996 as a daily - what could possibly go wrong?
Discussion
I do approx 25 - 30k a year. I can live with 20 mpg*. 996's are available from less than £10k, and with half the purchase price ready to sort dramas on purchase and a further £5k put aside as a fighting fund for emergencies is a 'cheap' 911 the wrong car for the miles?
The sensible answer is of course a 911 for the weekend and a horrid little diesel for the weekday miles, but that would just mean the 'toy' would never get driven.
I know RMS/IMS are a weak point - although as with everything these days the internet seems to have slightly exaggerated the problem. I assume that the problem becomes apparent through oil leaks and dropping levels? Or is it more of a catastrophic engine failure type issue? Once fixed with an updated bearing/seal is that a rest of life fix, or is there an inherent weakness in the design? Any other show stoppers on these cars?
The sensible answer is of course a 911 for the weekend and a horrid little diesel for the weekday miles, but that would just mean the 'toy' would never get driven.
I know RMS/IMS are a weak point - although as with everything these days the internet seems to have slightly exaggerated the problem. I assume that the problem becomes apparent through oil leaks and dropping levels? Or is it more of a catastrophic engine failure type issue? Once fixed with an updated bearing/seal is that a rest of life fix, or is there an inherent weakness in the design? Any other show stoppers on these cars?
I ran one as my daily a few years ago. No mechanical issues and the fuel economy is actually pretty good on long runs; my guess with that sort of mileage you'll be doing a lot of motorway work which would be fine both on fuel and on wear and tear.
Thought I was living the dream to be honest- Ferrari for weekends and a 911 as a daily. It didn't work out like that because of those times when I really didn't want to be in a sports car. It was this time of year actually, on a 5am schlepp down to Heathrow that I decided I didn't want anyone or anything 'communicating' with me and that I really wanted something soft and quiet. This was compounded a couple of months later when we had a surprise snowfall and I had to drive 30 miles home. Took me 2 hours, and I reckon that only 5 mins of that was I going in a straight line- in low grip conditions you bloody know where the engine is on these things. Sold it soon after and bought something more mainstream that could handle snow.
Thought I was living the dream to be honest- Ferrari for weekends and a 911 as a daily. It didn't work out like that because of those times when I really didn't want to be in a sports car. It was this time of year actually, on a 5am schlepp down to Heathrow that I decided I didn't want anyone or anything 'communicating' with me and that I really wanted something soft and quiet. This was compounded a couple of months later when we had a surprise snowfall and I had to drive 30 miles home. Took me 2 hours, and I reckon that only 5 mins of that was I going in a straight line- in low grip conditions you bloody know where the engine is on these things. Sold it soon after and bought something more mainstream that could handle snow.
I was going to say 'nothing at all - go fot it', but 456mgt makes some good points.
The snow thing could easily be sorted with winter/all season tyres so that's not a big deal.
But the point about 'a relaxing' drive is a good one (but equally applies to any decent sports car, not just the Porsche).
So, if you want to commute in a sports car, then your 996 plan is a very good one.
The snow thing could easily be sorted with winter/all season tyres so that's not a big deal.
But the point about 'a relaxing' drive is a good one (but equally applies to any decent sports car, not just the Porsche).
So, if you want to commute in a sports car, then your 996 plan is a very good one.
6fire said:
I know RMS/IMS are a weak point - although as with everything these days the internet seems to have slightly exaggerated the problem. I assume that the problem becomes apparent through oil leaks and dropping levels? Or is it more of a catastrophic engine failure type issue? Once fixed with an updated bearing/seal is that a rest of life fix, or is there an inherent weakness in the design? Any other show stoppers on these cars?
I think you answer your own question.I bought my well sub-10k 996 in May and have put 10,000 miles on it so far. It's used as an only car, daily driver, shopping trolley et al.
It's the basic of the basic Carrera 2, Manual, no sunroof, 17"wheels, just like I wanted it.
So far, nothing has gone wrong. I spent some £600 to replace the IMS bearing, RMS and install the low temp thermostat bought from Hartech.
I may have been lucky so far, but as cars go, this is definitely the best car I've ever had. I will never sell it.
Don't be put off about the handling scare stories, these cars are built for driving. Unless you are reaching the limits in the wet in an open road, they are absolutely safe and a joy to drive.
Ah, and on the commute it does 33MPG. Long term average, 30.9MPG over 10k miles, and I don't hang about (but 80% of my mileage is motorway and the rest is country lanes for pleasure).
What else are you going to get for the money? Nothing comes close (maybe, just an E46 M3)
It's the basic of the basic Carrera 2, Manual, no sunroof, 17"wheels, just like I wanted it.
So far, nothing has gone wrong. I spent some £600 to replace the IMS bearing, RMS and install the low temp thermostat bought from Hartech.
I may have been lucky so far, but as cars go, this is definitely the best car I've ever had. I will never sell it.
Don't be put off about the handling scare stories, these cars are built for driving. Unless you are reaching the limits in the wet in an open road, they are absolutely safe and a joy to drive.
Ah, and on the commute it does 33MPG. Long term average, 30.9MPG over 10k miles, and I don't hang about (but 80% of my mileage is motorway and the rest is country lanes for pleasure).
What else are you going to get for the money? Nothing comes close (maybe, just an E46 M3)
stuckmojo said:
I bought my well sub-10k 996 in May and have put 10,000 miles on it so far. It's used as an only car, daily driver, shopping trolley et al.
It's the basic of the basic Carrera 2, Manual, no sunroof, 17"wheels, just like I wanted it.
So far, nothing has gone wrong. I spent some £600 to replace the IMS bearing, RMS and install the low temp thermostat bought from Hartech.
I may have been lucky so far, but as cars go, this is definitely the best car I've ever had. I will never sell it.
Don't be put off about the handling scare stories, these cars are built for driving. Unless you are reaching the limits in the wet in an open road, they are absolutely safe and a joy to drive.
Ah, and on the commute it does 33MPG. Long term average, 30.9MPG over 10k miles, and I don't hang about (but 80% of my mileage is motorway and the rest is country lanes for pleasure).
What else are you going to get for the money? Nothing comes close (maybe, just an E46 M3)
I just bought an 2003 CLK55AMG - 64K miles - FSH - amazing condition - unmarked interiot and exterior - £8K. You could buy one of those.........It's the basic of the basic Carrera 2, Manual, no sunroof, 17"wheels, just like I wanted it.
So far, nothing has gone wrong. I spent some £600 to replace the IMS bearing, RMS and install the low temp thermostat bought from Hartech.
I may have been lucky so far, but as cars go, this is definitely the best car I've ever had. I will never sell it.
Don't be put off about the handling scare stories, these cars are built for driving. Unless you are reaching the limits in the wet in an open road, they are absolutely safe and a joy to drive.
Ah, and on the commute it does 33MPG. Long term average, 30.9MPG over 10k miles, and I don't hang about (but 80% of my mileage is motorway and the rest is country lanes for pleasure).
What else are you going to get for the money? Nothing comes close (maybe, just an E46 M3)
rlw said:
I just bought an 2003 CLK55AMG - 64K miles - FSH - amazing condition - unmarked interiot and exterior - £8K. You could buy one of those.........
Great call. I like these and the engine is a gem.Although I class these as a slightly different proposition, more fast saloon/GT-ish than a 911.
MrB1obby said:
If you're heart is set on getting a 996, why not buy a barge aswell for those days your groggy/tired and just want to waft along. Something like an oldish 7 series?
This is what I'd do. In fact, if you don't need a load lugger, Phaeton's are well under 10K now. Mind you, probably more of a money pit than a 996... 6fire said:
I do approx 25 - 30k a year. I can live with 20 mpg*. 996's are available from less than £10k, and with half the purchase price ready to sort dramas on purchase and a further £5k put aside as a fighting fund for emergencies is a 'cheap' 911 the wrong car for the miles?
The sensible answer is of course a 911 for the weekend and a horrid little diesel for the weekday miles, but that would just mean the 'toy' would never get driven.
I know RMS/IMS are a weak point - although as with everything these days the internet seems to have slightly exaggerated the problem. I assume that the problem becomes apparent through oil leaks and dropping levels? Or is it more of a catastrophic engine failure type issue? Once fixed with an updated bearing/seal is that a rest of life fix, or is there an inherent weakness in the design? Any other show stoppers on these cars?
You can only guess.The sensible answer is of course a 911 for the weekend and a horrid little diesel for the weekday miles, but that would just mean the 'toy' would never get driven.
I know RMS/IMS are a weak point - although as with everything these days the internet seems to have slightly exaggerated the problem. I assume that the problem becomes apparent through oil leaks and dropping levels? Or is it more of a catastrophic engine failure type issue? Once fixed with an updated bearing/seal is that a rest of life fix, or is there an inherent weakness in the design? Any other show stoppers on these cars?
Any mechanical assembly has a finite life and in the case of one of these engines that is often determined by the weakest component.
But so far my experience with my 02 Boxster and its 2.7l engine is the engine is basically sound. The only internal engine trouble has been the passenger (right side -- USA car) VarioCam solenoid/actuator failed and had to be replaced which required removing the camshaft cover. The engine remained in the car. This was done at around 220K miles.
Looking back over the last 10+ years and over 261K miles there has been in some order of when they appeared starting at around 80K miles: AOS, wheel bearing, 02 sensors, another AOS, MAF, oil tank cap, coolant cap, water pump, fuel pump, coolant tank, radiator fan resistor, the VarioCam solenoid/actuator, CV boots and some door lock/window hardware, and just the other day got I bump on my head when I found out the hard way the rear trunk lid struts are shot... Ouch.
Of course there are the consumables: tires, brakes, rear window, new windshield, light bulbs, batteries and oil/filter, intake air filter, cabin air filter and brake/clutch fluid, coolant, and transmission/diff fluids. Oh and spark plugs. But the coils are original as it believe it or not the clutch. Oh, and the IMSB is original too. The original RMS leaked at 25K miles and was replaced under warranty and the replacement has remained oil tight since.)
All you can do is seek out a car, a good car, with no issues and in a condition that leads you to believe it will not develop any issues in the future then buy the car and take care of it as you drive it. This means realizing it is a used car and things will over time go wrong. You can't shut your eyes, ears, even your nose, to what the car may be telling you.
Take care of things as they appear and the car will remain a basically good ccar and last a long time and almost certainly cost you less than buying a new car. It is the horrific depreciation that new cars suffer that is the biggest expense in owning a car. Whenever I think oh not another set of tires, not another set of brakes, for my cars (I own an 03 Turbo too, with over 100K miles on it and I just put in an order for two new front tires ($)), all I have to do is price a replacement car and suddenly the cost of doing what one of my current cars needs to stay on road is cheap in comparison.
I've done it, used a 2001 Carrera 2 as a daily drive with no problems except a new alternator.
I would defiantly recommend switching to winter tires for a few months a year, standard tires in snow was no fun when you have to get somewhere.
RMS/IMS problems are over talked about, just find a good car and you cant go wrong.
I would defiantly recommend switching to winter tires for a few months a year, standard tires in snow was no fun when you have to get somewhere.
RMS/IMS problems are over talked about, just find a good car and you cant go wrong.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I intend to - or a 997C2 in the coming months.
I envisage about 7,000 to 8,000 per annum. For local buffering about and winter / crap I will use my Trooper, or if long haul snowey driving the wife's OH FR2.
My n plan is right isn't it?
I am hoping it will work well as a GT and Sportscar
That's quite an expensive depreciating piece of car to not use it any more than that.I envisage about 7,000 to 8,000 per annum. For local buffering about and winter / crap I will use my Trooper, or if long haul snowey driving the wife's OH FR2.
My n plan is right isn't it?
I am hoping it will work well as a GT and Sportscar
456mgt said:
I ran one as my daily a few years ago. No mechanical issues and the fuel economy is actually pretty good on long runs; my guess with that sort of mileage you'll be doing a lot of motorway work which would be fine both on fuel and on wear and tear.
Thought I was living the dream to be honest- Ferrari for weekends and a 911 as a daily. It didn't work out like that because of those times when I really didn't want to be in a sports car. It was this time of year actually, on a 5am schlepp down to Heathrow that I decided I didn't want anyone or anything 'communicating' with me and that I really wanted something soft and quiet. This was compounded a couple of months later when we had a surprise snowfall and I had to drive 30 miles home. Took me 2 hours, and I reckon that only 5 mins of that was I going in a straight line- in low grip conditions you bloody know where the engine is on these things. Sold it soon after and bought something more mainstream that could handle snow.
This is a v good point and one which I make to my friends frequently. There's a lot to be said for having a comfortable cruiser in the stable, for those dark, cold, damp December days when you've had a long day at work and you just want to get home.Thought I was living the dream to be honest- Ferrari for weekends and a 911 as a daily. It didn't work out like that because of those times when I really didn't want to be in a sports car. It was this time of year actually, on a 5am schlepp down to Heathrow that I decided I didn't want anyone or anything 'communicating' with me and that I really wanted something soft and quiet. This was compounded a couple of months later when we had a surprise snowfall and I had to drive 30 miles home. Took me 2 hours, and I reckon that only 5 mins of that was I going in a straight line- in low grip conditions you bloody know where the engine is on these things. Sold it soon after and bought something more mainstream that could handle snow.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
lordlee said:
Very true. The later 911's would be better for bores etc but just as likely to lunch an IMS. If it were me a budget of under 10k would mean a facelift 986 3.2S.
But as a daily? Doing the miles of the OP?Don't agree
I bought a 03 Box S TIP with 72k on it a couple of months back for the very reason the OP is asking.
Bargain at £7250 I thought.
I specifically wanted a 2 seat convertible with autobox, for it to be as flexible/fun as possible.
Previous owner took car to a Porsche Specilist at my expense for a once over.(£275)
So far; the indicator broke (they all do it eventually Sir!) £155 off ebay and I fitted new one myself.
Got it through my local MOT 2 weeks ago (just) with an advisory on the offside track-rod being worn.
They refuse to do the brake check on the rollers on Porsches apparently and on the road test he said rear wheel bearing was a bit noisy.
It needed a service and after some thought I let these chaps do it. 9 years old etc..
Minor service, new brake fluid and new coolant/flush. £427!
He checked that wheel bearing and said it needed doing sooner than later, so took it back and they did that too (bit of a pain apparently). £257
MUCH quiter now!!
I got a set of perfect wheels off ebay (£300) with winter from Mytyres (£368) and fitted locally (£40).
Also got a hardtop for £500 off ebay.
So I'm set for a full winter driving now and will do as least 15,000 miles per annum in it.
Porsche or a diesel eurobox??? I made my choice!
OP if you go for a 996 might as well check the left exhaust for signs of oil and smoking on start up.
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