Got a PPI on a 996.2 Targa. Not sure if it's worth buying.

I'm looking at this car: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...7676/overview/ I got a PPI done and it needs a fair amount of maintenance. The shop says it is in good shape overall. The CarFax says it was in an accident, but the shop says they could find no evidence of frame damage. The only thing they could find was some paint mismatch on the bumper. They said the RMS is leaking, the wheel bearing might be going bad, the rear tires are worn out, and the water pump looks original and I should consider replacing it. He also said the oil sump and transmission look like they have been opened before. I was already planning on spending about $2000 putting a LNE Pro IMS bearing in, so the RMS isn't a big deal. I'm wondering with the other maintenance, at what point is this too expensive versus buying a car that needs less work. Finally, I live in Maryland, and the shop didn't recommend driving it that far with the RMS leaking. So I will also need to pay for shipping. I could easily be looking at around $4000 in maintenance and repairs, plus $1000 shipping and 6% tax, so $1000. That is quite a bit of money, so how cheap do you think it needs to be to make sense? I like the targa, but I would also be happy with a coupe. The color combo is perfect, wheels are good, and it looks like it has good options. I don't care about mileage or a few scratches, it will be my DD. Attached is the PPI. Let me know what you think. I definitely need to sleep on it.

All 996 Targa are 996.2 They only sold ~500 in 2004, so they are reasonably rare., not saying that makes a big deal as far as value now, but someday, maybe That PPI does not look bad at all, especially for a car with 121k The fact that the sump plate was removed in and of itself, means nothing and (per carfax) was replaced at 27K Trans removal (per carfax) was at 35k miles to replace crankcase oil seal Per the carfax, it looks like it was fairly regularly serviced at Germain Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI ,[phone removed] . I would give them a call and ask about what was done to the car yea, I would replace the WP. If you DIY including a low temp thermostat and coolant flush and replace is under $350 in parts and a couple of hours wrenching Shifter linkage zip tied, no big deal and fairly common wheel bearings, well it does have 121K miles... Unless it is just spewing oil, driving from MI to MD should not be a big deal How did the Toyota dealer get the car? trade in or auction? The place that did the PPI, do they specialise in Porsche? I would offer them $15 or $16 k and see what they say

Never fails to amaze me on all the 996 cars out there for sale and nothing wrong with them and still posters consider buying cars that have not been maintained. Not even brought up to scratch for sale... It baffles me. Move on I say and look for something better.

I think I have seen this car driving around my neighborhood in canton MI multiple times (including winter). Also registration carfax data shows canton for renewal. I can say struts can be shot as Michigan road are bad. Mine were all shot at 80k miles. Also, Michigan winter salt is not kind to your car.

Quotes source post: 13130558

and how exactly do you know there is nothing wrong with them???? A car that needs a few relatively low cost items at a good price is probably a good deal

Quotes source post: 13130534

Concur with everything JayG says here. Seriously, a car at this price point is going to have a few needs. But, overall, that's not a bad PPI. Can't drive a car with a leaking RMS the 550 miles or so from Detroit to Maryland? That's bull****. That RMS has probably been leaking for the past 30k miles already, 550 more won't hurt it.

Quotes source post: 13130534

Thanks for the detailed reply! I will think about calling Germain Ann Arbor tomorrow. See if they can tell me anything interesting. Good to hear you think it is good to drive as is. I might still get a shipping quote to compare to airfare and hotel. I'd bet the Toyota dealer got it as a trade in. That would be dumb of them to buy a car at auction they clearly have no idea how to sell, but I will ask. Automotive Techniques specializes in Porsches and German cars. They knew all about 996's and have worked on a lot of them including IMS bearings. I now see they have had this car for sale for almost 5 months. I'm leaning towards offering $15k and seeing if I can get it for $16k, maybe $17k max.

Removing oil pan is a common practice on this car... Clutch, ims, rms & parts can be done for $2000 if you diy

Quotes source post: 13130906

I bought my 986 S from a VW dealer that took it in trade, it was the wrong car for them to have on their lot. From the carfax, it does look like the Toy dealer did get it as a trade. The place that serviced it may not want to give you copies of the service invoices, but should at least tell you about what they did to it. One thing, make sure the Targa top is working properly as they can be VERY $$$$ to fix Let us know how it goes

looks more like seal grey - not slate grey but photo is not the best

There are SO MANY 996s for sale. You're not really getting this one "cheap" after the costs involved to bring it home. If the attached PPI represents the entire report, either the shop did a crappy PPI (which I suspect is true), or this car is in great shape (minus the mentioned items). I paid $200 for a PPI on my current 2002 C2 and I got a DETAILED six page report (paint depths, durametric printouts, brake pad and rotor measurements, tire measurements, on and on and on). YOU have not seen or driven this car? You want a "cheap" high mileage Porsche for a daily driver? You're willing to spend up to $25k? You can do better. Unless you are the type who can do the majority of maintenance yourself I'd pass on this one. Find a 996 you can personally inspect and DRIVE. Take the car you are considering on a LONG DRIVE.....Then get a real PPI from a Porsche expert / enthusiast. TRUST ME PLEASE......there are no "deals" or "cheap" Porsche 911s. 99% of the time you get EXACTLY what you paid for and on a high mileage car (without records) there will be A LOT of "little things" that will add up to a big pile of money.

Quotes source post: 13130927

......or twice that if you have to pay a shop to do it. Keep in mind that all of the points being brought up (including having to ship the car due to the RMS (and I agree that that's BS)) are all "ammunition" for you to use to drive the price down. I would be sitting down with the sales manager (and no, not the sales rep) pointing out all of these things on the PPI and asking him, "Did you realize that the car has all of these items that need fixing???" Your target ought to be to get them worried enough - especially after having it sit around all those months - to just want to move it out for what they have into it. That's "The Art of The Deal!"

Quotes source post: 13131891

I am disappointed that the report is so short. I was expecting something a lot more detailed especially since they spent all day to get it to me. I would disagree that there are a lot of 996 available that I would be able to reasonably test drive. There are only two within a 3 hour drive of me that I am interested in. So I am more than likely going to have to continue to consider cars that are further away and would have to buy sight unseen. I would love to test drive a bunch and get the best couple inspected and buy the best one, but I don't think that is realistic. I can do a lot of work myself, but I am not excited about getting a car and having to spend a lot getting it fixed, spend a lot of time fixing it myself, or a combination of both. The list of issues really isn't bad and the most expensive portion I was planning on doing anyway. But it still ends up being a lot of money out of pocket. I'm leaning towards negotiating hard on this car. I am more than willing to walk away from it if they won't give me a very low price. I have plenty of time to look at other cars.

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa Division: PCNA Commission #: 527564 Prod Month: 04/2004 VIN: WP0BA29974S635181 Price: $86,270.00 Exterior: Seal Grey Metallic Interior: Black Standard Leather Warranty Start: May 08, 2004 Additional Equipment 476 Porsche Stability Management 586 Lumbar Support-Left Seat 680 Bose High End Sound Package AA Black Standard Leather M6A Black Mats - Porsche lettering P15 Power Seat Package P16 Porsche Communication Mgt. II P74 Xenon Headlamp Package Y1 Seal Grey Metallic Top

Might be worth the drive... 2002 Porsche 911 $14,999 [phone removed] http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1920163C and... https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...5423/overview/ and... https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8964/overview/

Anything could be worth buying at the right price... Everyone here has good points. You can find a better car for more money and save yourself the repair cost/headache, but if you could negotiate a better price based on the PPI then you know what you're getting into and once the repairs are done you have a car you're comfortable with. Assuming of course theres nothing unseen that needs attention. If you're set on this and get it at the price you like why couldnt you get it to a local shop for the repairs before you pick it up? Or grab a quart of oil for the ride home.

It's comforting buying a car that has been maintained properly with service record history - Of course not all cars fall under this category. What you do in this scenario is explain to seller that you will consider buying the car IF you split the cost of services recommended. I'd add a clutch to the list too. Find another car if seller balks.

I'm not buying this car. Thanks everyone for all your advice. It's been very helpful. It ended up being an easy decision. The dealer called me back and I told them I am still interested if they come down on the price. He said they are already selling it at cost and will not lower the price. I told him to call me back if decide to lower the price, but I'm not buying it otherwise. They can enjoy it sitting on their lot for another 6 months. I'm leaning towards buying a car that needs very little work and has a good history. I think that is worth a few thousand more. I've got plenty of time to look, so I shouldn't let myself settle on a car that is just good enough. craig001 - Thank you for the info. Is there an easy way to see the options like this or do I need to call a Porsche dealer for the info? b3freak - The first one looks good, but it's a cabriolet. I'd prefer a coupe or targa. The second one is awesome. I love that car and price, but I can't buy an auto. The third one I am seriously considering.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5486223890.html http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5486714321.html http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5481833585.html Any of these look good to you? The one in Wayne, PA is only a few miles from where I live and right near an outstanding Porsche indy shop.

Quotes source post: 13133171

Thank you for finding those! I already had the first one on my list. It looks great, but it's at the very top of my price range. The other two are new to me, I will have to look into them. I haven't been looking at craigslist much beyond my specific area. I felt that most people with Porsches would list their cars on other sites then craigslist. Maybe I'm wrong, I'll try looking there more.

you'd be foolish not to buy a 996 C4S if you plan to spend $25-$26K - don't settle for a narrow body at that price - C4S will hold value. even if you have to wait and save a few more Grand, go for C4S - i guarantee you'll thank me

Quotes source post: 13133295

I actually found mine listed on CL Have you also tried looking here: https://rennlist.com/forums/marketplace/cars/search/

I would ask ppi to pull oil filter and look for metal .... Not a guarantee but easy to do 121k is higher miles than I would go - yes $17k would be an ok deal - but for a bit more you could get lower miles car from southern state or california without rust issues ...

This one is not too far and seems to be in decent shape for the asking price.... http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/5488322333.html

Quotes source post: 13133404

Looks likes he's a user and not a member, so I don't think he has access. Andrew: Not a bad idea to spend the $17 to become a Rennlist member.

I have purchased my last 3 high-end cars at a distance, after PPI's by Indys whom I had researched... They've all worked out, though I had never seen the cars until I picked them. I would look for a rennlist referral.

Good for you walking away from the original car. $17k for a car with 121k miles is just too high unless the car has ZERO issues and a full service history since day one. $14k would be top dollar for that particular car IMO. Usually a Mk2 is going to bring in $20k and there is nothing wrong with a car with 120k miles on it it's just that with that 04 Targa needing an IMS and a few other things you're up to over $20k.

PCA's Bruce Anderson's advice is still true all these years late: Buy the newest, best Porsche you can afford. In my experience any money you save buying a car with needs will be consumed by repairs, and then some.