Porsche Peeps - would this be a mistake?

Josh (PA) · 03-10-2014, 01:48 PM

We miss having a convertible.... I'm turning 40 next month and thinking about a b-day present... Would this be a mistake: ('02 'S)

http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...1085&d_id=1138

How big a deal is the IMS bearing (% effected, etc)? What other issues did '02's have?

How stupid would it be to have 4 cars with potentially 2 teenage drivers sharing an '05 X3 or e46 wagon (another discussion for another thread)?

Logically it seems like a bad move, but emotionally it feels sooo right...

JST · 03-10-2014, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

We miss having a convertible.... I'm turning 40 next month and thinking about a b-day present... Would this be a mistake: ('02 'S)

http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...1085&d_id=1138

How big a deal is the IMS bearing (% effected, etc)? What other issues did '02's have?

How stupid would it be to have 4 cars with potentially 2 teenage drivers sharing an '05 X3 or e46 wagon (another discussion for another thread)?

Logically it seems like a bad move, but emotionally it feels sooo right...

I haven't seen any particular figures on percentage of cars affected, though this one is right smack in the middle of the impacted range. 17K seems like a lot of money for that car, but I haven't been following prices that closely.

You could always have the LN Engineering bearing put in. Not too cheap but a lot cheaper than a blown engine. Does it fix the problem? In theory, it should, but then again, it's an aftermarket part, so who can say for sure?

bren · 03-10-2014, 02:11 PM

Save yourself some money and get the vette...

http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...4821&d_id=1138

EDIT:
Hey that place even has a truck for FC:
http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...4282&d_id=1138

and one for JST:
http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...5521&d_id=1138

JST · 03-10-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Save yourself some money and get the vette...

http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...4821&d_id=1138

EDIT:
Hey that place even has a truck for FC:
http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...4282&d_id=1138

and one for JST:
http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...5521&d_id=1138

Honestly, if it were 10K cheaper I'd consider it. That's just cool.

But enough threadjack--I'd keep on the lookout for a 2006+ 987.1. Maybe even try a non-S and see what you think.

Josh (PA) · 03-10-2014, 02:30 PM

you wouldn't buy an IMS car, right? I think 2006+ cars are out of the 4th car/b-day gift price range. We may look at Z3s/Z4s as a more realistic option (devil you know re:maintenance needs, etc and I have a trustworthy BMW mechanic). Really just want a fun top down car.

JST · 03-10-2014, 02:33 PM

I wouldn't, no. But I also don't really like the way the 986s look, so it's a pretty easy decision for me.

The IMS-affected cars would just cause me to stress out--even if I never had a problem I'd be worried about it all the time and wouldn't enjoy the car.

But that's partly just my own idiosyncrasy.

Rob · 03-10-2014, 03:41 PM

FWIW, I really like the Z4. I am going to be very sad to list it in a couple of weeks. The only thing that ever bothers me is an intermittent noise that sounds like a power steering pump that needs fluid. I understand it is probably a belt tensioner of some type, but it isn't bad enough to bother looking into.

JST · 03-10-2014, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

you wouldn't buy an IMS car, right? I think 2006+ cars are out of the 4th car/b-day gift price range. We may look at Z3s/Z4s as a more realistic option (devil you know re:maintenance needs, etc and I have a trustworthy BMW mechanic). Really just want a fun top down car.

As they say on Jalopnik, the answer is always Miata.

I'm glad I scratched the Porsche itch, but if I'm going to be honest, if all you're looking for is a fun, top down car, you can get 80 percent of the fun for 50 percent of the cost with a Miata. Not fast, but still a hoot and a half, and it's not a budget-buster when it comes to maintenance.

I don't know what it is about Z3s/Z4s, but I've never warmed up to them. They just don't feel...right. They feel like a 3 series wearing tight pants. I think I'd get a Miata before one of those.

equ · 03-10-2014, 04:18 PM

I've been to Selden many years ago. They tend to have cars that don't make it to CPO/first party dealers. They actually get some nice cars, I don't think the place is shady (if it is even under the same ownership), just saying...

Josh (PA) · 03-10-2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

As they say on Jalopnik, the answer is always Miata.

I'm glad I scratched the Porsche itch, but if I'm going to be honest, if all you're looking for is a fun, top down car, you can get 80 percent of the fun for 50 percent of the cost with a Miata. Not fast, but still a hoot and a half, and it's not a budget-buster when it comes to maintenance. I don't know what it is about Z3s/Z4s, but I've never warmed up to them. They just don't feel...right. They feel like a 3 series wearing tight pants. I think I'd get a Miata before one of those

I think I'd like to own a boxster, but I think my primary motivator is the swoon the car rags and a lot of the board members have gushed about how great it is. The only one I've ever driven was a '98 a number of years ago that left me very underwhelmed (before I bought my first m3c). I might head over and check out the '02 to see if it gets me excited. After the original post in this thread, I did a bunch of IMS reading and it seems like the aftermarket solutions and metal filing sensors can protect you pretty well from the catastrophe.

My parents have a '98 z3 2.8 that I never really warmed up to either. I'm not sure if it is because it is small to the point of being claustrophobic or if it because it is my 'rent's and I can hear them nagging in the back of my mind every time I accelerate.

Interestingly, there are some good deals to be had on Z3M cars (both S52 and S54s). I haven't driven one yet, but they seem like they'd be a blast. I drove a couple of Z4s in the past and always enjoyed them a lot. They might not be beautiful, but they're a nice blend of fun and function. As I mentioned earlier, having a mechanic that I don't have to worry about takes a lot of the stress out of owning these cars. He's very fairly priced, very good at fixing what's broke and very reasonable about telling me what does and doesn't need addressing. The experience I've had with Acura, Audi and a number of indy shops around here has always been incredibly frustrating. Frustrating enough that it would strongly influence a car purchase decision.

03-10-2014, 01:48 PM	#1
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,545	Porsche Peeps - would this be a mistake? We miss having a convertible.... I'm turning 40 next month and thinking about a b-day present... Would this be a mistake: ('02 'S) http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...1085&d_id=1138 How big a deal is the IMS bearing (% effected, etc)? What other issues did '02's have? How stupid would it be to have 4 cars with potentially 2 teenage drivers sharing an '05 X3 or e46 wagon (another discussion for another thread)? Logically it seems like a bad move, but emotionally it feels sooo right... __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3

03-10-2014, 02:30 PM	#5
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,545	you wouldn't buy an IMS car, right? I think 2006+ cars are out of the 4th car/b-day gift price range. We may look at Z3s/Z4s as a more realistic option (devil you know re:maintenance needs, etc and I have a trustworthy BMW mechanic). Really just want a fun top down car. __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3

03-10-2014, 02:11 PM	#3
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Save yourself some money and get the vette... http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...4821&d_id=1138 EDIT: Hey that place even has a truck for FC: http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...4282&d_id=1138 and one for JST: http://seldenmotors.net/cgi-bin/show...5521&d_id=1138

03-10-2014, 02:33 PM	#6
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,640	I wouldn't, no. But I also don't really like the way the 986s look, so it's a pretty easy decision for me. The IMS-affected cars would just cause me to stress out--even if I never had a problem I'd be worried about it all the time and wouldn't enjoy the car. But that's partly just my own idiosyncrasy.

03-10-2014, 03:41 PM	#7
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	FWIW, I really like the Z4. I am going to be very sad to list it in a couple of weeks. The only thing that ever bothers me is an intermittent noise that sounds like a power steering pump that needs fluid. I understand it is probably a belt tensioner of some type, but it isn't bad enough to bother looking into.

03-10-2014, 04:18 PM	#9
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,587	I've been to Selden many years ago. They tend to have cars that don't make it to CPO/first party dealers. They actually get some nice cars, I don't think the place is shady (if it is even under the same ownership), just saying...