thoughts on this ebay SC

[gixer02]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=600986145

Pat

[Leland Pate]

Well from the photos, it certainly looks nice.
Carfax is saying there are 9 important documents pretaining to this SC.
I would consider that to be a big red flag, until you investigate that further.

I wouldn't be suprised if there is some sort of accident history.

Do your homework.
I'd probably pay anywhere between $13 to 14K for it...


Definately looks nice though..

[Eric Coffey]

Just a word of caution: Don't buy anything sight unseen! I wouldn't even consider buying a car from eBay unless it was close to where I live, or I had the means to travel to see it. Although if it was available at a ridiculous price, I could maybe be tempted, but That's still a BIG maybe. For example, I might give that guy $7k, sight-unseen, knowing that if the worst comes true, (bad motor, rust, etc..) I could still make back more than my investment in parts. However if the car passes with flying colors after viewing, driving, and thoroughly checking the car out, I might give him double that. Also, no matter how many pictures are listed, or how detailed those pictures are, you will almost always find something that disappoints you when you see a car close up. I only glanced at the photos of the car in question for a couple minutes, but two things popped out. First, the driver's door panel looks fairly worn and stained (unless that's a weird shadow). Second, in 3 of the pictures, there appears to be fresh drops of fluid (oil?) on the pavement. It is possible that they are not from that car at all, but it's possible that they are. Other tid-bits I noticed include a cheesy aftermarket antenna, and "Carrera" script on the deck lid instead of "911 SC". In any case, happy hunting!

[Nickshu]

Add to that list the huge speakers forced into the door panels...check a price on a new panel from Porsche..they're very pricey. But if the cheesy "Carrera" logo on the rear deck and the door speakers and fake steering wheel are any indication of how the owner cared for the rest of the car....I'd RUN away.

Also....thats a pretty minimal description for a 19 year old car...if they are serious about selling it and its a good car they should have much, much, much, much more information included. It has 19 years of history! Who has owned it....where has it lived...winters?...who has serviced it?...what has been done?...wrecked?....bodyfiller?.....repainted?.... .who repainted it?....etc.

I have sold 2 cars over Ebay and my descriptions were 3-4 pages long including service and ownership history, and a Carfax report.
Both buyers drove from several hours away to look the car over prior to bidding....and both of them bought the cars.

I would not buy a vehicle sight unseen.....especially a Porsche.
I say this b/c I bought a non-Porsche over Ebay that sounded great, low miles, etc, but turned out to be a piece...I ended up breaking even on it, but what a pain in the neck.

Be patient...the right one will come along.

Nick.

[LeeH]

There's just not enough information there. Since his buy it now price is $15,500, I'm going to assume his reserve is around $15k. That's not a bargain price. If you're interested in the car, wait until the auction closes and tell him that you might pay $12K for the car contingent upon it passing a PPI at the shop of your choosing. If he balks at the PPI, definitely run!

Someone on this board or a PCA member near the car can help you find a Porsche mechanic that can inspect the car on your behalf. If I remember, your in the NE. Don't forget to factor shipping (>$1000) or 4-5 days+hotel+meals+gas into the cost of the car.

As a price reference, I just paid $14K for an '84 Carrera with 84K documented miles.

[nhromyak]

I LIVE in Folsom...


LMK!

nhromyak@yahoo.com

[nhromyak]

I got a call back on this...
The owner's name is Nick too... weird.

He's actually in Cameron Park (a little further east of Folsom).

LMK if you want me to look at it. Anything in particuliar?

nhromyak@yahoo.com

[carnut169]

I pulled NICB, AutoCheck, and Carfax... no problems found. did have 124k in 00'- so it has not been driven much lately- but no insurance claims, reported wrecks, odometer rollback ect.

[gixer02]

wow thanks for the huge response... I noticed the door panel looking discolored too and saw that huge speaker... didn't notice the cheesy antenna. Also yes I am in NE (NJ) and I just picked this one because I am now leaning towards getting an 83 with a whale tail, either black or red. I just basically wanted to know when you guys see an SC for sale what stuff you look for. I don't know the in depth details as much as you guys. When I saw it I too was thinking like 13-14... would expect lower than 15500 with that many miles. Good point about him not listing alot of the history.... When you hear how the owner talks about the car you can just tell whether or not they take religious care of it. I would always require a PPI, and always go see and drive it. I have heard many a times of carfax but do not know how to access it myself and havent heard of NICB and AutoCheck.

Nick- thanks so much for the offer, And everyone thank you this has more clearly outlined the inspection process for me. Oh and I had not thought of finding PCA members in the area to find a good mechanic- good idea!
Now the only thing in my mind is this- what is of peticular concern when looking for a SC- I've heard the 915 tranny is notorious for having problems- is that true and what else is SC specific?

thanks again
Pat

[speeder]

Car looks OK, obviously would need to see it/drive it/see records/etc. before giving value opinion, disagree however w/ prices named here. If this is a really presentable 125k miles SC, (but not OUTSTANDING), $10-11G IMO. $13-14 will buy an excellent SC coupe, under 100k miles, anal P.O., upgrades, looks and smells close to new. There are plenty of good deals out there, (at least in CA.), I paid < $10G for my '82 coupe, 105k mi., nice color combo, (slate blue w/ tan leather), good un-beaten car, nice interior, etc. Of course I have sank a couple grand into it, but some is upgrades.

I think that e-bay is a good value guide in most cases, biggest selection of used 911's in the world, world-wide audience bidding, etc. Only problem is that usually you cannot know high bid until near/end of auction.

I do not know where people here get their valuations, but when I sell I am posting here, this is a high-dollar crowd.

[jsmarcus]

There are enough Porsches for sale in our area without having to use Ebay and wonder what you are going to get....like mine for example....if you are in the market for a Carrera, I have decided to sell mine, send me an email.

Josh