The 996 search - The Chronicles of Ken

[daveyoul]

It started a little over 12 months ago. 

Actually, it started the best part of a half a century ago, but has seriously manifested over the past 12 months, when my lifetime best mate bought a cheap 996. Manual. Coupe. The dream has always been there, but never did it really seem attainable. Mortgage, work, kids, ballet lessons (not mine), mortgage, 4wd... a Porsche? Just way out of my budget. But then... everything changed. 

"What?!! Under $40k? Really? Less than $35??" Our conversation went something like this - a guessing game on the final price of said cheap 996. Sure, it had high kms. But it is a Porsche right? German engineering and all that. A little rough around the edges? Sure... but the sound! And the drive. I wonder what else is out there?!!

So Carsales and I became even more well acquainted (if that's possible). Looking, watching, saving cars. "What are you looking at?" from the other room. The bean counter. Minister for War and Finance. Love of my life. 

"Nothing..." 

But she knew. She was onto me. There are no secrets. 

Then in early December, one came up in Sydney, at the right price, not too far away. 

"What are you looking at?" 

"Nothing..."

"Why don't you just go and have a look at it?"

"Really!!!!???"

"Yes, I'm sick of you pining."

So we went and looked. It wasn't right, but the search had begun. Permission granted. Budget set. 

Since then a couple have slipped through my fingers for one reason or another. One failed a PPI. Another 2 went from under my nose. 

Undeterred the search continues. 

So what exactly am I looking for? Well, the important stuff is 996, manual, prefer a coupe but will consider a targa. Not too fussed over particular options - rather choose the right car based on condition etc. Same with colour, although if I'm honest I'd prefer something other than silver... but again, for the right car. And the budget? Ideal will be sub $50k with IMS done. A tough ask - yes, but hopefully achievable. I've got another car which I'm willing to sell, should the right car be available for not much over. (Incidentally, I was planning to sell this car anyway, until on our anniversary, love of my life declares: "Why don't you keep this car too?" Yes, I hear you - she's a keeper.)

Looking forward to becoming part of the community. If you have, or know of anything out there ticking these boxes that isn't already on Carsales, I'd love to hear about it. 

Cheers

Dave

[Techno]

Permission, once granted for such things, cannot be revoked.

Good luck with the search.

[GC9911]

Silver is hardly noticeable from the inside!

[Mike737]

Your budget sounds about right for a series 1. Series 2 you'll probably struggle a little. Remember to buy the best you can afford, not the cheapest unless you're willing to accept the rule of thumb of putting twice the dollars down later in repairs (whether it turns out to be the case or not).

I think you would have a high probability of buying trouble with a manual coupe under 40k unless you were expecting to do all the work on it yourself and have a hoist.

Keep an eye on this thread for possible candidates -> https://porscheforum.com.au/topic/13105-996-values-coupecab-manualtip/

Good luck with the search

[Peter John]

Have you seen the grey .1 on CS for 47.5k? Good luck with the search.

Posting on here you will find great guys who are enthusiastic owners. On the market as you would know, the chance of finding a retired dentist that bought the car from new are ones to be pounced on! 

The fun is being on the hunt and the journey along the way. Don’t be shy of heading along to a catch up as we all like to speak the word of gospel and often when the word is out the right car may come to you!

[TINGY]

Well firstly, i didn't want silver either but it's so easy to keep clean and it never looks dirty, from my experience over the last 6 weeks or so. 

And what Greg said, you can't really see it from the inside. Also i got a car with Zero options and i don't miss it because i don't know what I am missing, if that makes sense.

The car still drives great though and still has that flat 6 growl. I also got a car without a PPI and so far so good apart from a new water pump today and a couple of Pilot Sport 4's on the front, i knew i would need tyres and i had a hunch about the water pump when i decided to buy. BTW, the water pump cost me a touch over $600 for my mechanic to do, no more expensive than any other car really, i would have normally tackled a job like this but couldn't be bothered this time around.

No IMS done either but i had a conversation with my mechanic and his advice was, just drive it and we will check the oil filter every oil change which i will do yearly.

To me these cars are the last (almost) of the analogue cars and are so much fun to drive and a fairly simple design and they haul ass

Don't get too hung up on the little things, just buy one, you will love it.

[daveyoul]

1 hour ago, Mike737 said:

I think you would have a high probability of buying trouble with a manual coupe under 40k unless you were expecting to do all the work on it yourself and have a hoist.

Yeah, agree. Would like to be able to pick up a 6.2, but reality is pointing towards a 3.4 - not that this is a bad thing! Not really expecting to pick anything up under 40 now... but even so, prepared to swing some spanners myself when necessary. Funny you mentioned the hoist... 

...and guess what fits exactly under there...

57 minutes ago, Peter John said:

Have you seen the grey .1 on CS for 47.5k? Good luck with the search.

I have actually. That car was for sale in Sydney in December. Took a look at it, discovered a couple of issues, then the owner decided to offload to a dealer down south (probably for cheap) rather than deal with the issues. It is still on the list - if the dealer will ever get back to me...

58 minutes ago, Peter John said:

The fun is being on the hunt and the journey along the way. Don’t be shy of heading along to a catch up as we all like to speak the word of gospel and often when the word is out the right car may come to you!

Been fun so far - however the inner child must be restrained from time to time "I want it NOW!!"

Will definitely keep an eye on catch ups and head along when I can. 

51 minutes ago, TINGY996 said:

And what Greg said, you can't really see it from the inside. Also i got a car with Zero options and i don't miss it because i don't know what I am missing, if that makes sense.

Yeah I know - 5 years ago when I was buying an LX470... I wanted ANY colour but a beige one. We all know how that ended up now... 

53 minutes ago, TINGY996 said:

No IMS done either but i had a conversation with my mechanic and his advice was, just drive it and we will check the oil filter every oil change which i will do yearly.

To me these cars are the last (almost) of the analogue cars and are so much fun to drive and a fairly simple design and they haul ass

Don't get too hung up on the little things, just buy one, you will love it.

I think I'm almost too paranoid about the IMS. There's a silver (again) 3.6 at a dealer in QLD. Sounds like a good car. On currently for about $58k. But no IMS done. 

Agree, love the analogue nature of these cars. Not the fastest thing for the money, but driving experience is SOO much more than that. 

Trying not to get hung up - but want the right one! 

Thanks for all the replies! 

[LeeM]

 😁 That was a great read @daveyoul

 I shook hands on, then passed on a very nice black 996 (couldn't bring meself to sell my air cooled) that had everything done (IMS etc) and 118,000 kms for under $40k coupla months ago, so they're out there. 

 As @TINGY996 mentioned, just grab one and deal with any potential problems later. As has been well documented on this forum, the IMS problem does arise now n then, yet what car doesn't have certain problems that are 20-30 years old? 

 Good luck with the search...you'll love it when you own one 

[TwoHeadsTas]

1 hour ago, TINGY996 said:

 

No IMS done either but i had a conversation with my mechanic and his advice was, just drive it and we will check the oil filter every oil change which i will do yearly.

To me these cars are the last (almost) of the analogue cars and are so much fun to drive and a fairly simple design and they haul ass

Don't get too hung up on the little things, just buy one, you will love it.

Agree entirely, that's exactly the principle I've applied to 12 months of 996.2 ownership and 5 years of 987.1 ownership.  If the engine is ever out I will do it as a precaution, as it wouldn't make sense not to ....  17000kms in just over 12 months in the 996.2 and Mrs has done 51000kms in just over 5 years in the 987.1. 

I was pretty paranoid initially when we got the 987, but didn;t take long to forget about it and just enjoy the drive.  Just keep the oil changes up and inspect the filter at each change as Tingy's mechanic says.  How does that saying go - be alert but not alarmed?

[TINGY]

1 minute ago, TwoHeadsTas said:

Agree entirely, that's exactly the principle I've applied to 12 months of 996.2 ownership and 5 years of 987.1 ownership.  If the engine is ever out I will do it as a precaution, as it wouldn't make sense not to ....  17000kms in just over 12 months in the 996.2 and Mrs has done 51000kms in just over 5 years in the 987.1

Yes exactly what i will be doing i think.

My clutch is a little heavy and i was in a 3.6 turbo Cayman track car today and it has a sport clutch and feels so light compared to mine, think Toyota Corolla light, when mine needs a clutch this is what will be fitted to it i think.

[daveyoul]

Thanks @TwoHeadsTas - part of me agrees with you totally. 

Then there's the other part that says "yeah, but what if you're one of those unlucky ones..." "will love of my life ever get over that bill?"

Analysis paralysis... yes, perhaps! 

[TwoHeadsTas]

1 minute ago, daveyoul said:

Thanks @TwoHeadsTas - part of me agrees with you totally. 

Then there's the other part that says "yeah, but what if you're one of those unlucky ones..." "will love of my life ever get over that bill?"

Analysis paralysis... yes, perhaps! 

Drive it regularly for a month and you'll forget those other thoughts......

[smit2100]

5 hours ago, daveyoul said:

It started a little over 12 months ago. 

Actually, it started the best part of a half a century ago, but has seriously manifested over the past 12 months, when my lifetime best mate bought a cheap 996. Manual. Coupe. The dream has always been there, but never did it really seem attainable. Mortgage, work, kids, ballet lessons (not mine), mortgage, 4wd... a Porsche? Just way out of my budget. But then... everything changed. 

"What?!! Under $40k? Really? Less than $35??" Our conversation went something like this - a guessing game on the final price of said cheap 996. Sure, it had high kms. But it is a Porsche right? German engineering and all that. A little rough around the edges? Sure... but the sound! And the drive. I wonder what else is out there?!!

So Carsales and I became even more well acquainted (if that's possible). Looking, watching, saving cars. "What are you looking at?" from the other room. The bean counter. Minister for War and Finance. Love of my life. 

"Nothing..." 

But she knew. She was onto me. There are no secrets. 

Then in early December, one came up in Sydney, at the right price, not too far away. 

"What are you looking at?" 

"Nothing..."

"Why don't you just go and have a look at it?"

"Really!!!!???"

"Yes, I'm sick of you pining."

So we went and looked. It wasn't right, but the search had begun. Permission granted. Budget set. 

Since then a couple have slipped through my fingers for one reason or another. One failed a PPI. Another 2 went from under my nose. 

Undeterred the search continues. 

So what exactly am I looking for? Well, the important stuff is 996, manual, prefer a coupe but will consider a targa. Not too fussed over particular options - rather choose the right car based on condition etc. Same with colour, although if I'm honest I'd prefer something other than silver... but again, for the right car. And the budget? Ideal will be sub $50k with IMS done. A tough ask - yes, but hopefully achievable. I've got another car which I'm willing to sell, should the right car be available for not much over. (Incidentally, I was planning to sell this car anyway, until on our anniversary, love of my life declares: "Why don't you keep this car too?" Yes, I hear you - she's a keeper.)

Looking forward to becoming part of the community. If you have, or know of anything out there ticking these boxes that isn't already on Carsales, I'd love to hear about it. 

Cheers

Dave

Also recommend stashing a  bit of that 50k away to the side for some replacement bits eg mainly  aged parts with rubber.  Eg OEM tranny mounts  from a 997 and engine mounts and a variant of an entire  997 shifter mechanism   eg 997 stock, 997 short shifter or 997 gt3 short shifter based on what floats your boat.  Recommend you do these early in the piece of taking ownership.   Eg lots of bang for  buck that is noticable when in the drivers seat.

[GC9911]

GT Silver, nothing wrong with silver!!!!!!

[Dalai]

Nice MR2! 

[TINGY]

1 hour ago, GC9911 said:

GT Silver, nothing wrong with silver!!!!!!

Except if you like white

[daveyoul]

7 hours ago, Dalai said:

Nice MR2! 

Thanks Rolf, wondered if you were here! 

[Dalai]

2 hours ago, daveyoul said:

Thanks Rolf, wondered if you were here! 

No idea who Rolf is... My MR2.

 

[daveyoul]

My mistake! Know another guy who owns a White like yours and an MR2! 

[tazzieman]

Now the financial boffins are talking about "wealth destruction" in the property market crash , I imagine quite a few toys will emerge in coming months.
Cash is king under these circumstances. 

[Pokiou]

I would budget for more then 50K for a nice 996 mk1. The 996 is under rated and if you find a manual coupe for around 40k i'd say snap it up quickly. Eitehr the owner is desperate or doesnt know what his selling. Kind like those that sold there 964 and 993's for cheap.

[gelb996]

I bought my 2000 996 about 2 years ago. I spent about 18 months looking at lots of cars before finally settled on one. Be prepared to buy from anywhere in Australia.

Some of the best advise I obtained on cars I was interested in came from the mechanics who serviced them. If possible find out from the owner who their mechanic is and ring them for a chat. Definitely have a PPI done, this can be undertaken by an independent porsche specialist.

996 are nearly 20 years old so be prepared to pay for replacing the water pump, thermostat and hoses, if they haven't been recently replaced. Depending upon how the cars been driven a new clutch for a manual car might also need replacing.

Good luck with your search, you won't regret buying one.

 

[raafrebel2]

My first Porsche was a 996.1. 3.4 manual coupe

loved it...great car. 

I never had a pre purchase inspection, never worried about IMS .. I had my regular (non Porsche ) mechanic look over it and bought it.

it took me around 6 months to find the one I liked . I owned it for around 2 years and never had any issues except for regular stuff like wheel alignments , oil etc..

I had a lot of fun in it and bought an air cooled one and also bought a 997 Carrera S.

Instantly addicted to Porsche after first test drive. 

Seeing u own your own hoiste , I have one as well, makes for much easier maintaining.

I just maintained it well and drove it pretty hard. 

They are a great car, u will love owning one 

[Peter John]

On 31/01/2019 at 19:30, daveyoul said:

Yeah, agree. Would like to be able to pick up a 6.2, but reality is pointing towards a 3.4 - not that this is a bad thing! Not really expecting to pick anything up under 40 now... but even so, prepared to swing some spanners myself when necessary. Funny you mentioned the hoist... 

...and guess what fits exactly under there...

I have actually. That car was for sale in Sydney in December. Took a look at it, discovered a couple of issues, then the owner decided to offload to a dealer down south (probably for cheap) rather than deal with the issues. It is still on the list - if the dealer will ever get back to me...

Been fun so far - however the inner child must be restrained from time to time "I want it NOW!!"

Will definitely keep an eye on catch ups and head along when I can. 

Yeah I know - 5 years ago when I was buying an LX470... I wanted ANY colour but a beige one. We all know how that ended up now... 

I think I'm almost too paranoid about the IMS. There's a silver (again) 3.6 at a dealer in QLD. Sounds like a good car. On currently for about $58k. But no IMS done. 

Agree, love the analogue nature of these cars. Not the fastest thing for the money, but driving experience is SOO much more than that. 

Trying not to get hung up - but want the right one! 

Thanks for all the replies! 

What was it advertised for in Sydney?

[daveyoul]

1 hour ago, Peter John said:

What was it advertised for in Sydney?

It was advertised for $41500 - engine number was different on the paperwork to the actual engine in the car, so walked away on that basis. In hindsight, I probably should have low balled and picked it up cheap - but it was the first one I'd looked at. I notice it is now marked as sold after being advertised at $47500. 

Keeping my eyes open, and doing my best to be patient!