When inspecting the 996 Carrera, use a flash light and pay special attention to observe if the front air intakes are stuffed with decaying leaves and other debris. Take a close look.
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What goes wrong and what qualities should a Porsche 911 996 buyer look for?
First off, you might have heard of issues with the intermediate shaft and bearing of the engine. Over the years, there has been so much worry over this that frightened owners have even been known to purchase a device that continuously checks the engine oil of their Porsches for an unexpected rise in metallic particles. The problem is that, even if catastrophic failure was avoided by that point, damage to engine bearings, the oil pump, and more could very well have happened.
All 911 (and Boxster/Cayman) engines have an intermediate shaft between the crankshaft and the camshaft drive, but only the earlier water-cooled ones used a specific type of sealed bearing that was prone to leaking out its grease and failing, causing internal mayhem as the shaft jammed. This was before direct fuel injection was introduced in 2008 to the 911 (and Boxster/Cayman) engine family. Look for a record of this because most cars will have had the bearing replaced with a better design by now (RPM includes an extra oil feed, too). Consider it a priority if it hasn’t already been done.
The 996 is an encouragingly sturdy and reliable vehicle overall, but the suspension will eventually become worn down due to wear and tear from use and mileage. Greig Daly explains that since the bushes, springs, and dampers will ultimately wear out, it’s advisable to replace them all at once to save time and money. Additionally, he notes that replacement parts for an older 991 are far more expensive than consumables like tires, brake pads, and discs.
The 3.6 can experience scored bores since its cylinder surface is different from a 3.4’s. It can usually be identified by a sooty tailpipe on the right or by overt oil smoke. Get a pre-purchase inspection that uses a camera to inspect the bores before you buy, suggests Daly. “The engine must be disassembled if there is a problem. Additionally, it makes sense to replace all of the liners rather than just one. The price range for the work is between PS10,000 and PS12,000.”
The Tiptronic automatic gearbox and the C4’s four-wheel drive system are robust and unlikely to malfunction. RPM, though, is beginning to see some bodywork issues as the galvanizing is used up. First to suffer are the rear inner wings and arches, and frequently there are rusted fasteners and fixes that raise labor costs when they prevent maintenance. Although the Porsche 996 is a high-end model, Daly notes that even Porsche purchased these uncommon components on a tight budget.
All parts are readily available to repair any shoddyness, and the inside is sturdy and holds up nicely. Even if left outside, a cabriolet’s roof should last for 15 years; replacing it costs PS 1500; make sure it opens and shuts properly because “the microswitches can get confused.” Targas frequently squeak and rattle, and they are more likely than cabriolets to experience cabin dampness. Additionally, look for corrosion at the bottom of the air-conditioning radiator in the nose. This area collects dirt and leaves, and the moisture erodes the bottom seam. If the system isn’t utilized frequently to maintain the seals wet, there may be leaks in the air-piping. con’s Therefore, make sure everything functions as it should.
Greig Daly estimates that if you budget PS1500-PS2000 a year for maintenance and repairs, that will, on average, see you through your ownership. Of course, this assumes that you first purchased a good vehicle.
Which used Porsche 911 is the best?
I would suggest either a 911 from the 997 or 991 generations if you’re searching for the greatest secondhand 911 to buy. Porsche identifies the generations of the 911 with three-digit numbers. Production of the 997, which debuted in 2004, continued until the launch of the 991 in 2011.
The 997 is less problematic than the 996 of the previous generation, and it also has much better and more contemporary body style. Because they are older, 997s are usually more reasonable than 991s, though some fantastic deals can be obtained on low mileage models.
The 911’s 991 generation, which debuted in 2011, was produced through the end of 2019. These are renowned to be incredibly dependable and contain the majority of the newest technology. Additionally, the 911s came with a naturally aspirated engine only during this generation. They switched to all-turbo engines in 2020 with the launch of the 992 generation.
What’s the value of a Porsche 996?
The perfect 996 for you will mostly depend on your usage requirements and budget. Prices can range from $10,000 for a base Carrera Cabrio with a lot of miles in poor condition to $120,000 for a GT3 with very few miles and great condition.
Want a vehicle with greater power but don’t want to spend the money on a Turbo, GT2, or GT3? You might choose the Carrera 4S over the 996. The 320-horsepower Carrera motor and the Turbo’s body and chassis are used to make up the deficit. No, there isn’t a big wing out back, but we promise you’ll still have fun. The 4S raises the cost of a standard Carrera in comparable condition by between $5,000 and $10,000. Strangely, Porsche has never offered this package with rear-wheel drive, so if you want that, you’ll need to search elsewhere in the lineup.
Considering a 996 for use on the tracks? You want a GT2 or GT3, respectively. With powerful brakes, gripping tires, and functional aerodynamics, both cars are built from the ground up to be pushed to the absolute maximum. Despite having less power, we believe the GT3 to be the better option since it offers a more well-rounded package and a more distinctive engine. Naturally, the GT-badged 996s command the highest rates on the used market, with prices ranging from $75,000 to $130,000 depending on the car’s mileage, customizations, and track time.
If you’re a collector, neither GT car will let you down. Although their prices are comparable, it’s important to note that Porsche produced four GT3 vehicles for every GT2 vehicle. Therefore, if rarity appeals to you, we advise choosing the GT2. Additionally, there are two 996s that were produced in limited quantities: a Millennium Edition based on the 2000 Carrera 4 (of which only 911 instances were made) and a 40th Anniversary Edition based on the 2003 Carrera (of which only 1963 examples were made). Although the Millennium car is more uncommon, the 40th Anniversary 911 is the more desirable one (to us, at least), as it came standard with a limited-slip differential, a sharper suspension, and 25 more horsepower than stock.
The Turbo variant is a fantastic value because it hasn’t maintained value as well as its GT-badged brothers. Finding high-mileage vehicles advertised for under $40,000 is not difficult, and you can get a lot of car for the money. A new four-cylinder Supra costs more than a 415-horsepower AWD Porsche 911. Count us in. What’s best? The 996 Turbo’s engine is not susceptible to catastrophic failure in the same way that normally aspirated vehicles from this generation are. (I’ll get to that in a second.)
What Porsche 911 is the least coveted?
The 996 was the first of the Boxster-related 911s with water cooling. It has been the least desirable 911 generation for a while, and pricing have reflected this
Will the Porsche 996 go down in history?
The Porsche 911 from the 996 generation has held up well over time and is currently one of the greatest deals available on the used market.
Few automobiles have a more distinctive profile and timeless design than the Porsche 911. The mechanical setup and design have little altered since the vehicle’s introduction in 1963. However, several pretty major changes were introduced with the 1998 debut of the 996 generation automobile. Porsche did annoy some of its devoted client base, whether it was with the revised looks or the water-cooled engine.
Despite this, the vehicle played a significant role in the introduction of some significant improvements to the 911 lineup. The 996 generation greatly increased the range and added a number of additional varieties. Notable examples include the initial GT3, which was offered as part of the 996.1 range, and the GT2, which was offered as a 996.2 vehicle.
The 996 was introduced almost 24 years ago, and today, it is regarded as a modern classic. Let’s look at why it is an excellent choice for someone looking for a sports car from that era.
What distinguishes a Porsche 911 from a 996?
The 911 model that German automaker Porsche produced from 1997 to 2006 is known internally as the Porsche 996. The 997 took its place in 2004; however, the fast Turbo S, GT2 and GT3 models continued to be produced until 2006. With the first completely new chassis base since the original 911 and a new water-cooled engine, the 996 had little in common with its predecessor. Technically speaking, aside from the general layout, it represented a significant departure from the original automobile.
The front suspension, certain interior components, and the engine—all of which were expanded for the 996—were all shared with its entry-level brother, the roadster-only Boxster, which was released around the same time. The multi-link rear suspension, however, was adapted from the 993 that came before it. Porsche at the time was having financial difficulties, therefore the main reason for doing this was to save development expenses. A 30% cost reduction in the development of the car was the outcome of this decision.
The most notable departure from the traditional 911 series was the 996’s water-cooled engine, which took the place of the air-cooled engine at launch. The changeover became essential due to ever stricter emissions and noise rules, environmental concerns, increased expectations for refinement, and the requirement for a high-performance engine with four valves per cylinder. A fully new chassis with a slimmer body and a more sloped windscreen, a redesigned interior, and new “fried egg”-shaped headlamps in place of the former “bug eye” headlamps are among the other significant modifications. [Reference needed]
Which Porsche is the most trustworthy?
One of the most dependable vehicles in the whole Porsche series, according to PCarwise, is the 911 Carrera. One of the few Porsche models with comparatively few performance and reliability complaints from customers is this one. The Porsche 911 Carrera has consistently received accolades for being the most dependable vehicle the automaker has ever made throughout its long and illustrious history.
Reliability of Porsche 996 Turbos?
The 996 Turbo is a sturdy car. Reliable. By contemporary standards, it is still powerful, with 415 horsepower available at 6000 rpm (later models with the X50 pack get 450 hp, thanks to larger turbos). Although the first gear is fairly short, the Turbo really shines in the middle of the gearbox.