So I'm assuming you bought this already, right? If you need an extra set of hands to "unpimp" zhis aouto, let me know. I probably still owe you for the SX4. 
KBB says $21, 430
NADA puts it at $18 sumptin'.
The dark covers, JC Whitney instrument and pedal covers should drop the price A LOT! Service records that don't include Jiffy-Lube would be a plus.
So it wouldn’t hurt to show up armed with info and a small wad of cash.
my kind of P car, E36 M3ty enough to not care about modifying it.
did that pesky IMS engine bearing get fixed ?
not sure if a Carfax would show that ?
Why he hiding the pretty eggs behind sunglasses? 
There's a lot of good there, that looks like a factory aero kit car, which means there's a chance it's got a limited slip diff too. Also has the hard back sport seats. Those yellow dials probably aren't stock, get a picture of the option code sticker on the bottom of the frunk. Pedal covers look like factory Porsche ones.
Rest of the car is definitely pimped out, which worries me. He's not asking stupid cheap money and a person who's done that to the car isn't the type of person I typically care to buy a Porsche from. Count on the RMS/IMS NOT being done.
The seller posted "5 chain motor, no IMS issues". What's that mean for an non-Porschephile like me?
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
The 5 chain motors are the earlier ones with variocam. They still have IMS issues, plus the chain pads wear.
Buying that car for that money is like putting all your savings on dogecoin.
In reply to Slippery :
Thanks for the investment tip!
In reply to Slippery :
So, would this be a $15K car? (My budget is loosely $10-12K but could make 15K happen if absolutely had to. Been looking at 944's a lot lately.)
I passed on a friend selling a 99 with a fresh crate motor (IMS fixed, of motor failed from it) for similar money about 4 years ago... That was a good deal. (I just have zero interest in owning a 911)
That thing even for $15k I would only rate as a fair deal.
In reply to Jerry :
The problem with that car is that it has the potential of being a money pit. It might not, but given the looks and mods, chances are high that it's maintenance was not prioritized.
Porsches are expensive cars to mod also. So if you plan on buying one to mod, its best to start with a nicer car.
Jerry, the car you are looking for is the new Toyobaru 
In reply to Jerry :
I'd pass on the car. When you're buying any used car (but even more so with a used German car like a Porsche) you're buying the owner more than the car. In this case, as I said, this owner is someone I'd typically not buy a Porsche from. Just from the looks of the car I'm sure it hasn't been cared for properly.
ALL 996's have issues with the IMS/RMS unless they're a GT3/Turbo with the older Mezger motor.
Slippery said:In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
The 5 chain motors are the earlier ones with variocam. They still have IMS issues, plus the chain pads wear.
Buying that car for that money is like putting all your savings on dogecoin.
18 months ago this was probably a $12k car. I've seen much nicer ones for a similar price recently, but I don't think i've seen many listed for less than $19k or so.
The latest issue of GRM has a nice article on buying your first Porsche, including details about 996/997 buyers tips...FYI.
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:The seller posted "5 chain motor, no IMS issues". What's that mean for an non-Porschephile like me?
There is a notion that the earlier dual row IMS was actually hardier than the revised one in later cars. That may or may not be true -- M96 apologists have had 25 years of speculation on why these things fail. IMS is well known, but there are also AOS failures, bore-scoring, and head cracking on the early cars to worry about.
On the low end of the 996/986 market, my philosophy has changed. I'd be tempted to check it out thoroughly and leave it alone until it blows up.
A Durametric DME interrogation would be a must for me before I consider any M96/M97 powered Porsche. Ideally, I would pay them to drop the pan and look for debris. Worth it if you can find an indie shop that will do it for a couple hundred bucks. The oil pan is easy peasy on these cars.
If the IMS is on the way out, the camshaft angle deviation will usually be off on the Durametric report. It will also show you how many times it has been overreved, how long and far it was past the rev limiter, and how many engine hours ago it occurred. Plus any other failures lurking.
This car might be a little pimped, but it looks like it could be a nice one. It has Pilot Sport tires on it and not Nankangs, so there's a good sign that PO might invest in something other than bling.
Here's another option for the same money.
pushrod36 said:Here's another option for the same money.
Now that is a car I would consider. The miles do not scare me if it checks out.
Not as well optioned but it looks taken care of.
Slippery said:pushrod36 said:Here's another option for the same money.
Now that is a car I would consider. The miles do not scare me if it checks out.
Not as well optioned but it looks taken care of.
Checks wallet...
chandler said:Slippery said:pushrod36 said:Here's another option for the same money.
Now that is a car I would consider. The miles do not scare me if it checks out.
Not as well optioned but it looks taken care of.
Checks wallet...
Wow, same here. THAT's the one I'd want to own.
I've been looking for one for a while, just missed a nice aero one near Philly last month. Good deals are nearly gone on these, the one in Haymarket has been for sale for a while. I haven't checked it out yet, wasn't really looking for red.
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