I'm in the market to buy a 2002 Carrera cab and I have a few questions:
1. What are some of the mechanical issues I should be aware of before buying one?
2. Is the 2002 the best choice for a 40k price range.
3. How can I tell if the odometer has been tampered with?
or how would one disconnect the odometer so I can back track it and see if I can notice anything.
The cars I've looked at have me a little cautious because I noticed on cars with 40-50k mileage stated that when I feel the front rotors, I feel a lip as if the brakes had worn the rotor down. When I did the same check at a dealer with the same mileage, there was no lip.
I have owned a 1979 Sc and I currently have a 1991 C2 and at 40-50k miles, I never have a lip on the rotors.
Any information will be appreciated.

 

Great question and there are more knowledgeable people than i to answer your question, but i will add a little.

The older 996's had a problem with the overflow bottle breaking at about 4-6 years. It is expensive but not scary to replace. The center led screen can fail if in a few years if it sees very cold weather or it is pressed upon alot. These are about $2500 to fix. If you look at the display you will see missing data pixels if it is going bad.

My 1999 withy 40,000 miles has been perfect and a 2002 should be as good or probably better. I have done nothing to the brakes or engine or anything. I just drive the car. it is my everyday driver and i love it.

Porsche as a side bar is #1 in reliability for the first 5 years of ownership according to JD Power.

Good luck with whatever you buy,

Lee