is it just me? or is this a good deal?

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/ctd/2571635743.html

$23k seems like a very fair (dealer) price for a nice 996, or have I just not noticed their depreciation yet?

it was right below this on CL http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/2571923056.html

Wasn't the 996 3.4L the one that has a potentially expensive engine problems?

The pre-2001 996s and Boxsters have depreciated like crazy because of a few well-known catastrophic engine failures. If you get one, beware of leaks, intermediate shaft bearing failures, case porosity issues, and shoddy interiors (no glovebox? seriously?)

You "can" find 996 turbos in the 25-30 range, and if you are looking for a super-car, that is certainly the bargain of the market these days. There was an article in the most recent Excellence magazine about cheap 996TTs. These use a different engine from the M96 powered base carreras. THIS engine is actually a development of the 956 race engine of the 80s, through the 962, and even the 911 GT1.

Maroon92 wrote: The pre-2001 996s and Boxsters have depreciated like crazy because of a few well-known catastrophic engine failures. If you get one, beware of leaks, intermediate shaft bearing failures, case porosity issues, and shoddy interiors (no glovebox? seriously?)

If you move to say an '02 or '03 996, does the price jump up significantly?

I'm pretty sure Ive seen them cheaper of similar years in the StL area. My budget usually tops out around 1,000.xx

Well, if the engine pukes, there's always the Subie four to make purists cringe...

the 993 holds it's values better than the 996

mad_machine wrote: the 993 holds it's values better than the 996

993 were higher quality. It was the development of a 30 year old chassis design. The 996 was the first all new 911 since the 901 in 1964.

I have always said that the Boxster would be much better with a suby STi engine running on high boost.

dyintorace wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: The pre-2001 996s and Boxsters have depreciated like crazy because of a few well-known catastrophic engine failures. If you get one, beware of leaks, intermediate shaft bearing failures, case porosity issues, and shoddy interiors (no glovebox? seriously?)

If you move to say an '02 or '03 996, does the price jump up significantly?

almost double in some cases. though age does have something to do with that, as well as updated interiors (with gloveboxes), and generally better quality.

Maroon92 wrote:

dyintorace wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: The pre-2001 996s and Boxsters have depreciated like crazy because of a few well-known catastrophic engine failures. If you get one, beware of leaks, intermediate shaft bearing failures, case porosity issues, and shoddy interiors (no glovebox? seriously?)

If you move to say an '02 or '03 996, does the price jump up significantly?

almost double in some cases. though age does have something to do with that, as well as updated interiors (with gloveboxes), and generally better quality.

Interesting. Thanks for the insight. I guess that is the market forces at work! I do see cheap 1999 and 2000 models and now I know why.

Maroon92 wrote:

mad_machine wrote: the 993 holds it's values better than the 996

993 were higher quality. It was the development of a 30 year old chassis design. The 996 was the first all new 911 since the 901 in 1964.

yes and no.. by the time the 993 came around, the chassis was not all that like the original 901. They had long ditched the torsion bars,, trailing arms, and gone to a arms and coil springs.

what it did have the the most refined and developed version of the aircooled flat six

Maroon92 wrote:

mad_machine wrote: the 993 holds it's values better than the 996

993 were higher quality. It was the development of a 30 year old chassis design. The 996 was the first all new 911 since the 901 in 1964.

The 993 was the last of the aircooled....also doesn't look like a boxster, which are both more ammo for the higher value.

Maroon92 wrote: The 996 was the first all new 911 since the 901 in 1964.

The '90 964 was a huge leap from the 88 Carrera and shares few parts with any predecessor. All new engine, suspension, brake system, bodywork and electronics. Like the 996 it also had it's share of "teething" problems.

Late 964s and all 993s are probably the best you can get in a 911 unless you step up to the 997S... but I'd still love to get my grimy mitts on a 73 RSR clone with a modern 3.8L drivetrain under it.

there is a fix / upgrade out there for the early 996/Boxster intermediate shaft issue. These guys seem to have it figured out. Still not cheap and won't fix a truly "wasted" motor though. Interesting reading, and no, I have not tried their products. http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html