Opinion on speedometer

[speedster911]

Need the groups opinion to see if I am off base.

I am looking at a car to purchase (dealer) with supposedly low mileage for the MY. There is a carfax available but no service records indicating mileage / date of service.

The red flag is that there is a scratch on the dial face of the speedo, it is large scratch that it is a line from the lower center Km/ MPH logo along the right side also hitting the numbers on the right side of dial. Certainly not the way it left the factory- Spedo opened and odometer messed with??

Dealer not budging on price, what would you discount the ask based on this red flag. Would also add, condition of certain areas of the car not indicative of mileage but other areas are. Thanks for the sanity check

[917_Langheck]

You need to pull the speedo out of the binnacle and inspect the rear for intact green sealant around the screw heads, and the edge of the bezel for small pry marks. And appropriate date codes.

[NYNick]

I'm assuming it's an air cooled car. If so I'm not surprised the dealer isn't budging on price. I am always suspicious of cars of this vintage and mileage. It's 30 or 40 years old after all. Asking for justification of the low mileage (to justify the price) is not an unreasonable request if you ask me. Carfaxes usually have data on registrations. Those usually state the mileage at time of registration. If not, the dealer must have SOMETHING.

But, there are visual clues to look for. How's the rubber on the brake pedal and clutch pedal. Worn or new? How's the left bolster of the driver's seat? How's the upholstery?
How's the paint in all the hidden areas? Door jams, under the frunk carpet, wheel wells?
Your visual inspection is everything.

And yes, speedometers come out fairly easily and have a date code on them. That doesn't mean somebody didn't drive around for years with the speedometer disconnected, but it's another clue. Good luck getting them to let you do that, but...

Lastly, always get an independent PPI. Worth every penny for what I'm sure is a many tens of thousands of dollars purchase.

[matt930s]

Cars here in SC are listed as “exempt” in place of the mileage on the title if over 25 years old. I’ve had several cars with lower mileage as well as documentation proving such and they wouldn’t budge on the “exempt” verbiage.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by 917_Langheck

You need to pull the speedo out of the binnacle and inspect the rear for intact green sealant around the screw heads, and the edge of the bezel for small pry marks. And appropriate date codes.

This. And easily done in a parking lot on a test drive without the dealer every knowing you peeked.

[Marine Blue]

I agree with NYNick, a low mileage car will show like new with minimal wear on the carpets in the foot pedal area, wheel wells won’t be extremely dirty, most of the rubber and trim will look excellent etc. If the car looks tired then the mileage is likely not accurate. Big gaps in mileage readings would also be a reason to look at condition more closely.

[speedster911]

Thanks everyone -

Told myself to listen to my gut , the scratch on the speedometer and condition of drivers seat have me walking away. Looks like more than 56K miles to me

[speedster911]

[fisher22]

Significant bolster wear screams higher mileage. Unless they were extremely careless, which is another flag.

[blucille]

and I wouldn't necessarily rely on what the back of the speedometer looks like as a tip-off.

The pros can install a new trim ring and the crimp would be perfect. More likely, the speedometer could have been swapped with a new or lower mileage unit very easily, even with a somewhat appropriate date-stamp without much hassle at all,

agree, this doesn't look like a low mileage car. The only way to know would be to have repair history that showed the mileage progressing over a period of time

[porschyard]

Speedster ?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by porschyard

Speedster ?

A 94 would be my guess, love the color, would love to see more pictures.

[Macroni]

My thoughts are to follow your gut.....

For the price they would want for a low mileage 1994 Speedster, you can buy another w/o red flags.

Maybe not in Blue.

Side Note: They have really spiked in value.

[jessiesisco07]

Interesting

[robertmark]

Car will end up on bat selling for 50% more than it's worth to some novice Porsche guy. It's happening all the time over there.

[speedster911]

yes - 94 speedster. for those wondering

[fisher22]

That’s my favorite color for the speedster. If you get around to snapping a few pictures that would be great.

[lolleaksshawt]

More 94 pictures will help