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Follow the 918 and C arrera GT in the: Supercars Forum
03-04-2008, 10:50 AM
Chads996
Addict
Rennlist Member
#1
The Ultimate Preowned 996 Buying guide.
With prices dropping down to right around reasonable for the preowned 996, I decided to prepare a write-up about finding one and what to expect.
The first thing to remember before even thinking about buying a Porsche 996... ...understand that the 996 brand new was a $70K to well over
$100K vehicle. Parts and repairs ARE and can be quite expensive. After all, this is not a C amry.
With that said...
...I hope this helps folks out there find their dream car.
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1. My first, and most important advice - find a dependable, skilled Independant Porsche Specialist to perform a PRE-PURC HASE INSPEC TION or PPI
near the car you have selected. This will be the BEST money you ever spent. Be sure to have the shop perform a solid checklist and have them
send it to you. This will document the inspection and provide you with a detailed list of items that may need to be addressed. I do NOT advise on
using the Previous Owners shop. Pick one on your own and work out the details with the owner. I will often use smaller items like tires or light
maintenance as a bargaining tool. If the tires needed cost $1000, take a $1000 off the price.
Most Previous Owners are happy to bring their car in. If they balk at the idea...I would walk from that car. My preferred method is to send a $5001000 deposit that is contingent on the PPI. If the car fails the inspection - I cancel the check and walk. Simple as that.
2. Use your head and not your heart when buying a Porsche. I know this is often easier said than done. Do your very best to listen to your gut.
Research and learn everything you can to get yourself acquainted with these cars. Knowledge is a great tool for negotiation as well. The more you
know, the better chance you will have at getting a good deal and a great car.
3. Finding cars. There are many 996's located across the U.S. I always look for my car's all over the country. Many of my best finds have been in
remote locations. As an added bonus, my wife and I have had some great adventures driving our new car home from across the country. If you do
not wish to drive, shipping cars is quite easy as well. Be sure to search out a recommended, quality carrier.
4. The previous owner. I ALWAYS like to talk to these people. Are they car enthusiasts? Do they know about their cars? Or, is this guy a poser who
simply knows nothing? These questions will tell you if the car has been taken car of. My personal choice is to buy a car from a PC A member or a full
Porsche enthusiast. These folks love their cars and it truly shows.
5. Buy from a dealer? My personal preference is no. Why? Often the prices are inflated and the car may simply be an auction car with an obscure
history. HOWEVER - there are some VERY reputable pre-owned dealers out there who offer C PO cars and good pricing. If you are comfortable with
that direction, that is your discretion. However, I advise checking out the dealer before purchasing. That "Buy here, Pay Here" dealer is NOT the
place to buy your Porsche.
6. Mileage. This is often debated. My preference is to find a lighter to middle mileage example. Nothing less than 25K and nothing more then 50K
mile on the odometer. Why? Anything less than 20-25K leads me to believe the car has been sitting. (again speak to the Previous Owner) Letting a
vehicle sit is one the the worst things that can happen to any machine. C ondensation, oxidation, the elements and time will ruin many of the internal
components. I learned this hard lesson on my 1st Porsche. It was a 1988 944 Turbo that sat for 5 years in a conditioned garage. $4000 in
maintenance costs later, the car was back to shape. Don't make that same mistake I did. On the other side, cars with higher mileage have a
tendency to be properly maintained and "fresh." Please note - it is my personal preference to buy performance cars that are less than 50K miles.
While there are some excellent examples, previous experience has taught me to look for the car with miles in the middle. 30-40K is my magic
number for me.
6. Take your time. Don't be in a rush to find that car. There are plenty out there. Pick your color and the primary options you want and go hunting.
I have often found the hunt to be as fun as buying. My present car took me 6 years to find. Be patient. It will be worth your time.
7. Enjoy yourself. After all, you're buying a Porsche. Not many people in this great world can afford to do that. Enjoy the experience.
Lastly, I am sure I could keep adding things to this list. The points above are my basic "Porsche Bible" for buying a used performance car.
Everyone has had their share of bad experiences. Myself included. Learn from those, take these points and go find that perfect car.
Enjoy your Porsche and keep the shiny side up.
best,
C had
Information Resources:
www.pca.org
www.rennlist.com
www.wikipedia.org
www.renntech.org
1998-2004 Porsche 996 C arrera 2 Workshop manuals
www.porsche.com/usa/
"Porsche: The Essence of Performance" 2000 Publications Intl.
"Excellence" Magazine - Bruce Anderson's Market Report
Porsche 996 The Essential Companion - by Adrian Streather
__________________
C had Austin - C ar-a-holic / Tool junky / Design Guru
Rennlist member# 000917-2102
Last edited by Chads996; 05-18-2008 at 09:47 AM.
03-04-2008, 11:04 AM
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/414586-the-ultimate-preowned-996-buying-guide.html
#2
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Chads996
Addict
Rennlist Member
Folks: Please add any other items to look for if I missed some. I will update the list as needed.
C.
__________________
C had Austin - C ar-a-holic / Tool junky / Design Guru
Rennlist member# 000917-2102
03-04-2008, 11:33
AM
cdodkin
Supe r Use r
I'd add - ask the owner where the car was serviced last by Porsche - call the dealership and ask the service manager for the full service history on the car - tells you
a whole lot of useful stuff you'd want to know...
C omes in pages like this
03-04-2008, 11:37 AM
#4
pl
Supe r Use r
i will scan the 2 page porsche ppi report when i got home tonight.
03-04-2008, 11:37 AM
#5
Trj
Addict
Rennlist Member
When were the coolant tanks updated. I have an 03 that leaks. Thanks.
__________________
03 996 C 2
1990 Spec Miata
01 Z06
Automotive ADHD
Past cars...
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3/14/2014
03-04-2008, 11:43 AM
#6
cdodkin
Supe r Use r
Q uote :
03-04-2008, 12:03 PM
#7
Slakr
Use r
Not sure of this board's protocol...but if there is a way to "pin" this to the top of the board.....I would like to request it.......this is good stuff that will
only get better as the "experts" add to it.....thank-you so much.....
03-04-2008, 12:11 PM
#8
JBRipps
Use r
nice....
'05 C 4S is a 996 MKII as well.
J
03-04-2008, 12:11 PM
#9
Aquary
Use r
03-04-2008, 12:14 PM
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/414586-the-ultimate-preowned-996-buying-guide.html
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pl
Supe r Use r
Q uote :
03-04-2008, 12:25 PM
Chads996
Addict
Rennlist Member
Q uote :
Since most cars are now being maintained by Indy's, I think requesting the maintenance records applies to this. Even with my own cars, I have always kept a the shop
records...even from Porsche Dealers.
This would likely apply to newer cars. However, I stand by my recommendation of buying a car that has paperwork with it.
C.
__________________
C had Austin - C ar-a-holic / Tool junky / Design Guru
Rennlist member# 000917-2102
03-04-2008, 12:38 PM
#12
VGM911
Use r
03-04-2008, 12:39 PM
#13
cdodkin
Supe r Use r
Q uote :
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3/14/2014
03-04-2008, 12:42 PM
#14
Chads996
Addict
Rennlist Member
Q uote :
03-04-2008, 12:44 PM
#15
Chads996
Addict
Rennlist Member
Q uote :
C.
__________________
C had Austin - C ar-a-holic / Tool junky / Design Guru
Rennlist member# 000917-2102
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