Most bullet proof 911 to own??
#17
01-15-2012, 08:40 AM
Unfortunately there is no such thing.
Problems by year
Do not touch anything prior to 1978
1978-79 rubber center clutch friction plates and chain tensioner failures
1980-1988 pretty bullet proof with the 1996-1998 considered the best.
1989-1994 Stay away from the C4. The all wheel drive system didn't work as expected. The cars are also considered not the most attractive 911.
1995-1998 The final and golden years with the 993 variant. Only known issues are value guides going away at about 80K. AWD problem fixed but the C2S is a rare item if you can find one. The 993TurboS is nearing collectors status.
1999-2000 Major problems with the new engine. Leaks in the cyclinder walls lead Porsche to install liners. However the bottom of the cyclinder bores had a tendancy to let the liner start to move resulting in catastrophic engine failures. Intermediate shaft problem and engine oil starvation were also issues (this is not a problem for Turbo/GT2/GT as they used the old split case dry sump motor). Second gear pop out was also an issue on some of the cars. The water cooled split case motors also had glued in hose fittings into the water manifold that have a tendancy to come out with age.
2001 on all pretty reliable. 2001 Turbo has unattractive bumper warts and no glove box.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar a gen 2 Cayman S or R is the best value out there. All 996 and 996TT have taken a terrible beating in the resale market and good low mile cars can be had for amazing low prices. The styling was too radical a departure for the purists. 996NA cars have the highest percentage of non repeat buyers.
Good luck with your search.
Problems by year
Do not touch anything prior to 1978
1978-79 rubber center clutch friction plates and chain tensioner failures
1980-1988 pretty bullet proof with the 1996-1998 considered the best.
1989-1994 Stay away from the C4. The all wheel drive system didn't work as expected. The cars are also considered not the most attractive 911.
1995-1998 The final and golden years with the 993 variant. Only known issues are value guides going away at about 80K. AWD problem fixed but the C2S is a rare item if you can find one. The 993TurboS is nearing collectors status.
1999-2000 Major problems with the new engine. Leaks in the cyclinder walls lead Porsche to install liners. However the bottom of the cyclinder bores had a tendancy to let the liner start to move resulting in catastrophic engine failures. Intermediate shaft problem and engine oil starvation were also issues (this is not a problem for Turbo/GT2/GT as they used the old split case dry sump motor). Second gear pop out was also an issue on some of the cars. The water cooled split case motors also had glued in hose fittings into the water manifold that have a tendancy to come out with age.
2001 on all pretty reliable. 2001 Turbo has unattractive bumper warts and no glove box.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar a gen 2 Cayman S or R is the best value out there. All 996 and 996TT have taken a terrible beating in the resale market and good low mile cars can be had for amazing low prices. The styling was too radical a departure for the purists. 996NA cars have the highest percentage of non repeat buyers.
Good luck with your search.
Pretty good answer from Duane996tt
I would add a few things: the rubber center clutch is replaced on 99% of cars that had it originally. But all were delivered that way.
The earlier 3.2 models ('84-86) had a bad batch of valve guides -- but they usually went bad in the first 60K miles if they were going to.
The '96-98 993s had a Secondary Air problem where an emissions-related passage in the heads would clog up and trigger a check engine light. This affects 40-50% of cars. The fix can be a few hundred or up to $7K.
The RMS and IMS failures of the 996 and Boxster are legendary. The RMS is mostly fixed (after several designs were tried and rejected) and the IMS failure does not affect many cars - 2-3% is the rumor - but if it happens, it's likely a full replacement of the engine. There is an aftermarket IMS replacement that's supposed to be better, but not cheap to do.
I would add a few things: the rubber center clutch is replaced on 99% of cars that had it originally. But all were delivered that way.
The earlier 3.2 models ('84-86) had a bad batch of valve guides -- but they usually went bad in the first 60K miles if they were going to.
The '96-98 993s had a Secondary Air problem where an emissions-related passage in the heads would clog up and trigger a check engine light. This affects 40-50% of cars. The fix can be a few hundred or up to $7K.
The RMS and IMS failures of the 996 and Boxster are legendary. The RMS is mostly fixed (after several designs were tried and rejected) and the IMS failure does not affect many cars - 2-3% is the rumor - but if it happens, it's likely a full replacement of the engine. There is an aftermarket IMS replacement that's supposed to be better, but not cheap to do.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Last edited by AKMEE; 01-15-2012 at 08:47 AM.
#18
01-15-2012, 08:46 AM
http://porschebahn.wordpress.com/200...tone-birthday/
Wait, I thought Mr. Mezger retired in 1994? He worked on the 996 and 997??
Just saw that this book is available on amazon:
Wait, I thought Mr. Mezger retired in 1994? He worked on the 996 and 997??
Just saw that this book is available on amazon:
#20
02-12-2012, 11:59 AM
Another way of looking at it - more space in 996/997 cars
The 996 is new, basically from the ground up. It is much more spacious inside ( compared with the 993) and finally has a good sports car looking interior. This goes all the way through the 997.2 but the 991 is turning away from the pure sport car feel and turns into a luxury cruiser with angular shapes " borrowed " from the GT. That does not do it for me.
#21
02-12-2012, 06:06 PM
The 996 is new, basically from the ground up. It is much more spacious inside ( compared with the 993) and finally has a good sports car looking interior. This goes all the way through the 997.2 but the 991 is turning away from the pure sport car feel and turns into a luxury cruiser with angular shapes " borrowed " from the GT. That does not do it for me.
I agree just sat in a 991 and was immediatly turned off. To much going on def takes away from the sports car feel.
#23
02-27-2012, 03:37 AM
As far as the 997's go, the IMS is an issue with cars made during the first half of 2005. The bearing can be replaced if it is an early '05 model. As far as longevity goes, there is an '05 for sale on eBay with 123,450 miles... I really like my 07 997.
#25
05-04-2012, 01:11 PM
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993 all the way, if you can find a C2S grab it as the have very low production numbers. There is an outstanding recall on the wiring harness. Mine was done without any hassles from PCNA or the dealer.
#26
05-05-2012, 01:13 AM
I highly recommend buying "The Used 911 Story" by Peter Zimmerman. You can also research back issues of Excellence magazine for further information. Every model has had their issues. It comes down to your budget and how well the car has been maintained and updated. The air cooled cars are nice, but more modern cars are easier to live with. I depends on what you are looking for and your budget.
