Buying a 911 long distance

[Sonic dB]

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[skipdup]

Where is it? Maybe someone local could look at it for you...

[Sonic dB]

Hi Skip, I just put a deposit down on the car to hold it till I get it inspected. Im in So Cal. Maybe I will have it shipped to me...

Skip...Im sending you a Private Message...

[pwd72s]

You might ask the dealer if he'd mind if the car goes to an independent shop for a PPI...

[techweenie]

I won a 993 C2S on an eBay auction two years ago. It was a Porsche dealer in San Antonio. Had them send it to an independent shop that found evidence of extensive repainting the dealer was not aware of. Unwound the deal.

An independent PPI is vital. But make sure the shop regularly deals with 993s.

[Sonic dB]

The car is in Houston... Dealer welcomes a PPI on-site of course...and Im going to try and get it set up on Monday. Anyone know of a PPI shop in Houston that will do on-site inspections?

[Seahawk]

Sonic,

I bought a car long distance and it worked out well. The car I eventually bought was the sixth car I "looked at" long distance.
What worked for me:

- Narrow your choice. I wanted a 964 Targa in the best condition I could find. That really helped me ask the right questions, both here and on Rennlist. The sheer amount of different Porsche's available make it hard to do the proper amount of homework, IMHO, without bounding the make, model and series you really want. Knowledge is indeed power.

- PPI. Regional PCA contacts or local Pelicans (in my case I called the local PCA's) can help with finding the right, impartial PPI. I looked at two dealer cars, both allowed me to take the car to a local shop for an independant look. I discounted one after the PPI and travelled to look at the other. See below. I did not buy the car.

- Digital pics. The more, the better.

- If the PPI checks out, have the dealer/owner copy and fax service records. I paid for the copies and the fax. It helped me understand the maintenance the vehicle actually received, especially the all important milage based maintanance. I discounted a car because the owner declined to give me the copies. Hey, if I'm flying two thousand miles to look at a car, the owner can take an hour to give me the details post PPI.

- Carfax. This service elimanated two cars off the bat.

- Manage YOUR expectations. I almost bought the wrong car. PPI was indifferent, but I almost got caught up in the, "I've come this far, paid for the trip and the PPI, I think I can make this workitis". The very next car I looked at, about 500 miles away, was the one I bought...and worth every additional effort and cost. The drive home remains a cherished memory.

Enjoy the search...I met some great folks and had a lot of fun. I am sure others will have better suggestions: listen to them, there are some really well intentioned folks on this board.
All the best.

[Sonic dB]

Thanks for the advice Seahawk.

The CarFax comes out clean and shows 1-2 owners. Car has lower mileage for the year. The pics look great and the price seems fair...significantly lower than similar cars here on the West Coast.

I gave the sales person my credit card to hold the car until I get it inspected. He tells me that if it does not inspect well, then I will get the $500 deposit back.

He also sent me a worksheet that looks very much like a contract with numbers written in on it. Im not signing that obviously... So the dealer is moving pretty fast...but is open to allowing a PPI from whomever I choose. Im thinking that if it checks out on PPI, then I will fly out there late next week and check it out in person and possibly do the deal then.

Its a little scary to buy long distance.... however to be honest, Ive been completely shocked at the lowlife crappy cars that are trying to be passed off here in So Cal. The 993 crop is very limited out here and everyone one that I have looked at has significant history.

[Seahawk]

Sonic,

I just noticed your post count...sorry for the, "this is a great board" comment. No more wine with lunch!
If you do buy the car, take the long way home...

[Sonic dB]

I know SoCal... Im not saying that crappy low life cars do not exist only in So Cal...of course they exist everywhere!

Maybe Im generalizing...but Ive looked at quite a few 993s and have found either owners not representing them accurately, service records not available, CarFaxes showing misrepresentation of mileage, etc. I had a car PPId just yesterday and immediately the garage found $10K in things needing immediate fixing. The owner refused to budge at all from his asking price, which was high to begin with...so the deal was off.

Also in So Cal, Ive found that the 993s seem to be 10-20% higher priced than those in other parts of the US. KBB in fact rates the selling price of the same 993 that I am looking at to be about $4K higher in So Cal..

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I just need to find a shop that will travel and do the PPI in Houston.

[Jims5543]

I bought long distance. I paid for 3 failed PPI's before I found the right car. The PPI was important to me to flush out major problems. I was not concerned with some small projects.

The best part of my purchase was the flight out and the drive home all 2000 miles of the drive home were pure bliss. Now I try to fin reasons to take her out for a spin.

The PPI is the perfect 1st step. My fingers are crossed you found a winner.

[Dixie]

My advice:

After you perform all the long distance due-diligence you think is warranted..

Get on a plane, fly out, and look the car over on your own. Be picky, as you'll subconsciously try to convince yourself that it's a great deal after spending money to fly out. Take the car to yet another shop for a PPI in your presence. Look the car over yourself while it's on the lift.

Only buy the car if you like what you see with your own eyes...

[epbrown]

I've bought several cars long distance. Hell, I bought a BMW Z4 yesterday from a place in Iowa; drove it back last night.

My personal take is to get comfortable with the person selling the car, and go in knowing as much as you can. I've passed on lots of "great deals" because the seller didn't seem knowledgeable or forthcoming. Discuss known weaks spots and see what they have to say, ask who worked on the car, and get some pics. If possible, have a local swing by and take a look at it - if you've ever seen the Pelicans dissecting an eBay car, you know how critical we can be. The best owners are proud of how well they've kept the car up, and that'll show.

Once I've found one of those, I move forward, usually without a PPI, because I haven't had luck with them. On one car, the reputable shop missed a problem with the brakes that I spotted immediately - after I'd flown 700 miles on their say-so. On the other, the car was in perfect shape and I knew it, but everyone nagged me and I shelled out the dough.

In the case of the Z4 I picked up yesterday, I had the advantage of buying a car that's still under warranty (27 months remaining) with full service records - I had a local BMW center run the VIN.

Emanuel

[Sonic dB]

Hey...the car passed the PPI with flying colours. The Porsche garage liked the car very much. All of the leakdowns were 1 to 2% per cylinder. I pick the car up on Friday and am driving it home to CA over the weekend. Thanks to everyone who contributed with your excellent advice.

Can't wait to take those dumb stickers off of the windshield...

[jorian]

Beautiful rig. Congrats. I envy your drive home.

[jkarolyi]

Sheez...what a beauty! If it's not too nosy, what price did you steal it for? If you'd rather not say I understand.

[Sonic dB]

Ill tell you later...after the ink is dry and the car is safe and home.

[skipdup]

Sonic- Good for you!

[kach22i]

How come Porsche never switched around the windshield wipers afther all those years?

Dang nice car..............details please (miles, price).

What's up with the Porsche dealer "Certified Cars" they keep advertising?

http://www22.porsche.com/usa/pre-owned-vehicles/approved/warranty/

The Porsche Approved Limited Warrany offers full peace of mind. Porsche Cars N.A. will repair or replace with a new part distributed by Porsche Cars N.A. any factory-installed part that is faulty in material or workmanship under normal use. Warranty coverage is Limited to the following components:

* Engine (engine block and all engine internal parts but excluding exhaust system)
* Cooling System
* Fuel System
* Electrical System
* Transmission
* Drive Train
* Suspension and Steering
* ABS Brake System
* Brake System
* Heater/ Air Conditioner

The warranty does not cover:

* Wear and tear
* Emission Control Systems and Corrosion
* Abuse, accident, acts of nature, competition, racing, or track use or events beyond the manufactures control.
* Vehicles that have not been serviced in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

For further information, please download the following document.

What does this typically add to the price/value of the car?

[skipdup]

Sonic- Are you concerned about Rita? Have you escalated your time-table for pick-up?