1996 to 2001 986 advice

[BEP]

Hi everyone, now I know this has probably been done to death but i'm reading so many conflicting reports i'm hoping for some definitive advice...

Cutting a long story short, I've a budget that would get me into a 986 of the above age , for various reasons i'm thinking 2.5 engine...

Now real world, what are the actual problems I need to look out for?

Are they really prone to lunching engines?

Parts prices seem massively over quoted on various forums but trawling e-bay they seem in line with most other cars of the same genre??

So if a few of you can give some honest answers i'd really appreciate it...(incidentally driving history is varied from 205gti's to Cosworth and Elises)

[BEP]

Apologies budget is £5 to £5.5k...most likely a manual....my landrover is an auto and one is enough lol....there's quite a selection for sale in my area at present (just outside Chester)cheers for the advice so far