I am currently in the market for a '97-'01 986 and won't even consider a car if the IMS has not been replaced. Definitely less cars to choose from, but this way I don't have the expense or the worry if a PO has it already taken care of.
Call me crazy, but not willing to take the 1%-8% chance on an original IMS car. I have spoken with 3 sellers already with new IMS that had them replaced along with their motors when the original bearings went out.