25k to spend on a 997 - which one to avoid-engine issues

[skillimz]

Hey all!

I need your help!

Always loved the M cars but will be looking to try Porsche this time round.

I am sure you are tired of the endless stories from newbies asking about ims, rms and engine failures but I would really like to know from a current 997 owner which year or model I should avoid or buy to to minimise these engine failure stories.
I am sure it is not as common as everyone goes on about but I want to keep my next car for a long time and only do about 3k in mileage per year.

In your honest opinion, ignoring the turbo and Gt3, which 997 Should I be looking to get and from what recommended specialist?

I just want a black one with a manual box with the occasional use with toddlers.

Thank you!

Skill.

[Adam B]

One that has blown already and been Harteched?

[skillimz]

Hartech is a long way for me but I will look into it.

Has any 997 with the LN engineering refit ever failed?

Does the 997 like occasional use?

Are the 06,07,08 the safer option?

[Adam B]

I didn't mean go there, but buy one being sold that has already blown and been treated by them to ensure it doesn't re-occur

You could buy a high miler and get it treated yourself but the 25k budget is a bit limiting

[g7jhp]

skillimz said:

I am sure you are tired of the endless stories from newbies asking about ims, rms and engine failures but I would really like to know from a current 997 owner which year or model I should avoid or buy to to minimise these engine failure stories.
I am sure it is not as common as everyone goes on about but I want to keep my next car for a long time and only do about 3k in mileage per year.

In your honest opinion, ignoring the turbo and Gt3, which 997 Should I be looking to get and from what recommended specialist?

997 Gen 1 with OPC warranty
997 Gen 2
996 turbo

...all of which will be a struggle on £25k.

[Adam B]

Gen 2 start at 35

If you don't mind a few miles something like this would be top of my list

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[Trev450]

skillimz said:

Has any 997 with the LN engineering refit ever failed?

Does the 997 like occasional use?

Are the 06,07,08 the safer option?

1. Can't answer that, sorry.
2. Short answer, no. These cars are designed to be driven on a daily basis if required.
3. No. The Gen 2's (09 onwards) are the best option.

[LivewareProblem]

Trev450 said:

2. Short answer, no. These cars are designed to be driven on a daily basis if required.

Can you expand on this please? Im also looking into a 997 and it will only get used at the weekends and maybe once during the week

[Trev450]

LivewareProblem said:

Trev450 said:

2. Short answer, no. These cars are designed to be driven on a daily basis if required.

Can you expand on this please? Im also looking into a 997 and it will only get used at the weekends and maybe once during the week

I probably could have articulated this more clearly. I was referring to the fact that if you so desire, a Porsche can be used on a daily basis, unlike some other marques that have high maintenance schedules and depreciate like a falling rock if you put any mileage on them!

So long as you use them on a fairly regular basis, warm them up fully, and then drive them hard, they are fine. What they, or any car for that matter, don't like is long periods of inactivity and being driven hard from cold.

[newboy997]

for £25k you can get nice 997.1 from a reputable independent with a good warranty

for extra peace of mind you can have it checked for signs of major issues e.g. scoring

I also understand you can further reduce the risks by opting for a manual 3.6 engine car (tiptronics and 3.8s carry statistically higher failure rates)

you can never completely mitigate against the cost of major repairs but you can seriously reduce the (already low) odds, and tell me another junior supercar that you can use every day and doesn't have the potential to cost you £8-10k

in short, by the best 997.1 you can find and enjoy

to the other question, you can use your 997 every day or occasionally to suit your needs.... but follow the golden rules of avoiding short journeys, changing the oil annually irrespective, and always, always warming up properly before driving hard

[Crusoe]

newboy997 said:

tell me another junior supercar that you can use every day and doesn't have the potential to cost you £8-10k

Z4MC similar performance and no big issues, hence prices climbing, get a nice one for high teens.

[newboy997]

Crusoe said:

Z4MC similar performance and no big issues, hence prices climbing, get a nice one for high teens.

each to their own, but for me a Z4 and a 911 are not in the same league for comparison purposes

[Crusoe]

Lotus Evora then, £25k bottom of the market and holding, basic Toyota mechanicals that shouldn't throw any huge bills.

[matjk]

Until the clutch wears out then its £4k

[Crusoe]

matjk said:

Until the clutch wears out then its £4k

£500 for the standard car according to a quick Google
http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/56427-c...

[Adam B]

Jeez the guy wants help and advice on a 997, having presumably reviewed and discarded the alternatives

[itsybitsy]

Post March 2006 build or 2007 my has the upgraded IMS so that is less likely to fail,so IMHO go 2007my onwards 3.6 and have a borescore done!most likely safest bet otherwise save for a gen2 car.

[skillimz]

Thanks Adam. Its true. I am not interested in anything else.

Does anyone own a post 2006 997 and did they fit the thermostat and 3rd radiator as advised by some on this forum?

Apart from a porsche warranty that only cover ten year cars< are there any other warranties that hold their weight?

Am I being too paranoid?

[itsybitsy]

Always save £15k and buy this
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[drmark]

skillimz said:

Thanks Adam. Its true. I am not interested in anything else.

Does anyone own a post 2006 997 and did they fit the thermostat and 3rd radiator as advised by some on this forum?

Apart from a porsche warranty that only cover ten year cars< are there any other warranties that hold their weight?

Am I being too paranoid?

Yes my wife has 2008 40k 4S and we love it.
No to thermostat and extra rad.
We have let the OPC warranty lapse so we can use good Indy - savings on servicing, brakes etc are significant and offset against the unlikely happening. Plus they often do a better job.
Just don't buy one without a borescope first. A few cars out there are being moved on for a reason.