully loaded with options who cares. Ok maybe above 200k miles I would pass. My 130k miles C4S drives just fine
80k it’s a low miles from 2004 and Porsche cars are meant to be driven unlike ferraris and lamborghinis. An old car what is only have a few miles can cost you more to service than a 100k miles what has been daily driven and regularly maintained .
Low mileage can also mean minimum maintenance was performed and internal corrosion could have formed. Compression check and scope internally.
I wouldn’t avoid “higher mileage” 996s as long as they are well maintained. If a higher mileage car had frequent oil changes and is up to date on maintenance and in good overall condition, I’d take it over a lower mileage example with less history. Chances of bore scoring on a well kept 996 are lower than one that has sat and may have skipped or had infrequent maintenance. My 2 cents from my own experience
I agree. My 996.1 with 30K miles failed due to bore scoring. No car, not even a Porsche is going to do well if it sits most of its life. Engines need to be worked, lubed, etc.
I bought a ’99 C2 with lowered ride height, 19” wheels, a free flow air filter etc. I have since dialled all of that to factory spec, right down to 17 inch wheels. Now it’s just 👌🏻 It’s a delicate thing and makes you smile by being just an honest simple driver’s car. Definitely not the fastest thing on the road but just a proper gentleman’s sports car that does not attract attention.
This is great, as you alluded to, us 996 nuts truly enjoy hearing any positive recognition for the car we all love...
Can't wait to see how the search ends!
I purchased my 04c4s with 97,000 miles just over 5 years ago from the original owner with no IMS upgrade. But it was regularly serviced by Porsche dealers. I had all the danger signals in my head about IMS failure and bore scoring, but the PPI reflected that the car was still strong with no engine or other issues. Mind you, it has always been a Southern California car, so rust wasn’t an issue. It now has 137,000 and still runs great. I replaced the IMS bearing when I replaced the clutch, and the IMS was just fine. Sure some minor issues that are expected, replaced the alternator, the cabriolet pneumatic slaves needed replacing, but nothing big. My driving habits are similar to yours, and I just can’t find a good reason to upgrade it, and I still get compliments from fellow PCA club members. Actually I think any low mileage 996. has a higher chance of engine issues than a mid to high mileage 996. You’ve come a long way Will. 😄
Will, I love the C4S heckblende rear reflector. IMHO, it makes this 911 one of the most attractive from the rear view. I like where you are going with this!
Totally agree, 996C4C rear looks beautiful.
I recently bought a 996 C4S and it is the best car I have ever driven. It has the comfort and the analog feel. Also IMO the 996 C4S and the 964 are the best looking 911s made
Cars with “high mileage “ are generally taken care of. I bought a 112000 mile 996 C4 convertible. Runs great did a 60k maintenance and all is good. I would rather have a car with miles on it than the garage queens.
I had a 996, 2004. I bought it before knowing they were not well liked in the 911 community. I thought the car was beautiful, maroon ish with fancy Porsche wheels. It had 24k miles and was in great shape. I picked it up for about 25k and drove it for two years. I had zero issues with it, the only thing I did was oil changes. It was a fun car, should have kept it.
It will the best car you’ve ever owned for the money they are amazing 😊
I've been watching your channel for some time now. My channel is all about 996s. I own two a 996.2 Carrera cabriolet and a 996.2 Turbo S cabriolet. On my channel I rebuilt the M96 engine and solved all the "issues" with it from the bore scoring, AOS and IMS. When I did it the Carrera had 102K miles. The bore scoring was nonexistent and the IMS was already addressed. Although I swapped it for the LN Engineering model. If I can do all of that in my home garage, then these cars are awesome and are not difficult to work on. Honestly, the 996 stands out because it looks different and boomers don't really like change.
I started but never finished that rebuild series…. Glad it turned out great!
Having owned a 996 from 2001, I will say the build quality was amazing.
I bought my 99 around 2003 and yeah I thought it was a very well put together car, mine was a low option c2 and the interior was pretty uninspiring but there's a certain freedom in the cheapness that really lets you enjoy the car. Also to be totally honest, when I was cross shopping used 993's back in 2002-2003, their interiors really arent anything to write home about either.
Agreed!
C4S all the way, best all around, beautiful, and the look from the rear pays for the car.
I’ve got an arctic silver 997.2. While I didn’t want a silver originally, the spec was good and the price so went for it. It has now grown on me and suits the German engineering in my eyes. I also get compliments on the colour and when I’ve washed it it looks amazing in the sun. Looks clean longer than other colours too. It’s a bloody silver bullet my man. Dont let silver put you off. Every one bangs on about GT silver but Arctic is a longer tradition in the Porsche world. Hell they are all nice though!
I’d get the earliest build 996 possible. It’s the lightest 996 made, Jake Raby also states that the early build is the one to get. I’ve owned a 2001 and now own an early build 1999 and can definitely see why they are so loved.
interesting that you've owned both! I have 2 99's, one an early build and the other not, and there's definitely a bit of a difference. Weird, isn't it?
WHAT is the actual difference?
@@AV-sf5xq Interior materials were 993 spec leather, solid through-color plastic, vinyl headliner. Exterior had amber tail lights, and mechanically there are rumors of much better build quality because they were "hand built" with the last 993's in early 1998. In real life, it's just a feel difference. My early build has had 9 owners and currently sits at 190k miles, and I've driven it all over the east half of the US, and it remains one of the most solid feeling cars I've ever driven.
Excited for this series. I got an ‘02 C4S in March. Arctic Silver on black. 6spd 49k miles. Real clean unmodified car. Such a great driver!
I had both 996TT and C4S, and you're right. The 996TT was too fast too easy to enjoy as much as the C4S. I wouldn't hesitate buying that C4S if it's verified to have no bore scoring, and IMS replaced, the rest can easily be fixed. The beauty with the 996 is that you can convert it to RWD without any warning lights, or traction control issue, and it's reversible. If I ever sell my 992 carrera T, I'd get a 996 4S or 997 S with plans on upgrading the engine bore size with nikasil if it ever goes bad.
I wouldn’t be afraid on purchasing on a high mileage 996. Mine was close to 80k and it runs great. Of course if you’re not feeling comfortable then it’s better to just walk away. The right 996 will come your way. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
996 is my favorite 911. It's the one that came out when I was a junior in high school. It was also the first 911 I bought for myself when I finally decided to pull the trigger. I purchased a 2000 C4, 6-speed manual coupe in black. I'm in a 991 C2S cab now, but I still think about that car every single day. I'll own another one day.
As someone who's owned multiple Porsche's (SC, G, 993, 997) over the years, & also a tuned/precision built 996TT that was literally mind numbingly fast. I can understand where you're going with your intrigue. I recently purchased a 14k mile 2017 Maserati Granturismo, and I absolutely love everything about it. But, I'm seriously considering considering a 996.1 to add to the stable. There's just something about the first-generation RWD coupes that I absolutely love anymore, but never really did in the past. Good luck with your search pal, and I'm hoping you end up with a 996.1 so I can live vicariously through you as my guinea pig. Lol
Great video and exciting quest, Will! I was expecting you to go for a fancier color than grey. I look forward to the rest of the series and quest😊
Looking forward to this series!
The only non-turbo 996 worth getting is the C4S. They look special with the wide body, turbo look, rear light bar, etc.
It has the Carrera engine, and more weight. It’s a great car, but this is a very subjective opinion!
Heavy!
Rear reflector
I went through this recently, not far from you up the road in NC. I ended up with a 2001 C2, but I had a hard time finding one I thought was worth buying and I did end up paying top of the market for that year/model.
I found three main problems: First, and most significant, a lot of people maintained these cars really poorly. You could poke around the engine bay and immediately see a lot of work required. Old coolant tanks, original water pumps, original AOS, cracking hoses, etc. The most significant was the IMS bearing, people act like putting a L&N Retrofit on is a permanent fix, but it's not, only the Solution is. The ball bearings on the others have a service life and often these were done 6-8 years ago and need replacement, but sellers weren't willing to move on it for varying reasons, so you are buying a car you immediately need a $3200 service on. I walked on several due to this reason.
The second was mileage, I really wanted an early 99, but most of them had 130k+ miles on them and were in rough cosmetic shape. I'm not overly obsessive about miles and cosmetics, but I would have preferred to pay for one that was kept better and I see a lot of stories of engine failures above the 120k mile mark.
Then modifications. A lot of owners have added huge decklids and modifications that I feel ruin the aesthetic of the car. This was a smaller subset but was something I had to rule a few out on.
I think the 996 market is headed in the direction the air cooled cars went about 5+ years ago. People are starting to see the value in the cars and slowly starting to revert them to original and maintain them to a higher standard, but it's not entirely there yet and finding one that is drivable and ownable is somewhat difficult.
Agree 100%. The super attainable price point led to a culture of poor mod decision making and questionable maintenance with these.
@@Rennthusiast It isn't much different with the air cooled cars, some of the shops I've spoken with are seeing a lot of these cars show up to unravel or undo poor ownership decisions prior. It's costly but they were so cheap 15ish years ago, people just didn't invest in them because they weren't worth much, now they are and people want to take advantage of the higher values.
My 911SC had wood screws holding the headlights in 😖
I've owned both a C4S and now a 40th Jahre and the 40th is such a better/more fun car. The C4S steering feels numb and in regular form doesn't make enough power to be a thriller to drive. The X51 might change that, but still if you are looking for fun I would go RWD, all day long. It's the most true NA 911 experience.
Great take!
It’s hilarious to me when I see a C4S here in Southern California. Like, why? There’s no snow here, and you’re now driving a heavier car with worse steering. Just bad decision all around.
I own a 40th anniversary car and a G body and both are stress inducing 😂. I would recommend a 40 Jahre if you can find one and just do the maintenance and stay off the forums or else you’ll have nightmares of chain guides and IMS failure and never want to drive the car.😅
@@anthonyvierra1975 Forums are dumb. People keep writing all kind of stupid things on the internet. I have never ever got a single useful information out of them.
I purchased my 04 C4S in February. I just love it. I didn't know much before I bought it, but knew that the 996 was in my price range and that the all wheel drive would pay dividends up here in Montreal. Can't wait to see what you get.
Great series! High mileages could also be beneficial with these modules. Especially with IMS and borescoring issues are already occur with lower mileages. Driving myself an 996:1 with 163k km with out issues. Early Models are also less affected by borescoring. also check the conditions of your coolers, this is a Common Point. Had to change all 4 this year.
I find the front end looks of the early cars to be more elegant than the later ones. It feels balanced and agile.
well the good thing about a higher mileage 996 is.....if it hasn't blown up yet, it probably wont.
C4s looks amazing but it’s too dang heavy. Unless your going to daily it in weather stick with a simple carrera
I owned a 98 C2 and a 01 Turbo - the Turbo was amazing but I much preferred the C2. One thing to watch out for with the Turbos is the gearbox, I eventually returned mine to the dealer because it was popping out of 2nd.
I have been looking for a 996 turbo convertible ( 2004) and don't like what I have been seeing on Cars and Bids and BAT. I appreciate this video as a way to discover a prize.
Really looking forward to the 996 content! Thanks brotha
Gotta chime in and say its worth waiting for a "special". 40 jahre, aero, c4s. The baseline 996 interior was so abjectly awful that only the specials were worthwhile.
If you don't need 4 wheel drive, don't get it. It's heavier and changes the the rear weight feeling from s C2.
ooof. Going for a C4S without comparing it vs. a C2. As others have said, X51 might help mitigate it a bit, but the C4S I test drove was definitely sluggish compared to the C2 I now own.
I just can’t get past the smoothing away of all the best 911 curves and the cheaper looking boxster interior. But for the money it’s hard to beat I guess.
The guy I sold my 99 black C2 coupe to in early Janurary listed it for sale a few months latter. He initially listed it for seven thousand more than what I sold it but last I seen, he dropped it five thousand. It had 103k and was on it's original IMS and RMS. 996 buyers are looking to pay the lowest price especially not having the IMS update so they can to mitigate loss in case of catastrophic failure.
For a 996 or a 987 if you are worried about IMS and bore scoring then avoid low mileage cars. Cars that sit, are garage queens or don't see longer drives where everything gets up to temps are the ones that have problems. Just about to turn 89,000 miles on my 07 Boxster S.
Silver/Grey C4S is meh. The 3.6 is most likely to have bore score issues. As others have said, the early 996 is the best driver's car, the power in the 3.4 hits hard in the upper rev range like the early 911's, they are the lightest, the 3.4 sounds TERRIFIC, the first iteration of the series (always best). I remember the first time I drove a 996. The forums have you expecting the worst. It blew all my expectations away. I immediately knew it was going to be my next Pcar. It was and compliments my 964 very nicely. If there's one thing I've learned about the Porsche world, the cars the "purists" hate are often the best.
997 Turbo keeps up with all the latest cars. It’s the best and not too big it’s just right
Watch this be the car you keep. I love my aero kitted 1999. LSD, throttle cable, can turn TCS off. One of the few material things that consistently and continuously makes me happy,.
You can daily drive these things. I have put almost 40k miles on a 996.1 during the past three years. It's doing great.
Hi. So fun you into buy a 996, will follow this closely :)…though as a former low mile C4S owner. Here is my thoughts. Its to heavy, and a litle hard on the suspension. Its not so fast I wanted to be. And with the bore scoring issue holding me awake at nights, I couldnt keep the car and be calm. So I sold it. Sometimes I wish I didnt, its so beautiful ! But then I remember 😅…If I decide buy one again I would for by a 1998-99. No IMS or scoring. Good hunting 🫶🏼
996 C4S has one of the best looking rear ends of any 911 ever. They are great to drive too.
Please let me know if you pass on the car. I’m hunting for a 996 C4S currently
Why not buy an early 997 C2 with the M96 engine - I have a September 2004 manual and its such a revvy perfect power band car for road use- all you need is the sport seats, sport steering wheel and an aero kit is a huge bonus. Its a great driver without the pasm, and sunroof, its a 996 with a better body and cabin. Go and buy the cleanest low mileage one you can will be a good investment as they never sold many C2 as most were C2s and c4s and its the purest version.
I think the C4S is a no brainer for the 996 generation!
I bought a 996 Carrera 2 in1998 and still have it. A fantastic car and right hand drive; so not one for you. Best from the UK.
I think the mileage isn’t a bad thing, in these. It looks clean and not clapped out.
People need to get over the higher mileage on the 996. The lower the miles, the more issues you will have. I have an 03 986 S and the mileage is 74k. Mine has been rock solid. A friend bought a 2000 with 23K and had a ton of issues. All maintenance and suspension had to be done and he has put way more into his car than I have with the higher mileage.
I’ve got an arctic silver 997.2. While I didn’t want a silver originally, the spec was good and the price so went for it. It has now grown on me and suits the German engineering in my eyes. I also get compliments on the colour and when I’ve washed it it looks amazing in the sun. Looks clean longer than other colours too. It’s a bloody silver bullet my man. Dont let silver put you off. Every one bangs on about GT silver but Arctic is a longer tradition in the Porsche world. Hell they are all nice though!
There’s a Carrera White early-build 996 Carrera in King of Prussia PA I just found, that’s just about the nicest 996 I currently see listed on the internet. 3/98 build just like mine!
99 C2 owner - it's a great car. Had an 83 SC that I constantly worked on. In comparison the 996 is a faster, more reliable, more livable car.
I think you are having a manic episode with buying and selling porsches . But i can relate lol
When will it end? 😵💫😂
I was considering a 1999, 996 with 60k miles but there was a knock coming from the front suspension and it had the original IMS bearing. The owner changed several of the front suspension components but the knock was still there so I passed.
Amazing video @Rennthusiast! We exchanged a message on Instagram. I was afraid you would take the GT3 or Turbo road in your quest. I will be glued to UA-cam to know more about what you’re deciding. Waiting to see about the PPI and the high mileage one.
I think a 996 is a money pit for little performance UNLESS you go for the Metzger engined Turbo. In any case, count on spending money on lots of "wear-items" that you don't understand, tire wear that happens overnight, gremlins and problems to happen on anything that moves or turns. Anything with 3 letters is a problem; CIA, FBI, DOD ..OOPS ( wrong forum ) I meant to say; RMS, IMS etc .Make sure you have a really good mechanic available and on hand. And, unlike the forums tell you, 100K miles is a high mileage car with a constant need to replacement parts. Did you know, they no longer REPAIR cars.? They REPLACE PARTS. Catchink! But hey, it still IS a chick-magnet, the paint still looks new after 20 years ( if maintained properly) the interior is still old-fashioned but functional, the car rails like crazy but two hands on the steering wheels will work. But if feels like an old sports car...which it is. Hint... METZGER engine car ONLY and of course a MANUAL 6 speed. After all, you do want to buy some new parts for that gearbox, or the water pump or the turbo or fix that oil leak. The usual. Experienced owner 996 ( 2000) and 996 Turbo ( 2002).
Im selling mine Carolina exotic cars, 2000 with new porsche engine , big nut replaced under warranty, only asking 28k in amazing shape, every day think I might just keep it as it drives so well.
Nice update. To be honest I think the color is a bit boring for you and all wheel drive? Keep looking. :)
I’ve got an arctic silver 997.2. While I didn’t want a silver originally, the spec was good and the price so went for it. It has now grown on me and suits the German engineering in my eyes. I also get compliments on the colour and when I’ve washed it it looks amazing in the sun. Looks clean longer than other colours too. It’s a bloody silver bullet my man. Dont let silver put you off. Every one bangs on about GT silver but Arctic is a longer tradition in the Porsche world. Hell they are all nice though!
83.000 miles "high mileage"? I know Porsches aren't Volvos but my neighbour has a 2008 Volvo V70 that has 640.000 miles on it. Just gives you some perspective. LOL.
Hey Will, sent you an email about my 2004 GT3 that I have for sale, not sure if it’s what you’re looking for or if you saw it. Either way, great cars to own and enjoy!
996 is my favorite Porsche. Hope to own one soon
Great video.
Thanks dude
A 996 is the only 911 I can afford and I actually love the looks even on the c2 without the beautiful hips of a c4s or Turbo and the headlights aren't bad at all IMO. The huge cost of an engine rebuild is just too off-putting in a worst case scenario. Getting a ppi is great but I'm not sure how many sellers are going to let me take one to a shop to drop the oil pan to look for bore scoring. I'm so conflicted and I'm probably just not wealthy enough to pull the trigger.😂
You can scope through the spark plug. Just put the piston bottom dead center. If it does have bore scoring it will be obvious, there's no hiding it from the top-down scope.
@@Jeremyyy412 thanks for the tip.
Just get a 97-99 986 Boxster. 90% of the experience without the looming fear of an eventual engine failure.
@@Cos27O not bad advice
You don’t want to own a 996 GT3 for road use. Been there done that. Definitely get a test drive if you ever do contemplate buying one.
4-wheel drive is for Land Rovers, turbo’s are for diesels, convertible sports cars for posers. Get the GT3 if you have the money, else the 40 Anni, and put on modern high-end suspension bits for much improved ride quality.
I’d say an early 996 is the best choice
Will you have a bad case of the hedonic treadmill.
Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼😄
Any good ones hardtop manuals Philly Baltimore area ?
Another 996 fact: the 1998-1999 models dont suffer from bore scoring…. And the 1998 is the only year without drive by wire (cable operated). So for me the 1998 carrera 2 manual is the one to have 😅
Looks like the owner upgraded the radio using the Porsche factory vintage upgrade. That was not cheap to do.
$2500 plus I think
@@Rennthusiast at least, and they are always on back order. But it really looks good and it’s backed by Porsche to fit and work perfectly. I was out for fun today on my new to me 2014 C4S with manual. I forgot just how much fun a 911 is and nothing has that same feel.
I have a 996.2 c2 seal grey metallic with black leather interior cabriolet with 35,063 miles if you’re interested. Im the 3rd owner. Southern owned.
Thank you, but not seeking a cab.
Hmm wonder what too high is? I am in the would let it go for the right price category. New factory shortblock 2 years ago with low 4 digit miles on 60k mile chassis. Looks a lot like the red one with Fuchs but grey. I’m probably in the more than you want to spend category even if I would be taking a huge loss.
A twenty year old car with 87,000 miles is going to have a lot fewer issues than one with 8,700 miles.
Me Like you way of thinking on this!
Keep searching but a well sorted 996, dot one or two, either does not exist or will take a few dollars to get you there. Good luck!
Arctic over Graphite is the least desired/valued color combo in any 996 variant, just knowing what you disclosed in the video, w/87K miles I'd peg this car for $33-$35K. I wouldnt pay a dime over $35K (with documented IMS).
Don’t do a C4s! 300lbs of extra weight with no benefits. Pretty to look at though. Get a c2.
My bet is that you will be disappointed and keep it for less than a year, based on the other cars you own.
My moving in and out of cars isn’t always about being disappointed…it’s basically about running its course and moving on to the next one. Thanks for watching and commenting!
lol you have a lot of learning left to do.
Don’t well all?
Indeed! Hopefully you can shed some light on the 996 with your platform. I appreciate your down to earth style (as far as Porsche ownership is concerned). I don’t think people realize how much of a gamble these cars can be.
Huge gamble. All of them to one degree or another!
Thanks for watching 🙏🏼😄
Stop talking about how much 996s rock! I only have 1, and need several more before they get crazy expensive...
996 JUNK. IT IS NOT REAL PORSCHE. YOU ARE NOT REAL PORSCHE DRIVER IN THIS CAR. AIR COOLED ONLY REAL GERMAN PORSCHE. STAY AWAY. ALERT. AUCHTUNG!
The 996 definitely gets a lot of hate, as it should.because it’s a hideous looking car. There’s a reason Porsche never went back to those headlights.
The interior hasn't aged well either.
Crazy how it saved the whole company though.
@@millenbopthe interior reminds you of the 2000s as it should.
Absolutely did NOT SAVE THE COMPANY seriously it was the 993 that started the saving of Porsche.
100% agree the ugliest Porsche they ever built hands down. And with the least amount of quality on the interior. I said this on Wills thread when he first talked about buying a 996.
Air cooled enthusiasts: “GOBBLESS ITS A FAKE PORSCHSE BC IT HAS NO AIR COOLED FAKE PORCH 996 SUCKS HUR DURRR UH AIR COOLED IS BETTER”