Used 996 Purchase Dilemma / Options

Seeking sage advise for a Very Near Term 1999 996 purchase ... Hear are the deals ... Option 1 � 1999 996 C2, Black metallic / black supple leather, full power seats, 18� sport design wheels, good tires / 75% (R � P zeros / F - Continentals) 23.5K miles, late build, no non-factory paint, in dash CD (220), digital sound package, Aluminum door sills and brake lever, good floor mats, one key, 2 owners, 10 months warranty remaining, just had annual maintenance, most records including 15K, negotiating with Porsche dealer to about $50.5 � 51.5K max. Option 2 - 1999 996 C2, Silver / black partial leather, full power seats, 18� Turbo Look wheels, NEEDS tires, 24.2K miles, Early build (radio, yellow indicators), no non-factory paint (excluding warranty repair on engine lid), in dash CD (210), digital package, good floor mats, one key, 2 owners, NO warranty remaining, just had new front brakes and rotors a few months ago (dealer paid for rotors) dealers have records (15K, brakes,) but owner doesn�t have most �paper copies,� negotiating with private party to about $44 - 45K max. Thoughts / considerations on the best option would be appreciated. Thanks -- Mark

I'm definately not a Porsche expert but I did just purchase one recently and went through the same thing you are going through. I went with the dealer car that still had one year of factory warranty left. I did get him down to ~47K though. Mine doesn't have the digital sound or aluminum doorseals, but it does have 18" turbo look wheels. If anything were to go wrong with say the trans then your out 7k or even worse the engine then ~ 9k plus labor. I like having the warranty for a safety net. Any if there is still a factory warranty remaining it is much much cheaper to get an extended warranty. Just something to think about.

I wonder where the other two keys went? Option 3: You could buy a brand new Boxster for the kind of money you are wanting to spend as well as benifit from up to date tech advances

[quote]Originally posted by MJones: <strong>I wonder where the other two keys went? Option 3: You could buy a brand new Boxster for the kind of money you are wanting to spend as well as benifit from up to date tech advances</strong><hr></blockquote> Extra keys disappear like single socks in the laundry!

The first one- warranty plus full leather is a done deal and sport design wheels are nice. Regards. Mike

There could be a huge difference between early and late build in 1999. The early build dates are as early as April/98 (may be even earlier). Lots of TSBs had been introduced during that first model year. So, I would definitely go for the first one. Especially that you have 10 months of warranty left to sort things out. The seonce one is WAY risk IMHO. However, I think the price is way high. You should try to negotitate down at least another $3-4K. Good luck!

[quote]Originally posted by Paul in CA: However, I think the price is way high. You should try to negotitate down at least another $3-4K. Good luck![/QB]<hr></blockquote> Any dealer negotiating points would be appreciated!!!

First off, tell yourself that this is a buyer's market and the dealer should know it too. Secondly, the MY03 are coming. There were reports that people are buying MY01 at around $60K and MY02 at around $65K. If you are spending $51K on a MY99, the minor increase in monthly payment (or $10K more) will let you drive a MY01. The dealer should also know that there are lots of MY99 in the market. BTW, are you sure you don't want PSM? You might want to consider getting a MY00 with PSM. You can get one at around same price (with some patience).

Just my 2 cents... I would look at the build date (on the door sill) and lean towards the newer one. Some of the 98 built MY99's needed a number of fixes while the June on cars are pretty clean.

Go for the dealer car....at that price you should ask them to certify the car....gives you 12 months of factory warranty with unlimited miles that begins when the original warranty expires....plus the dealer is supposed to do a comprehensive inspection to obligate Porsche AG.... a little keep them honest test As others have said why not spend $5,000 more and get a '00 model or later <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[quote]Originally posted by SkyMast: <strong>Option 1 � 1999 996 C2, Black metallic / black supple leather, full power seats, 18� sport design wheels, good tires / 75% (R � P zeros / F - Continentals) Option 2 - 1999 996 C2, Silver / black partial leather, full power seats, 18� Turbo Look wheels, NEEDS tires , </strong><hr></blockquote> Option 1 will require you to buy at least two tires. You don't want to run different tires Front and Rear if you are going to drive it hard or especially if you plan on tracking the car. I agree with the thought of buying the dealer car with the later build date and almost a year of warranty remaining.

[quote]Originally posted by Paul in CA: [QB]There could be a huge difference between early and late build in 1999. The early build dates are as early as April/98 (may be even earlier). Lots of TSBs had been introduced during that first model year. QB]<hr></blockquote> Here is one for the records... 2/98 build sold in 4/98. Still running the original main seal and coolant reservoir. Hindsite being 20/20, I would still rather have a later build date. They changed a few things at the halfway point of the model year.

Go for option 2 <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />