2002 Cab... What do you think....???

What do you think about this car... Have been following it for a while and price has come down over the last 2 months... buy it now price is $49,985 for 2002 cab with $38K miles (was $52,500 in early April). I've attached option codes and carfax details as well... 3 owners... Run because of 3 owners, or give it a chance since price is pretty decent? Your input is much appreciated! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...QQcmdZViewItem eBay Item Number: 4645619882 Options on Car: 139 Seat Heating - Left 288 Headlight washer 288 996: Light washers 340 Seat heating - Right 413 18" Turbo look wheels 446 996: Colored Wheel Crests 446 Parts for type "Targa" belonging to stipulated assembly 476 Brake pad with abrasive pad 476 996: Traction control 551 Air Deflector (Cabriolet) 601 Litronic Headlights 680 Digital Sound 692 Remote CD changer (6-disc) X98 Aluminium/leather parking break handle CarFax Details: 2002 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA2/4 WP0CA29942S651954 CONVERTIBLE 3.6L H6 SFI DOHC / REAR WHEEL DRIVE Standard Equipment | Safety Options � Qualifies - CARFAX Buyback Guarantee � 3 owners � Last reported mileage - 22,991 miles The number of owners is estimated by CARFAX Year purchased 2002 2003 2005 Type of owner Personal --- --- Estimated length of ownership 6 months 1 yr. 10 mo. 6 months Owned in the following states Louisiana Texas Texas Estimated miles driven per year --- --- --- Last reported odometer reading 10,696 22,966 22,991 CARFAX guarantees the information in this section Salvage | Junk | Rebuilt Guaranteed No Problem Guaranteed No Problem Guaranteed No Problem Fire/Flood | Hail Damage | Buyback/Lemon Guaranteed No Problem Guaranteed No Problem Guaranteed No Problem Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits Guaranteed No Problem Guaranteed No Problem Guaranteed No Problem GUARANTEED - None of these major title problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you find that any of these title problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. Register | View Terms Not all accidents or other issues are reported to CARFAX Frame Damage Check No frame damage reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported No Issues Reported No Issues Reported Airbag Deployment Check No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported No Issues Reported No Issues Reported Odometer Rollback Check No indication of an odometer rollback. No Issues Indicated No Issues Indicated No Issues Indicated Accident Check No accidents reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported No Issues Reported No Issues Reported Manufacturer Recall Check No recalls still require repair. No Recalls Reported No Recalls Reported No Recalls Reported Basic Warranty Check Original warranty estimated to have expired. View Info Interested in an extended warranty? Warranty Active Warranty Active Warranty Expired A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. CARFAX checked over 4 billion vehicle history events and found 17 record(s) for this 2002 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA2/4 ( WP0CA29942S651954 ). Purchased: 2002 Type: Personal Where: Louisiana Est. miles/year: --- Est. length owned: 2/15/02 - 9/12/02 (6 months) Date: Mileage: Source: Comments: 01/09/2002 5 Dealer Inventory Austin, TX Vehicle offered for sale 01/28/2002 Dealer Inventory Austin, TX Vehicle offered for sale 02/15/2002 Louisiana Motor Vehicle Dept. Kenner, LA Registered as personal vehicle 02/27/2002 17 Louisiana Motor Vehicle Dept. Kenner, LA Title issued or updated First owner 08/01/2002 5,369 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 09/12/2002 Dealer Inventory Austin, TX Vehicle offered for sale 11/15/2002 7,399 Service Facility Vehicle serviced 06/09/2003 Dealer Inventory Louisiana Vehicle sold 06/30/2003 10,696 Dealer Inventory Houston Vehicle offered for sale 09/19/2003 Texas Inspection Station Houston Passed emissions inspection Purchased: 2003 Where: Texas Est. miles/year: --- Est. length owned: 10/7/03 - 8/17/05 (1 yr. 10 mo.) Date: Mileage: Source: Comments: 10/07/2003 10,737 Texas Motor Vehicle Dept. Houston, TX Title #10138637887104908 Title issued or updated Registration issued or renewed New owner reported Loan or lien reported Passed safety inspection 08/31/2004 18,877 Texas Inspection Station Houston, TX Passed Emissions inspection 08/15/2005 22,959 Texas Inspection Station Houston, TX Passed emissions inspection 08/17/2005 22,966 Dealer Inventory Houston, TX Vehicle offered for sale Purchased: 2005 Where: Texas Est. miles/year: --- Est. length owned: 10/10/05 - 4/11/06 (6 months) Date: Mileage: Source: Comments: 10/10/2005 22,991 Texas Motor Vehicle Dept. Pearland, TX Title #10137938620161252 Title issued or updated New owner reported 04/11/2006 Dealer Inventory Houston, TX Vehicle offered for sale 06/01/2006 Porsche Cars North America No recalls open for repair

If the car is in excellent condition, that's not a bad price. I prefer CPO cars, even though they cost a little more.

I wouldn't run just because of 3 owners - there are lots of reasons people hold a car for a short time. It doesn't mean it's a bad car at all. Get a good PPI!

I lvie in Houston not far from Expo Motors. I'd be happy to go by there today or tomorrow afternoon and check it out for you. Expo does price their cars to be moved. I know people who have bought from them before and have been happy. I also know some of their cars they get at auction and have had paint/body work. I am no expert in noticing that type of stuff, but again I will be happy to go have a look for you, and test drive, etc. my email is [email removed] Also if you want a PPI done there is a man named Jurgen Steiner just down the road from Expo at Memorial One Imports whom I would trust to give you a very good PPI.

Looks good on paper. Have it checked out!

I think it looks great. Price doesn't seem bad at all. Looks like it's in excellent condition.

I've had three 3 owner low milage cars and never had an issue. When I sold them they still had low milage so they were then 4 owner low milage cars.

How about the 38,000 miles?? Am I better of buying a lower mileage car, i.e. in the mid twenties or so?

From my perspective, when looking to purchase a particular model (ie 996), the two most important things to look at are mileage and what base changes occurred in the various model years. The jump between 2002 and 2003 was pretty significant because of the increase in displacement. In that scenario, I would prefer a 2003 with 30k miles vs. a 2002 with 15k even if the 2003 was $5000 more. In this case, the underlying �goodness� of the car trumps the mileage. If looking at two model years that are relatively similar, like 03 and 04, I would pay big for lower mileage. No matter how well a car is cared for, miles = wear. Wear on the engine, interior, transmission, everything. Certainly the miles=wear factor is less on the car that is owned by a car nut (like most of us) with the oil changed every 3,000 miles, versus the corresponding car owned by someone that just happens to have the money, but it is still the single biggest factor on when major repair needs to be done. Having said that, I have heard of many 911�s with 150,000 miles on them that have never been opened up. If the car appears to be well cared for, I wouldn�t be too concerned about 38k miles. Check for documented oil changes.

I'd actually prefer a car thats been driven an average of 9,000 miles a year over one that's only seen 3-4k a year.

That black interior will fry you like an egg down there in Charlotte. You won't ever want to take the top down.

interesting observation Redhatcab... to other people living in warm climates... any opinions on getting a black interior with a cab? Bad idea?

if the weather is 95+, i don't think the top will be down anyways. you'll want the ac. aside from the blk leather cooking under the sun when parked, i don't see a difference how color makes that much difference. blk and grey interior still looks best imo. kmayer -- 2002 does have 3.6L btw. 03 start w MOST which isn't as good as 02's analog if stereo is to be upgraded.

Anyone who as ever had a car with a black interior in the middle of summer in the south knows what I am getting at. It can be brutal and with a cab that's the last thing I personally would want no matter what "looks" better. Due to the humidity it doesn't have to be even in the 80's in a my cab to get really uncomfortable if the sun is blaring and my car is has Graphite Gray leather which is pretty much a neutral gray. A black leather cab would be unbearable. I would suggest any interior color in this climate but black.

Wouter, I just went to look at the car. I did not drive it, but judging by the condition of it if it were my decision I would pass on this one all the way. It was inside on the showroom, and I could see micro marring over the entire car. There were some pretty deep scratches, and a couple of spots on the rear bumper that needed serious repair. One was a hole that was badly repaired, and very obvious. I think the front bumper was probably replaced, or repainted - poorly either way. The top was lowered on the car so I cannot say the condition of that. The front passenger seat is in very poor condition. It has what looks like brown paint stains all over it. I looked under the car, but could gain little information there because it was too dark to really see anything other than it was very dirty. Just based on appearance alone I would give this car a score of no more than a 5 out of 10. That may be harsh, but I am really picky about my car, and I am trying to give you information based on how I would rate this one if I was making the decision to buy it. I hope this helps, and I glad to have a look at any others. There was a pretty good looking turbo there and a good looking C4s, but both were coupes. There is a reason the price has come down on this one and that is because despite their ad it is a marginal car from an appearance stand point. I cannot say anything about it mechanically except if the owner took such poor care of the paint/interior I would be nervous what they did to the inner workings. As for the black interior notes from those above I have black on black and I live in Houston Texas. That interior is no more hot than any other on a hot day here. When it is 100 degrees it is freaking hot no matter the color of the interior. That should be a non factor.

i'd pass. isn't Louisiana where they have a lot of floods and hurricanes? there is a reason i prefer to get California cars if i have a choice

As for the black interior notes from those above I have black on black and I live in Houston Texas. That interior is no more hot than any other on a hot day here Hilarious! Love your sense of humor!

blk on blk, Thanks again for taking a look at the car. Bummed that I still haven't been able to find the car I want, but very happy that I didn't spend $50K on a crap car!!! We will continue the search! Thanks again... man, you've gotta love rennlisters, and people willing to help eachother out!! Terrific... I owe you one!

Blk on Blk was right on the front bumper was resprayed poorly and the paint in general was not given the TLC that one would expect. I saw the car on Saturday but could not find your post to respond. Yes I am new I will post some pics soon. 1999 996 Glacier White over Savannah Beige Cab. Purchased February 18th with 11,068 miles on it and a perfect service history as well as PPI. The previous owner had all the annual services done regardless and he played ball for Green Bay Packers...Santana Dotson. Yes Mods have already started as well as a DE Event.