Buying advice Porsche 911 (996) 2dr Tiptronic S 3.6

[Milkyfilkins]

Hi I am considering entering the world of Porsche ownership and I am going to see a Porsche 911 (996) 2dr Tiptronic S 3.6 convertible, 2004 model year with 54k miles, full porsche service history. Buying advice would be appreciated, i have heard lots of stories about blown engines, IMS, syncromesh issues. Should I be worried? Could I just be looking at a money pit? I was also considering whether I should look at a newer model year cayman s with lower mileage. My budget is 20k, am i just fooling myself with that as a budget limit?

[Milkyfilkins]

A lot of my driving will be around town, my daily commute is a 14 mile round trip so relatively short and there is some sitting in traffic, so a tiptronic is attractive from that perspective but I am not too bothered about auto or manual.