Getting a PPI doesn't seem realistic or possible.

[wdfifteen]

Years ago my BIL gave me a sword as kind of a joke. The thing is, it's a real sword. Sharp, heavy, about 3 feet long with a 2 2/3 foot handle (or whatever you call it). It's probably worth something, but I don't know where/how to market it. Any ideas from the brain trust.

I do need new tines for my rototiller. If I only had a forge.

[Bill Douglas]

A bad 911 purchase can become a nightmare.

Please, do it in an orderly manner and don't let the seller rush you into something. Or be fooled into handing over money early in the transaction thinking you are getting a bargan.

You must get a headstud check done. This is the difference between waking up with a $10,000 hangover and waking up with a smile.

If there are genuine receits showing work done, sure take the risk, but I wouldn't.

I bought a 911 from the other side of the world, sight unseen, and managed to get an extensive PPI done so you should be able to manage a local one.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by john70t

Engine condition can be quickly triaged externally:
-Using the multiple functions of a manifold vacuum gauge (i.e. wandering/bouncing/low needle indicates different engine problems),
-Looking for burn marks on dipstick and oil cap,
-Looking for oil leaks underneath,
-Listening for bearing noise with a stethoscope probe,
-Read codes with an OBD2 scanner(there are hundreds of differing quality) $20 Amazon.com: U281 OBD2 OBDII CAN Auto Scanner Code Reader AirBag ABS Reset TooL VW Audi Skoda: MP3 Players & Accessories
-Back pressure tester at the tailpipe, $40 Tool Aid 33600 Exhaust Back Pressure Tester - Amazon.com
-Testing CO $220 Gunson Gastester Exhaust Gas Analyzer Tester | eBay.

Get a Carfax or other and check panel gaps and signs of respraying at the edges of panels.

Look at owner service records.

That's a start. The test tools are reusable or sellable.

Some of this advice is solid, other is goofy. We're talking about a guy who is not even competent to look at a used car on the street, (apparently), and you're suggesting advanced engine diagnostic procedures and tools?

The cheapo Gunson gas tester would not even work w/o perfect ambient air conditions and knowing exactly how to use it. I have one, so I know. It's a crude instrument.

And an OBD2 scanner is not going to be of much use on a car that was built anywhere from 7-18 years before OBD2 was introduced.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Interesting comments regarding cash sales. Maybe that's why the bank always looks at me funny when I withdraw for a car? Lots of scams out there, but a buyer with cash in his hand isn't one of them.

[speeder]

At least have enough cash on hand to seal the deal and ride together to the bank. Until money comes out, it's just talk.

[Embraer]

I paid cash for the fcar. stopped at the guys house as I was driving home...saw the car outside. asked if he wanted to sell it. he said, maybe...wanna drive it? I said yes. made a deal right then. stopped at bank on way home. took him lots of cash the next day. easy.

[Embraer]

btw...getting shops to do PPI's is hard these days. they don't want the liability.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by speeder

We're talking about a guy who is not even competent to look at a used car on the street, (apparently), and you're suggesting advanced engine diagnostic procedures and tools?

But, on the other hand, look at his handle.

[Rick Lee]

A good 25 year old 911 should have service records that look like the congressional record. No records or "a valve job a couple years ago" would be one seriously sketchy car. What ever happened to real Porsche owners??

I've had my 993 for 11 yrs, DIY everything and I still have a near milk crate's worth of receipts, maint log book and even a computer file of photos of me doing the work. But I'll never sell it, so he records don't mean much.

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Lots of scams out there, but a buyer with cash in his hand isn't one of them.

But a seller who knows the buyer has cash could be...

Woman 'robbed of $19,000 diamond ring she advertized on Craigslist' | Mail Online

Craigslist Seller Uses iPhone 5 Ad In Armed Robbery | Indiana's NewsCenter: News, Sports, Weather, Fort Wayne WPTA-TV, WISE-TV, and CW | Local

Craigslist Scam Turns Into Robbery

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

1) This is how it will have to be. You do your best with a checklist, and pray for some luck.

2) Not going to happen. He's getting the sale either way. He's not going to drop the price when the next 5 guys (or Ebay bidders) are not going to bother with a PPI. I've had one seller even tell me the agreed upon price is fixed regardless of PPI results. (So, what's the point of the PPI?)

3) Towing is prohibitive, and seller is just not going to allow it with this much other action in the market. I think the only way is to drive to a remote rural place to buy the car. But, that makes shopping for cars an entire process. Like setting aside a weekend to drive 5 hours into the backwoods. Plus, at that point, who knows how many hours away a PPI shop will be.

This is how I bought all my cars private party, including my 911.

It's your money. If you were a seller and wouldn't let me look, well you get the finger. Few with that much disposable cash are NOT that desperate to play on those terms- unless it's a hillbilly who won the lottery. Remember, these cars are 30 years old, it's just nostalgia, not cutting edge tech.

Frankly, you're trying too hard. Wait and see what comes along.

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by Embraer

I paid cash for the fcar. stopped at the guys house as I was driving home...saw the car outside. asked if he wanted to sell it. he said, maybe...wanna drive it? I said yes. made a deal right then. stopped at bank on way home. took him lots of cash the next day. easy.

Dang. Nice to be able to make those choices. Makes you popular around holidays i'll bet

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Interesting comments regarding cash sales. Maybe that's why the bank always looks at me funny when I withdraw for a car? Lots of scams out there, but a buyer with cash in his hand isn't one of them.

20 questions. I got that when I cashed out my last one

"So, what's this for?"

I told him "I'm investing in a hot stock a barmaid told me about last night, and I needed to hurry to get the best deal"

Shut the teller up.

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

depending on where you are finding these cars, I would NEVER EVER show up to a place with that much cash...just asking for trouble. If you can't find a seller willing to work with you, you're not being patient enough. The 911 market isn't always this white hot so if you absolutely have to have one this minute, you need to rethink how much you're willing to spend because it sounds like you want a good deal, a thorough PPI and a seller to put up with all that. If that is the case, join the rest of the 911 buying world.

Yep, I drive to a local bank (Wells is everywhere) withdraw cash on the spot or cashier's check there with seller watching.

rjp

[Baz]

PPI's are for cars with such a high selling price....they are going to sit a little while.

Those kind of cars and buyers you can sometimes get the PPI done for.

Other cars are priced to sell quickly. Those cars can be evaluated yourself or with the assistance of a Porsche-knowledgeable friend or acquaintance.

Sometimes buying a car is going to entail risk....your job as a buyer is to minimize that risk as much as possible.

What Bill said in post #22 about "head studs" is mandatory for all SC's (and maybe some 3.2 cars too - what say you brain-trust?)

In any event...the thing with the PPI is - the shop gives you the report with no recommendation whether to buy or not. Their job is just to provide an inspection and do some tests. That's all. It's up to you to decide whether to buy or not based on their "inspection". That's how a PPI is supposed to work.

HTH....

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by speeder

First of all, if the car is on eBay, the seller MUST allow inspections prior to bidding. It's clearly stated in the rules, several different places. If he refuses, you can get the auction cancelled. Remind him of this if he balks.

Secondly, the whole $1k ppi talk is just bananas. If you have a modicum of automotive knowledge, you can eliminate most older used cars before you even open a door or hatch. I can eliminate them from 100 yards away sometimes. If a car passes all of the initial sniff tests and drives right, stories line up, etc., then you should be able to find someone local to put it on a rack for 30 minutes and pull wheels off to check brakes, look or leaks, etc.

Do you live in some remote place where there is no one competent to look at a Porsche? If so, I'd seriously reconsider ownership if you do not have the ability/tools/inclination to maintain it yourself. It could be a major drag.

LOL I've been around so many cars I don't even bother to lift 'em anymore. Bring a flashlight and my code reader (if needed) and go....Reckless, I know but I trust my instinct..

My last purchase literally took me 20 minutes- I was in LA remember eating tacos and the CL ad just got posted. 30 minutes later, done. Figured anything I'd missed I'll just fix.

So far out of that last deal I've had to fix a sunroof, head light adjusters and seat mechanism, and a blower resistor. About $200 in misc. parts and a few hours of work..Car runs perfect otherwise, no oil, no smoke no nothing. 150K now.

rjp

[enzo1]

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

But a seller who knows the buyer has cash could be...

Woman 'robbed of $19,000 diamond ring she advertized on Craigslist' | Mail Online

Craigslist Seller Uses iPhone 5 Ad In Armed Robbery | Indiana's NewsCenter: News, Sports, Weather, Fort Wayne WPTA-TV, WISE-TV, and CW | Local

Craigslist Scam Turns Into Robbery

Common sense ain't so common.... Stupid people are easy to take advantage of.

[scottmandue]

Isn't there some legal limit to how much cash you can carry on your person (war on drugs law passed decades ago)?

I don't agree with the law just seem to remember hearing about it.

Personally I always paid with a cashiers check... carrying that much cash would give me a heart attack!

Back to the OP, where are you located? Maybe you could find a friendly pelicanhead to check the car out with/for you. Obviously some of these guys have Porsche juice pumping in their veins.

[speeder]

Isn't there some legal limit to how much cash you can carry on your person (war on drugs law passed decades ago)?

I don't agree with the law just seem to remember hearing about it.

Personally I always paid with a cashiers check... carrying that much cash would give me a heart attack!

Back to the OP, where are you located? Maybe you could find a friendly pelicanhead to check the car out with/for you. Obviously some of these guys have Porsche juice pumping in their veins.

I sold a car for a friend last year while he was out of the country for a while. Due to some issues with depositing it all into his account @ Chase, I just took the $34k in hundreds and walked home, about 2 miles through the center of the city on a Sat afternoon. Not a care in the world.