Certified Boxster - skip PPI?

[kach22i]

My friend/client tells me he saw a 2006 Boxster at the dealer with only 1,500 miles on it for $38,000.

I said get a PPI as it could have a rear main seal problem or other hidden issues. He said but it's "Porsche Certified".

Does "Porsche Certified" mean it was not in a wreck, flood, fire or other terrible thing?

He then said he does not have the money right now anyway. I said I'll post the question of what to do if one had the money.

Do dealerships even allow PPI's?

[Doug&Julie]

I doubt you'll get an independant PPI on a certified car, as the whole point to a certified car is it has been thoroughly checked (including history and background...as much as possible) and is "proven" to be a good car. Theoretically, the certification process is pretty thorough, at least as much as any PPI would go through. And evidently it does cost the dealers some money, as they get the certification from Porsche. Not exactly sure how that works, but there it is...

So the bottom line is, a 2006 car with certification shouldn't have any surprises. In fact, buying that car will provide a nice car with a nice long warranty (the remainder of the four year factory warranty and an extra two years / 100k miles total).

FWIW my car came certified, and to meet certification they replaced a leaking RMS, replaced pads and rotors, and two new rear tires (plus alignment). Oh yeah, and a 30k mile service as my car was just at that mileage. No short changing there!

[kach22i]

Thanks Doug.

[Doug&Julie]

Cheers!

[Grant Lenahan]

Its so new its probably fine. Problem is, they want to sell the car and THEY certified it. Judge and jury. french justice. Senatorial ethics review. You get the picture.

Certified is a spcific set of requirements, a 100+ point test and a warranty. In theory its good. In practice, a second opinion - like in mediecine - is always good.


A dealer can allow anything they darned well feel likeallowing. If they dont want you to check up on the car, I'd wonder why not? I've done it (with non porsches admittedly).

Given that this car is under warranty for a while my bigger questions would be around why was it turned in? how was it driven? and is there any wreck/flood/etc in its past? Just have them sign an affadivit to this extent. Then its THEIR [problem.

Grant

[HardDrive]

I bought my car from a dealer, certified. No, I did not get a PPI. You get a 2 year bumper to bumper warranty. Engine blows up? It gets fixed.

I paid a hefty premium buying from the dealer, but I don't regret it a bit. Any little thing bugs me about the car, I take it in, and it gets fixed, end of story.