New owner intro (and questions!)

First, thanks to all on the forum for all your insight- I was the OP in the thread "The quest for a nice $20k 996 C2 cab manual". Just bought the car - 2003 C2 Cabriolet manual in Seal Gray Metallic. 86k miles, multiple owners (7) and a minor accident 10 years ago. The most recent owner (who had it 3 years) had looked after it pretty well- had service records, had replaced the convertible top mechanicals, replaced the stock head unit with a nice Alpine with bluetooth and replaced the speakers with aftermarket. Also had new tires, just smogged and registered. But no prior service records, he had bought it from a dealer. I paid $15k after some negotiation. PPI showed the following issues: -Convertible top fabric on passenger side doesn't slide properly into the rail above the passenger side window (pic follows) -Left turn signal doesn't stay engaged -Alternator runs a little low (12.6V, should be 13.6V I think) -Passenger seat moves up/down but not forward/backward (he thinks it is a switch but it could be the motor) Any of these issues solvable by a noob with basic tools who is willing to learn and watch youtube videos? Anyone else in West LA know a good indy shop here? There is one called Stuttgart Automotive just a few blocks from me with good Yelp reviews, anyone know it? Thanks all! I love this forum- and my new car! Headlights a little yellowed, multiple small paint chips on front bumper- suggestions for these? Bad tint job is peeling, will re-do it Pretty light on the options, anything good/bad here? The mechanicals work fine but the fabric leaves a gap where it doesn't quite fit in the rail Interior in good shape other than just some wear on the interior paint- any suggestions Planning to sell the hard top I think, I'm in California

1. local auto parts store can "load test" your alternator. 2. top: find a local auto upholstery shop that works on Porsches 3. seat & turn signal (and #1): you can probably DIY 4. interior paint to refinish/resurface: you can search the many threads about it here

I would give 10 to 1 odds that the seat is just the switch and not the motor. Nice looking car. Well bought at $15k. Seal gray is a great color for pretty much every Porsche model ever made. Very substantial and classy. Especially good for a cab. You will regret selling the hardtop even if you never use it. Probably will only get about $500 for it. You'll wish you had it when it comes time to sell the car. Have those headlights cleaned up by a professional. It's not much more expensive than buying a kit to DIY. I spent a couple of hours working on just one of mine and it still doesn't look great - just OK.

Congrats! I think most of those issues can be done by any good interior/detail shop. For Porsche specific stuff, if you're willing to drive to the Valley, NARW in Reseda is a well respected Indy.

For the seat, if you can hear the motor working than it is probably the drive cable. If you can't hear the motor it is the motor or the switch. For the top it may be the cable. There is one on each side. Open the top part way and look in the storage area where the folded top sits to see if the cables are attached on each side. One may be damaged, the bell connectors can come off. For the turn signal switch it may be the switch itself. If it is damaged you will probably have to replace it which involves removing the airbag and steering wheel. Be careful with the airbag, you have to disconnect the battery and let it sit for 15 minutes or so. There are lots of DIYs and Youtubes on this. Do you have a three stalk or a four stalk switch. There is a difference.

very nice car , the Fischer cd holder and the surround trim will come in handy and can replace the cubby hole if you dont like it

I got quoted the following at an indy shop in Downey: -$544 to replace the turn signal -$646 to replace the switch for the power seat -$905 for the alternator (have to test it under load so may not be needed) -Awaiting eval of the top, hopefully it's just the cable!

Congratulations on the new toy. I like that color. I just bought mine two days ago and was seriously looking at a '99 in Seal Gray.

Quotes source post: 13868109

Others can confirm but those prices seem steeeeep. I'd say if you're handy attempt a DIY fix on the signal + power seat switch at least.

Quotes source post: 13868109

That's way too much $$$. The Porsche tax is real, but that feels like highway robbery even by those standards. I replaced an entire steering wheel for less than that turn signal alone.

Try TLG in Van Nuys. They've been in business for 35 years and work on both water cooled and air cooled Pcars.

Quotes source post: 13868109

The turn signal switch is about $350, and the seat switch (have to buy the whole assembly) is about $450, for parts (no labor costs). So, the prices above are steep.

I know a guy parting out a 996 in Hawaii if you can't find parts locally.

Thanks all- I checked with two other shops. The second shop quoted me the following: -Turn signal switch: $591 -Wiper blades: $105 (really?! - I think I can handle that) -Front hood shocks (seem to be working OK to me): $150 -Yearly service: $397 -Right low beam headlight replacement: $174 -Brake fluid renewal (should be done every 2 years): $410 -Passenger seat switch vs. motor: $450 to start and then up from there depending on what they find Seemed a little excessive! Porsche tax in full effect. Thanks Alansglide for the TLG recommendation! They were the last place I checked and Marco seems terrific. He also quoted me significantly less than the 2 other shops for the same work. Will be bringing up the car to him next Friday.

You're welcome. My 77 will be going into Marco for repairs on Tuesday

Quotes source post: 13876887

I hope Marco doesn't charge those prices! Damn. Here is a link to those front hood shocks (>$15). Labour time, 15 mins allowing time to open your beer. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-feq-part...651155101~feq/ If you think you might need an alternator, I just had one rebuilt, with brand new clutched pulley for $150 CDN (which equates to about $25 USD ) Not sure what they are including in the "yearly service" but suspect it is an oil change and "maybe" air and cabin filter. These are good DIY projects with a difficulty rating of 2-3 on a scale of 1-10. Money saved in these areas alone should more than cover off some of the other repairs. With regards to your roof, there is also a strap that goes across the width of the car (door to door) right about there. I know when I got mine, this strap had torn loose. Quick needle and thread and all fixed up and working perfect for 2 yrs now. If you raise the roof to the "service position", about halfway between up and down, maybe a little less (lets say 16" between edge of roof and windshield frame), you can reach in and feel for this strap, and also check the rear cables that were mentioned earlier. These cables are next to the rear window and secure the rear part of the roof to the chassis. If you run your hand under the roof, between the chassis and roof, starting at the side glass and working around to the back, you will feel them. They are attached with a simple pop on, pop off ball and socket (no tools required). Hope this helps. Beautiful car by the way!