For someone who wants a fun/small-by-modern-standards late '90s/early '00s NA Porsche to rip on track without a care in the world, the math certainly checks out. Hope you enjoy the heck out of it!
I've found that mileage makes a huge difference in selling prices for the 997's. If you get up over say, 70k miles, it seems to really drop off quite a lot, and the prices for the low miles examples (less than 30k or so) sell at a ridiculous premium. For the money, I'd prefer a high miles car in good condition any day of the week. I'm piling up the miles on my 997 as I drive it every day. I bought the car to drive it as that is where I get the enjoyment of ownership - in the drive. I don't care if it depreciates, and I am ready if I need to rebuild the engine some day. But I am hoping that with the exceptional way I use the car and maintain the car, a rebuild will never be in my future! At least that's the plan!
Great video! I have a 2001 C2 with 114k miles and I need to do an RMS due to leaking oil as the IMS was done previously, and the old Pandora's box of "while your in there" has scared me from digging in and doing what you have done. I agree with your analysis and you have encouraged me to go thru with this maintenance \ upgrade to a 3.8 conversion as well. Have only tracked the current 3.4 engine a couple times and I'm sure the 3.8 will only increase the track experience.
Hey Garret, thanks for watching! Awesome about your 2001 C2; you’ve got great taste ;) The 3.8L is definitely worth doing, all things considered. If you end up moving forward, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions; I’m always happy to help!
Money well spent! And I totally agree with your conclusion on buying a 996 and do the conversion. I couldn’t resist the indeed timeless design of the 997 knowing it will need a rebuild somewhere in the future. Just such a great looking car.
I have a 3.4 in my 986, the plan is to eventually bore it out. Thanks for the cost breakdown, I hope inflation doesn’t make this process hurt more in a couple years
Not sure the 997 prices make this make economic sense. You’ll never get your money back, since a 996 with a cherry engine rebuild still wont’t attract 997-like money. But it does make emotional sense, especially given your use case for the car.
You’re correct, hence my point about if you want a 911 and want to hold onto it for a long time (ie not sell it any time soon to get your money out of it) then it makes more sense to go the 996 route and refresh the engine, vs buying a 997 that’s an unknown quantity that’ll need to be rebuilt down the road anyway.
Yes. They were rebuilt. 3 angle valve job to freshen up valves and seats, then decked. New valve stem seals, and lifters. I also ported them while I was at it
For someone who wants a fun/small-by-modern-standards late '90s/early '00s NA Porsche to rip on track without a care in the world, the math certainly checks out. Hope you enjoy the heck out of it!
You nailed it! Glad you agree with me. And I sure am enjoying that thing… sheeeee’s a ripper!
I've found that mileage makes a huge difference in selling prices for the 997's. If you get up over say, 70k miles, it seems to really drop off quite a lot, and the prices for the low miles examples (less than 30k or so) sell at a ridiculous premium. For the money, I'd prefer a high miles car in good condition any day of the week. I'm piling up the miles on my 997 as I drive it every day. I bought the car to drive it as that is where I get the enjoyment of ownership - in the drive. I don't care if it depreciates, and I am ready if I need to rebuild the engine some day. But I am hoping that with the exceptional way I use the car and maintain the car, a rebuild will never be in my future! At least that's the plan!
I hope you never have to do a rebuild too; keep piling up miles on that thing, that’s the way it should be!
Great video! I have a 2001 C2 with 114k miles and I need to do an RMS due to leaking oil as the IMS was done previously, and the old Pandora's box of "while your in there" has scared me from digging in and doing what you have done. I agree with your analysis and you have encouraged me to go thru with this maintenance \ upgrade to a 3.8 conversion as well. Have only tracked the current 3.4 engine a couple times and I'm sure the 3.8 will only increase the track experience.
Hey Garret, thanks for watching! Awesome about your 2001 C2; you’ve got great taste ;) The 3.8L is definitely worth doing, all things considered. If you end up moving forward, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions; I’m always happy to help!
Money well spent! And I totally agree with your conclusion on buying a 996 and do the conversion. I couldn’t resist the indeed timeless design of the 997 knowing it will need a rebuild somewhere in the future. Just such a great looking car.
Thanks Erwin! Yeaa, the 997 is such a good looker.
I have a 3.4 in my 986, the plan is to eventually bore it out. Thanks for the cost breakdown, I hope inflation doesn’t make this process hurt more in a couple years
Sure thing!! Yea, I worry about inflation impact as well… that, and cost increase from (dare I say) increased demand 🫣
Do it. I'm about a month away from a 3.8 in a 986S
@@malcolmnunes8331 Awesome! That’s gonna be a serious unit!
Not sure the 997 prices make this make economic sense. You’ll never get your money back, since a 996 with a cherry engine rebuild still wont’t attract 997-like money. But it does make emotional sense, especially given your use case for the car.
You’re correct, hence my point about if you want a 911 and want to hold onto it for a long time (ie not sell it any time soon to get your money out of it) then it makes more sense to go the 996 route and refresh the engine, vs buying a 997 that’s an unknown quantity that’ll need to be rebuilt down the road anyway.
Did you do any head work?
Yes. They were rebuilt. 3 angle valve job to freshen up valves and seats, then decked. New valve stem seals, and lifters. I also ported them while I was at it
@@FunAhead_TV_Official same re head work. I had Hoffman Automotive do the head work
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