When you should walk away from a used Porsche 911

An inspection can change everything when you're trying to make a decision on a used 911

The Porsche 996-generation 911 is the cheapest way into Porsche’s rear-engine sports car, but it's still a Porsche, meaning ownership costs can be dangerous for your wallet.

While essentially every air-cooled 911 has been increasing in value as of late, the first water-cooled car, aka the 996 generation, keeps getting cheaper. This cheap price comes with some risk, so a prepurchase inspection similar to the one performed here is essential if you’re looking to snap one of these up on a budget.

Early 996s have the fatal intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) problem, which, if left unchecked, can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your bank account. The 911 being inspected in this video actually has a rear main seal leak, allowing oil to slowly escape over time.

When all was said and done, the shop performing the inspection estimated there was about $5,000 worth of repairs needed to make the car right. If it only costs $15,000 from the onset, you’re still looking at a relatively inexpensive 911, but if you're thinking the costs involved in 996 ownership end with the purchase price, this video should help clarify things. 

A source: autoweek.com