Cefalu

The factory workshop manual reccommends that the engine be warm when you change the tubes out. Either by driving it or heating it up. Does anyone know what the factory grease is? ie silicone, etc?

My 996 came with the factory supplied optional 18" wheels, and I am using the stock tire size for the 18" rims.

This topic has been partially covered in previous posts but I thought I would share my findings. When I bought my 56K miles 996 a couple of weeks ago, I had to have it smogged to transfer title. It passed smog easily, but I noticed that the speedometer was reading 4 to 5 MPH high compared to the smog machine it was being tested on. I asked the tech about it and he said that of course his machine was right on and the cars speedo had to be off. That's not hard to believe since the rollers that spin the tires could be easily designed and constructed to consistently duplicate a correct speed. And I assume the state is going to be pretty fussy about making sure the test equipment is accurate. Wow, I thought maybe I have 50k mile car not a 56k mile car! So I performed a 64.3 mile test using a GPS that I use for sailing against the cars speedometer and odometer. All the driving was done on the freeway with the top down for optimum sattelite reception. I found that the cars speedometer was indeed 4 to 5 mph high compared to my GPS. The variation was not a % variance, it was a consistent 4 to 5 mph overstating. I also found that the cars odometer was dead on compared to the GPS track log. Thus, the car odometer was not reading high and in fact I feel comfortable that the miles on the odometer are reasonably accurate. The analog speedo is too hard to tell since the width of the needle is just about 4 to 5 mph anyway, and I didn't like staring at the analog guage while zipping down the freeway. All that said, an earlier poster made comments that all speedos regardless of manufacturer read high. I also tested the speedo of my 2005 Toyota 4Runner, and the Toyota was dead on at all speeds. I prefer knowing what speed I am actually going without having to do the extra calculations

What's your email and I'll email the two reports. I like the red one, it's a great deal. Hardtop included? But it's a tip and I wanted a 6 speed. I learned my lesson when I sold my first Porsche. people would ask is it a stick or auto. I would say it's a tip and then I would hear a "click". 911 Tips are fine for commuter cars, but you don't see too many people using them to commute, it seems they are mostly weekend cars which people want a 6 speed. But at the end of the day it's your preference.

Not to say it can't be done, but low miles for less than $20k will be a search. I just finished a similar search and can tell you your best bang for the buck will be a '99-2001. No way on the 2002 unless major issues. One advantage I hear about the '99's is they are the lightest and the simplest. More friendly for a DIY guy like me. But I guess you have to define what low miles is. I just bought a 1999 996 cab for $21.5 with 56,000 miles which I considered low miles. I also wanted to get a 2002 for the newer headlights and the 3.6, but they are all around $27k and up. Mine is just a weekend car and I didn't feel like parting with the extra cash just for a few weekend here and there. I looked at a 1999 cab with 84k miles the seller was asking $19.9 k. Very nice car and and had a suspension package he imported from Belgium, ($1,500) sport exhaust, and a brand new top with the glass window, brand new Michelin tires, tons of records and well maintained. He had spent nearly $10,000 in the last year on upgrades. But I didn't want that many miles. I also looked at a white '99 with 120k miles which was going for $14,900. I liked them all, but the 56k mile car was what I considered the best deal of the bunch. There is one '99 on ebay for around $13k which looks very nice. But it has a blown trans. I have seen rebuilt exchange trans's for around $3k, and if you were handy that might work. R&R a trans is not a tough job.

The seller does not list a VIN anywhere on his ad.

Carfax no longer has the unlimited option, I got a five pack and used them up. But I also have autocheck by experian which has a 2 month window.

I ran a car fax on the ACA one and it was reported to have frame damage..... Don't know about the other one.

Let us know how the 160 deg. thermostat performs!

I think the 996's are the best used car deal out there, besides maybe the Boxsters. I just bought a '99 996 cab with 56k miles for $21.5k. This car sold for $94k new. I had a PPI done and it's in excellent condition. Found it on autotrader. Craigslist has a bunch too.