High mileage 997, would you ?
Discussion
And more specifically the car below, I know 997 and 996 are known for issues but this seems good to me as it's a modern Porsche for let's face it nice low mileage 996 money , or is it just a wallet bashing waiting to happen?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Well, all Porsches are a wallet bashing waiting to happen, just some more and sooner than others.
The engine will need rebuilding eventually, as any does, it depends on how long you intend on keeping it and your attitude towards risk.
Of course, it needs properly looking at first and I would look closely for a front end repair on that one. That view is only based on the pictures, I have no specific knowledge.
The engine will need rebuilding eventually, as any does, it depends on how long you intend on keeping it and your attitude towards risk.
Of course, it needs properly looking at first and I would look closely for a front end repair on that one. That view is only based on the pictures, I have no specific knowledge.
Been some iffy paintwork blending in to the rear section of the offside front wing notable on the side photo. Would be expected to have some paint at that mileage but check due to stone chips or damage.
Are those wheels genuine Porsche classics which have been painted. Unaware they were ever available in factory black.
Owned several 997s, tip not to everyones taste but not a bad box for single clutch.
Engine needs serious checking at that mileage. Many forum discussions on 996 and 997.1 engine problems. If remedial works not yet done this could amount to approaching current value of the car so be careful!
Are those wheels genuine Porsche classics which have been painted. Unaware they were ever available in factory black.
Owned several 997s, tip not to everyones taste but not a bad box for single clutch.
Engine needs serious checking at that mileage. Many forum discussions on 996 and 997.1 engine problems. If remedial works not yet done this could amount to approaching current value of the car so be careful!

av185 said:
Owned several 997s, tip not to everyones taste but not a bad box for single clutch.
The Tiptronic gearbox is a normal automatic, not a single clutch automated manual (like a BMW SMG, Ferrari F1, Alfa Romeo Selespeed etc). It should have had a gearbox oil change by now, but this often gets missed. If so but it's all working OK then changing it now will be fine.I can't see anything wrong with the paintwork from the photos - so hard to say without knowing the surroundings and what may be reflecting on it, it needs viewing in the flesh/metal. I'm amazed they didn't vacuum, shake, or even just remove the driver's mat before photographing it (I'd polish the tailpipes too..), but it doesn't make it a bad car at all.
As with any, get it inspected and have the DME read - I realize as a Tip it shouldn't have over-revs but the hours and average speed will give an indication as to the amount of use it's had. I only had 1 60,000 mile 997 but the running hours were lower than most 25,000 mile cars (it had averaged 55mph over its whole life).
Boxsters will generally cover higher mileages for several reasons.
They usually have the original ferrous coated pistons (which in my view are superior to later plastic coated versions).
They have thicker wall thickness to the cylinder walls (so do not distort oval as quickly and therefore last longer before cracking).
They put lighter loads on the cooling system and crankshaft (so bearing last longer).
If the IMS bearing survives the first few years it may then last longer.
However they will probably all need something fixing one day by which time it may be difficult to justify the cost die to the lower residual values.
Baz
They usually have the original ferrous coated pistons (which in my view are superior to later plastic coated versions).
They have thicker wall thickness to the cylinder walls (so do not distort oval as quickly and therefore last longer before cracking).
They put lighter loads on the cooling system and crankshaft (so bearing last longer).
If the IMS bearing survives the first few years it may then last longer.
However they will probably all need something fixing one day by which time it may be difficult to justify the cost die to the lower residual values.
Baz
l sadly know of 2x 997s (albeit 05 Gen 1s) that had bore scoring issues & one occurred at 33k having been sympathetically driven & serviced religiously....the first had a new crated OPC engine before purchase & sadly the second ending the owners love of 911s given the cost - he sold it before l could say the word 'Hartech'. There doesn't seem to be an answer on how many miles before they need opening up.
A friend of mine bought a 6 or 7 year old 2000 Boxster S privately with Porsche warranty - it had the engine AND gearbox (Tiptronic) at 7,000 miles!
His other Porsche experiences were a 2.5 year old GT3 that needed a diff and a 996 3.6 that needed an engine strip & rebuild for stretched timing chains at 26,000 miles - it was running fine but when selling it the buyer had Sports & Classic inspect it for inclusion on their maintenance scheme and the chain(s) was/were out of tolerance so had to done.
Unsurprisingly he's not keen on the marque anymore....
His other Porsche experiences were a 2.5 year old GT3 that needed a diff and a 996 3.6 that needed an engine strip & rebuild for stretched timing chains at 26,000 miles - it was running fine but when selling it the buyer had Sports & Classic inspect it for inclusion on their maintenance scheme and the chain(s) was/were out of tolerance so had to done.
Unsurprisingly he's not keen on the marque anymore....
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