Am I Screwed...

[Bello]

Two years ago, I searched & bought the car of dreams my car. An 88 Venation Blue Cab from San Diego 75,000 miles.

The ppi came back good & the original owner had full ducuments –even the original window sticker price.

After importing the car to Canada, I stored the car at my parents house as I was renovating my house.

Long story short - my Italian mother (who doesn’t read a word of English) throws out the folder that contained all the cars history.

I lost it.

Anyways what does this tragic lose really represent - when it comes to selling my car in the future. Am I really screwed?

[Joe Bob]

Only if you sell it....keep the car until you die.....

[CarreraDan]

That really sucks, I am sorry to read that. If I were a potential buyer I would most likely assume that if you don't have records it never happened. One thing that could help you is that some shops keep records of what they have done on the car and you might be able to get some of them back if you know where the work was done and if they are still around. In the future it would be a good idea to make copies, scan, etc records of big ticket items and keep them in another location in case something happens.

On the other side of the issue I bought my car with hardly any records and based my decision on the PPI results. After all, most people don't keep records for almost 20 yrs--Pelican's excluded. Some cars the condition speaks for the maintenance so it will be interesting to see what everyone else thinks.

[ZOA NOM]

I'm with MikeZ on this one. By the time you sell it, a potential buyer should be relying most heavily on a PPI, not on a folder full of receipts. The car will tell him everything he needs to know. Just take care of the paint. It's the best color of all IMHO. (and the best year, too)

[Grady Clay]

Give your Mom a big hug and make sure she doesn’t feel she did anything wrong.

Step outside and kick yourself in the ars for not having backup photocopies, digital scans, etc. Things like that you should have the originals in a safe deposit box and CD copies elsewhere.

Your Mom is much more important than some Porsche documents.

Best,
Grady

[Bello]

I have already forgave my mother....

[Carrera3.5L]

I wouldn't worry about it at all, I bought my car at 78,000 miles without any sort of past history also. Turned out okay.

Keep receipts of your future repairs and modifications, if for no other reason to document that you have changed a part(s) that may not be easily visible or verifiable.

Maybe this was your mothers way of showing you her allegiance to Scuderia Ferrari?

Ralph

[RSBob]

Grady- - one of the best posts I have read.

A knowledgeable enthusiast would be looking for the documentation, however the percentage of knowledgeable enthusiasts compared to the general Joe, is pretty darned small. Then there is the heavy lust factor. If someone falls in love with your car and you present it knowledgeably, then chances are the lust will overcome reason and logic. Game over.

[RLJ]

Relax.........it's just a "car". It's not brand new, it's not like some kind of special owner car. Just a Porsche. How many did they built that year in that color, see my thought. Maybe several thousand! Don't get me wrong, it is a very nice ride, but don't lose any sleep over this.

Go hug your "momma" tell her ya' love her and get on with your life.

As was said, the longer you keep it the less this will matter, so dive it to death, don't worry youself to death.


Randy Jones
1971 911 "Iris"

[Dantilla]

Start a new folder. The longer you own the car, the more "complete" it becomes.

[randywebb]

if the trash or recycling has already been picked up ... then ask the dealer or mechanic if they have any copies

a big dealer will have backups that go back years - tho they don't wanna spend the time to look thru them...

[Jim Sims]

I'm assuming you bought the car for yourself; if the records are gone and you have no memory of the last maintenance then change the oil, oil, fuel and air filters, change the fan belt and transmission oil and bleed the brakes and check the tires. Then drive the car. Don't fall into the obsession of saving it for the person you are going to sell it to! It is only a machine built for your use and you and it will return to the earth's crust so enjoy your time above ground. Remember to use things and love people. Cheers, Jim Sims Proud owner of what used to be one the worst 911's built: a Minerva Blue, California 1976 911S.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Start a new folder. The longer you own the car, the more "complete" it becomes.

Agreed. Start with records of the PPI if you still have them or can get them. Then include the records of the baseline work you did (new plugs, fluids, pads, etc.)

[kqw]

Here's what I would do...

Contact the original owner you bought the car from and have him send you a notarized letter (at your expense) stating that documents were provided to you when you bought the car. Also, have him state in the letter WHY this letter is being sent (accidently discarded by your mother) etc.

If possible, have him note in that letter any major parts replacements, major services etc. that he can remember and who did the work.

Then...keep records going forward.

[Zeke]

I have sold a lot of cars and no one was as interested in the past as they were the present and the future (how good is it and what does it need). And, I bought a 356 once with copius records and it was a POS. Things like rust under the bondo which was said to not be there (either the rsut or the bondo). There were other obscured issues as well just as you would expect from a seller who lied about the rust.

People really scan records? When you come to buy my car, don't expect many. I will admit that I took the Boxster in for the 30,000 mi. service just so I'd have a record. Stupidist thing I have ever done. Cost way too much and the CEL came on less than 100 miles later. I would have been much better off doing the work myself and having no record.

But, that's not really the point here. However, that does show that someone who does all of his own work will have few records. The Ragamuffin has a file an inch thick of receipts, but no documentation as to when any of the items were installed or serviced. It is what it is.

[Huh]

I agree with the majority. When I buy the car I am going on my knowledge of cars and what to look for. It's nice to have records but I get worried if someone has too many. It makes me thinkt that the car was not reliable at all. A good buyer will take it to a knowledgeable mechanic if suspect. I bought my car w/out a PPI but it was from a former president of the PCA region and I think his reputation is more important than screwing a buyer. I am happy with my car and I bet whoever buys your (if you sell) will also. If you are so worried that means yous take pride in your car.

[Bello]

New folder has been started...

[Joe Bob]

Hopefully with a cover admonition in two languages.....

Something like ..... "Baby pictures"

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by ZOANAS
I'm with MikeZ on this one. By the time you sell it, a potential buyer should be relying most heavily on a PPI, not on a folder full of receipts.

Yup. It's a nice to have and fun to read, but when you sell it, who cares when the original owner had the oil changed.

I recently bought a 944 with 172K miles from the original owner. I had receipts for every set of tires he put on there. Actually it's kinda funny when you think about it.

[diverdan]

I'm with Zeke. A packet of receipts really means nothing to me when I buy a vehicle. I rely on my knowlege when I check it out. I have also had professional inspections done and they only confirmed what I had alrleady figured out. The Seller's usually appreciate a buyer who can cut the chase and get the sale expedited. That usually turns into money in my pocket. Anal tire kickers have been my best friends when it comes to making a real deal. When I offer to relieve the owner of the stress of putting up with these nit pickers, he doesn't mind going down a few thousand bucks to just get rid of the time wasters.

Diverdan