Looking to pull the trigger...PPI in San Jose...anyone available? (long)
 

Howdy again,
I know I'm new to the board, but I think I want to pull the trigger on a 911SC in San Jose (unfortunately, I currently live in KC). The seller is a retired guy, and apparently has babied this 911 for about 6 years...I spoke to 2 shops at which he has had work done and records to boot. So far the car's pros:
compression check 155-162 across the board
new clutch
new brakes
sound insulation replaced in the engine bay
new factory headliner
new factory upholstery
Carrera chain tensioners
pop off valve
new A/C system with new compressor
bunch of little, expensive stuff
cons:
salvage title...not as bad as it sounds though. Apparently the story goes like this. He had a smallish engine compartment fire that was extinguished quickly. Took it to the dealer, where his son worked and they totaled the vehicle on the work order. Afterward he boought it back from the insurance company, but they had to register it as a salvage. He has a TON of pictures documenting the fire, and really if he hadn't pointed the damage out, it would have been difficult to see. The plus side is that this happened 3 years ago and he has recent receipts for a bunch of work...about $6500. Apparently he is a car collector, and is thinning out the herd and was originally set on keeping the SC. He changed his plans and is sellign the car.

The mechnics I spoke to said the guy is ANAL about his car, and is a current PCA member....whadda think? Bascially its a car I plan on keeping for a long time, so the salvage title itself doesn't bother me that much.

Anyone willing in the San Jose area willing to do a drive-by looking for me? It's at a shop....and I'm going to ask the guy to do a leak-down test if everything works out. The BONUS:

The seller (retired) is willing to drive the car out to KC and if it isn't exactly as advertised, he said he would just turn around and drive back home! I figure if he's got enough faith to drive the car out on a potnetially long round trip, it seems pretty above board...?

Thoughts? PPI offers? THANKS! This board is great!

R/
Dustin:D :D

Dustin:

I'm off tomorrow - PM me with the details and I'll be glad to take a look at it for you.

Go Tom! You're the man!

For a PPI in that area, I have used CT Performance in Campbell, with great results. (408)-377-3885. If I lived near by, I would use them for things I can't tackle.

No affiliation, just a happy customer.

Reitmier's Werkstat in los altos.

jeff's dad ran shop first now he does, raced P-cars all his life is a better mechanic that he is driver.

what year?
what do they want? it will ALWAYS be salvage, so the draw back in resale is there...

it will ALWAYS be salvage,

I agree. Your chance of selling later is smaller than regular car. A lot of buyers will walk away just for the "salvage" along. I wish I have a buyer as easy as you(no, I don't have a salvage title Porsche). If I were you, I would make sure everything is right before jump into it. Your 2 big risks, 1. buying it unseen, 2. salvage title. Did you read the post about a guy buying a rolled Porsche that he never knew about until he check the Carfax? 911 is an expensive toy. You are going to spend a lot of time and $$$ after it's yours. Buy the best one you can and don't overspend.

if you're going to keep the car for a long time, or track it, the salvage title doesn't mean much (although check with your insurance company too).

If the price is right, it sounds like a nice car. Although *you* should fly out to the bay area and drive it back to KC. Why should he have the fun?

RMG Enterprises is also nearby in Sunnyvale and has a good reputation.

Let us know how it goes, and post some pics...

Dustin:

I have not received a PM from you yet. If I don't hear from you soon, it will have to be on Saturday.

I also highly recommend CT in Campbell. As best as I can remember, their PPI (including compression check but no leakdown) runs around $90 to $100.

Tom...hmmm..reply sent last night via the e-mail link
 

Tom,
Not sure where the disconnect was but I actually sent you two e-mail. Hopefully you get this just to make sure the connection works...

R/
Dustin

caliber60,
Not sure that I'd call myself an easy buyer...I read that as "sucker". Actually, the reason I'm even thinking about it the car is the fact that the engine compartment fire happened three years ago, the car is immaculate from the pics (yes, I know pics can be deceiving). The owner has a TON of records, including detailed paperwork on when the insurance company totaled it. I don't plan on spending a penny more than it worth (or for anything for that matter), but that is the difficult part about assigning value to anything. Personally, as forthcoming as the guy was about everything, and the fact he is willing to drive the car out to KC under no obligation from me to buy the car, makes me feel a bit easier about it. Also, I think buying a car with a salvage title from a PCA member who has obviously cared for the car seems to be a wiser decision than buying a car with a clean title from a guy who didn't have a clue.
R/
Dustin

Don at CT Automotive in Campbell would be my first choice.
RMG Enterprises in Sunnyvale would be #2.
Tom at T&D in Campbell would be my #3 choice.

Salvage title is just a title issue. If the PPI checks out and the price is adjusted appropriately for the title issue, I'd go for it. That also assumes that you want to keep it for a number of years and there is little risk that you would have to unload a salvage title car quickly.

Another plug for Tom at T&D. He has done 3 PPI's for me, and also does all of the work on my cars. It is also very nice to be able to walk home after dropping your car off at the wrench...
but I digress. I think that the 3 choices provided by 9XI are all good - Just probably use one that the seller DID NOT use. Gives you the most independent, unbiased assessment.

Good luck,
Tom

Dustin:

Did not receive your PM's. I just sent you one with my contact info. Check to ensure you have PM implemented on your account.

Tom