Should I buy this 1995 993 Cab??

[larry47us]

Here's the story:

I have just completed a PPI on the 1995 993 Cabrio with 38,000 miles on it. It showed the following:

Needs rear deck shock – PO says he will replace himself.
Radio doesn’t work – PO says it does, and he’ll fix it.
No compressor pump – PO says to buy one at Dick’s sporting goods
No Tool Kit – Argument here as to what it entails, but PPI says the car has only a jack and a screwdriver handle and one wrench, so it's missing
New Boot but no bag –
No manuals in the car for the car, radio, or servicing – PO says that they were there when he dropped the car off???
Rear window on the car is cloudy, top has two small holes

All of the fluids seem to be original to the car
Plugs seem to be original
Filters are original (except the oil filter, I assume)
Can’t really check the clutch since it shares the hydraulics with the brakes, and they need to be flushed and replaced
Clutch disengages high, but PPI thinks that it might just mean that the system needs flushing, and maybe a clutch spring
Passenger side chain tensioner is leaking just a little bit
Everything still has the original decals, so the PPI suspects that there has been no service on the car since it was bought
Front rotors are at about 20% as are the front pads. Front rotors are scored, so he recommended a brake job at this time.

Leakdown is 3% on 5 cylinders and #3 cylinder is 4%
Car drives very tight
A/C is very cold
All electrical works except for the radio
Body is in great shape, no stone chips or dings, except for a scratch in the bumper cover

The car is selling for $31,800. Repairs in Ohio at the Taj Garage will cost $1,925, for a 30K service and the brakes. Repairs in Chicago at a shop near me will cost $2,452 for the 30K service and the brakes, so I would be tempted to have it done there before it is shipped to me, even though I would have no recourse to the repair. It saves me $500!!

All in all it seems to be an OK deal. Everyone seems to agree that a well sorted 1995 993 Cabrio should be worth $34K - $35K with standard mileage, and I’ll have just a hair under $34K in it, with only 38K miles on the odometer. So with this low mileage, I should be really good.

When I told the dude that I needed to get a few more bucks out of him for the repairs, since this car isn’t “just serviced” as he said it was, he said – “hey, I have someone else that will give me $32,500 for the car tomorrow. If you don’t want it, it’s no skin off my nose.” He could be BSing me or not, but the issue is whether this is a reasonable deal or not.

Your thoughts?

larry

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by larry47us

“hey, I have someone else that will give me $32,500 for the car tomorrow. If you don’t want it, it’s no skin off my nose.”

Your thoughts?

larry

He would have taken the $32,500 if it were really available.

[jasonlee]

A 13 year old car that has never had fluids changed would be a red flag for me. In my opinion while perhaps not abused, it certainly wasn't maintained all that well. Just my $0.02 for what its worth

[larry47us]

Originally Posted by jasonlee

In my opinion while perhaps not abused, it certainly wasn't maintained all that well.

There is no doubt that the car has not been well maintained - if at all - but it seems that there has been no damage done to the engine as a result. And the interior is clean. It is just that the top and rear window are showing the age.

Other than that, with a $2k expenditure, it seems that I would have a well-sorted car for reasonable money. All the other ones that I am seeing listed in this price range have 70K to 80K miles on them.

larry

[JeremyD]

Then jump on it -

[Soterik]

Larry,

$35K will buy you a very nice early 911 these days......and I would be happy to help you find one...

regards,
Eric Linden

[esample]

A car that has been neglected for 13 years seems like a good deal because it has low mileage? Not to me. I'd much rather have a "high mileage" example that had be well maintained. But then again, it's your money, not mine.

YMMV.

-e.

[larry47us]

Eric:

Thanks for the suggestion. I wish that I were able to add a "third" car to my garage. (Wagon for the wife, DD for me, and a fun car for weekends.) But that just isn't in the cards for right now. I'm trying to do this as a compromise, getting a solid, well sorted 993 to use as a DD 12 months out of the year.

With LSD, and a different set of wheels and ice and snow tires, I should be able to drive this car all winter in Chicago, no matter whether it is snowing or not.

If the situation changes, I know who to call. You were always my source if I needed to find another early car.

larry

[Herbertkid]

My friend purchased a '96 993 coupe 2 weeks ago.

He looked really seriously at 3 (all 1996) in the SF Bay Area. All with low mileages and in tip-top conditions with prices ranging from $26k - $30k.

He purchased his for $30k - red, 40k miles, regularly serviced and incredible condition (passed PPI with flying colors).

I would pass on the one you are currently looking at.....there are much better cars out there for less money.

GC

'86 Carrera

[timc]

If he really has someone that will give him 32.5k tomorrow, he's a fool for selling it to you for 31.8k, that, makes me wonder.....along with all the missing books, tools, pump etc. I'd keep looking.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by larry47us

The car is selling for $31,800....

he said – “hey, I have someone else that will give me $32,500 for the car tomorrow. If you don’t want it, it’s no skin off my nose.”


Your thoughts?

larry

My thoughts? Total B.S. Who offers more than the asking price? Or did I misconstrue your statements?

Anyhow, make him a cash offer $31,000, whatever you feel like paying. Make him reject it. If you can get a certified cheque in 24 hours let him know that. You never know what motivates a seller...

It's easy to replace some missing pieces (if you even want them), it's harder to roll back the odometer on a high mileage car.

[larry47us]

Sorry if I confused things.

The car was selling for $34,000 and I talked him down to $31.8. The PPI came up as I said. The manuals are missing, the Toolkit is nearly complete, just one wrench is missing (after further examination) situation stands with the fluids, which kind of bothers me. The radio got fixed, and works just fine.

Carfax looks good. But he now says that he has someone that will take it for $32,500 if I don't take it. Well, I am not going to be pushed into making the decision, and if low mileage 993's are available in CA for $30 - $32, then I'll keep looking.

Thanks you all for the info.

larry

[crashmy911]

Why would you buy a cab in Chicago area? Plus you could get a coupe which is a beter car for year round use. ANd it would be less money.

[pookie]

If it doesn't feel right, then it's not right. Sounds to me like you don't feel right. I wouldn't let this board or any other board talk me into a car I didn't feel right about.

Based on the info you gave I'd pass and look elsewhere. You obviously don't mind having the car shipped which opens up a lot more regions to look for a nice example. Plus if you didn't put down a deposit and he has another offer, why would he still be talking to you? Something is fishy there.

[MotoSook]

Larry,

You should just buy my Carrera...with a topend rebuild using all the best parts...and soon to have a rebuilt and upgraded suspension.

That 993 smelled fishy....

[KTL]

I would pass. The car has clearly not be maintained well at all. For the kind of money you're spending, you can find a much nicer, much better maintained car with only a bit more mileage on it.

The mileage on this car is the only saving grace that I can see. And even that doesn't count for much given the obvious neglect. You're paying a slight premium for almost what seems like a placebo effect because the low mileage isn't really reflected in the condition of the car!

I also have to question why your search has been for a low mile car that you plan to drive year round and add more miles to it. Buy a car with decent mileage that won't start incurring the depreciation so quickly once the miles accrue. When you want to unload it, you'll lose less on the sale. These cars can go for many many miles without a problem, so why not just accept some more miles at the front end of the deal and not take a hit as much at the tail end?

Regarding the condition of the car, have you any record of the known issues with the '95? My friend Mark's low mile 993 cab had to be serviced for the typical engine wire harness and cabrio top retrofit not too long ago. These issues have been known for a long time, so i'd suspect these things should be taken care of already on a 13 yr. old car like the one you're considering. But often they are not because people cheap-out and avoid the dealer due to the high service costs. What they miss out on are the factory service bulletins that fix common problems.

[larry47us]

Originally Posted by Souk

Larry,

You should just buy my Carrera...That 993 smelled fishy....

Souk:

Is that the Bastard I keep hearing about????

Guys, I have decided to NOT buy the car. Just too many things, and the SOB (Scott Tolliver from Dayton, Ohio) has taken the information that I gave him from the PPI and published it in his ad on line. I guess if he really had the offer for $32,500, he wouldn't place his ad again. Hmmmmm .

Taught me a lesson, though. Next time, when I get the results from a PPI, I will say, "I'm not too excited about the PPI, let's talk further about the price." Or whatever. Then when they ask for details, I'll CHARGE THEM FOR IT.

Regarding the Cab vs Coupe. It's hard to put the top down on a coupe during the summer. I like the wind in my hair, the engine noise easily behind me. Ahhhh, and the sweet smell of gasoline and oil burning at the stoplights.

larry

[larry47us]

Originally Posted by KTL

. . . snip. . . When you want to unload it, you'll lose less on the sale. These cars can go for many many miles without a problem, so why not just accept some more miles at the front end of the deal and not take a hit as much at the tail end?

Regarding the condition of the car, have you any record of the known issues with the '95? My friend Mark's low mile 993 cab had to be serviced for the typical engine wire harness and cabrio top retrofit not too long ago. . . . snip . . . .

KTL - I plan on driving this car into the ground, or close to it. To me, that is what a DD is all about. Though it may depend on when the car starts nickle and diming me to death, or hundred dollaring.

Regarding the two issues you mentioned, they were both handled under Porsche Warranty, and this was checked during the PPI.

larry

[MotoSook]

Larry,


The Carrera is aka "Fat Bastard." It doesn't leak oil or fuel, but I can make that happen for you if you like the smell of oil and gas that much

A cab is cool, but like Clarkson said about a Farrari 460 cab.... paraphrased.... "the car is epic in its beauty and performance, but with the cab everyone will see that you're just an old balding middle aged man who's trying too hard and looking too soft." Buy my coupe and you can stick your bald spot out the sunroof (I'm just giving you a hard time Larry)

[JeremyD]

Good grief - first we have randy nutswinging for the 915 - now we have everybody dissing a cabriolet... What is the world coming too??

Larry - it is definitely a buyers market - if the 38K mile cabriolet didn't feel right then move on - but only you will know for sure. As far as a cabriolet vs coupe - They are great for stress relief at the end of the day.