Seeking advice on buying a 2000 2.7

[shaman1204]

Just to add to Randall's post and to give you some perspective, thus far on my '01 2.7 bought w/33K miles, off the top of my head, I have replaced:

-Both lower control arms. (didn't fix the clunk, probably have to replace the rear track arms)

-Coolant reservoir

-Cabin air recirculator

-Alternator

-Ignition switch

The only thing my PPI showed was it needed a new rear wheel bearing, brakes in a few thousand miles, an alignment and the left side of the front bumper had been resprayed. All the above went in the first year of my ownership. Luckily, I bought an aftermarket warranty that picked up the first four issues or those would have been $$$$. I replaced the switch myself.

[RandallNeighbour]

Fastback, the 2003 was when Porsche added a glove box and most importantly, a glass window in the top which means you DON'T HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE FRIGGIN' CAR EVERY TIME YOU DROP THE TOP to crease the plastic so it doesn't crack or tear.

Why they didn't design it this way earlier is beyond me.

The 03's and 04's also had the most revisions done to them and will probably end up being the most reliable 986 models on the road.

The 2000 S with lower mileage is a much better car to be looking at IMO, but it's still a 9 year old car.

I will never buy another old, out of warranty Porsche. My next one will be a 2 year old garage queen with a 100k CPO warranty. I will also beat PCNA to death with their own stick (the CPO warranty). I will work overtime to make them pay for their crappy workmanship at every opportunity. Every Houston dealership's service department will know me and hate my guts for the way I constantly bring the car in for squeaks and leaks and everything else I can find wrong with the car.

I love the car, the prestige of ownership of the badge, and the handling and balance of the boxster/cayman... I just hate the corner cutting that Porsche has done.

One more thing: Never buy a sports car without having a four wheel laser alignment done on the car before you sign the papers for it. A bent subframe or slightly bent control arm is very hard to detect on a rack visually, but the equipment never lies. If the car cannot be brought into perfect alignment, walk away from it. Someone's slammed it up against a curb at least once.

[ekam]

It's interesting to read here that almost everyone who had bought a 986 after I did are all 97-2002.

The only reason that I can think of is they're cheap, but reading Randall's post it reinforces the fact that I didn't make a mistake by getting a 04.

[23109VC]

it comes down to how much you can spend and do you want to spend it NOW or LATER?

if you buy a newer lower mileage car with a warranty - you will pay more NOW but you won't be out of pocket for big $$ repairs.

if you buy an older car you will get a cheaper price but get nickel and dimed with maintenance and upkeep.

i bought a 2000 2.7 5 speed and I love it. I was shopping for base vs. S and bre 03 vs 03/04. I WANTED an 03+S but my dad put up his 2000 base for sale and made me a really great offer. i like his car and decided to help him by buying his, I did get a deep discount...and it'sa pile of fun. part of me wishes I had just spent more to get a newer faster S - but our deal was a win-win so my situation was somewhat unique.

if i had it to do over - and my dad was NOT selling his car - i'd try to get an S and an 03+. but i promise you that even a 200 0 base is a pile of fun. my car has 18s and m030 - which is a blast. these cars are all about handling, and the wheels/suspension make a big difference.

if you are into "fixing" cars upa nd moding them, you could get a smokni deal on an older one that needs new suspension, then do NOT put in OEM struts.. but instead buy ROW M030 or a coilover setup, and have a car that corners EVEN MORE ON RAILS than a stock one. you'll love it.

bottom line is these cars can be cheap to buy if you get an old one - but they are not cheap to fix. it's always nice to have a newer car but your budget may not allow it.

in this market though - i bet there is a huge variation in prices cars sell for. some guy who bought his car on his HELOC and paid cash - and has it listed for $25k and has had NO bites for 6 months..and is dying to get some cash in his pocket beause he is getting foreclosed on - or some other financial crisis like a divorce, etc etc... will probably let it go way under market just to move it. no laon to pay off...the car is just an asset he needs to liquidate...who knows how low he would go...

if you look hard and negotiate hard you could probably find some killer deals on these cars.

[mylamb]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Fastback, the 2003 was when Porsche added a glove box and most importantly, a glass window in the top which means you DON'T HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE FRIGGIN' CAR EVERY TIME YOU DROP THE TOP to crease the plastic so it doesn't crack or tear.

Why they didn't design it this way earlier is beyond me.

The 03's and 04's also had the most revisions done to them and will probably end up being the most reliable 986 models on the road.

The 2000 S with lower mileage is a much better car to be looking at IMO, but it's still a 9 year old car.

I will never buy another old, out of warranty Porsche. My next one will be a 2 year old garage queen with a 100k CPO warranty. I will also beat PCNA to death with their own stick (the CPO warranty). I will work overtime to make them pay for their crappy workmanship at every opportunity. Every Houston dealership's service department will know me and hate my guts for the way I constantly bring the car in for squeaks and leaks and everything else I can find wrong with the car.

I love the car, the prestige of ownership of the badge, and the handling and balance of the boxster/cayman... I just hate the corner cutting that Porsche has done.

One more thing: Never buy a sports car without having a four wheel laser alignment done on the car before you sign the papers for it. A bent subframe or slightly bent control arm is very hard to detect on a rack visually, but the equipment never lies. If the car cannot be brought into perfect alignment, walk away from it. Someone's slammed it up against a curb at least once.

HAHAHA - Randall, Amen...

There are definitely no shortcuts with Porsche's. I too, agree that if I do it again, the car will be under the original Porsche warranty, and I will go for the extended CPO. It's very hit or miss with aftermarket warranties on these cars, and they have all sorts of problems (I remember reading that an F355 should cost you about $3K-$5K / year in maint.) Really??? 'cause I've dropped that keeping my Boxster running.

Fastback, do your best to buy a "perfect" car. PPI's are only 1.5 - 2 hrs of labor, and you should see/hear/smell ZERO flaws on it. You will be happier.