Znoland3

I am looking at a low mileage 2014 base cayman through a used car dealer. It is a good deal. I ordered a PPI through through a local Porsche dealer that discovered frame damage. The damage was not mentioned by the used car dealer or car fax.

Is this worth trying to fix and have the seller lower the price to accommodate (and also account for impact to resale?). I am planning to just walk, but curious on other people’s perspectives.

The Porsche specialist I talked with at the Porsche dealer said this should absolutely be fixed or risk water damage. The damage is part of the unibody and would need to be cut out and replaced. At least $5k+ repair and then it would be listed on carfax as frame damage.

Znoland3

I am also researching to see if I could get away with just not fixing it, but not sure if it is structural. The car is in Indiana and I live in California where there are less elements, so I could just try to drive less in the rain.

rowingone

Most body shops or welding shops would do this repair without reporting to carfax . . it will effect the value when you resell so try and get the price down some to compensate and yes I would get it repaired . . should be able to get it done for much less than $5k

Znoland3

Really appreciate the feedback. After the repair, do you think there would be any noticeable impact to handling?

rowingone

No. It is not a difficult repair.

rowingone

And yes it is structural . . hard to tell from the pics but it appears the suspension mounts were not impacted by the damage.

rstarga

resembles the belly pan in air cooled 911's. very common replacement in 911s'

Znoland3

More pics

Znoland3

Video - https://tomwood0-my.sharepoint.com/p...rCopied%2Eview

rowingone

I am not sure what your state laws on used cars are with "frame damage" and whether you will have to get the car inspected with an out of state title but in Colorado this car could probably not be sold by a licensed dealer without changing the title to Salvage . . not a minor thing in terms of resale value.

wildcat077

Goes to show why a thorough PPI is recommended when purchasing a car of value ... saves the buyer from unexpected surprises in the end !
If the cost of the repair is in the 5K figure and you want the car , definitely tell the buyer to get with the program or walk away ...
You might want to try posting this on the Cayman forum , lots more specific knowledge there.

Cheers
Phil

Znoland3

Ah, shoot. I meant to post to the 981 forum. Thank you all for your input here.

josephvman

Wrong forum, but definitely walk. It's not a rare car; plenty of them that don't have frame damage.

Znoland3

Thank you all for your help. I decided to walk. It wasn’t worth the headache.

Dr. 914

too many out there to suffer buying a car with un repaired damage like that, unless the car is substantially cheaper. Remember if you ever resell it you too will have to take much less. Would be different if it was, say, a Porsche speedster or roadster where beggars cannot be choosers.