Can wait to have it

[david.avery]

I was 20 when I bought my first 911. I made some big-time mistakes, and sold the car for parts while I paid off my credit union for the next three years.

My thoughts, 16 years later is:

1) Bring an older person with you, someone grizzled and battle worn with 911's. Someone from your local PCA that you can buy dinner and a case of beer. People smell young blood at times, and, well, no offense, but they may try to test the parable about "a fool and their money"
2) Compression test and look at the head studs... don't skip this based upon receipts. I sold a 3.0 for a core that had full receipts. They put it back together with a broken stud!
3) Escrow the money with someone else if he doesn't want to part with the car, and cannot go along. Sellers sometimes put up small obstacles for a reason, if not only to increase buyer anticipation, and lower buyer sensibility.

Just my thoughts... I'm no old coot, and I know I hate it when people told me I was just a pup and making big mistakes. I must tell you though, it sucked driving my old beat up VW rabbit once I depleted all my funds buying the 71E that had cleverly disguided terminal body rot. It sucked paying for it for three years after it was gone too, which occupied $275 a month in the 80's while I was trying to get through college!

[notfarnow]

Sounds like the deal I had with my saiboat. Paid up front, with the understanding that the seller would rig, launch and deliver the boat.

yeah.

Things changed once he had that $$. Wasn't as quick to return calls... always seemed busy. Finally comes time to put her in the water. Rigs the boat, in a rush, grumpy. Complaining about how much time it's taking... missing other deals... it's a big hassle for him etc.. etc.. When I voice concerns about issues with the rigging he gets real defensive and finishes things up begrudgeingly. The contract stated that he was supposed to deliver boat, about 5 miles from where it was launched. As he's sailing it there, the rigging comes undone, his improperly made mast step collapses and the boat is dismasted. He calls me and says "come and get it".

His final words? "Sue me". Which is what I'm doing. Although I wouldn't have ha to if i hadn't HELD ONTO MY $$$$$. Don't pay until you have the goods, and you're happy with them. Simple.

Aigel was right when he said "once the money is gone, it will be a lot harder to get it back and trustworthy people may become very different - suddenly"

DO NOT PAY UNTIL YOU HAVE THE GOODS. You are not paying a deposit on a Porsche... at this point you are paying a deposit on Porsche parts. A Porsche is a running, driving vehicle. You don't know if that's what you have here.

No resonable person would expect you to pay $7000 on a car if he knew you would be bringing it back if there were any issues.

[RANDY P]

Have him add the car to his insurance under full coverage. He'll probably have to have it inspected but that should only take a quick trip to the nearest body shop that works with his insurance company - plain and simple, then drive the car down for the PPI.

You buy the car, he drops the coverage. Might cost him $1.00 in extra premium for the day or two he actually needs coverage. At that value he's selling it at it'll be a money maker for him if you do crash it (Last I checked it valued over $10K). If he doesn't have insurance presently then don't give him a dime - if you do it'll go to rent or something that you can't get back. The seller's reasoning simply isn't sound. I'd almost be insulted if I got that as a demand on sale- .

rjp

[Aaron Silidker]

We took some of your advice (kurt v me and jared are NOT the same person or in the same family). I do alot of research, and this is how I have learned about 911's so quickly.

Tonight, instead of putting money down on it, A guy from my shop with over30 years of experience in the industry, including porsches is going to do the PPI for us, then we will decide.

[stomachmonkey]

Well if this post is not BS here is my 2 cents.

I never take a deposit on a car. Buyer and I agree on x number of days to conclude the transaction. I will not sell to another buyer even for a better price during that period. If deal is not concluded in agreed to time I move on.


I INSIST the buyer take it for a PPI. I'm am not a certified mechanic and can only attest to the cars history not future. You take it and have it looked at because after you pay me I don't want to see or hear from you again.

Never give money up front. Don't take this as an insult but it's just plain stupid.

Scott

[nostatic]

I think you should just buy it sight unseen. It is the proper thing to do when you're 19.

[notfarnow]

yeah! Better yet, buy it sight unseen and THEN tell your folks you need to store it in their garage.

I should get my old man to give you a call... we had so many conversations like this when I was 19... he probably misses it.

[sammyg2]

I bought my first Porsche when I was 20. No inspection, didn't even know what to look for. it sounded nice, it looked nice, it ran nice and the price was right.

I got lucky, real lucky. almost 70,000 miles later it was still running great when I wrapped it around a tree due to my being an idiot and showing off.

The car you are looking at sounds good, if the inspection goes well you will have a good deal.
The idea of handing over the money first before an inspection makes me nervous but it's your money. If it makes sense to you, do it.

Just be sure to make your decisions using logic and not emotion. That is the hardest part, even for us ole farts.

[Randy Webb]

For some future buyer reading this thread, I agree with BanjoMike (and his cusin' FiddleFred) -- I did not mean to imply that what had been proposed was safe for a buyer. A third party escrow agent can do this, just as they do with houses. Emphasis on _third_ party.

Sounds like this working out for you. Good luck on it.

[Wayne 962]

Sounds like a bad idea all around. The only caveat is that if you're buying it for so cheap that you can still make out okay with a busted motor, or a clipped chassis, then go ahead...

-Wayne

[notfarnow]

So, did you have the car checked out? What's the verdict?

[CarreraS2]

I think a "mint" Porsche with a crappy paint job is too good to pass up.