Buy a 996 from Non-Porsche Dealer?

Hello, I'm shopping around for a pre-owned 2001 or 2002 Carerra. I see that the prices for a pre-owned from a used performance car dealership are much better than the local Porsche dealers (in ATL, GA) I see asking prices for 2001's in the high $4OK's and 2002's for around $55K at the used car lots. I see that many members to the site here prefer buying from a Porsche dealer. Is it worth if for the price? I plan to get good PPI done and buy an extended warranty for at least 36K more miles when I purchase. This should put me in the clear, right? I hear 911's are very reliable vehicles as it is. I plan to find a car with under 40K miles as well. I do, however, see some used 2001's with over 55K miles for under $40K. This is so much cheaper im thinking its worth it to drive a porsche and get an aftermarket extended warranty. Experts, your thoughts on my scenerio? Thanks so much for advice.

I took a porsche master mechanic(I consider the best here in our area) with me when I looked at my 02coupe from a non porsche dealer. I gave him $40 for 20 mins of his time to look at the car real good, drive it to check the Vario Cams, ABS and PSM if they were all working good. The mechanical checks he did weren't limited to what I mentioned but those were the big ones he explained to me while we were driving it and he let me feel them at work/or when they kick in. The car has 9 mos more of waranty, so thats a plus.

In my opinion, if you are going to buy from a dealer, it's preferable to buy from a Porsche dealer. For about $1800 extra you can get a certified car. The reliability of the Porsche warranty is very likely to be better than an aftermarket extended warranty. In any case, just a personal opinion. While reasonably reliable, therse are complex cars which can be expensive to repair. Anything that buffers that risk is likely to be worrthwhile. AS

Would you be interested in an 03 C-2 w/factory Areo cup II , kit. Lke new and loaded with options ,2600 mi,3yrs on factory warranty. Email me for more info. Elliot

Thanks for the info. I would prefer to purchase from a dealer, but I see costs up to $10K more for equivelent cars. It seems the used car lots can list them a lot cheaper in Atlanta. If I get a solid extended warranty, am I safe? I can still get service and repairs at the Porsche dealer. Does porsche approved mean the same as certified? Thats how they are listed through porsche's autherized dealer websites. Does certified get you additional factory warranty? Thanks

There are two very good reasons for buying from a Porsche dealer as opposed to a non-Porsche dealer. One of them has already been mentioned, the extended warranty. Porsche as a rule will do a lot for their product support, including replacing a whole engine. Unfortunately, this is very dependent on input from the local Porsche dealer, and the regional rep will often take the dealers word. Don't know if this would apply as a negaive or positive with your local dealer if you bought the car from a non-Porsche dealer. The second reason is that often a Porsche will end up in a non-Porsche dealers lot for some "bad" but unknown reason. We have one poster on this board who has had a terrible experience after buying a Porsche from a non_porsche dealer, despite everything looking good prior to the sale. It's always a gamble when buying a used car. I think it's more of a gamble when buying outside the car's dealership. Is the $10K savings worth the gamble? Only you can make the call.

I would not buy a 996 without factory warranty. Third party warranty are shady and can't be trusted. 02+ w Porsche warranty is ok to purchase from private sale or non porsche dealer 99-01 should definitely be bought from a porsche dealer to get the 2 yr porsche warranty. If you take the risk to go w/o a Porsche warranty, you can be looking into a $800 RMS fix or a tranny rebuild $3k. That's a big gamble. Keep in mind that Porsche dealer alway make prices $3-5k over what they are willing to sell. You can expect to negotiate the price big time.

FWIW, There are several reputable aftermarket warranty companies, which often times will cover MORE components than the Porsche equivalent. A "certified porsche" warranty by no means provides bumper to bumper coverage. I would also suggest looking into private sales, as most porsche owners are good about keeping records and will be able to tell you more about the car. If buying from a Porsche dealer warrants a $5000 premium for a "peace of mind" than by all means go ahead. I personally would leave that $5000 in my pocket for MODS

You can buy a Certified Pre-Owned car without buying the warranty. The warranty is optional at the price of $1549.00. I bought a CPO 99 C2 Cab in May from Hennessy in Alpharetta. I shopped at both Jim Ellis and Hennessy; Ellis made no effort at all. I went to Dale Knorzer at Hennessy based on a recommendation from Eric the Plug Guy. Dale is exceptional. Go see him. Tell him we told you about him. I would definitely buy from Dale again. I wanted the Porsche factory extended warranty for three reasons. 1. Porsche will try to keep their customers in any way they can. As for as service, they have treated me very well, replacing the engine in my 98 Boxster gratis even though out of warranty. 2. I did not want an early M96 engine without at least a partial warranty. 3. Aftermarket warranties can be a hassle. Some even go out of business. I was more comfortable with the Porsche warranty. FWIW, I have had zero problems with the 99 Cab. I have put 10k on it. It now has 35k miles. Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot for the info gentlemen.

I bought mine from a non-porsche dealer with only 4k on the clock still under factory warranty. Any issue I have had has been gladly covered under warranty by my local dealer.

I found an 02 Coupe with 30K certified from dealer. I checked their service records, it was originally purchased at the dealer in January of 02. after that, no service records at that dealer are in place until the 30K mi service, which was done to certify the car. I hear the 15K service is basically an oil change (what the sales man told me) and was probably done somewhere else. If the car is certified and up to date on services, am I in the clear? I asked about RMS issues, they said none with this car. I hear 02's are just as prone to RMS leaks as other years, is this true?

02 are defintely not RMS exempt. Dealer can lookup warranty history and will tell you all repairs done under warranty. Call some local dealers where the car was located prevously around 15k mi (carfax / title can tell you where the car was located). If dealer didn't do the 15k job, it's possible it was done by owner himself or at local shop.