Heh. Nah I don’t need an excuse for that. Had a couple over the years already. I have a newer and better model now. Well maybe not better, but newer. Something definitely really fun about those older ones.
92% of all online statistics are made up.
- Abraham Lincoln
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Have you tried posting this question on Rennlist yet?
LOL. They’d badger me for buying the ugly headlight Porsche and how that is child abuse.
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My first few cars were hand-me-downs that dealer refused to take on trade in. Literally one of those times they told my parents you’ll get more in scrap than what we’d offer you.
My first car in particular, a Mercury Sable forever made me grateful for cars that don’t stall at stop signs and wheel lugs / lug nuts don’t snap off on the highway (in all fairness, that was the tire repair shop’s fault for ridiculously overtightening the lugs with an airgun). Each of those three cars met their end donated because whatever necessary repairs they eventually needed exceeded their market value.
I did actually like my 1987 Volvo 740 though.
My first few self-purchased cars (a used Acura Legend and later a used Honda Prelude) felt like luxury and/or supercars by comparison.
It’s actually 14% of deaths by drivers in that age group. His post is very extreme but comes from a good place.
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I haven’t been following the 996 that closely because I have been focusing on getting a 718 Spyder (or GTS 4.0) before they stop making them, but I thought the 996 was much more accepted as a real 911 now. I would still be worried about the IMS though. I just don’t like inherent flaws that can destroy a whole engine, no matter how overblown the internet says it is. It’s not like they are all going to chip in to buy you a new engine if you are one of the unlucky ones. You are already gambling pretty hard buying an old German car in the first place, why push your luck?
Bottom line, I would want to replace the IMS. It seems the sweet spot to me would be an early 2005 997 with the easily replaceable IMS and you could upgrade it as part of baseline maintenance after purchase. As I understand it, that was a transition year, so some got the old style and some got the new style 997 IMS which is not easily replaceable. Not sure what the initial cost difference would be vs a 996, but you would likely get it back (and then some) upon resale. And you don’t have to drive around with fried eggs for headlights.
I’d wager 80% of all of them have had the IMS done by now. You buy one that has had it and don’t worry about it. The ones I owned had the IMS done. The 05s with the replaceable ones are the unicorns. It’s only some 05s and you can tell by the engine number. I can’t remember the exact details but something like all engine numbers up to 12345 have the replaceable ones. Engine number 12346 and on don’t.
But the fun part comes with 997 where the IMS issue is kinda moot but then there is the bore scoring issue which fills Rennlist with endless debate.
Yeah, I have heard a bit about the bore scoring and how it was actually bigger than the IMS, but haven’t delved too deep since I am not in the market. Since it sounds like you have had a few, is the 991 too big and bulky? A 991 Cab. is my backup plan if I can’t get the 718 I want.
Yeah 991 is way too big for me. I remember the first time I sat in one and was like whoa, WTF happened to this, it’s like a Lincoln town car or something. Granted they are fast as hell, but it really put me off 911s after that.
The 997.2 is kinda seen by most as the best one. It’s post IMS issues and the last “small” one. But good luck finding a manual? There were not very many made to begin with since in 2009, 2010 the recession was on so there were few sales. And then of the few sales that were, the vast majority were with the PDK since that was the hot new thing. So to find a 997.2 with a manual that wasn’t beaten up, is challenging.
Yeah, I remember back in 2014 I was looking for a replacement for my C6 Corvette and there was a 2009 911 at a Mercedes dealership that looked like the perfect spec for around $50k. I made an appointment to check it out and test drive it, but it was already sold by the time I got there. I ended up buying a 2011 Z4 manual that was very attractive, but proved to be a huge disappointment in the driving area, even after mods.
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Off topic but the best way to fix the IMS issue is just do an LS swap lol.
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Never mind being the cool dad. You are her father not her friend. If you spoil your kid with a nice car at that age you better be prepared for a lifetime of disappointment.
I had friends who’s parents did the same thing and it encouraged a lifetime of relying on mommy and daddy for things, always feeling like you were too good for certain things, and a total complex of never being able to feel good enough about the possessions you did have. Even if it was a once and done (it never is), she will have an expectation around her by others that she probably doesn’t need.
If you are rich and planning to fund her forever, rock on I guess…
Get a new miata or 86/brz and call it a day. Can have a set of blizzaks for winter. And you would still be the coolest dad.
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Is it auto?
Yes it is auto
With the benefit of hindsight would you have wanted your parents to get you a 911 for your first car?
If yes, go for it!
If no (like a lot of people on this forum are saying, me included) then consider the safety aspects and get one for her when she finishes college or something =)
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