Car Comparison

Hello, and thanks for letting me join the website. I am interested in buying a Porsche 996 and have at least 3 cars I am considering. I would be interested in how you would rank these if you were buying: 1. 2002 911 Carrera Convertible, 55K miles, some service records, but incomplete, no record of IMS replacement, exterior very good, interior good, aftermarket radio and radar detector installed, 2 owners. 2. 2002 911 Carrera convertible 85K miles, same as above on condition, but extensive service records (since owner bought). Single owner, has had the $8900 service of IMS, clutch, seals, etc�. 3. 2004 Carrera 4S convertible, 70K miles. Far less service records. First two cars in the $25K range, third car is high $30K range. All are dealer cars that will offer 3 month/3000 mile warranties. And they have their mechanics do a check on the cars. I appreciate any thoughts/comments!

What color combinations are each? All manual or tiptronic? Sounds like you're wanting a convertible, be advised that now that those components are pretty old, RND on the covertible mechanisms can get quite expensive. Also, all that are listed have a 3.6L, so I'd suggest having them bore scoped by an independent shop that will give you a non-biased opinion. All have driver miles for the most part, which generally good since things haven't sat around too long.

I would choose #2 if all are similar. As suggested above make sure you do due diligence prior to purchase.

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Thanks, I am definitely looking for a convertible, but appreciate your comments on the convertible parts. All three are gray, not silver, but what I think is called seal gray. One interior is black, two are light gray. All are 6 speed manual, which I am looking for.

Thanks, definitely will do the due diligence. #2 seems to make the most sense to me as well.

#2 sounds like a good start. I have same answer as billy. Verify the 1-owner status if you can. Not trying to poison the well, but, I can tell you how many car salesmen I've met that seem to have very intimate relationships with little old church ladies that happen to be constantly selling their old cars...

With what's said #2 does seem like the best option, single owner, complete or mostly complete service records, well driven, some major things already taken care of (check date of those services). Still would suggest getting the bores scoped.

Thanks, all good advice!

#2. 3rd party PPI with bottom scope if you�re ready to pull the trigger. Best insurance policy for less than $1,000.

Agree with those who at first blush recommend taking a hard look at no. 2. Here's an important piece of advice that far too often goes unheeded: within reason, always buy condition and service history over miles. _

^^^^ So true! Especially in a crazed market where current purchase price levels strain planned budgets.

OK, I am down to two cars, I think. It got a little more interesting in Car 2. So the comparison is this: 1. 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera, extensively serviced. 82K miles. Turns out 4 owners, not one, but great service records. Just had an 8900 dollar service to replace IMS, clutch, and seals. Here’s where it gets interesting. Carfax shows car was stolen in 2003, but recovered 11 days later and never lost its clean title. That seems like it wouldn’t be a big deal but maybe affects resale value? Priced at about 28K 2. 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, very few service records, but has gone mechanical inspection at dealer. 70K miles. Better shape interior than car 1, but car 1 is good. Priced at 38K, but think I could get maybe 2K off due to IMS not being done. thoughts on these two?

Car #1 is looking good, especially for the price. I would call the shop that did the extensive service and find out exactly what they did and what they saw while they were in there. Not sure where you are located, but with all that work done, even with 82K it sounds like it is priced under the current market value. I would still have a PPI done, but by a totally different shop from anyone else involved previously. Trust but verify.

Car #1

Choose the one that has the most oil changes... From quantity of records, it seems like this is #1 from post 12

I know there are folks on here with far more experience then I have. But I'll add my 2 cents and say that oil changes, while very important, aren't the only thing to look at. As I have learned during my (recent) first Porsche purchase, just because the oil has been changed a lot (and documented at the dealer), that doesn't negate the deterioration of other things that happen with time on these cars. There are many other things that should be looked at and, if needed, addressed, at regular maintenance intervals. Fresh motor oil is great, but not if everything else has beed neglected and on the ragged edge of failure. Again, #1 car looks great, but it would be a smart move to have it looked at (by someone with no dog in the hunt) before you buy. Just sayin.

I would put little to no value on a "dealer inspection". Did/will the dealer show you the inspection sheet? If they do you will see what I mean.

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+1 Get the bores scoped. IMS, AOS, water pump are all easily replaceable, service records will tell you what has been done, but at the end of the day, how the bores look will determine how soon you will need a rebuild, which is the biggest cost of all.

Car # 1 but have it checked out independently. What else was done on it. I just paid $6k for IMS, RMS, clutch w/o flywheel, AOS, water pump, expansion tank and a coupe small things. Is it an LN Engineering IMS bearing? Look up the VIN on their website so you can verify the warranty. Last thing you want is to find out that it wasn�t properly pre-qualified. It seems like a decent deal but it�s a little odd that someone just put $9k into it just before selling. Make sure you get it checked out thoroughly (bore scope). How�s the suspension? Any maintenance or upgrade history?