Early 997s - things to worry about?

[Benmac]

I currently run a Mondeo estate for dog duties, an SLK as the missus' car and for commuting, an Élan for classic top down fun and tinkering, an Exige for track days and Sunday morning fun and a Quattroporte for feeling important in.

This is getting a bit silly, I really don't have the time for messing with 5 cars. So how can I rationalise the fleet? I've had Elises/Exiges for 10 years now and while they're great I'm tired of them and their usability foibles, I also do very few track days and hardly any Sunday driving this year. So, the Exige can go. The Élan too as I just don't use it and neither do I tinker with it anymore.

With those two gone I need a more useable replacement. Missus says get rid of the SLK too but that wil still serve a purpose I think.

So, like many I have always had a 911 itch that needs to be scratched at last I think. A 997 would do very nicely as the aim is something more useable as a "car" than the Exige but still a lot of fun. Ideally I'm thinking a C2S circa 05/06 as I want to spend as little as possible.
So, I have some questions:

-Can you get a pushbike in the back of one of them (road bike, happy to dismantle to a point obviously but the kess the better) as that would be a massive bonus?
-Do the engines ever go pop? I've heard horror stories about 996s and 986 boxsters but is this just Internet scaremongering and nonsense and if not does it affect the earlier 1st gen 997 too?
- Does the C2s have the wider body shell or is that just the 4s?
- what options are "essential"? Bum warders are always nice but more importantly is PASM and PSM a must have?
- would spending more to get an OPC car with their two year warranty be worth it or is a cheaper car from one of the decent specialists sensible?

Ta in advance

[Cavey]

Can't speak for 997s but you'll really struggle to get a road bike in a 996 even with the wheels and bars off. I presume internal dimensions on a 997 not too dissimilar. That said they do take roof racks so that may give you a solution.

[hughcam]

If you have been a lotus man for 10 years I suspect you may find it hard to move to a porsche! I am having a similar dilemma but on a smaller price scale - I own a vx220 and I am strongly considering a gen 1 cayman s very soon

[Magic919]

Krusty manages to get his road bike in a Boxster. This thread is worth a look for solutions http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

I stick mine on the roof.

[jontymo]

My boss is looking at pxing his 997 its an 07 with fsh and new tyres all round, he had it as a garage car and has hardly used it over the last 2 years, give me a pm if you want anymore info.

Jontymo

[Benmac]

Thanks all. I'll do some reading up on the gen1 issues and have a think. In an ideal world I'd currently like to get shot of all of them bar the mondeo which I'd use for schlepping to and from work in. Then buy a decent estate such as a 5 series for herself to drive about in mainly and then a newer 911. Problem is that herself is properly in love with the Maserati so parting with that any time soon is going to be tricky.

Jonny, I may well give you a nod. Where are you based? I'm in Cheshire.

[jontymo]

I'm in Huddersfield but work Bradford, my boss is in Doncaster he is a decent bloke. Its a lovely motor and maybe a good deal to be had as you know how low px prices can be. He his part way through a deal for a RR Sport and is waiting to get a price from Sheffield OPC who he bought it from.