After reading tons of posts, it looks like I did everything wrong.

Here's what I didn't do: Get a PPI, have the car checked out by ANYONE. Here's what I did do: Bought it with my heart. I know...stupid, stupid, stupid I checked the CarFax and it checked out. But while waxing it the other day, I've determined that the car has been in an accident (that may be why it has a custom nose). I wonder why the accident wasn't on CarFax??? So.... My fingers and toes are crossed. It runs great, it drives great and I LOVE IT!!! I know it was too good to be true. A car with on 51,000 miles in beautiful condition for 22 grand? I should have known better. Oh well, she's mine now. I am not going to sit around and worry about ANYTHING. I like it and that's that. However, I have a question for the little part of the worrier in me... What (if anything) should I be on the lookout for? I assume a bad RMS will leak oil (this car does not). The ONLY thing I can see is thet the front passenger radiator has a small leak as I can tell by the little water puddle on the diveway floor. Anything else that anyone can think of? Anything to keep my eye's on? I anticipate many years of trouble free driving. Thanks for your thoughts

Just because you didn't get a PPI before the sale doesn't mean you can't do the same thing now and see what you have and what the key service/repair issues might be for the car. You might find there's very little, or enough that you'd put together a repair strategy or sequence so you will do things in order of importance and what you can afford. And then, you will still have a car that makes you smile.

$22K for a 55K mile 996 '03 is not a bad price. Are you a DIY guy? Check to see if the radiator leak is related to the accident part not replaced. It may be a simple o ring replacement or it can get expensive. Find a good Indy to look over the car and then assess. A leaking RMS can be replaced during your next clutch change with also an updated IMS.

I am a pretty good DYI'er I'll take a look

Great attitude! Get a complete PPI and determine your next steps toward ensuring many years of awesome driving.

Anyone have any idea how much a PPI will run me?

PPI is usually 2 hrs but you should befriend a local Indy. They will probably give you a break because you are going to be a future customer. There are a lot of NJ guys here and can recommend a shop.

for a very thorough PPI (not a 1 hr walk around) should be about 2-3 hours.

Don't waste your money on a PPI. Just give it a once over yourself. If you must spend money, do some maintenance. I've been on on a lot of different car sites over the years, and the Pcar sites are the only ones I see with the PPI mantra. Take a deep breath and repeat to yourself, it is only car, just like all other cars, it operates the same as other cars and has the same mechanical systems as other cars. There are no magical parts or engineering on a Porsche that require a high dollar 'specialist'. This is proved daily by many board members here. If you know where to buy the parts, costs are no different than other makes of cars. Like all other used cars your ownership experience is directly related to whether and how badly the car was thrashed or neglected by the former owner(s)

$22.k & you like the way it looks & drives, I would say you did fine. Car fax didn't show anything because nothing was reported for Carfax to find. If you just take your car to a great shop for a oil change & brake fluid change, (2 things that need to be done unless you know they have been done recently) and mention you just bought the car they will be happy to look for other repairs they can do without you paying to have them look.

Here's what I did. Took my car into the dealership after buying mine to have them do the oil and filter. The service manager was very nice and had his guy go over the car looking for any future problems and gave me a run down of what services would come up in the future and talked me out of buying a battery since I wanted to just for safety's sake of not getting stranded some place. Anyway I figure dealerships would like to have the business and find what needs to be handled. Nice car you got. I found mine bottomed out on the front which snaps the fromt clips of the front end and dents the bottomg of the luggage holding compartment. Might be what you think was an accident. Enjoy the car what ever the case. Have fun playing with it and enjoying the cruising. If I were in your area I'd probably dump fuel tankers on the roads and light thm on fire to get the pot holes smoothed out. Probably why I don't live on the east coast anymore Take care and enjoy!

Quotes source post: 8089072

Worst advice ever on the pre or post purchase of a car. There is NO WAY you will be able to inspect and identify the items a real PPI (i.e., through check) would. Unless of course you are a Porsche mechanic and also have a PIWIS. I thoroughly inspected a car that I recently purchased as well as had it "looked over" and it had Carmax's full inspection before delivery. I still spent 2 hours of labor at the dealer after I took delivery to have it totally inspected and found several thousand dollars worth of items that needed attention that Carmax took care of 100%. So no, it's not a waste of money. A waste of money is to ignore the inspection. Start a thread and ask how many people have WALKED on a potential car that wanted to buy when they got the results of the PPI.

Tell me you only got one key with the car also.

Nobody could have done it dumber than I did, so don't worry. I walked into a dealership on impulse one day and wrote a cheque for the first one I looked at priced below my choke factor. Since then, have spent multiples of its value on over-maintenance, preventative maintenance and questionable mods. I'm a gold plated, certified idiot who books his car expenses on Quicken as 'recreation'. All those of you who worry that you've been silly about your Porsches, bow down before me. I am your king.

Quotes source post: 8089165

Now that's some funny **** Bruce!

<<<Bowing before Bruce, my King!

Quotes source post: 8089165

Oh, and Falcon, love your avatar... Great lookin' pups, man!

I did get only one key...is that scary???

So.... How did you notice there was an accident?

"All those of you who worry that you've been silly about your Porsches, bow down before me. I am your king." I'm still laughing, you took away any doubt I had for myself lol!!! Regarding the one Key.... I got my car with only one key and no books. Later found out it had been thru an auction and everything was lost... My car has been running great and have had no serious issues, just keep driving it and enjoy it!

One key means $400+ for a backup and you NEED a backup

Carfax is a waste of paper as you've probably realized by now. If the PO had the repair done without involving their insurance company there's a good chance it wouldn't be on Carfax. The good news is that it's a two way street if you ever decide to sell. The bad news is that you've done a thorough job of documenting your concerns here on the internet with this thread. Forget the past, you can't change it now. All you can do is kick yourself and that's no fun. Do what others have suggested and get to know your new love as well as you can. You will find it fairly easy and very satisfying to wrench on this car. Have at it and ask lots of questions and do lots of reading/research. It's a great hobby. P.S. All hail King Bruce!

I would bet that rear end damage would be reported 100 times more than front damage since the front would be at their fault.

My wifes Subaru was rear ended,Police report filed,insurance notified,other party's policy paid. Fixed at a local repair shop paid by insurance. At trade in time 5yrs later Carfax Clear?? Carfax Worthless!!!

BS Bruce, I got you beat!! first off I bought mine without a PPI od Carfax (which later revealed 2 prior accidents REALLY POORLY REPAIRED with crappy Maco paint job and body panels all out of whack) I bought it with "only" 100k miles and a "few small leaks" - private party no negaciation on price since after all it wasnt a normal 911 but a what I assumed must be a race version cuz its called a 996 - airbag light covered by a sticker, and 12 year old tires. Bent shock from accident, one wheel 12mm pushed back, rusted out headlight sockets ect ect (I will think of more) so 2 years later, I sold it back to the previous owner (still friendly) and the car has been great - I enjoyed the hell out of it despite its rocky past, and he is still enjoying it........ as for the "dont get a PPI" that might be the single stupidest piece of advice I have heard... the PPI tells you something and that info is better to know BEFORE you buy then AFTER - it doesnt prevent the car from exploding tomorrow, but it tells you many things that are worth knowing - I would have never bought my previous car had I had a PPI, that said it was an overall excellent experience (minus the 2 years of complete sleep depervation)

Even a stolen car likely won't show up on Carfax, as long as there was no insurance report/history on it. I personally know of a Honda that was stolen, later totaled, the car's probably crushed by now, it's Carfax is still clean... BTW, I prefer AutoCheck. Even still, that is a fantastic price. Makes me think I'm asking too much for mine... :/

Quotes source post: 8089225

well that is - price of an additional key is very steep! You should get a spare because they do fail (remote) and if you lock it or loose it its a pretty big deal. Get a spare asap

A second key can be done for about $225. Keyhead from Sunset $99. Blade cut per your digital image $20 shipped, British guy on ebay. Dealer programing of car for second key $100 (take original with you also, required for both to work). GL with radiator leak...don't despair, fantastic support on this site.

22k for an 03 great deal!

Dude, you only need to worry about one thing--how your car looks. ...and it looks bad ***! You must have a little jingle jangle in your pocket or you wouldn't have bought a P-Car. Yes, much of it will be gone in the next six months but whenever you get depressed just go outside and look at it. Of course get a PPI, get a key, fix what needs to be fixed. Then drive the **** out of it.

Quotes source posts: 8089165, 8089225, 8089821, 8089898

All hail King Bruce! Are you old enough to be forgetting where you're keys are Yah but you've shown your true colors as an air cooled guy so that's expected Heck yah enjoy that car. Hopefully its smooth sailing from here on out.

I know that it's been in an accident because while I was waxing it I saw a bunch of bodywork over spray under the tail lights and in the usual places you'd find over spray. Also there is a bunch of broken glass stuck in the weather stripping at the bottom of the drivers side door. I have to guess that it was either hit on the drivers side door or someone busted the window and stole the car. Like I said, I'm ok with it. I love the car, it drives GREAT and its a blast to have in my driveway. There are no noticeable signs of body work when you inspect the car, even very closely. The body work was amazing. I just noticed a little filler over spray in places or I would never have known.

Hey it's like dating a hot chick. As long as nothing is sticking around from the last guys, the less you know the better.

Quotes source post: 8089898

OH - and I paid 22.5 for my 99' salt that wound baby !!

RELAX I did the same and had a great time for5 years and recently sold...drove about 30K miles....never a problem. Overspray..maybe the hood got resprayed (did this to mine).... don't do a PPI after the fact.... is not going to change anything. I sold my 99 for 22.5K so you got lucky and if it was in an accident...as long as it drives good, no pulling left or right or strange moves when braking..... drive it and have fun with it...when you sell it it's going to be worth nothing anyways! LOL Enjoy..I did for 5 years!!

find a good local mechanic one that actually cares about what he does for his customers will inspect your car upon working on it to make sure there are no underlying issues. enjoy your car. fix the radiator leak ASAP

Yeah he might of just had the bumper or hood painted, could have been an accident or just a voluntary paint job. I know I have a scratch on my front bumper ide like fixed, but its just gonna get hit with more rocks as time goes by. If your worried about something grenading, just go get a PPI. But just remember there is no gaurrenty they will find everything.

I went down a curb and cracked the lower lip on the front spoiler. This actually made me feel better because when I removed it and looked at the part number, it's actually a genuine Porsche part. So I assume the front bumper must be genuine porsche also. Anyway I ordered a new lower lip from pelican. I think that because they are Porsche parts it makes me feel better. The PO didn't use cheap aftermarket parts. But that's just me. I'm sure that there are many great aftermarket pieces.

Also somewhere along the line the drivers window got broken because the door is full of broken glass pieces. It may be unrelated to the bodywork. Who knows???

Quotes source post: 8090348

Oh, snap. But true.

Tap on the sides of the rear and front bumper.... They should sound the same. If that is an OEM front bumper, they didn't cheap out. That is a very expensive bumper..... Nice upgrade..... Just drive it like you stole.... Except on driveways.

Maybe those glass fragments are really diamonds and the car was used for smuggling. That's your story to your significant other or the next owner.

LOL funny thread

Was this car on ebay & auto trader just last week? i saw it, and couldn't believe the price...i paid more for a 2002 *it had 37k on it and some upgrades* just 2 months ago! you got a smoking deal, if you even spend $2,000 on some stuff that needs to be done your still doing great! Be happy, enjoy it, probably just a small fender bender, doesn't mean anythign is wrong with the car buddy! BUT DO GET A PPI, and determine what needs to be done!

I'm putting the cart before the horse as well... Bought a '01 C4 Cab. It looks and runs great, seems to be well maintained, although no service records. Somewhere along the way, the hardtop became separated from the package (probably setting in someone's garage). Anyway, I'm taking her in ma�ana for a Post-PI. Great thread. Learning and laughing a lot...

GET A PPI.!!! I purchased my car as you did...loved the way it looked, drove, sounded and it was priced right. Drove it to a highly reccomended indy and he charged me $100 for a small list of silly things like polishing the headlights and even a smaller list of things needing attention, like a cam cover seeping. I took his list (felt better because it was over all in great shape) and fixed all the stuff on the List. Then I called the dealerships (marked in the maintenance manual) and they faxed the history of service. SO...now I know AFTER THE FACT that it had the RMS replaced 20k miles ago (and still dry as a bone) the coolant tank replaced (now I dont have to) and many other typical things that I no longer look over my shoulder for. Enjoy it, but get a PPI so you will have piece of mind...and a known list of things to do fix on the weekends!

Quotes source post: 8091157

Drive the car and enjoy it. Dont feel bad if you didnt PPI it, Ive never PPIed a car and so far never got burnt, 20+ cars, change the fluids and give the car a once over, its a porsche not a Bugatti Veyron. These cars are quite tough and can be very very reliable if taken care of. If you a hands on guy and can follow directions, get the factory manuals and start fixing the car yourself.

I guess that is why they call it a PPI, so you can either plan on a Pre or Post Purchase Inspection. You own the car, so the PPI won't give you advice on a buy/bye decision. But if this is your first Porsche, a good Indie mechanic will give the car an educated look-see. You'll get information on the brakes, motor mounts, tires, leaks, compression, valves, plugs, shifting, clutch, all those things that you would know on your 3rd or 4th Porsche, but not on your first one. If nothing else, the PPI will tell you what needs immediate work or work that you can defer. I would get an oil change right away. You never really know when the last one was done, and it provides a good starting point for regular maintenance. My suggestion? Get your PPI, find out what the next maintenance visit will look/cost like, and then drive the car like you stole it (sorry for the oft-used cliche'). Drive the car HARD, it's better for the car, and more fun for you. Side note - warm up the car by driving it, but keep the RPM's under 4K - 4,500 till the temperature gets to 180+. Then at least once every day that you drive it, push the car to redline!! You'll enjoy the fun, and the engine will run cleaner for longer. Trust me. larry

Great advice fellas. Looks like it's split 50/50 on the PPI. What I think I'll do is take it to the place I took my Boxster. Good indy shop. Have them give it a once over. I have a small coolant leak in the front. I'll probably have them flush the system, fix the leak and change the oil. After that take a good look-see. Best advice (or my favorite advice) is bring it up to the red line once a day. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Thanks again!

Quotes source post: 8089165

GREAT post - even better attitude

Incredible deal Norcoastal! I paid at least seven thousand dollars more than you over a year and a half ago on a 2001 MK1, and that is after my negotation skills with the sales man. Wow, they came down alot. Great color too I like it.

Thanks. I really love the car. No regrets. I'll get the inspection soon but I love just driving it now. Whatever need fixing I'll fix. Doesn't change the fact that after all these year and all these cars I finally...finally have a 911 well 996.

PPI found a few minor points and had them fixed. Good to know that my pcar is ready to go. Thanks for the tip on redlining once a day. Its as if a new world has opened up for me...

I had the same fear (front end damage) when I bought my C4S with a 997 GT2 nose. But after a lengthy discussion with the owner that did the work, I found out it is his hobby, buying Porsches and upgrading them (he also put on lowering springs and 997 Turbo wheels). I took off the GT2 bumper and there was not a scratch or dent anywhere - so that felt reassuring. By the way, I removed the front lower valance and gained about 1.5" of ground clearance that seems to make a huge difference on scraping the front end at any little ramp. Just painted it flat black where the valence should be - it looks great. WHY can't you make a claim to carfax - don't they cover repairs for damage that they had no idea about??? DC4

I hadn't hear that? CarFax covers non reported damage?

Quotes source post: 8106532

I believe that Carfax makes good on things that they have reported wrong on their report on a particular car. Accidents, altered mileage, salvage title, etc. They don't provide a guarantee that the car is mechanically sound. larry

They may correct the report,but they ain't gonna give you any money.

when you run the carfax it will tell you if it guarantees that there have been no accidents. I'd check into this further.