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Test ), my wife has tried
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Since the 964 experience (the first car I tested), my wife has tried to steer me to a new MX-5, which I entertained for about 5 minutes.
Leading evidence: 'Test ), my wife has tried' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'couple hundred in each state' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check bottom tub of the car' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Most likely New Orleans cars ended up being used for Car Allowance Rebate Systems(Cash For Clunkers) which started in the late 2000s.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
There are a couple of used car dealers in the area that I won't even go look at their cars.
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Suspected cause
But if even 1% end up being "fixed" and resold, there's probably a couple hundred in each state.
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Suspected cause
If the Carfax shows a car was titled in TX and around the Houston area, it is very likely a flood vehicle.
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Suggestion
It's almost impossible to hide flood damage unless one spends a lot of time and money removing the entire interior, including door cards and cleaning then replacing all the water damaged material.
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Suggestion
It's almost impossible to hide flood damage unless one spends a lot of time and money removing the entire interior, including door cards and cleaning then replacing all the water damaged material.
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26 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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I've been looking at ads on eBay, CarGuru, here, craigslist, etc., for my first P-car, over the last three months. I've found some examples that I like and have test driven about six cars so far. None of the cars I've driven have struck me as the "one."
What is the best way forward to move on a car that is over 2600 miles away? I don't want to waste my time flying all the way across the country only to find out that it isn't what I thought it would be. What is the best way to have a car checked out remotely, not waste my money on a PPI for something that isn't really worth it? I don't have unlimited vacation time, but do travel for work and can see some cars along with my work schedule.
Are there folks on here that are willing, for some cash, to go and check out a car, and report back whether they thought it worth it to splurge for a PPI, and from there decide whether or not to pursue it? Where do I find people like this, that you can trust with test driving a car for a total stranger to the car, to the seller, and to me?
Thanks in advance!
I gotta say, there are lots of people on here willing to do something for a fellow p-car person/soon to be.
where is the car you are wanting to have a peek at?
Agreed with
@ThatSalesGuy
, there are many here that could help to minimize travel expenses.
There are other forums that could further extend resources to help like 6speed & 996outpost.
We call that a rennfax on here, and its a fairly common practice. These cars are relatively rare and guys here are generally picky, so a lot of the time we find our 'perfect' car far away from us. Post a link and a general area and see if anyone can do it. I think we all agree there is an unwritten rule to pay it forward if you can.
When I bought my 928, a guy gave it the once over for me out in Colorado. The dealer was more than happy to accommodate him, but I imagine you'll get people who want to deal directly with you. Their loss.
Just as an exanple, I bought my car in California sight unseen and drove it home. I didn't get a rennfax, because I didn't want it to get away from me and went right to PPI (which came out great). If it failed PPI, sure I was out $300, but I thought of it as insurance.
If there's something in the Houston area, let me know.
I've looked at cars for a few people.
I can run Durametric and manometer tests, if the seller allows. (I haven't been turned down yet.
I normally can only look at cars on the weekends though.
I have been allowed to take one car and was able to do a pretty thorough inspection on it.
It was pretty much a free low-end PPI. (No sump drop or bore scope due to time involved--hey, they had MY car in their driveway!)
I can also capture oil through the dipstick if you want a UOA.
There are a couple of used car dealers in the area that I won't even go look at their cars.
They sell hidden "issue" cars and they don't want you to have the car looked at for a PPI.
They won't let you use a Durametric on their cars for "insurance reasons."
If you find a too good to be true deal in the Houston area, that's probably one of the dealers I'm hinting at.
I've done a 996 checkout around DFW area for two out of town guys. Both led to purchases. Just ask here, and see what happens.. I limit myself to cosmetic, and general driving impressions and no serious technical investigation, but most guys on this forum can spot a deal breaker in 10 min or so.
If in Seattle area, I'll drive it like I stole it (once I get around the block) and see how that does and then take it to my Indy and let him give it a true looking at. In all seriousness, if I'm in town, I can run it over to my indy if ya need. I'm not comfortable giving it a complete once over. He's efficient and not crazy $$$$.
Gunmanow, there are also services that will do this. I wound up talking to a guy in Jersey once who had a business finding higher end cars for clients who also arranged to view them, have PPI's done, etc.I was kind of surprised that it wasn't more expensive that it was. His service probably would have added a little over a grand to the end cost. I wound up not needing his service, but if I had anymore wasted trips (I burned time and frequent flier miles and hotel points = for a trip to Atlanta, for instance), I might have considered it.
4 of them were Silver with black/grey interiors. (2 were 996, 2 were 997) - Not excited about that color combo. Seems like this was a popular choice, but seems boring.
1 was an Arena Red Cab 996 with high miles (156K), cheap ($15K), but thinking that mileage might be too high for the price. Not crazy about the color but at least it isn't silver.
1 was a 964 Cab single owner, high miles, mildrew smell... made the mistake of taking my wife on this test drive. It turned her off on the whole idea of a p-car. This was the first car I test drove, thinking I wanted an air-cooled car.
My goal is to drive this car as much as possible, with the exception of needing to pick up bigger stuff at big-box stores like costco or home depot. I'd love to drive it to work rain or shine. Not thinking about tracking the car but would love to take a class on a track and learning about its limits.
Since the 964 experience (the first car I tested), my wife has tried to steer me to a new MX-5, which I entertained for about 5 minutes. I owed her the respect to look them up and see what it had to offer. This got me thinking about
accepting
a cab. I live in Portland, OR where it rains 10 months out of the year so cabs don't make a lot of sense, however; when the sun does come out it would be a lot of fun to have the top down at least for a week. I realize that top down highway driving isn't a great experience, and most of my commute is highway.
I'm not opposed the fried-egg headlights and am growing fonder of them as time goes on. And don't really want a lot of flash, so I'm liking the non-flared rear of the 996. To me, the 996 is more understated in its looks and that appeals to me.
I would love a metallic blue C2 coupe with black or cognac leather interior.
All in all, it comes down to how it makes me feel to drive, and maybe a little about how it looks.
That's awesome. Great to know that I can expand out my search. I live in Austin for 4 years and know the area very well so I understand the distances very well. Are you between the two cities? San Marcos? I'd hate to make you travel too far.
Thanks again!
I also have the Pro, so I'm unlimited too.
I think the enthusiast version can scan unlimited for for DME Info.(Over-revs)
But for camshaft deviation and fuel trims I guess you might cost yourself a VIN on the enthusiast version.
"Feeling" will be an impossible metric for another person to gauge.
I also live in Portland, OR. I've taken trips to Ashland for plays in my 986S with the wife and soft top up is fantastic noise-wise. My 996 is a sunroof car and that is more my style because it is easier to care for. I dailyed an air cooled 911 for almost 10 years, it demands a lot of attention and time to do so. Or money, of course.
If daily driving truly is your goal, Id recommend waiting for the colorway you're most desiring. There are brokers out there that can help you find one. If it is on the other side of the country, get the propper PPI and chalk shipping and travel up to your dream car's story.
Things are going to go wrong, you'll want the car to at least look like you want or you may as well get that Miata.
Yes, I get your point and agree. I'm not asking anyone to "feel" it for me. First and foremost is getting something that is sound mechanically. Secondarily, is the look of the car. Ideally, I'd like to have both of these factors come together.
Having lived in Houston, and especially since the house that I lived in flooded during Harvey (a year after I moved away), I'm leery of purchasing anything from the Houston area. Same goes for Florida, however; I don't want to overlook something from those areas too.
I appreciate all of those that have offered to help me nail this down remotely. I will broaden my search with confidence. Wow... I'm floored with your generosity.
Humbled,
Gary
There are
NO
flood vehicles left in Houston...just ask anyone who sells on Craigslist.
I've looked at several "non-flood" cars that I was able to find evidence they were once a U-Boot.
But a lot of those flooded vehicles left Houston, so there might be some right next door to you.
So you are saying that they've already been sold to parties outside of Texas? Does Texas require them to be branded or salvage titled? Or is that up to the state where it gets registered?
There are literally thousands of un-branded and/or unidentified flood vehicles from Houston all over the nation. I saw at least 10 car hauler rigs loaded with cars after the flood leaving west Houston for parts unknown. It's a major auto scandal that is being played out silently. For any car I look at, I will find some way to lift the carpet from the floor, and check the bottom tub of the car. It's almost impossible to hide flood damage unless one spends a lot of time and money removing the entire interior, including door cards and cleaning then replacing all the water damaged material. Some cars one can easily see inside the door sill with a small LED flashlight and look for water ingress in the door sill bottom.
I have rental homes in Katy which I spent weeks working on after the storm, and there were trucks with flood cars on them leaving constantly. I have no idea where they were going, but lots of U boats left the state I'm sure. If the Carfax shows a car was titled in TX and around the Houston area, it is very likely a flood vehicle. Proceed with caution. My son and daughter in law live there, and they saved both their cars by putting them up on blocks in the garage as I instructed them. The wheels and brake rotors were wet, but the chassis was not touched.
I saw TONs of nasty vehicles right afterwards!
I bought my 996.2 right after the flood.
I was able to determine it wasn't flooded because they wouldn't have had time to clean it up.
Plus none had been auctioned by Copart then.
gmanow, I was being sarcastic, there are still tons of them around, but millions of cars left this area.
If the car was registered in the Houston area in 2017, and there is a gap in the history after mid 2017 and then it ended up somewhere else, I would go over it with a fine tooth comb!
Easiest way to check for flood cars is to use a mirror and look at the seat springs underneath.
If they're rusty, walk away.
If the carpet looks brand new, be careful.
If carpet is missing from the trunk, be careful.
Remove the spare tire and look at the jack and tools.
If they're rusty, walk away.
Great advice, and I did think you were being sarcastic, but wasn't sure. I would imagine Florida cars, and 2005 New Orleans cars are found all over the place too!
Most likely New Orleans cars ended up being used for Car Allowance Rebate Systems(Cash For Clunkers) which started in the late 2000s.
I'm sure there seom from FL and NC, but the Houston area has 6.3 million people.
There were 1 million cars destroyed during Harvey that were counted by the insurance industry.
But there were even more that were unaccounted for.
Some are still around here, some may have moved on.
If every state for an equal amount of cars, that's almost 21K cars per state. (that's eliminating AK & HI)
I'm sure a huge percentage went to Mexico.
I'm sure a bunch are still being dismantled or crushed.
But if even 1% end up being "fixed" and resold, there's probably a couple hundred in each state.
Luckily most Porsche's were insured so there's a record of them.
A Carfax should show you what you need to know.
Locally we knew which Porsche's were destroyed, or at least a lot of them.
I can't remember how many 911s, but it was in the double digits.
Michigan (southeast that is) is available for you. There are 2 great Indy shops here that will give it a look. I can check out cars on the weekend or after work. Several friends who have helped me I am sure would pitch in...
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