Maintaining my Weekend 996 C4S

[CSSSS]

I'm enjoying my 6th Porsche since my first in 1980. While I drove my previous cars regularly, my current Porsche, a 2002 C4S Tiptronic Carrera Coupe with 21k miles, sits in my Orange County, CA garage during the week and is only driven (by me), on weekends. In fact, sometimes I let it sit for two or three weeks between drives. I keep it washed, waxed, & under cover, but lately have become concerned that I may need to take it out more often.

I bought the 996 from an enthusiast who bought it new from Beverly Hills Porsche, and basically drove it weekends for 5 1/2years. It was always garaged & has never seen rain; then or now. It really is a great candidate for a councors competition with no flaws, & it runs perfectly.

When I bought it, I had it checked out first by a Porsche Tech who completely went throught it. It needed nothing, & according to the computer had never been driven erradically. I change the oil at least annually whether needed or not, move the car weekly to save the tires, and drive it for at least an hour when I do take it out. And I am trying to do so every week to ten days, with a few slip ups. I also use a battery maintainer.

My concern is that I may not be driving my car enough. I would appreaciate any input on the best use schedule for my 996 that allows me to keep it a low mileage car without running the risk of damaging it. Also the details of the best way to drive it given this limited schedule would be apprecaited, & any other suggestions. Thanks in advance!

[Benjamin Choi]

I'm enjoying my 6th Porsche since my first in 1980. While I drove my previous cars regularly, my current Porsche, a 2002 C4S Tiptronic Carrera Coupe with 21k miles, sits in my Orange County, CA garage during the week and is only driven (by me), on weekends. In fact, sometimes I let it sit for two or three weeks between drives. I keep it washed, waxed, & under cover, but lately have become concerned that I may need to take it out more often.

I bought the 996 from an enthusiast who bought it new from Beverly Hills Porsche, and basically drove it weekends for 5 1/2years. It was always garaged & has never seen rain; then or now. It really is a great candidate for a councors competition with no flaws, & it runs perfectly.

When I bought it, I had it checked out first by a Porsche Tech who completely went throught it. It needed nothing, & according to the computer had never been driven erradically. I change the oil at least annually whether needed or not, move the car weekly to save the tires, and drive it for at least an hour when I do take it out. And I am trying to do so every week to ten days, with a few slip ups. I also use a battery maintainer.

My concern is that I may not be driving my car enough. I would appreaciate any input on the best use schedule for my 996 that allows me to keep it a low mileage car without running the risk of damaging it. Also the details of the best way to drive it given this limited schedule would be apprecaited, & any other suggestions. Thanks in advance!

totally non-fact/scientific OPINION here, but based on what i've seen on 911 boards, the cars that have been babied or garaged with extended queen intervals have had more issues than those driven daily.

especially with the whole M96/IMS failure connection... i'd drive it more often if you can. at least once a week, 10-miles a drive. i personally don't like to have my car sit around for more than 2 weeks and try to take it out as often as i feasibly can.

[CSSSS]

Thanks so much for you OPINION...I think it makes much sense! Fortunately, (knock on wood), there are no current issues. But I think I agree that this is the best practice going forward. Maybe even shoot for 20 mi. Thanks!

[Benjamin Choi]

Thanks so much for you OPINION...I think it makes much sense! Fortunately, (knock on wood), there are no current issues. But I think I agree that this is the best practice going forward. Maybe even shoot for 20 mi. Thanks!

gosh life is tough ;)

enjoy!

[shelbyhood]

I have never owned a Porshe but both my wife and I enjoy higher technology automobiles and are planning on purchasing our first Porsche in the next few weeks. Since you've owned 6 of them, would you give me any advice on which years we might want to stay away from?

Our preference right now is for a C4s Cab. I am seeing many 2004s on sale but my wife read an article somewhere saying the '04s had engine problems in manufacturing. Something about the die cast. Any reason to stay away from a low mileage '04?

The '06s are coming down in price and we are thinking of waiting a couple of months to see where that will lead. Can you advise on purchasing a 996 versus a 997?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Shelby

[BruceP]

I have never owned a Porshe but both my wife and I enjoy higher technology automobiles and are planning on purchasing our first Porsche in the next few weeks. Since you've owned 6 of them, would you give me any advice on which years we might want to stay away from?

Our preference right now is for a C4s Cab. I am seeing many 2004s on sale but my wife read an article somewhere saying the '04s had engine problems in manufacturing. Something about the die cast. Any reason to stay away from a low mileage '04?

The '06s are coming down in price and we are thinking of waiting a couple of months to see where that will lead. Can you advise on purchasing a 996 versus a 997?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Shelby

The entire series of M96 engines is controversial. That engine design spans the beginning of the 996 series in '98 to midway through the 997 series, ending with the 2008. There is lots of reading to be had on this, and my own experience has been that message board discussions can become unbalanced and emotional, and people can seem more expert than they are. I'd do my own research, if I were you. Besides that, I'd offer these three pieces of highly subjective advice:

1. Drive some. You will love them, or you will not be impressed. My observation has been that those who buy Porsches of any vintage for love of the marque are much happier than those who buy them for image or performance bragging rights or just to see what the fuss is about. If you don't fall in love, I'd move on. If you do, then...

2. Used Porsches are cheap to buy, but expensive to own. Any vintage, ever. The problems you might have change from series to series, but the ownership cost is high compared to an average car. Which brings me to...

3. Service records and some knowledge of the car's provenance and how it was used are more important than low mileage. Experts say buy the newest one you can afford. I usually challenge this by saying that depreciation is a certain cost, where engine problems are only a risk, and that a well cared for older car shouldn't be passed over. But in today's climate, I think newer ones really can be ridiculously good deals.

FWIW, I would spend some time in both a 996 and a 997. In my humble opinion, the two cars have different characters.

[bolobar]

BruceP

Outstanding post. Must Read for every prospective Porsche owner.

Regards