Money down on C4S

Hey folks. Been looking for a decent C4 to move up from my 1983 928s. I found this http://www.ebautobrokers.com/detail-...-10463194.html and actually have money down holding it for me for my personal inspection I live 300 miles from the dealer and can't get there until Friday, but Its had an independent PPI and it checks out strong. The PPI called out dead cooling fan motor and cracked CV boot (both being fixed). No danger signs in the codes pulled, but I haven't confirmed that yet on my own. Dealer is also installing new tires, admittedly not great ones (Hancook). I talked to the shop owner doing the PPI and he gave me a very thorough run down over the phone, just waiting for the report. The perennially newbie question.... Do you experts see any warning signs? I am aware of the IMS issues and IMS and rear main seal were replaced a year ago. Good records exist from previous owner to 6 years back, seems to be appropriately maintained from the records. PO traded this in for a newer Turbo. Other than the Gray interior, it is precisely my pick of options and exterior color. I plan to use this as a daily driver, although my commute is short, I suspect I'll be taking the long way home with this baby! My real goal is to also use this for a weekend tourer around the Northwest....lots to see in our area and a great ride for the wife and I do get out of the rat race and reconnect. In reality, I travel ALOT for business so expect between 3000 and 5000 (s)miles per year. I have an amazing local mechanic as well as a dealer conveniently close so repairs and maintenance will be done right. I am excited and ready to move. Am I missing anything?

Sounds like you have done your homework with an independent PPI, your personal inspection and reading through the records. How many miles? color? price? The 4S is a great car. Enjoy the hunt.

Looks like a nice car with nice options. I would say it looks like you are on the right track with this one. Hankook V12's are great tires I wouldn't dismiss them.

First I'll say, it looks like a really nice C4S. Sounds like you're doing everything to the T. I owned a similar 2002 and loved it! Great thing is that you get to drive it BEFORE you pay (as opposed to have it shipped). So, when you get there Fri be PREPARED to walk away if it doesn't feel 100% perfect to you!! OR if you feel uneasy in any way. ...it's only 300 miles away so don't feel any pressure and do not buy it under any circumstance if there is one weird noise, rattle or characteristic that doesn't feel right. Remember, once you drive away, you own it for good or bad. Good luck and keep us posted!!

Good looking car

If that one doesn't pan out for you, check mine out (see sig).

Looks like a great example. Hopefully the PPI and everything checks out, if not the Capt. car is a stunner. Enjoy the hunt and let us know how everything goes.

The car looks great and it seems like you have covered your bases and have your eyes wide open. One last task: Dinner reservations at Ray's Boathouse!

Great comments. I was going on another's assessment of the tires. Glad to hear that the Hancooks are good. Like the dinner idea as well!

From my recent experience: 1: Motor mounts - the rear picture it looks like the drivers side may be sagging a bit. Verify if these have been replaced recently, if not factor in about $200 for parts 2: Radiators - in the previous records check to see if it mentioned these getting cleaned at some point. $400 per side Once you see it in person, run it up to temp, turn AC on and bend down near the front wheels. The fans should run on low speed and if you have a leak you should be able to smell a sweet coolant smell. Check reservoir as well. See attached picture of what mine looked like. My PPI did NOT catch this 3: Starter Motor - Try and start it multiple times during your test drive. My starter would make a noise every 4th or 5th start and I ended up replacing. $255 4: Exhaust Valves - stand behind and have someone operate the switch. It may be hard to tell but try and verify that each pipe is changing sound. I had a stuck valve on pass side that was 80% closed. With them "on" (quiet) it should be as quiet as a normal car even under load. $ labor to clean linkage Also if the relay has not been modified, the note should get much quieter between 30-45mph as they close for noise abatement reasons

1. check the water pump 2. check the coolant tank + cap 3. "dying" window regulators can be sneaky (and expensive) 4. AOS? Best of luck and enjoy the drive home

What's AOS? And, how do I check the water pump ? Simply look for noise or temperature problems? Thanks for the motor mount idea. Ill check that too!

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AOS = air oil separator. Classic sign is white smoke upon start up. Or with engine running: try to remove oil filler cap, if hard to remove + car's idle gets weird, then MAYBE bad AOS. Lots of wobble/free play, metallic shavings at pulley, noise, leaks are usual OBVIOUS signs of a bad WP but some have crapped out without zero signs/symptoms. Pressure test the cooling system to see if other leaks may be hiding (lines/hoses/coolant tank). Would be nice if you have a Durametric to check/pull codes, check on Type 2 over revs.

WAY TOO HIGH! For that price you can find a TT. I would want to know exactly what was done for the "IMS update". At the mileage many, many things are about to go. My PPI missed many issues as well. Just be prepared to replace the usual wear items. Keep in mind this is a 10 year old $90,000 sports car. If you buy it, the maintenance costs will remind you of this fact.

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No, you can't. Find me ONE 996T anywhere in the US for $35k that isn't trashed and/or beaten to death. Ready? Go.

Darrick, your not looking in the right places.

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Hmm, well there's nothing saying he's buying it at the asking. Megs, All that said, if the car drives and great and you really feel good about it $30k would be a great price. I honestly think paying $31k to $33k is FULL retail price and anything about that is ridiculous.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...737#vi-content

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Well, that probably explains the proliferation of krazy comments as of late. Maybe it's time to come down. Price is relative. If the OP decides it is the "right" car for him, and it sounds like he is approaching the potential purchase in the best possible manner, what the car is "worth" is up to him. Sounds like he intends to drive it, that's a huge plus in my sober opinion.

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It's actually not relative. There certainly is a price which could be too high with a higher mile car. He's looking for advice on the purchase and we are giving it to him based on our knowledge. $35k would be too much to pay for that car in MY opinion but $32k or $33k would not. Considering you could get a 29k miles car for a couple grand more just MAY be an indicator of that.

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Is that your way of saying you can't find any either?

Hey guys! Hope to be able to engage in these conversations in the future as I get some experience under my belt with the car! Yes. I recognize the price is at the high end. As stated, the asking price isin't necessarily what I will pay! I do plan to use your good insights to help me inspect before I sign anything. I'm hopeful. But, won't be stupid--well... I hope I won't be stupid! The mileage is a consideration. I'm not sure if I'd say a concern... but a consideration. From what I read, a guy should be more worried if it has low mileage and no maintenance records. If I read some of the comments here, I am led to believe I'm up for a maintenance nightmare. That is some of the insight I'm anxious to hear. I'm not foolish in thinking that there will be no expenses, recall I"m coming from a 1983 928S so maintainence costs are already a pretty healthy part of my budget(!), but a am eager to see if, with proper and reasonable expenses, I can have a reliable tourer for the wife and I.

My 996 has cost me less money on general maintenance and upkeep and upkeep than did my 968... except when it comes to tires.

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^ This...a regularly run and maintained car (goes for Ferrari as well) is less likely to have issues than a super low mileage garage queen. You will have parts to replace eventually, but they will be normal wear items that will probably be a 1 time cost in your time with the car Maint records are FAR more important unless your entering it in concours. Price may be a bit optimistic but thats where negotiations come in and armed with RL knowledge you should be able to get that down. The only # that matters in what you pay

OT, another RL'r just posted a 2002 Turbo for a great price, definitely worth considering if all checks out.

^ Looks to be great looking car and well priced.

Looks like a good car. Hope you enjoy your trip to Seattle tomorrow. You're doing the right things. I am always less concerned with price than condition. One time I fabricated a part for a car and still had a guy walk up and tell me he could buy it for less. It sounds like you had a good PPI done....now just drive it and see if it's a car that puts a smile on your face.

^ perfect advice. Good luck!!

Well.... all of that good advice and I choke! Before I made my trip to Seattle I stopped this afternoon at the local Porsche dealer. They had an almost identical C4S just show up (only in black), although a year newer at 2004, but similar miles at 77k . I got to get a great sense for the car early. wow. Really really cool. I was liking this! How great to build the excitement a day early!?!? But, as Paul Harvey said, "and now for the rest of the story...." Next to it sat a 2006 C4 with only 16k miles. You guessed it. They gave me the keys to both to try out. After jumping in the 997, there was no turning back. Nicely optioned. Sold and maintained by the dealer so all records are known and clear. CarFax confirming the one local owner. I shared my low miles/garage queen concerns, so they offered a deal with a 4 year B2B extended warranty. I thought about it. How much was was 3 years worth to me? How about 60k miles? 996 vs. 997? The math seemed simple that over time the price differential would have been likely covered in maintenance costs pretty quickly Given that we hope to make long weekend trips on this, the lower mileage seemed a bettter long term deal. But, most of all, I loved that darn 997 the first moment I sat in it. I slapped my forehead, proclaimed a good Homer Simpson "DOH!" and buckled on the 997, which now sits in my garage! A shocking end to a day that I didn't plan. Reality is that the discussion and dialogue on this forum really helped. The differing opinions were insightful and challenged me on what I was looking for. Thanks for your inputs. They all mattered! Some may feel like I made a good decision. Others may think I didn't. But, I have achieved that smile across my face feeling that can't be wiped off and feel like I was treated well by the dealer (a bit of a surprise) and got a fair price (at least by judging comps on-line). Thanks to all from the newest, giddiest, Porsche owner!

Enjoy! (Now go look at it in the garage again)

Congrats on the purchase. Sounds like you used the knowledge you gained during your search to get a great deal on a car you'll really enjoy, even if it's not a 996. Rennlist comes through again. It was a tremendous help in my search. Don't be a stranger to the 996 forum.

keytohwy.... everytime I try to head to bed I am compelled to stick my head into the garage and smile!

How about a picture? Good choice. Congrats.

That is awesome! Can NOT wait to see pics!!

Great to hear this! Love it when something just seems as if it was simply meant to be. Wait till you get some ample seat time, I would wager that you and your wife will find many reasons for long excursions over the weekends.

congrats! gotta love those first impressions with Porsches that just hit you at the right time. and a Warranty to boot. Im sure the dealer loved that quick sale too....

As requested... the source for my new avatar

Great looking car. Enjoy!

+1 on color! Now put some retro extended lenses on those headlights and you're good to hang here.

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Nice to see your new 997 Porsche. Glad you found the one for you, congrats.