993 with 147K miles

[moazam]

I found and test-drove a 1995 993 today. The car has 147,000 miles on it and does not seem to come with any records. The car seemed to drive fine, no odd noises or anything, but I really can't tell that much about the car by just driving it for 10 minutes. The gearbox shifted smoothly, the clutch did not stick, the power level seemed very nice. The dealer wants a bit under $25k for it, but the miles and lack of records really scares me.

I'm tempted to get a PPI ($250-$300) done on the car and see what the results are. I think if everything turns out OK, the car is worth about $22k. My other thought is to pass on the PPI, pass on the car all together and just look for a lower mileage '95 993, or a '99 996 in the $28k-$32k range.

Thoughts?

[jtkkz]

Personally I would go with a lower mileage car, but either way a PPI is well worth it.

[drsimonwong]

A 10 year old Porsche should have records.

A high milage car without records is an expensive unknown.

Look at other cars first. It will definitely still be there when/if you come back later.

Well maintained high milage cars scare most people and if they have no records.....

Simon

[Porsche]

Strange that there are no records for a newish car like this.

I can understand if the car is much older. Hi Simon, funny we don't see you around in the Oz forum here.

[Leland Pate]

I really can't understand why you guys have such a hard time believing a 10yr old Porsche may have no records.
Some people never think twice about keeping maintenance records. They may pile them in the glove box from time to time but end up in the trash. Granted, enthusiasts are much more likely to keep (in a page protected binder) a complete chronological record of everything ever done to their baby. But some don't.
Not to mention cars sold by dealerships. I'd guess most specialty dealers know records are a plus but many could not care less if the car (especially if bought at auction) has records.
In the end, Simon is right, a high mileage car w/ no records is more likely not to sell so take your time. I had the same decision to make when I was shopping for a 993.
But I would also say a high mileage or low mileage anything "even with records" can be an expensive unknown.

In the end, you look everything over, have a quality PPI conducted, bite the bullet and hope for the best.

Good luck with the search,

[rattlsnak]

both of my 993s had zero records when i bought them. get a ppi, but expect some high mileage items, and know you might have to spend some $$ on it in the future..

[Rick Lee]

No matter what you get it for, it will be a $30k car. Pay now or pay later.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
No matter what you get it for, it will be a $30k car. Pay now or pay later.

One thing about paying later is you know what has been done to the car.

[RallyJon]

But it'll never be low mileage, so no matter how much you put into it, the car will never be worth more than low-20s. And with that kind of mileage, you're starting to look at restoration expenses, not just maintenance.

[Rick Lee]

I have a buddy who got a very well-cared for '95 with 73k miles for $25k. It had the LWF/RS kit, B&B exhaust, 18" wheels. Those deals are out there.

[Eric86Red911]

Keep looking and you can find a car with 75k miles for the same price (under $25k). Ask me how I know. A car with 147k miles comes with a LOT of risk.

[Cory M]

A lot of used car dealers actually throw away the old records intentionally. We sold a Corvette Stingray on consignment at a vette shop and they told us specifically not to pass along the folder that contained all of the receipts and details from the restoration to the new owner. Basically they don't want to chance it that the new owner will come back and argue about anything in the receipts or bother anyone if something breaks that has been repaired previously.