I bought a 97 with 82k on it in 2004 for "just" $15k, which was 7k under blue book value. I am the fourth owner.
Apart from the spare tire and toolkit, I have replaced most everything on the car, easily costing me the $7k I would have spent on a MUCH younger, nicer S model had I waited two years and saved the money I pissed away on repairs.
Thank God it had a new engine in it, which I discovered a week after purchase.
I replaced the horn pad, O-rings on the AC hoses, the tranny $$$$, instrument cluster $$$, fuel sending unit $$$, a couple of top assembly pieces that were worn, the coolant overflow tank $$$, oil filler tube $$$, front driver's side lower control arm (2 times) $$$, worn out original brake discs $$$, bulging brake lines, rear struts $$$, the e-brake handle (cracked), the center console (falling apart at the screw holes), the head unit of the stereo (CD stopped working) $$$, the seats (really worn out and ratty looking) $$$$, and I'm sure a couple of forum members could mention stuff I have forgotten.
97's with original parts become maintenance nightmares now that the cars are 11 years old. For example, when I did my brake job, the steel caliper bolts were heat and rust welded to the all aluminum wheel carrier and I had to spend another 8 hours and $200 reaming out the hole and inserting a sleeve so I could get the car back on the road.
... and I have not yet experienced an RMS leak or an intermediate shaft failure. Oh joy, I have one or both to look forward to in the next few years. :ah:
My advice is that if you don't have a 2 inch thick pile of repair receipts and a mechanic who does the PPI and says, "If you don't buy this car, I will!" I'd walk away from it.
The cheapest Porsche is ALWAYS the most expensive one to own. I didn't make that up, but I sure have lived it.
Save your money and buy a 2003 S. It has a heated rear glass window (no getting out of the car half way through the drop top process to "chop" the window so it doesn't crack on you) and a 3.2 motor that won't leave you whining that the thing looks fast but isn't fast enough.
Oh my friend, please learn from my mistake and take my advice. Shelf any emotion in this purchase and let the logic and sound advice from one who did what you're about to do overwrite that giddy feeling you might have right now.
If you do decide to buy it, you better find a good independent mechanic BEFORE you take possession of the car. The dealership repair bills start at $200 for piddly stuff and always cost me between $500 and $1000 when I had to take it in.
And that's all I have to say about this
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