1999 996 Prices - What gives? (Was this a Black Sheep)

[David Ray]

I've been looking at several 1999 996's to purchase and am taken back by the considerably low prices for a 8 year old car that once sold for $90-95K. Most I've looked at are between $30-$35K and have anywhere from 40-60K miles.

Is there something seriously wrong with the older 996s? What are the obvious problems as an owner? 50% of the ones I've seen seemd to be in good mechanical shape with routine maintance records and some with as low mileage as 35K (this to me doesn't even seem to be broken in). A lot of the owners I've talked to said "they're tired of the electronic failures"?

What's the story behind this model?

Thanks

[Dan Chambers]

I've been looking at several 1999 996's to purchase and am taken back by the considerably low prices for a 8 year old car that once sold for $90-95K. Most I've looked at are between $30-$35K and have anywhere from 40-60K miles.

Is there something seriously wrong with the older 996s? What are the obvious problems as an owner? 50% of the ones I've seen seemd to be in good mechanical shape with routine maintance records and some with as low mileage as 35K (this to me doesn't even seem to be broken in). A lot of the owners I've talked to said "they're tired of the electronic failures"?

What's the story behind this model?

Thanks

David, from what little I know:
- First year of the newer body style
- First year of the "watercooled" 911 Carrera engine
- Engine main seal issues/problems
-1999 no longer has a "dry sump" oil system. Now they have an "Integrated Oil Sump" oiling system. First Year of this Integrated Sump oiling system in a 911 Carrera.

As the first year of a redesigned model, some of the bugs may not have been very well worked out. This, I think, is true of most cars made. First year models/first year redesigned models seem to have lower resale value than later years of the same model where the bugs may have been better-worked out. But, I'm no expert. As to comments about electronic failures, I don't have any information.

I'm sure someone like Chris Huck who works at Pioneer can shed more light on this.

These are just my impressions and thoughts.

[Tawfik]

Quite a few of the 99 and 2000 996 exhibited a higher than average RMS failures. Many got their engines replaced under warranty.
Talking to the guys at Dieter's, Black Forest and MOM would provide more info.
Also I believe there is more demand on the 993s with similar mileage.

[David Ray]

Thanks - purchased a 993. Anyone have a harness bar for sell?

[kary]

Thanks - purchased a 993. Anyone have a harness bar for sell?

You made an excellent choice!

[TheStig]

Another one of the problems I have heard with 996s was that they are prone to have cylinder walls crack. A British Car Magazine had an article a while back that discussed these catastrophic engine failures. A car tuning company called Auto Farm created a sleeve/liner that not only allowed you to re-use the block (that is if it passes their tests to be re-used), but even makes the 996 engine a closed deck design.

I haven't heard of any 996 cylinder wall breakages in the states lately (not even on Rennlist.) Strange..