996 Choices - any input welcomed

[steveu812]

Looking for first 996

I found an '04 that has all of the options I'm looking for - 3-spoke wheel, heated seats, sport seats and Litronic headlights. I also just rec'd an email from pvt party seller telling me he's lowered the price. Here are the 2 cars

2004 - 77k miles - asking $25K - but with dlr fees and shiping $26k - at an independent dealer.
One owner car, called Porsche dlr. and they indicated that it was last in for the 60k service and that it had a clutch at 46k.

1999 - 49k miles - asking $19k - local pvt party sale
has a 3-spoke wheel. The nice part is that I can actually go and touch this car and there would be no fees and shipping.

Both are silver on black, both have good tires and are very clean. PPI would be done regardless.

So...go with a local low mileage '99 or spend the 7k more for the '04?
I supect I'll upgrade in 5 years so resale is somewhat of a factor.

Like I said, any input is appreciated.

Thanks

[txhokie4life]

'04 + lintronics, + 3.6L, + e-gas, -IMS single row bearing

'99 read up on the block/cylinder head issues for '99's (search Hartech). Bicycle Chain crank to IMS == sometimes problems with sprockets slipping.

just my 0.02c.

You do have to ask if you put 10K miles a year -- what's the value of a 125K miles car vs 100K miles?

mike

[LI911]

I don't know the 04 pricing very well, but asking 25K for a 2004 seems suspiciously low especially coming from a dealer. As you know, dealers don't provide bargains.

A quick search on Autotrader reveals 91 cars and there is only 1 car lower than 25K. Based on your other post, I looked up the car in Tempe, AZ and the online pics look very, very clean -maybe too clean for a car with 75K plus on it? Did you run the carfax? Even if carfax comes up clean, if you go PPI find a shop that can put a paint meter on it.

I can see why you're pursuing it and I think your idea of getting someone to pre-PPI it makes allot of sense. I'd bet somethings going on with that car but maybe I'm just paranoid. I'm sure a PPI with a good indy will reveal the true condition. Also, maybe you can work out a deal with an indy mechanic to go there and do a quick 30 minute inspection for a few bucks.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[steveu812]

I looked at the Carfax - which is available on the dealer site. It's NOT a "one owner" car as I had originally thought. No accidents are listed, but from the Carfax, it almost looks like it was a demonstrator vehicle as it was only sold from dealer inventory after 18k miles. I have a van that was a in a rental car pool that had a "clean" Carfax, but it clearly had some bodywork on one side so I never trust that part of Carfax.

[steveu812]

Stand down...'04 was sold

Thanks to 356racing for running out to have a look!