I cannot believe this is happening, argh!!! (a little bit sad)

Some of you might have seen my previous ramblings from my search for my first Porsche (which would also be an early 40th birthday present to myself). Well today I am here to tell you that my Saga continues (in a sad way) those old threads are here btw. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...6-shopper.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ot-happen.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ts-anyone.html �������.I�ve been looking for a 996 and I�m pretty particular with what I want (color / options / mileage / condition / etc�.) Well, today a third 996 has slipped through my fingers / and it�s the Second car that I had pretty much exhausted my due diligence (pictures / Carfax / questions / research / dealer history etc�) before arranging a deposit and a PPI (on top of that this one is only 6hrs away from me) This time it was a 40th anniversary in New Jersey. (sports seats / NAVI / 39,000miles) asking $35k http://www.lexusofbridgewater.com/Ve...-NJ/1905156533 Apparently someone from Texas has a deposit on it, and is flying in on Saturday to pick it up. Congrats Mr / Mrs Texan. Hope you enjoy in good health. Will

Cliffs notes Version: -2nd car that I've gone as far as arranging a PPI for and then it has sold while I was communicating back and forth with dealer -God doesn't want me to have a 996? -or...............the perfect 2004 Seal Grey / Sports seats / PSM / PSE / low mileage example is just waiting for me.

Don't throw in the towel just yet. Continue your search Grasshopper. GL

hey man, im not telling ya what you should or should not do, but i know when i got my car , after all the background check, inspection and test run, i simply went with my gut. perhaps you might be spending too much time analyzing every little detail in hopes of not attaining a "lemon".

Maybe next time, move quicker with the deposit? Best of luck. P.S. Akshun, I have heard of the phrase "analysis paralysis" used to describe what you just said

Keep trying. The right one for you will come along.

wish I saw the cliff notes FIRST

Youve been searching since 2006? (your join date) WTF? Buy one already bro.

Put a deposit on the car before the PPI, with the sale and final price contingent upon the PPI's outcome. I have done this many times in the past to make sure I did not lose a car I wanted and have always gotten my deposit back if the sale did not happen. Always a good idea to use Amex if possible.

Great advice. Exactly what I did as well. Dealer might even have issues repaired like mine did.

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Yes I am putting more than normal research into this, but I think its justified by the fact that it�s a more than normal car. ? Part of the problem might be that I�m super busy at work and in my personal life, and it means I can�t devote tons of time to chasing after dealers / private owners Not quite paralysis but I am trying to cross my T�s and dot my I�s Thanks! No at all ������.. I�ve only been searching since November / December 2012. (2 months) I joined in 2006 but I�ve mostly just been reading threads and not contributing much until now because I wasn�t an owner and didn�t plan to be until now.

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Year: 2003 Make: Porsche Model: 911 Porsche Model: 996 Mileage (numbers only please): 24432 Options (Please check ALL which apply): Airbags, Air Conditioning, Alarm System, Cruise Control, Intermittent Wipers, Leather Seats, Power Brakes, Power Door Locks, Power Steering, Power Windows Color: Artic Silver VIN: WP0CA29963S652265 Price (no $ sign please): $32750 Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing Location (Region): Souyh Body Style: Cabriolet Transmission Type: Manual - 6 speed 2 or 4 Wheel Drive?: 2 Wheel Drive Engine Type: Fuel Injection Stereo System: AM-FM CD 2003 911, 26,432 actual miles. Artic Silver with Metropol blue top and interior. 6 speed. Well optioned, with windscreen, both sets of keys, manuals, new Porsche car cover, and trickle charger. New Sumitomo HTR Z III's with less than 3,000 miles on them. Have all receipts and records, clean carfax. Excellent condition. pm me [email removed]

Someone posted a 997 for under $35K on autotrader. I wouldn't be too upset this one got away.

Or.....go the route I went. Saw it, 2hours later....drove it home. PPI= post purchase inspection came up clean. There is a law in my state that allows a buyer to return the car within 3days, so I want too worried. Car is GREAT!!!

Interesting, by looking at the ad it looks like the dealer did not even know it was an anniversary. Also had following in Red as incorrect in the ad: 205/50ZR17 performance SBR front tires 255/40ZR17 performance SBR rear tires 17" x 7" front/17" x 9" rear carrera II light aluminum alloy wheels-inc: wheel center caps w/monochrome Porsche crest

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Are you the guilty party Scott? To the OP, there's a 2004 40th AE on cars.com for $31k. I've driven in it and its a beautiful car.

Put a refundable deposit down before you get to PPI stage so you know you can have it if it all stacks up. Dealer knows your serious as well. I did this and was able to have the car for 3 days, this gave me the opportunity to give it a proper test + 1 day for my indy to do a proper PPI, I had him drain the oil, check the filter etc. Cheap either way, it had been full of metal bits, best 100$ spent, if nothing found, got the oil changed in my car. Good luck. Cheers Rob

You could get a turbo for that price.

Unless you put a deposit down, you are just another tire kicker in the eye of the dealer. How can you really blame him? Just think what would you (as a bussines) do? Talk is cheap and as harsh as this sounds, this really is the bottom line.

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2 months? You are just getting started. Take your time and enjoy the search. I took me well over a year to find the right one.

Snoose....you loose....

Don't despair, as the right car will materialize.. These 996's are absolutely amazing machines. I would say the most underated Porsche.. Good luck

Dunno if you're specifically for looking for 40th anni cars, but this one is for sale at the dealer near my parents home. http://hickory.porschedealer.com/pre...06949/info.php

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Dosie That looks like a fantastic car but I�ve already got a Convertible car at home and I really want a Coupe (ideally Seal Grey) Thanks for posting it though Good luck with the sale Will I�ve actually noticed quite a few 2005 Carrera�s in the $30 - $35k range. Only problem is, I haven�t done a lot of research into the 997, whereas I now know just about everything there is to know about the 996. I�m starting to read more about options / issues etc�. Will When I was dealing with the Internet Sales manager it was clear that they were fully aware of what it was. We even had an interesting conversation about all the 40ths that are for sale right now (including the 4 in Texas/ 2 in Maryland / 3 in Cali / 2 in FLA / 1 in NC / 1 in Oregon) (this conversation came up after I was told the buyer of this particular one was coming from Texas). It was almost as if the manager had all the other For Sale ads printed out and in front of them at the time. I�ve been in touch with that seller, could you PM me so that we can take our conversation off-line � I�d like to ask some questions. Thanks Will Thanks Zirrah, I had also noticed that one but the price is high considering no sports seats & rear seats look worse for wear. I actually wasn�t looking for a 40th because I hate the side skirts and I�m iffy on the Turbo bumper. I�ve added 40th�s into my searching because I think the LSD and +25hp might be enough to look past the body issues. And the NJ car was pretty close to me (geographically) so it would have been easy to go and get. Although Ideally I want a southern car that has never seen salt (not like Northern cars) Will

To all the others I didn't address directly Thanks for your encouragement. More to come (hopefully positive) Will

Problem is, once you buy one, you lose the joy of the hunt. Some guys like building airplanes more than they like flying them. It's possible that you mostly like the hunt. Nothing wrong with that. Cheaper than owning. (Become a Wayne Carini and make money on it?)

Took me 4 months back in 2008 to find mine. Just what you want but no sports seats, looks like. I really wanted the supple leather seats, with lumbar vs standard leather ones. Just me. That was the tough part.

I wasn't looking for my 996..didn't even know what an aerokit car was let alone 996. I had a 1986 Carrera that had the front spoiler and whale tail. A very attractive car. Well I saw my current car F/S in the local paper....went to take a look and once I drove it I knew the '86 was history. Bought it not knowing anything about the XXX or XXX. All I knew is it needed a new set of shoes. Been happy ever after. Just take your time and the right one will come along.

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Actually what I�m more afraid of is that the right 911 will supplant my other toys and distractions and render them all pointless You're right your exact car + sports seats , is my #1 target Here�s hoping! Will

This won't be helpful... I was not even looking for another car when someone brought it to me. The bug bit and the car hit all the criteria I never even knew I had for the 996... Loaded 2004 40th AE, 8k miles, showroom condition, full dealership maintenance history, clean PPI... then after a week or two negotiations, I pulled the trigger and very little post purchase dissonance (not typical for a Finance/CPA I might add). I may be the exception on this forum... Stick to your guns and the right deal will come wen the time is right and the outcome will be exactly what you need... have faith!

I bought mine in 2006, was the first 996 I had ever driven or seen in person. Went with my 26 year old son. We took a 20 mile test drive, seller had a PPI in hand, and price and mileage was what I was looking for. I had a bank check for less than asking price in my pocket, and we did a deal then and there. Had I not been satisfied with the car or the seller, I would have kept looking. No regrets.

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Hmm, you could maybe get a TT from the lower 20th percentile of TTs, but that doesn't seem to be the level of vehicle the OP is looking for. I can't say I blame him; I think I'd rather have a well-sorted 40AE that I know everything about than the kind of TT you can get for $35k.

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What ^ he said.

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How much maintenance history does an 8000 mile car has or needs?

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...60k-miles.html

You've got pm...

Don't worry...your 996 is out there to be taken. Just keep on tryin'

Did you see the 40th anniversary for sale in a separate thread? Go get it!

As everyone is saying, don't give up, in the end all the work will be worth it. Especially when you are driving down the road with a :-) on your face.... good luck