Thoughts on High Mileage 911's?

"Vi517, JDX Racing" (vi517)
10/07/2014 at 00:07 • Filed to: None

It's happened Oppo. I have full on caught the Porsche bug (pun not intended). A relative bought a 911SC a few years ago and recently started sending me LOTS of emails about how great they are and why I should get one.

I started looking at some impact bumper 911's and found a very good deal on a 77 Targa, but it sold the next day. Interestingly, there are a few 996's priced below $15k in my area, but they all have over 100k miles. I'm not really in a position to buy one above $15k right now, but exceptions can be made if they are less than that.

There are plenty of high mileage impact bumpers and 996's that seem to be running perfectly, and there are a few for sale locally. The spiritual side of me also wants to keep as many on the road as possible. So my question is, is buying a 911 (996 specifically) with more than 100k miles an ok thing to do?

DISCUSSION (24)

Brian Silvestro > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:11

I only know that I'd only buy a high milage 997 if it was 09 or later (post refresh)

If you're gonna buy a 911, buy if after they do the midlife refresh.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:11

I'm no expert, but these cars aren't known for being uber-reliable. Or cheap to maintain, for that matter.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:12

I think the early 996s had some major engine issues IIRC. I would look into those if I were you, I'm sure some simple google sluthing would do the trick.

Dsscats > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:14

I'd avoid higher mileage 996s because electronics, but older models are fine. My friend's mom has about 220k miles on her 89.

Arben72 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
10/07/2014 at 00:14

Ims failure, I wouldn't buy a 911 without the fix being done, or without plans to do it imo.

Vi517, JDX Racing > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
10/07/2014 at 00:14

I looked on rennlist and it seems like most people haven't had any trouble. I'll look more into it though.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Brian Silvestro
10/07/2014 at 00:16

Makes sense. It will be a long time before those drop in price though.

DrScientist > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:17

its a great thing to do. but if youre not prepared to do your own maintenance be ready to pay 100+/hr for labor.

also, taking to a shop will incur retail parts prices. there are many good deals out there on parts, but few shops will let you bring in your own parts and maintain their warranty on their work. and it is a high mileage car, so some parts will begin to go.

go over to rennlist and read up as much as you can (dont get too swayed by the IMS thing) to see if you can reasonably afford the maintenance. i'd guess to budget ~5k in maintenance, repairs and wear items (including tires) per year for a 100k-150k mile car.

the 996 is definitely a great car.

(i'm extrapolating, by the way, my 2002 has just over 70k mi)

DrScientist > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:19

its really not a concern. especially on a car with >100k miles. if it were going to go, it would have gone. but, its a simple changeover of bearings during a clutch job, so consider it a "while youre in there"

Vi517, JDX Racing > Dsscats
10/07/2014 at 00:19

It's always interesting how newer technology makes most cars less reliable. The 70's models like to blow up their engines, so I didn't know how the 996 would compare.

DrScientist > Dsscats
10/07/2014 at 00:21

what electronics issues? am getting up in miles on mine, and havent experienced anything electronic yet. mostly standard stuff at this point so far: ignition coils, throw out bearing/clutch, suspension items, pads/rotors.

Dsscats > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:21

IMS bearing, my friend. Other than that, they're pretty reliable, but not cheap to maintain.

Dsscats > DrScientist
10/07/2014 at 00:21

I'm not saying electronics issues, just that there are more electronics and more complication.

DrScientist > Dsscats
10/07/2014 at 00:27

complication... pfffttt

Kinja'd!!!

Dsscats > DrScientist
10/07/2014 at 00:39

Jag V12?

DrScientist > Dsscats
10/07/2014 at 00:42

yah. this isnt mine. cant find a photo of mine at the moment. talk about complicated. the 996 is a tinker toy compared to this monstrosity. by the way, just saw the shots of your z back from the dealer. sweet car.

Dsscats > DrScientist
10/07/2014 at 00:45

And you keep it running!?!?!? Color me impressed. And thanks, it's honestly a good 5x better to drive now.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 00:49

My dad had 90-something thousand miles on his 997 and it was totally fine. It was his daily driver for a long time. Then he got a 930 Turbo and when he sold it it was considered "high milage" but I can't remember how high. He never had any problems with that car either, but he maintained them both religiously .

Stef Schrader > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 02:24

Get the IMS bearing fixed if you go for a 996. Honestly, though, I think the aircooled-era cars were just built better. I vote impact bumper!

As long as it has decent maintenance history and a responsible set of previous owners, go for it. Porsches = <3!

Jobjoris > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 02:57

The early ones had the 3.4, these were troublesome. But main issue, IMS bearings, is solved by previous owners most of the time. Check this rennlist-thread .

My '87 3.2 has had no issues this far, it has 190k kms on it.

jkm7680 > Vi517, JDX Racing
10/07/2014 at 07:20

Do it, but maintenance.

Jonathan Harper > Brian Silvestro
10/07/2014 at 09:20

Eh the 996s aren't as terrible as people make them out to be. I would really like a clean CarreraS from that gen, do some little track bits to tighten it up, would be great.

Brian Silvestro > Jonathan Harper
10/07/2014 at 09:27

When did I say the 996 was bad?

I know very little about them.

I hope by "track" bits you mean "rally" bits.

DrScientist > Dsscats
10/07/2014 at 13:25

yep! she runs pretty good. except for the radiator leak. and the wonky electric fan. and the rusted exhaust pipe. and the leaking steering pump. and the draining battery. and the leaky sunroof. and the feedback in the rear speakers. and the failing alternator. and the clogged fuel pickup screen.

other than that, she's running great!