Anything wrong with the 1999-2000 Porsche 911 Carrera's?

[Kabob]

I've noticed that 1999-2000 Porsche 996's seem to cost alot less than they "should." By that I mean I've seen them sell on ebay for under $20,000, and I see a few on Autotrader for under $25. I figured they'd be pulling alot more than that, yet it seems to be mostly the 1999 models, with a few 2000's sprinkled in.

Are there any inherent problems with the '99's? I hadn't heard anything but coulsn't think of a good reason why they should be so...dare I say it, cheap?

Just curious.

 

[joesmoke]

i truly wish i had the experience to inform you on this issue...

 

[Zenmervolt]

I haven't heard of anything specific about those model years, but I will say that, stylistically, they are widely considered to be the ugliest 911's out there, which could go some of the way to explaining the lower prices.

ZV

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I haven't heard of anything specific about those model years, but I will say that, stylistically, they are widely considered to be the ugliest 911's out there, which could go some of the way to explaining the lower prices.

ZV

Exactly what I was going to say regarding the styling...they just appear off

 

[Mutilator]

When I was doing my 911 searching a couple months ago I seem to remember something about the 99s having a problem with their engine that wasn't in the later models.

But most likely it's just because they're 10 years old and probably higher mileage. Most likely their condition inside & out won't be as good either. Seems like the first 1 or 2 owners take really good care of them... then the next owner(s) get it for cheap and neglect/beat the hell out of it just so they can say they have a Porsche.

I ended up getting a new 135i instead of an ~04 911... just seemed to make more sense... for now.

 

[Zenmervolt]

There do seem to be some issues with the engines in those cars now that I have looked it up, but the typical wisdom is that the failure, if present, makes itself known no later than 50,000 miles so if you can check to see if the car has either a new engine or is past 50,000 miles you should be home free.

ZV

 

[ponyo]

~10 year old not so rare European sports car. Sounds about right given the economy. I expect things to get worse next year and even greater bargains.

 

[Arkaign]

Tempting ~300hp, ~2800lbs, RWD, 0-60 in mid 4s. And a Porsche Badge

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I haven't heard of anything specific about those model years, but I will say that, stylistically, they are widely considered to be the ugliest 911's out there, which could go some of the way to explaining the lower prices.

ZV

But they are all the same?

 

[Throckmorton]

I like the headlights on those a lot more than the ones that came after

Good http://vinthompson.com/povmoto...2997XS620521_img_1.jpg

Bad http://www.dragtimes.com/image...9-2002-Porsche-911.jpg

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Mutilator
When I was doing my 911 searching a couple months ago I seem to remember something about the 99s having a problem with their engine that wasn't in the later models.

But most likely it's just because they're 10 years old and probably higher mileage. Most likely their condition inside & out won't be as good either. Seems like the first 1 or 2 owners take really good care of them... then the next owner(s) get it for cheap and neglect/beat the hell out of it just so they can say they have a Porsche.

I ended up getting a new 135i instead of an ~04 911... just seemed to make more sense... for now.

Yeah, but that fails to explain why the 993's, which are older, fetch alot more $$ typically. I wonder if people as a whole have a vendetta against the early 996's as they are the first water cooled Porsche's.

An engine problem would explain the price ZV, any more info on that?

I'm with you Arkaign, Porsche 911 is my dream car, and being a non-rich dude this seems like one of the cheaper ways to achieve the dream

Until I bust out a 998 GT3 RS!!! Or whatever's next.

 

[swtethan]

This is the only sexy porsche i'd hit


http://farm1.static.flickr.com...6544849_64ebfc2ec7.jpg

 

[Zenmervolt]

From what I could find out, the engine issue was one with the intermediate shaft in the engine and some bolts used on it potentially coming apart. The consensus does seem to be that if anything is going to happen, it's going to happen before 50,000 miles. That's not a guarantee of course, but it does mean it's something to check. And there do not seem to be instances of replaced engines suffering the failure.

ZV

 

[Kabob]

Hrm, I assume the problem was fixed with the MY 2000 cars?

Any idea how widespread the problem is?

 

[StageLeft]

Aren't cars like this often super cheap because maintenance becomes pricey? Could be a nice car if you've the mechanical skills to do the maintenance yourself, parts costs notwithstanding. The car will still be admirable a decade from now if you can keep it in nice shape.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Aren't cars like this often super cheap because maintenance becomes pricey? Could be a nice car if you've the mechanical skills to do the maintenance yourself, parts costs notwithstanding. The car will still be admirable a decade from now if you can keep it in nice shape.

Yeah, but it's odd that both the cars before (993's) and after (2001+ 996's) are more expensive.

 

[Demo24]

It's because the 996 was the first water cooled 911. Due to this the first two model years were prone to problems, not only in the engine though. They updated some designs for the 2001 model year and became more reliable as they aged. However most Porsche enthusiasts will tell you to stay away from the very early model 996's as they were just plagued with issues and maintenance is expensive.

993's are considered to be the last of the 'true Porsche's' as they were still air-cooled, and overall a pretty good car. Most of the kinks had been worked out by this time so they were reasonably reliable and quick. Thus the higher price tag.

 

[Imdmn04]

If you have to buy a 10 yr old Porsche than you can't afford the maintenance on it, unless you do the work all yourself.

Even though it is only worth 20k now, the maintenance is still the price of a 90k car.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: kabob983
Hrm, I assume the problem was fixed with the MY 2000 cars?

Any idea how widespread the problem is?

Pretty much any of the cars with the M96 engine, tends to run through all the 996 cars (and the 986 Boxsters too) IIRC.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
If you have to buy a 10 yr old Porsche than you can't afford the maintenance on it, unless you do the work all yourself.

Even though it is only worth 20k now, the maintenance is still the price of a 90k car.

That's just not true. Care and feeding of an old Porsche isn't as cheap as for a Honda, but the reality is that you're probably only looking at $2,000 to $3,000 per year on average. If a person can legitimately afford a $25,000 car, they can afford the $150-$250/month in maintenance for that car.

ZV

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
If you have to buy a 10 yr old Porsche than you can't afford the maintenance on it, unless you do the work all yourself.

Even though it is only worth 20k now, the maintenance is still the price of a 90k car.

That's just not true. Care and feeding of an old Porsche isn't as cheap as for a Honda, but the reality is that you're probably only looking at $2,000 to $3,000 per year on average. If a person can legitimately afford a $25,000 car, they can afford the $150-$250/month in maintenance for that car.

ZV

I don't agree. A 25,000 car isn't much where $150-250 is justifiable just to keep it running. Take a run of the mill car, camry, accord, taurus (that what they still make?), g6 and the only real maintenance you'll be doing (unless something breaks) is oil changes. Total maintenance including timing belts or hoses, brakes, tires should add up to maybe 500 bucks a year.

Before I post something stupid, i'm going to do some simple rounded math with what I consider easy to find prices, if not a little high.

Yearly average mileage, 15k
Oil changes, every 5k @ 30 = 90 a year
60k maintenance like spark plugs, belt change, coolant, brake fluid, tires, brake pads should be around 1000. ~500 for tires and installation, 200 for brakes + brake fluid, 50 for coolant, 250 for other maint like bs 31 point inspections, timing belt/water pump.

1000/4 = 250 a year + 90 for oil changes = 340 a year.

EDIT: Anyway, the point is that you will be spending more than "usual" to maintain this car.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
EDIT: Anyway, the point is that you will be spending more than "usual" to maintain this car.

Oh, absolutely. But if you have $25,000 laying around for a car that is going to be a "weekend" car, then chances are that you have the $150-$250/month to maintain it. (I'm not counting insurance in that cost, I'm counting strictly maintenance.) Just because someone is buying a used weekend car doesn't automatically mean they cannot afford it.

If one is making the choice between having an Accord as your only car and buying a used Porsche instead and you know that $25,000 is stretching your budget then yes, it's a bad idea to buy the Porsche, but that's not the scenario that the OP seems to be describing. It sounds much more like he already has the Accord (or other, similar, daily driver) and is looking at buying a secondary "fun" car that will see limited use.

ZV

 

[halik]

Rear main/differential seal issues from what I hear

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: Mutilator
When I was doing my 911 searching a couple months ago I seem to remember something about the 99s having a problem with their engine that wasn't in the later models.

But most likely it's just because they're 10 years old and probably higher mileage. Most likely their condition inside & out won't be as good either. Seems like the first 1 or 2 owners take really good care of them... then the next owner(s) get it for cheap and neglect/beat the hell out of it just so they can say they have a Porsche.

I ended up getting a new 135i instead of an ~04 911... just seemed to make more sense... for now.

Yeah, but that fails to explain why the 993's, which are older, fetch alot more $$ typically. I wonder if people as a whole have a vendetta against the early 996's as they are the first water cooled Porsche's.

An engine problem would explain the price ZV, any more info on that?

I'm with you Arkaign, Porsche 911 is my dream car, and being a non-rich dude this seems like one of the cheaper ways to achieve the dream

Until I bust out a 998 GT3 RS!!! Or whatever's next.

993 were the last oil cooled ones, 996 are water cooled. Porsche purists will go for 993 hands down.

 

[Kabob]

I've got an '04 Civic and an '02 Subaru Impreza WRX already. Not sure where the Porschew would fit in, it'd be a blast to be in it all the time, but it could be a weekend car, not sure.

I know maintenance is more expensive on it, although hopefully having a performance mechanic for a brother in law and a best friend who owns his own garage will keep the labor costs down (parts would still be rough though). I don't plan on buying one now, but eventually I probably will.

I know that 993 was the last air cooled, but for the same time the 996 is much more...plush. Now, for me that's not something I much care about, but I promise you my wife would be much happier in a 996 than a 993. While it's easily my favorite/dream car line, I guess I can't consider myself 100% purist when it comes to air cooled tradition.

I'd have thought that differential seals would be an easy/cheapish fix halik.