possible purchase
 

went and looked at a 911 today. Look very good and drove very well, though I felt a little vibration in the seat. I ran a carfax and notice the car was in for service at least once every 3 months, some times back to back. I was thinkiing maby oil change, but you don't need oil changes after 1000 miles. Car is very clean and the paint is very good for the age. My question is, could this be the beginning of a money pit for me. Guy has tons of records, even the window sticker. I am considering a PPI for tomorrow, but I really don't want to drop a grand in this car every month. Guy who is selling it only had it since july, curious as to why he is selling it so soon. If anyone has any input, I welcome any good or bad

what year, how many miles...more info needed...go with your gut. Doesn't sound too good to me.

Dont walk away RUN!!!!!!

Oh please!...Not nearly enough info was posted on the car to make any kind of determinination.
You are on the right path doing a PPI, compression check and leakdown.
Best of luckSmileWavy

It's possible all the little niggles were just taken care of. I'd go with the PPI.

A while ago a friend bought a BMW, and procceded to fix everything to make it as new. Then decided it was costing too much money, and sold it. If I had any use for another car, I would have bought it. Nothing else left to fix.

read the book "the used 911 Story" by Peter Zimmermann. You can get it probably through our host or on Amazon.com.

Really need more information to give you an answer. Also, when did carfax start listing all service the car has had?

possible purchase
 

car is 90 C4, 101K. carfax records started in 94 and went through 2004. ac was serviced at least 3 times, and the guy told me it went out on him so he put freon and it fixed the problem. What alarmed me was the back to back service and engine service that was listed. carfax didn't go into detail as what was done, but I know service on a C4 is not cheep. One good thing was the car was serviced at the same dealer since new. I think I will call them tomorrow and see if I can get a clue as what the overall condition of the car is.

There you go, call the dealer and see what he has to say about the car. What do the records say? Head gasket, distributor belt/vent, flywheel? In the shop every 1000 miles is either a neurotic owner, someone trying to push a defect to be repaired under warrenty, or a POS car.

Do not take for granted that the current dealer will give you all the problems the can may of or currently has. Example is if this could jeopordize the sale of a new car to the current owner.....
Ask for a record build (may have to pay for it) and then get it fully inspected by a good indenpendant Porsche guy and someone who knows body.

The issues with a 90 964 have been addressed multiple times here. Consider the search button your friend. Information is free, it's just your time.

Summary: Cylinder head/cylinder leak, distributor belt vent kit, dual-mass flywheel. For a 100K mile car, either a) you have records of the leak being fixed (either warranty or serious coin - P&C's), or b) it does not leak. You can see the vent (hose running from heater tube into distributor; You have records of the clutch being changed and flywheel being replaced. Those are the really big dollar items. HVAC control and various vents are another problem. But they work or they don't, and one day they'll probably break. Let's put this in perspective - you are buying a 15 year old car with 100K miles. Forget that its a Porsche; it's a car. Stuff wears out.

If you have all the receipts, look at them before you do the PPI. Spend time with the owner. Watch how he drives the car. Does he put it into neutral at the stop light? Does he dog the engine or redline at every shift? An owner since July means potentially a) he's not done any real harm; b) he's afraid of a big repair coming up; c) has a life changing event causing him to sell the car. Which is it?

Ultimately, you roll the dice and play the hand you are dealt. It's up to you to determine if you want to play the game.

If you have specific questions - please ask!

Good Luck!