Fess Up: Did you get a PPI before buying?

[MrBonus]

Yes, however I had little concern over the condition of the car as the previous owner was a meticulous Pelicaner. The only issues that showed up were very small (torn cv boot, one small dent).

I got a PPI on my previous 993 but failed to research the cost it took to replace all the small items it took to fix. Learned my lesson on that.

[Boricua21]

No, and I ended up with one with 2 broken springs and tired tensioners...even though the body was great and it had low miles...but after fixing all that it gave me 11 years of great motoring before I swapped the engine out for a 3.2....still going stronger than ever...

[ivangene]

My mechanic hopped in the car said...I think I know this car...lets go for a spin and I'll have the service writer look up the previous owner - when we got back from the test ride he said "Its solid"

then he said "who's car was it before the current owner" to the service writer

name came out - he said "BUY IT"

we did a full check of all the things about a month later but I would not have pulled the trigger with his saying so - AND he knew this car for more than 18 years, and the old owner. Why risk it, I have seen some real turds now that I know more that before I owned one I would have never known

kinda shocked at the poll results

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by Josh D

Nope. I sifted through almost 20 years of receipts and did my own inspection.

This. Except my car had 28 years of receipts.

[rwilner]

Originally Posted by ivangene

kinda shocked at the poll results

I agree it's eye-opening, but it confirmed my suspicion.

I passed on one car that I got a PPI on but it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know by inspecting the car myself, I just wanted the experience of the PPI.

I passed on a second car because I was remote and the seller wouldn't commit to a PPI...gave me the heebie jeebies.

The car I bought I didn't have a PPI done, but it was the mechanic (local guy) who said that the car was the nicest one he's seen in a long time and it needed nothing, not even consumables like pads or tires...he said this car is good for 5k miles before it needs ANYTHING. So I negoitated and bought it.

I think PPIs are useful if you are trying to buy a car sight unseen OR you're buying your first one. Otherwise, I think most people skip the hassle of it and take the plunge.

[jzdu]

Had PPI on an 87 and decided to pass. Found my 84 with years of receipts and purchased it without PPI

[Dublinoh]

PO had one done for the car while serviced....it missed a broken rear sway mount, some tired bushings, but the car was fundamentally sound. I had compression and leak down done before I invested in the upgrades/repairs and it checked out great.

Not sure which option in the survey describes this scenario.

[KOH]

No, and I paid dearly for not doing it. Armed with a flashlight, magnet, check-off list, and copious notes, I figured I was ready to inspect it myself. Wrong.

7 years later I still love my car, and only have a few cosmetic things left to fix (knock on wood).

[pete3799]

No.
Checked it over myself. Also went through all the PO's receipts.
Couldn't be happier with the car.

[Jlockmon]

Nope. While this was my first Porsche I could tell by looking at the car that it had been well taken care of. The PO had lot's of good objective evidence of what had been done to the car and after 2 months of ownership the car is living up to all my expectations.

I did take it to a local repair shop (Chris's German Auto Repair in Bellevue, Wa) after I bought it and they knew the PO and had high regards for him and his abilities. While I may have been lucky when it comes to knowing what to look for in a Porsche, this was not the first 4 wheel or 2 wheel vehicle I've bought... I think I did good!

[Winter]

I don't want to publicly admit that I'm a moron. . . and didn't get a PPI (or even know what a PPI was at time of purchase).

But in my defense, I didn't know about this forum and I only paid $3k. . .and the car had the factory hard top, worth at least 1/2 of what I paid for it. . .

But let's not get into all the other things the car had. . .or didn't have or how much work it still needs!

[porterdog]

Nope, I bought it off ebay sight unseen; made the decision in about 15 minutes.

[tuchan]

The only person I trust to do an inspection is myself. I can pay somebody but would rather have a good poke around myself. I am not a mechanic but know enough.

I am a chef by trade, my mother isn't but is a better cook then me ...

This applies to every vehicle I have owned.

I voted NO.

[uncle_scott]

No PPI here. 240,000 miles on my car. It had a stack of reciepts, and drove great. I haven't had any real issues, and I am coming up on a year of ownership. Couldn't be happier.

[Reiver]

Yes, specifically for a leak down test (4 to 6 % on all) and head stud check on a high mileage car. I'd made an offer based upon a positive PPI and all offers were null/void if there were major item issues with the motor or drivetrain. Owner had no issues with that.

[porche]

Hey Folks, I think this thread will stand to be one of the more entertaining in a while! We gotta thank rwilner for starting it. I had a PPI done on my car that had a known oil leak (why do the sellers always thinks it costs way less to fix a problem?). Used the PPI to negotiate (not all the $ but enough so that I felt I was getting a fix that would last and save me future aggravation so I figured the balance I paid was well worth it).
The non-PPI is now about 2/3. Is there anyway to break up the non-PPI portion to show those who did not do a PPI made out and how many non-PPI got a bad deal????????? For what its worth I think this tread will be getting a lot of hits and the sooner we could split the non-PPI I thing it could be a lot more entertaining.
Thanks

[twistoffat]

Yes because I couldnīt get to see the car. Santa Fe was a bit far from Germany. No regrets it was money well spent.

[Telerding]

Not this time, but normally would have.

On my recent 930 purchase, I had a lot of information (all service records, recent images, etc), had talked at length with OO of 23 years, and mechanic for 2nd owner,had concours records where car scored 115/120 this spring at a PCA concours. That was enough to go for a personal examination. Thorough review and good drive sealed the deal.

Car had only 41,000 miles, and a complete top end service last November. It would have passed any compression and leak down tests.

[911dean]

First 911, sight unseen, no ppi. Wish I paid less. I've never had a car I like more.

Dean

[SuperOldSchool]

Did not and am fine with it. I knew my 87 ran great but would need guides soon. Other specifics of the car, documented maintenance and condition made me comfortable. No regrets at this time.

I think the PPI is a bit subjective and depends on many variables to be considered for a specific purchase. Different strokes for different folks...