Quote :

"A stock C2 Ahmet is an industrial tire shredder, "

fixt

11/12/2010 9:13:12 AM

^^

More so than either. The engine is over the back wheels. That much weight over the back, driving hard and throwing all the weight to the rear due to acceleration is going to shred some tires. At the same time the front tires should last you forever.

^

This is also something to take into account.

11/12/2010 11:14:57 AM

Good to know when considering one

11/12/2010 1:47:03 PM

Quote :

"whats a foot pound?"

11/12/2010 6:09:32 PM

Thanks for the help Quinn, I didn't want to be lining things up AND trying to tighten the clamp at the same time.

Car is done, and happily sleeping.

What awaits me is my own lowly little slow 996 with a measly little 320hp. What to do what to do...

11/12/2010 7:27:54 PM

It has left. :'(

Yesterday it's owner and I drove around for a little bit. I have to say for the first time I didn't feel like it had an unnecessary amount of power. Maybe someday (like when I win the lottery)...

11/14/2010 11:03:33 AM

And mine's leaving tomorrow as well. A sad day for all. Officially the best car I've ever owned. :'(

12/18/2010 1:32:43 AM

so when ya getting a turbo ?

12/18/2010 11:29:07 AM

i have also started to casually eyeball 996 Turbos.

12/18/2010 2:50:59 PM

I look at them, but I had more fun driving a 996, that level of nimbleness and precision is hard to come by, and at an affordable price! I already feel dumb for selling mine, especially since I'm losing a fair bit of money this time... I just wish I had enough $ for a trivial switch to a GT3.

[Edited on December 18, 2010 at 3:24 PM. Reason : :'(]

12/18/2010 3:18:06 PM

So why did you sell it ??

12/19/2010 8:54:01 AM

I have car ADD. Particularly when there's nothing to fix, I get anxious...

12/19/2010 8:35:46 PM

I'm thinking about a non turbo 996, along with about 13 other cars I probably won't actually buy.

12/19/2010 10:55:46 PM

I can't say enough positive things about them, truly great cars I think.

12/20/2010 12:27:34 AM

Its the fear ($) of catastrophic failure I find off putting. I'm also used to buying cars I already know inside and out, so I'm anxious about being able to find the right example as well.

12/20/2010 1:48:29 PM

Quote :

"Its the fear ($) of catastrophic failure I find off putting. "

12/20/2010 1:51:27 PM

I think almost every car I owned had some kind of chance of catastrophic failure. 50% of the cars have that. Look at the Subaru thread, BMWs vanos issues, valve retainers, Ford transmissions, AMG SC issues, etc.

I am WAY more scared of maintenance on 911 more than anything. Second thing is very likely long DIY learning curve on rear engine car. My time is becoming way more valuable than monkeying around under the car. At 32 you don't have the same energy as you did in your 20s... or desire to mod. I dread oil changes nowadays...

12/20/2010 3:04:32 PM

yeah, a Porsche IMS failure is a whole different level of pain than a BMW VANOS failure.

[Edited on December 20, 2010 at 3:15 PM. Reason : ]

12/20/2010 3:14:47 PM

Well, vanos failure on BMW=bent valves. It's a new engine in either case or rebuild the top end. Probably about the same cost.

12/20/2010 4:07:37 PM

oh, i thought you meant just VANOS rattle and having to replace the unit.

12/20/2010 4:10:47 PM

that's the lucky case before things get out of hand and if the owner recognizes the symptoms unfortunately, some cars never develop that rattle.... vanos bolts just shear off leaving the intake or exhaust valves in open position making them vulnerable to piston contact if you are in high enough rpm range when it happens. depending on position you can not only bent valves, but ruin the pistons or head at worst. there is like 55 page thread on m3forum about different cases. it really sucks and it happens on all model years and all mileage.

i guess with P-car at least you can control which model year you buy? past '02 or something?

12/20/2010 4:25:21 PM

The intermediate shaft (IMS, which is basically an idler shaft for the timing chain) rides on a permanently sealed bearing, some of which have failed. Despite the internet chatter, I've owned 3, have had 4 good friends with them, and over the course of the last 4 years, none of us have experienced, nor have I seen/heard of, or met someone personally despite my track event activity and meeting dozens of people. All cars break, the fun ones tend to be more expensive. I think it's a reasonable risk to take in this case.

12/20/2010 5:22:35 PM

It's not the incidence of failure, it's the stratospheric cost of 911 engine replacement.

12/20/2010 5:48:05 PM

Meh, you get a wonderful car that stickered for over $90k in many cases for around $25k, and generally with lower miles too. I'm generally super conservative financially, and I'd still have done it if 1 in 10 failed. Also, just because Porsche sells a complete engine for $15k doesn't mean you'd have to spend that to get another engine in the car, but my point stands. In other words, I think it'd still be worth owning @$35k.

12/20/2010 10:32:42 PM

The German Technical Inspection Association (TUV), together with the German car magazine Auto Bild, have released the result of the 2011 used car reliability report. The study is based on 7,253,709 general vehicle inspections performed by TUV's independent engineers, covering all the strong and the weak points of a large number of vehicles.

We'll start with the cars that would make excellent second-hand purchases, a category dominated by Toyota and Porsche. The German car maker managed to win five age categories.

One of its champions is the 911 (we are talking about the 996 generation, which was produced between 1997 and 2005), which managed to claim the top position in the following age classes: 6-7 years, 8-9 years and 10-11 years. The current incarnation of the Boxster (987), which has been around since 2004 shares the number one position of the 4 to 5 years of age with the Toyota Corolla Verso.

12/21/2010 2:37:43 PM

I guess Duke's next car is a Toyota then

12/21/2010 3:04:16 PM

My next one is definitely a 911. I'm looking at 2007-2008 models in a couple of years (well, I've started looking now actually, but I won't buy for 2 years). I think an S convertible or if I can every find one, a Targa.

12/21/2010 3:58:18 PM

Convertible?

Meh

12/21/2010 4:17:11 PM

Why is everyone so down on convertibles? I realize the handling suffers because of the lack of a roof, but you offset that with the fun of having no roof! I mean, if I was talking about getting a drop top 911 Turbo it would be silly, but a convertible sports car is a whole hell of a lot of fun.

12/21/2010 4:48:24 PM

A convertible mustang jeep is fun a convertible Porsche is a shame :-( more money less Porsche.

[Edited on December 21, 2010 at 4:56 PM. Reason : .]

12/21/2010 4:54:21 PM

Agree to disagree I suppose.

12/21/2010 4:59:15 PM

I was against convertibles in all shape & form for a long time. I still wouldn't buy one, but an italian v8 screaming behind your head with the top down will go a long way to change your mind.

12/21/2010 7:42:28 PM

Quote :

"Why is everyone so down on convertibles?"

because they suck. you want some open jollies? get a bike

12/22/2010 1:19:35 AM

The exceptions to the convertible rule are the miata and s2000, of course

Get off your high performance horses. There's nothing wrong if someone wants a convertible sports car for the street. Chassis stiffness isn't going to matter if the owner has no intention of tracking it competitively*.




*for most vehicles.


[Edited on December 22, 2010 at 3:04 AM. Reason : .]

12/22/2010 3:02:16 AM

Roadsters are the exception cars designed to not have roofs .

Also a koenigsegg ccx with the structural hard top, I'd be down with that.

12/22/2010 6:50:07 AM

^bingo

Quote :

"The exceptions to the convertible rule are the miata and s2000, of course "

They are actually, for two very big reasons. A, b/c they're designed from genesis as convertibles. And b, b/c they're not available as coupes.

Quote :

"more money less Porsche. "

Actually it's not when you're buying used. Resale for a 911 convertible is lower than a coupe (partially b/c of the reasons already mentioned).

[Edited on December 22, 2010 at 8:58 AM. Reason : s]

12/22/2010 8:55:40 AM

You don't have to be "racing" a car to appreciate things like weight distribution, or a stiff chassis, in fact it's rather noticeable when going over rail road tracks, or going up a driveway at an angle, or hitting a bump w/your suspension loaded.

Go ahead and choose what you like, but it doesn't have to please everyone.

12/22/2010 10:47:55 AM