Should I take a chance on a high mileage car?

A local "liquidator" has two older porsche's, both with 80K+ miles on them (1999 and 2000 in the 25k range). OK, so its not my dream car...but I am having a hard time finding exactly what I want right now. I figure this would get me into a porsche and I could dump it in a year or two without too much cost. But...am I just setting myself up for a disaster? RUF is not too far away and I was thinking if they gave it the green light I would be OK. What do the experts think?

Id say when it came to porsches, RUF are experts. And if they gave the green light on one of those vehicles you cant go wrong. Make sure they check the usual suspects. Also main porsche things like RMS leak etc... Good Luck and welcome...

you never know. i have an 02 996 w/8200 miles on it that needs a new engine case because it's leaking coolant.

high-milage 99 996 will run low 20K? i personally think they are great deal, even if u have to factor-in a new engine cost. let's see, if HALF of them need new engine. and new engine is 10K, you risk is 10,000*50% = 5K. not bad at all.

I dont think you can get a third party warranty for something this old can you? I hear a lot of problems with third party warranties though even if you get one.

Do a search, warranties have been discussed and discussed. My car has 76k and is my daily driver, without any issues thus far..... My dream car...

Why settle? It took me about 2.5 years to find the color conbination and options that I wanted. In that time I saturated my nogging with as much information on the 996 that I could handle. I attended events and gathered opinions about the 996. All I am saying is take your time and if you decide to go that route make sure you get a PPI performed. Good Luck

Nope. Well, not without some sort of warranty.

Assuming PPI, etc. there's nothing wrong with a high mileage car, as long as you're satisfied with its overall condition. With exception to my Boxster (had 30K and went to 70K), all the Porsche's I've owned over 20 years started out with 65K miles on the clock when I purchased (1 924, 3 944's, 993, 996). Never had an issue, and many I took up towards 120-150K mi. If you like it, don't let mileage be the deciding factor.

I bought mine with 94K miles in October of this past year and I love the car. I paid about 20K and the car is silver over black. For 20K I am driving a 996. It seems like a pretty good deal to me. I had a PPI and it checked out clean, except it needed new tires and some cheap suspension part that cost me about $100. Otherwise, other than an oil change, it has been trouble free. I have put about 4K miles on it and I absolutely love it. It has to be your decision, but I know for certain that I can hold this car for 5 years, put 40K miles on it and sell it for more than 15K. Doesn't seem like a bad deal to me. Good luck.

There's more to a car than the engine (which I wouldn't be all that worried about). Any car with high miles will have wear and tear, and while the 996 is fairly reliable, budget some for repairs. Have RUF check it out if you like it. Personally, I'd do it only if it were very cheap - there are lots of low mileage examples to be had in fantastic shape!

Truth be told, anything older, and with more usage has higher risk of failing than something brand new..... It is up to you to take the appropriate precautions to limit risk while becoming a Porsche owner....

???????????

my 99 has 95,000 on it. 15,000 of that in the last 3 months. doesn't burn a drop of oil and the rear main is dry as can be. the horror stories are from the people who don't drive them. My car has had one rear main seal replacement-- after the car sat for 3 months between owners. (That was at about 50k) If the car has high mileage, that means it was most likely reliable, as it was driven so much. IMHO, It is the low mileage examples that you are taking a chance on. . .

since when has buying a porsche ever been an investment? or any car for that matter. if it checks out and you like it, buy it. if it doesnt, dont.

The point is I want to own a porsche now, but do want to plunge into a high dollar car without fully understanding what I want out of the car (i.e. options, models, aftermarket upgrades, etc). That being the case the goal is to get something that will hold value and dump it a year or two down the road. Basically just a value car to scratch my itch.

Totally. Go for it. Value wise it has bottomed out. If it checks out clean...have fun with it for a year or 2.

i bought a 99 996 with 51K miles this spring after planning to by a newer c4s. paid 26.5, plus some maintenance and personal upgrades. Complete blast to drive and look at! twice the car than my 964. i'' drive it a couple of years and wait for the 9960 c4s' to down more, or maybe one of thos 100,000 997's will come off lease terribly depriciated. a good ppi, and some reserve cash or what's needed. this party says go for it if feel, drives, looks drive good and passes the ppi.

Good point above, buying a little higher mileage car will allow some extra funds to add mods that are to your taste..... Trust me hang around for a while and watch the money take off without you.....

+1 It doesn't matter if you get a '99 or an '05. You can bet your wallet will be much lighter once the mods begin... -td

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I'm sure I'm alone, here, but I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. You win because there's less wear and tear, cosmetically. But you lose because that engine never got broken in properly. Seals were never conditioned, metal parts never got used to working with each other, moisture accumulated in electrical places, rubber dried out. From my experience, it's a big gamble. Small chance that you'll get an all-but-new car, big chance that you'll get a car that will be plagued with gremlins for the rest of its days.