I Can't Figure it Out

[FL911SC]

I suppose this is half rant to let some of the frustration out, and half me asking for some advice or guidance.
I am in the market for a 718 Cayman S. My wife is in full support of the idea and is actually excited about it. Therefore, I would like to strike while the iron is hot. We cannot afford new, so preowned is where we are looking.
I have talked to people about the car and their experience buying one. I have driven one and my wife and I have looked at them just to get familiar with them.
While talking with people, two things repeatedly come up: 1) get a PPI and 2) extend your search out of state.
To this point, I have found 3 cars I would have bought/would buy today. All of them out of state. This seems to be the problem. No one is willing to "hold" a car long enough for me to get plane tickets. Additionally, two of the cars were at a dealership (one is still on the market), who for the most part are not too accommodating to the idea of a PPI. Focusing on the one that is currently available, the dealership will allow the PPI by a 3rd party, but it has to be done at the dealership and they will not allow it to be put on a lift in their service department. Even if they did, they will not agree to hold the car (I did offer a deposit), unless I am on a plane that day. So maybe this isn't the car for me, I can live with that. However, I continue to run in to this scenario. Even the one car I wanted from a private seller was sold before I could get a plane ticket.
My rant is, buying out of state seems to be more luck than anything else and luck is not a working strategy for me. I feel like I would have a better chance at the lottery than finding THE car within driving distance.

How do people get this done? Again, the folks I have talked to made it seem like the easiest thing in the world. "I found the car. I found a local shop who did a PPI, then I flew there and took delivery". For my search, this scenario is as rare as the perfect car.

If you bought a car out of state, how did you work through the deal? What offer or approach did you use to get the seller to work with you?

I do feel a slight bit better getting that out, now back to looking for my unicorn.

[Marine Blue]

Since the 718 is relatively new I wouldn’t expect there to be any major issues with it. Research the typical issues like the door top trim and headlights etc and make sure the car you’re looking at doesn’t have the known issues. I would also request high resolution pictures of the typical wear areas to confirm condition.


Once the basics are out of the way I would ask for a paintmeter of every panel to confirm that the car hasn’t had bodywork/paintwork done under the radar. I would also ask for a copy of all the services records and I would check Carfax to confirm history of maintenance. If the car doesn’t have any maintenance records and looks rough cosmetically I would assume the worst and walk away. If the car looks pristine with good service history I would place a deposit and go see in person with intent to purchase.

[Glenn at Pelican Parts]

If the car is at a Porsche dealer, wouldn't/shouldn't it be a CPO car with a bumper to bumper 2 year warranty? I bought my 2016 991S from Downtown LA Porsche that way with great confidence and sure enough, it's been trouble free for 2 years so far. Fingers crossed now that the warranty is up though!

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Glenn at Pelican Parts

If the car is at a Porsche dealer, wouldn't/shouldn't it be a CPO car with a bumper to bumper 2 year warranty? I bought my 2016 991S from Downtown LA Porsche that way with great confidence and sure enough, it's been trouble free for 2 years so far. Fingers crossed now that the warranty is up though!

My first thought as well. 718 is CPO territory. That and a clean carfax and I’d be on a plane.

[Macroni]

Should not be a tough car to find w/ a CPO, be patient and keep looking within driving range...

[Marine Blue]

Agreed regarding CPO, I’ve even seen them CPO back to 2011 very recently. Just keep in mind that CPO doesn’t equate to no paintwork, if that matters to you. So a paintmeter request wouldn’t hurt.

[FL911SC]

Ahhhhhh the dream of finding the perfect CPO car. Unfortunately the car that really has my eye is at a Honda dealership in TX. As noted above, they are not super cooperative, but it is hard to blame them since they will most likely find a buyer who isn't asking for PPIs and to hold the car. If the drive was at all practical, I would probably own the car by now and be out driving and enjoying it rather than bothering the world with my complaints and questions.

I do keep an eye on the Porsche CPO search site. It is tricky since it does not allow for a nationwide search. It does occupy some free time in the evenings to search from different cities.
If I did find the right car, and it was CPO, then I would most likely skip the PPI and work on getting a deal done. Knowing there is a cost premium for a CPO, since you are basically buying the warranty being offered, that cost does come with some value and is therefore worth it to me.

@macroni has the strategy I am currently working on, but I have to admit I hate it. Being patient isn't my best attribute and that is made worse when the reward is a 718! :0)
I would still like to hear someone's story who was able to successfully travel to get a car, and the tip and tricks they learned.
This Sunday is the first autocross of 2024 for our region so I will be the annoying guy asking questions on this.
fingers crossed!!

[NYNick]

This any good? In your state too!
https://www.porschejacksonville.com/certified/Porsche/2019-Porsche-718+Cayman-b6a2f6800a0e0a993cfbaa6e983833ce.htm

[NYNick]

I went to the Porsche CPO website, put in a Tampa zip code and it came up with a bunch within 500 miles. To do nationwide, just put in 4 or 5 different zip codes. That'll narrow the search down depending on your price range. Probably take half an hour to get every CPO 718 at a Porsche dealership in the entire country. That's about the only way to get it done.

[FL911SC]

@NYNick - Thank you for the link. I have looked at that car, a couple of times, and just can't make myself like the bordeaux interior. Not judging, just not for me.
On that note, I suppose it is time to share (admit is probably a better word) my next problem. This one, like a lot of problems, is created by me. I have a very specific car in mind. This will no doubt limit and possibly inhibit my search.
I never dreamed of being at a place in my life where I would even be considering a car like this. I paid $7700 for the Porsche I have and that was a stretch at the time. Regardless, I am blessed and thankful, so here we are.
With that said, because I have one chance to get this car, I have it in my mind that it is worth seeking out, and chasing after, "THE" right car. The car I mentioned in TX is 99% there. The 1 item I would change is very low on the priority list, so I would be happy with that one.
All said, that eliminates most of the cars on the CPO, or any, list of cars for sale.
Since I am being so particular about the car, this is why I was so open to traveling to get the right one. The execution of the travel part has been the problem and the reason for the frustration. As noted above, I have come upon "the" car 3 times now, so I know they are there and they are for sale from time to time.

Yes, I do admit that I am claiming to be a victim of my own problem. However, please be reminded I am ask for help and ideas from those that have been able to get an out of state deal done.

Just for full transparency, here is the list:
718 Cayman S
Silver (GT Silver preferred) or Agate Grey
Black or Chalk interior
Seat memory (implies 14 or 18 way)
Premium Package (or ventilated seats at a minimum)
PDK
Chrono Package
PASM
19" wheels (not in black)

See, it isn't that bad!! :0)

Thanks again for letting me rant.

[NYNick]

It's ok to want what you want. For a minute there I thought I was gonna catch you falling in love with a particular car, a buyers worst mistake. But if it's just a list of options, have at it. It's your money and your time. The CPO part however, is going to get in your way, as you've already discovered.

Remember what Mick Jagger said:
"....but if you try sometimes you'll find, you get what you need."

[Cobalt]

I will caution you a CPO especially for a car that is not being sold from the dealership can get expensive. Assuming the tires are less than 50% or brakes need some work due to mileage. They will charge you for the inspection, full list price for whatever needs to be repalced and usually a fee for the CPO. Sometimes the numbers don't add up.

My understanding is that the 982 aka 718 started production in 2017. I personally prefer the 981 platform and engines. However the 718 is beginning to gain respect and is a very capable probably better performing car.

If they aren't interested in selling the car to you which means assisting you with questions maybe it is time to move on. What I learned over the years is no matter how scarce these can be another always pops up and many times painfully days after you pull the trigger.

After months of searching my son purchased a B5 Audi S4 Avant a few weeks back and I tried to get him to hold out. He insisted they are rare and hard to come by in decent condition but never come up in unique colors. Literally the day after he sent the money a 1 of 10 in a unique green came up for sale in our home town. albeit a bit more pricey due to the color but the cost of these is far less than a Porsche engine rebuild.

Patience is a virtue and a PPI is a must or at a min see if you can get someone who knows these cars to put eyes on it for you. Most hear and on rennlist will usually step up to help. The issue is finding someone to do a PPI these days. The Liability aspect has changed over the years and if they miss something can be more aggravation than it is worth.

Too bad you didn't want a Boxster base I did a PPI on the car for Nathan. He couldn't fly out to see it and the seller was off to Germany to pick up his new one. Expensive yes but his cars are always top notch as was this one, The car couldn't get much cleaner.https://cvluxurycars.com/ Silver 718.

[2.7RS]

You are in Florida.

Plenty of dealerships and cars. Be patient. The right car will show.

I would extend my search to Atlanta.

That's it.

[Marine Blue]

My 1990 964 and the 2010 Cayenne were both out of state dealer purchases and I used my approach above for both. The Cayenne was close enough that I flew out, picked it up and drove home. Absolutely no surprises on that purchase and it has turned out to be better than expected. The 964 had some minor surprises but nothing you wouldn’t expect in a 30 yo car with a history of being cheap performance for many years.

Good luck with the search.