In the 2010s, when rich people learned about air-cooled Porsches, a subculture grew up around expensive watches, and Mobil Pegasi was born. The prices of 911 SCs and 3.2 Carreras went through the roof after they were once affordable. This made many car fans with limited funds choose the water-cooled 996-generation 911. Because I am one of them, it is my responsibility to know. The 996 is the first 911 to have a water-cooled engine, 300 horsepower, a top speed of 7200 rpm, and a trunk full of stuff that makes people look bad. The headlights are, in fact, from a Porsche Boxster, and the inside is dull. Some engines did catch fire. And finally, the 996 costs less than the beloved 993 it replaced 20 years ago. The 993 was faster, lighter, and more powerful. How much less does it cost? Take a look at this $12,000 2003 Porsche “996” 911 coupe with a six-speed manual transmission that’s for sale on Marketplace. At that price, it is the cheapest road-ready 911 in the country, as well as the cheapest manual coupe. What’s the downside? It’s driven 357,591 miles, which is about the same as an old Crown Vic taxi. So, should you make the purchase? Carry on reading. One of the shops that sells this Porsche says they don’t know how good it is. It’s in Redondo Beach, California, which is a wealthy suburb southwest of Los Angeles. The listing says that the 911 works, has a clear title, and has cool air conditioning. “Smoke after cold start at times,” the ad said, and “at these miles [it is] safe to assume a motor may be required.” Both the outside and the inside look like they are in good shape, but the headlights are foggy, and the front bumper is scratched and looks a slightly different shade of black than the rest of the car. Furthermore, the carpet in the driver’s footwell has a large hole in it, which is consistent with the astronomically high mileage. We’ll have to make educated guesses based on my three years of cheap 996 ownership experience until we get a chance to examine the car in person or conduct a pre-purchase inspection, which is required for any used vehicle. First, there is the issue of smoking. The most obvious and frequent source of smoke on these cars during cold starts is the air-oil separator or AOS. According to 996 experts at LN Engineering, the AOS is an emissions device that collects oil blow-by and re-runs it through the engine by applying a tiny amount of vacuum to the crankcase. When it fails, it may generate too much vacuum, drawing too much oil into the intake and resulting in a smokey exhaust, especially when starting cold or operating at high RPMs. AOS replacement takes about three hours and costs less than $200 for a skilled do-it-yourself mechanic, according to Pelican Parts. If you’re selling it in a store, aim for between $800 and $1000. Given the mileage, wear on the piston and valve guides may also be significant. A borescope and compression numbers should be visible on all cylinders, which can be accomplished by lowering the oil pan during a PPI. However, I’m afraid I have to disagree with the owner’s assessment of the need for a new engine. These are tough motors that, with proper care, can last a long time. The 3.6-liter flat-six engine doesn’t have an intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing replacement, but that doesn’t bother me as much as it would in a car with fewer miles on it. With over 350,000 miles on it, the clutch has almost certainly been replaced at least twice. When replacing a clutch, it is common practice to inspect the IMS bearing for wear. Contrary to popular belief, cars that sit and dry out are more likely to fail than those that have regular oil changes. At this point, everything else starts to raise concerns. The gearbox synchromesh could be completely worn out and in need of a costly rebuild, especially if it has been subjected to constant traffic in Los Angeles. Additional inspections of the suspension and interior are also required because 996s had plastic-fantastic switchgear that isn’t known for its durability. I had the good fortune to purchase a 1999 Porsche 911 for around this amount in early 2021. The “big three” features of the vehicle I bought were a recently replaced AOS, an IMS upgrade, and a documented clutch change. It had less than one-third the mileage this one does, as well as new VarioCam pads. I’ve since spent $3,000 on consumables and about $6,000 on maintenance and repairs to get the car to a point where I’m happy with it. Please understand that I am extremely pleased with my purchase and would only want to drive something else for $20,000 total. However, given the cost of the parts, this was a $120,000 car when new, adjusted for inflation. On the used car market, a nice 996 with no asterisks can be had for between $25,000 and $30,000. I won’t, however, get in the way of your happiness if you long for the days when a ratty SC costs $8,500 and want to take a chance on this high-miler. Proceed with an open and clear mind.
