993 help!

John Velasco · 01:03 PM

I have the soon to be my new 993 4s at my mechanics and find that it may have been misrepresented on the equipment list and some maintenance. I can use some advice and your thoughts on this car.

It is a 1997 4s with white wheels (factory). I have posted some pictures last week. It has 9 way adjustable shocks euro fog lamps 10 speaker stereo, power seats, sport induction, new p03 tires, the front brakes have 60 % and the rear brakes need pads. The rotors are within spec. The driver’s seat right bolster has some ware. The throttle position sensor has thrown a code and needs looking into, it’s only showing full on and full off. The 60,000 miles service was said to be done but I’m suspect and will have it redone. The car is riding to low and will need to be adjusted and alignment completed. It has a minor leak at one of the cylinder head bolts but I’m told this is not a big deal at this point. The body on the car is in good condition, my mechanic found a couple of minor door dings but to be honest I didn’t see them and I was all over the car. The bumper has been repainted as well as the wheels and was done well but it has a bumper guard and whoever painted the bumper put it on wrong (minor). The car is exactly the colors I wanted white with grey interior. It has 60,000 miles and I would say over all it is in good to better condition it is not a garage queen by any means. The owner says he has the service records but they are not available at the moment? The car fax checks out and I will be the third owner. The first owner had it for 2 years and then the current owner bought the car from a dealer. I have known the car since it was purchased the second time, the current owner is a client of mine. I think he drives a Porsche because he looks good in it, I don’t think he is one of us and lives for these cars. I do know however that the car was very important to him, I also think that his mechanics may be misleading him.

I can buy the car for 39,000.00 and will have to spend about 1600.00 to bring the car into service spec. Let me also point out that I will be doing work with this client in the future and will make many more dollars from him then I will be giving him. I will appreciate any advice you can throw my way.

This is a big purchase and I guess I’m being careful but I have been looking for a while and these cars are all over the place on price and quality. This car looks good and has never been in an accident and so far does not have a carbon air injection problem.

Thanks

jv

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I figure $2K on any car you buy regardless of how nice or low miles it is. Sounds like a reasonable price for an S. Pay him the $39K so everyone is happy.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

That sounds like a really good price for a '97 4S! Did I miss something? Does it have 200K miles or something?
-Chris

John Velasco · 10-08-2003, 01:42 PM

I know it is a good price. Just a little nervous. The car has 60,500 miles

MOMO3.2 · 10-08-2003, 01:53 PM

Hey John!

I am originally from Arcadia. I have lived in Monrovia for the last 8 years though. Monrovia is a much better town (kidding).

That does sound like a great price for a 993 4S. 993 4S's are one of the nicest looking Porsches I have ever seen. I bought an 87 Carrera with 143,000 miles from a friend in July and it runs like a champ. The 993 with 60,000 miles is nothing if its been properly cared for.

Good luck.

Mike

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

That looks like a very nice car, I wouldn't mind owning it. The biggest issue w/ 993s appears to be the CEL set off by a malfunctioning SAI system.

See the numereous threads at Rennlist/993 and the PCA site.

$39k seems to be a faitr price if there are no larger issues lurking in the shadows.

adscab · 10-08-2003, 03:29 PM

It sounds like a very good deal. It looks like it had been modded with Bilstein coilovers PSS9's and turbo s ducts/foglight. The bumper was probably painted because they tend to get a bunch of stone chips. You can just get rid of the bumperettes (bumper guards), install euro lights and repaint for about $500.

Even though he is a client, I would still get a PPI. Also, the suspension, if they are the PSS9's, are fully adjustable for height and firmness.

John Velasco · 10-08-2003, 05:13 PM

It’s been PPI’d and all looks good with the only major problem being the Throttle body sensor and the servicing. I called the tech today and told him to progress, so I will have the car back next week. I’m also going to have the door dings removed and the seat freshened up as well.

jv