[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Zeke

If you know the car you are buying because you had one or worked on one, you are just as good a judge as a PPI. Maybe better. I would know how to check out a Boxster or a 911.

But, not having a lift makes it attractive to spend the usual 200 for a pro PPI. Then do what you can yourself to back it up.

In the case of the Jag, I knew nothing and the PPI turned up some critical stuff, mostly underneath.

Very true. I spend quality time under every car I sell, so I can describe in great detail the work that I have done as well as potential needs down the road. Both times I have had buyers spring for a dealership PPI (XJR & 996) the PPI failed to discover issues that I had already disclosed to the buyer. They did note an oil leak on one of the 996's shocks that I had missed, but at 80k the buyer assumed the shocks were shot anyway. You have to find a really experienced mechanic to make it worth the money.