Might be buying 996 tomorrow - help needed

Optical TDI · 11-20-2009, 03:45 PM

I maybe buying tomorrow (1st time Pcar soon-to-be owner) if the dealer and I come to terms on price. It's a 2002 Targa with 13,600 miles. It will come with a new CPO, so I'm not planning on having a PPI. I know some will not agree with that decision, but that's a conversation for another day.

What should I be asking about the car (already has Car Fax)?
List of items I should be checking on the car? I will have them put it on a lift so I can inspect.
Anything esle you can think of that I might miss?

Thanks in advance.

flyingpenguin · 11-20-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optical TDI

I maybe buying tomorrow (1st time Pcar soon-to-be owner) if the dealer and I come to terms on price. It's a 2002 Targa with 13,600 miles. It will come with a new CPO, so I'm not planning on having a PPI. I know some will not agree with that decision, but that's a conversation for another day.

What should I be asking about the car (already has Car Fax)?
List of items I should be checking on the car? I will have them put it on a lift so I can inspect.
Anything esle you can think of that I might miss?

Thanks in advance.

PPI is the best tool when negotiating a price. There is ALWAYS something that comes up with a PPI that you can use to reduce the price.
CPO does not cover new tires and a lot of small stuff that CAN cost you money when added up.

JP

Meister Fahrer · 11-20-2009, 03:57 PM

Targa's are cool, I guess you know they're based on the cabriolet.

Are you buying it from a Porsche dealer?
Low miles, does it also have service records?

Have you confirmed the option codes under the front hood?

Yeah, even a brake job, pads & rotors, can be expensive and wouldn't be covered by CPO.

Sounds nice, good luck and hope to see pics soon!

Marc Gelefsky · 11-20-2009, 04:01 PM

Food for thought. Bought my car from a Porsche dealer, Still got a indy PPI, It was well worth it.

BruceP · 11-20-2009, 04:03 PM

IMO, service history trumps everything, even low mileage. If I had it to do over again, I would have demanded to see the service history. And it's not just a matter of knowing if there has been some kind of chronic problem. The discipline the PO showed about maintenance will tell you a lot about the car's future.

PS Totally agree with others' comments on the wisdom of a PPI.

eric523 · 11-20-2009, 04:20 PM

If you don't know what to inspect for I doubt you're qualified to perform the inspection. Not an insult at all, but if you've never owned or seen the underbelly of one its hard to find anything in that situation. Such as seeing that the cosmolene is missing off a certain part or newer non factory gaskets sticking out.

I'd recommend a PPI as well.

soverystout · 11-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceP

IMO, service history trumps everything, even low mileage. If I had it to do over again, I would have demanded to see the service history. And it's not just a matter of knowing if there has been some kind of chronic problem. The discipline the PO showed about maintenance will tell you a lot about the car's future.

PS Totally agree with others' comments on the wisdom of a PPI.

Depending on which dealer you ask, they will not furnish the cars service history do to privacy laws. If you can get it, great! If they so no don't be suprised.

The CPO certification commands that during the inspection that the brakes and tires are at least 80%. My CPO'd car came with new conti 2s and new brakes all around. Same goes for the shocks.

Sounds like a great car.

deckman · 11-20-2009, 04:39 PM

I agree with Bruce. Service history is a good indicator of how happy you will be as an owner.

ivangene · 11-20-2009, 04:47 PM

Naw - spend your time learning and then buy one without using the knowledge you learned - or just skip the first step, get all googlie eyed and spend your money on the shiny one!

rpm's S2 · 11-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Service records from the PCNA database are not private. I would want to know the service history of the car. A car with that low of mileage was probably dealer-serviced.

I would think that service history is also important in this respect: A low-mileage car with 8 years under its belt is probably due for a 30k service. That can get pretty expensive at the dealer.

So:

Dealer service records (from their PCNA database)
30k service (throw it in as part of the deal)
Tires (if they are original there could be dry rot problems)
Brakes (8 year old fluid - no thanks)

As for a PPI, the CPO warranty takes a lot of the reason for a PPI off the table. And unless there is a high quality private shop nearby, the dealer is the place to have that done... a Catch-22 of sorts.

Good Luck!

Pictures!

Thundertub · 11-20-2009, 05:25 PM

One small thing: I would not put much stock on the Car Fax. Out of curiosity, I paid for a full Car Fax report on my car this past summer, owned since new, and was stunned by what WASN'T there for which I have the receipts and repair bills.
Also, my records and receipts are complete, but it doesn't take much effort to slip one out of the pile if someone wanted to hide something, say a comment by the mechanic about impending repair needs.

I think the CPO is your salvation in this area. A PPI would also be a good idea and worth the money.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Michael-Dallas · 11-20-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soverystout

The CPO certification commands that during the inspection that the brakes and tires are at least 80%. My CPO'd car came with new conti 2s and new brakes all around. Same goes for the shocks.

Same here on my old C4S.

///Michael

Edgy01 · 11-20-2009, 05:44 PM

Best of luck with the purchase. Really test out that Targa top mechanism well. If it binds or does anything else weird--WALK! It will cost a fortune to troubleshoot and fix.

BruceP · 11-20-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpm's S2

Service records from the PCNA database are not private.

Correct. When I bought mine, the sales guy wouldn't give me the service records prior to the sale and used privacy as the excuse. But when I was later able to get hold of them, the printouts had no owner information on them at all. Just the VIN, mileage, nature of the complaint and action taken, printed right off PCNA's system.

If they resist, insist.

buzztt · 11-20-2009, 06:59 PM

add up all the things that could be wrong, worn or damaged that are not covered by cpo then if that number is greater than the cost of the ppi you are making a bad decision by not getting a ppi

its not open for debate like which color is the best, its a fact that its best to get a ppi

carfax is not 100% reliable, that is a fact also

i'm not trying to be a d*ck, i just want to instill how important a ppi is

welcome and good luck with the purchase

11-20-2009, 03:45 PM	#1
Optical TDI Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 141	Might be buying 996 tomorrow - help needed I maybe buying tomorrow (1st time Pcar soon-to-be owner) if the dealer and I come to terms on price. It's a 2002 Targa with 13,600 miles. It will come with a new CPO, so I'm not planning on having a PPI. I know some will not agree with that decision, but that's a conversation for another day. What should I be asking about the car (already has Car Fax)? List of items I should be checking on the car? I will have them put it on a lift so I can inspect. Anything esle you can think of that I might miss? Thanks in advance.

11-20-2009, 03:57 PM	#3
Meister Fahrer Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,602	Targa's are cool, I guess you know they're based on the cabriolet. Are you buying it from a Porsche dealer? Low miles, does it also have service records? Have you confirmed the option codes under the front hood? Yeah, even a brake job, pads & rotors, can be expensive and wouldn't be covered by CPO. Sounds nice, good luck and hope to see pics soon! __________________ - Dave, '99 C2, manual, LSD, 15/15mm H&R spacers, aluminum gauge rings, silver hood crest, Fabspeed Auspuff mit highly polished stock tips. '07 Audi A3 Sport DSG; '01 Eurovan MultiVan; '62 Bug Cabrio 1600lbs on Cookie Cutters running self-built 2110 with ~170hp. IT, Telecom, So Cal.

11-20-2009, 04:01 PM	#4
Marc Gelefsky Super Moderator Lifetime Rennlist Member Join Date: May 1998 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 9,695	Food for thought. Bought my car from a Porsche dealer, Still got a indy PPI, It was well worth it. __________________ Marc Gelefsky 02 996 Coupe 6 Speed Aero 86 911 Carrera Targa - Guards Red 00 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon - Winter Beater, Dog & Kid Hauler 04 Audi Allroad 2.7T 6 Speed - Wife's Ride Gone - 88 951, 87 951, 86 944na, 85.5 944na x2, 01 Boxster S

11-20-2009, 04:03 PM	#5
BruceP User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,869	IMO, service history trumps everything, even low mileage. If I had it to do over again, I would have demanded to see the service history. And it's not just a matter of knowing if there has been some kind of chronic problem. The discipline the PO showed about maintenance will tell you a lot about the car's future. PS Totally agree with others' comments on the wisdom of a PPI. Last edited by BruceP; 11-20-2009 at 04:03 PM. Reason: Added PS

11-20-2009, 04:39 PM	#8
deckman Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD Posts: 742	I agree with Bruce. Service history is a good indicator of how happy you will be as an owner. __________________ Sig by Chads996 2003 C2 - Gone

11-20-2009, 04:20 PM	#6
eric523 User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 41	If you don't know what to inspect for I doubt you're qualified to perform the inspection. Not an insult at all, but if you've never owned or seen the underbelly of one its hard to find anything in that situation. Such as seeing that the cosmolene is missing off a certain part or newer non factory gaskets sticking out. I'd recommend a PPI as well.

11-20-2009, 04:47 PM	#9
ivangene Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington State - Near Seattle Posts: 6,083	Naw - spend your time learning and then buy one without using the knowledge you learned - or just skip the first step, get all googlie eyed and spend your money on the shiny one!

11-20-2009, 04:58 PM	#10
rpm's S2 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 948	Service records from the PCNA database are not private. I would want to know the service history of the car. A car with that low of mileage was probably dealer-serviced. I would think that service history is also important in this respect: A low-mileage car with 8 years under its belt is probably due for a 30k service. That can get pretty expensive at the dealer. So: Dealer service records (from their PCNA database) 30k service (throw it in as part of the deal) Tires (if they are original there could be dry rot problems) Brakes (8 year old fluid - no thanks) As for a PPI, the CPO warranty takes a lot of the reason for a PPI off the table. And unless there is a high quality private shop nearby, the dealer is the place to have that done... a Catch-22 of sorts. Good Luck! Pictures! __________________ Ralph 2002 Orient Red Metallic Coupe ex - '93 968 ex - '89 944 S2 ex - '77 911S (R.I.P.) Porsche Club of America - Hurricane Region

11-20-2009, 05:25 PM	#11
Thundertub Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 479	One small thing: I would not put much stock on the Car Fax. Out of curiosity, I paid for a full Car Fax report on my car this past summer, owned since new, and was stunned by what WASN'T there for which I have the receipts and repair bills. Also, my records and receipts are complete, but it doesn't take much effort to slip one out of the pile if someone wanted to hide something, say a comment by the mechanic about impending repair needs. I think the CPO is your salvation in this area. A PPI would also be a good idea and worth the money. Just my opinion. I could be wrong. __________________ Mark '99 C2 coupe. Red... gotta be red.

11-20-2009, 05:44 PM	#13
Edgy01 Poseur Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 10,313	Best of luck with the purchase. Really test out that Targa top mechanism well. If it binds or does anything else weird--WALK! It will cost a fortune to troubleshoot and fix. __________________ Dan 06 997S PCCB Hard-Top Cabrio Turq. Blue, Nat. Brn Leather http://www.rennteam.com/photopost/sh...00&ppuser=8756

11-20-2009, 06:59 PM	#15
buzztt Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 383	add up all the things that could be wrong, worn or damaged that are not covered by cpo then if that number is greater than the cost of the ppi you are making a bad decision by not getting a ppi its not open for debate like which color is the best, its a fact that its best to get a ppi carfax is not 100% reliable, that is a fact also i'm not trying to be a d*ck, i just want to instill how important a ppi is welcome and good luck with the purchase