You ever feel like the car you want is going to sold out from under you....

A930Rocket · 10-19-2013, 12:20 PM

You ever feel like the car you want is going to be sold out from under you? I found a used car in Atlanta (Jim Ellis Audi) and spoke with a salesman this morning. Told him what car I wanted and gave him my CC number for a deposit along with two questions. He said he'd have to get back to me on the questions and it would be Monday!

Is business this good or am I being jerked around?

Neilk · 10-19-2013, 12:44 PM

He figures someone may buy the car over the weekend, if not, he'll call you on Monday. If you really wanted the car, you would go in person and start the dance.

Chocaholic · 10-19-2013, 12:49 PM

Jim Ellis is h-u-g-e. Unless youre inquiring about something exotic or just very expensive (new GT3, R8, etc.), I'm guessing they're just busy. Doubt they're holding you off in case someone else buys one of the 200 Jetta's sitting on the lot.

A930Rocket · 01:18 PM

I'd go visit them, but they are 350 miles away.

It's a black 1999 996. The two questions I asked were about the clutch and IMSB.

Used 1999 Porsche 911 For Sale | Atlanta GA

What do you think of the Carfax?
CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 1999 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA/CARRERA 4

Laneco · 10-19-2013, 05:10 PM

Been in two countries and 7 different states without much evidence of maintenance. I've seen oil changes from Jiffy Lube show up in less than a week. One would think that a Porsche Dealer would be uploading these items - perhaps not. Hopefully the dealer can provide information for you in that area.

angela

widgeon13 · 10-19-2013, 06:18 PM

Seems to have had a bunch of owners over the life of the car, maybe I just don't know how to read the car fax.

DanielDudley · 10-19-2013, 06:30 PM

I wanted a used WRX in Keene NH. Put the deposit down and drove out there. It's a haul. Got there and inspected the car, started the process, and they couldn't close the deal.

Called the GM on Monday AM, had the car with a full service including timing belt and tensioners by Tuesday night, no extra charge. You want something, you have to put in your due diligence.

IF you are serious about this car, you need to call up on Monday, and go right over the salesman's head, just high enough so that everyone feels it. But you should have been there today.

A930Rocket · 07:41 PM

I've asked for records, imsb and clutch. I don't want to dump a ton of money right off the bat, so maybe I need to think twice.

Are these car DIY friendly (like the 930), as I do all my own work.

On my phone: how much is a clutch and an imsb upgrade kit (and what kit)?

1990C4S · 10-19-2013, 07:24 PM

Wow. I am still shocked how 'cheap' 996's appear to be.

RedBaron · 10-19-2013, 07:27 PM

16k with the aero package?!?!?!?

I can't wait to scoop one of these up in a few years.

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

Looks nice. My 2000 996 has almost double the mileage (almost all of it put on the car by me

), but still looks and runs great.

Yes, these are very DIY friendly cars. I do almost everything on it myself. I have an '84 Carrera too, which I do almost all my own work on too (for the past almost ten years). In most regards, the 996 is easier to work on than the 911.

Check out the very active Rennlist 996 forum for answers to anything you might wonder about. The tech forum to follow is Renntech.

Jeff Alton · 10-19-2013, 09:38 PM

Pretty DIY friendly. Clutch is a straightforward job, motor stays in car, transmission comes out. IMSB is simple once you are that far in...

Cheers

onewhippedpuppy · 10-20-2013, 04:36 AM

That is priced very well for a factory aero kit car. Enough so that I'd buy it even needing a clutch. The only thing that jumped out at me was the need for a new shift knob, Pelican and Suncoast have a variety of OE options for $300-ish. It has some variety of aftermarket exhaust as well, those aren't factory tips. Wheels are aftermarket and look like 19" to me. Beyond the obvious bling, they look to be an off brand aftermarket wheel similar to the set that came on my Boxster, which weighed a ton and never balanced right. I "downgraded" to OEM 17" wheels in that case and greatly improved the ride and handling. Porsche never approved any larger than 18" on the 986/996.

They are very easy to work on, well made and designed. I always enjoyed working on mine, overall far higher quality than most modern cars.

Chocaholic · 10-20-2013, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I've asked for records, imsb and clutch. I don't want to dump a ton of money right off the bat, so maybe I need to think twice.

Are these car DIY friendly (like the 930), as I do all my own work.

On my phone: how much is a clutch and an imsb upgrade kit (and what kit)?

Looks like several owners and time in the NW and Hawaii (salt). Mileage discrepancy looks like a typo so all should be good there. What are you going to do?

scottmandue · 10-20-2013, 08:14 AM

I would love to have a 996 someday...

But when it comes to cars I tend to get all philosophical and think if the deal falls though "it just wasn't meant to be".

A lot of fish in the sea...

Having said that... hope you get the car and hope is is a great deal.

Chocaholic · 10-20-2013, 08:54 AM

A930...sent you a pm. I'm not much closer than you are (just a different direction), but may sneak away from work and check it out early next week. About 4-5 hours round trip, so if you're going to pursue it, I'll keep my employment status in check and stay home!

If not, I may consider it. Would probably sell the MB as a result and I love that car, but would be fun to be back in a P-car again....albeit a water-cooled one! Hopefully you'll buy it and save me a sleepless night trying to decide if I need yet another car in the garage!

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I've asked for records, imsb and clutch. I don't want to dump a ton of money right off the bat, so maybe I need to think twice.

Are these car DIY friendly (like the 930), as I do all my own work.

On my phone: how much is a clutch and an imsb upgrade kit (and what kit)?

They are the easiest car I've ever worked on, no comparison to a 930. Much, much simpler under the hood and underneath. The clutch is a piece of cake if you have a lift, it's done by removing the trans from under the car, like a traditional RWD/front engine car, only pointing the other way.

I would think that at prices like these, it would be a no-brainer to install the LN IMS upgrade and drive it forever. It would instantly raise the value of the car more than the kit costs.

The car looks good but it's impossible to tell from those pictures. They suck. Too bad it's far away.

A930Rocket · 09:32 AM

Mike, I'm on the fence now. Things I hadn't noticed before have me asking questions.

Here's a growing list of questions I have. Any others to ask?

Records?
Factory exhaust? Tips look big.
Factory wheels? Look like 19's? How much tread left?
Factory aero kit?
Has the ISMB been replaced?
Has the clutch been replaced?
RMS replaced?
Original radio available?
Cam deviation reading?
Shift knob worn out?
Need higher resolution pictures.
Trade in or auction car?

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Here's my uneducated guess - you are wanting to ask a lot of questions that a high volume dealer can't/won't answer about a 14 year old used car. Too much liability. Either buy it with an after market warranty or go buy one from an enthusiast with records. For me, I'd rather pay more for a well-maintained example with records from a private party than roll the dice on a used car dealer that took this as a trade in for a minivan.

onewhippedpuppy · 10-20-2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Here's my uneducated guess - you are wanting to ask a lot of questions that a high volume dealer can't/won't answer about a 14 year old used car. Too much liability. Either buy it with an after market warranty or go buy one from an enthusiast with records. For me, I'd rather pay more for a well-maintained example with records from a private party than roll the dice on a used car dealer that took this as a trade in for a minivan.

This. The car as is is a good deal, but you're asking questions that likely won't be answered from a dealership. If you want that degree of comfort you need to buy directly from an individual owner that has kept meticulous records and over maintained the car since new. Remember that stuff like the IMS, RMS, and clutch are not typical preventative maintenance items that a dealer would do. You'll also pay dearly for that car, probably $20k+. Assuming that this car looks and drives well I would buy it all day long, do the work you mentioned, and still be in it for under $20k.