Am I nuts?

I'm considerng the purchase of a 99 coupe, with 87K miles, with track mods (big red brakes, H&R springs, GT3 sway bar, 5 point harness, Kinesis wheels) It wasn't tracked all that much apparantly and the miles were racked up over a long California commute. The owner was young. No word on if the clutch is original, but I guess if it is the kid couldn't have been all that bad of a driver. Price wise. It's listed in the high 20's but I'm shooting for the low 20's. Maybe we'll end up in the middle. Am I nuts to even consider this car? If the engine was going to grenade, would it have done so by now ? And yes I'll be tracking and autocrossing the car occasionally, and the mods are welcome. Whadya all think?

Geez Jasper...with all that mileage along with all those mods and "the owner was young"....the inference I get is that it all seems to add up to being driven hard. A daily commute car with a five point harness? C'mon. If something was going to go....wouldn't you think that maybe it's about due? The clutch and brakes, and tires are expected to wear....but the kicker is the engine....I'd be a bit dubious. If you buy it for the high 20's, you're not that far off the low to mid 30's that they're going for these days with a lot less mileage and indicators of hard driving. Are you influenced by the mods? Mods are a hell of a lot cheaper than an engine.

what's the history of the car....? is he the only owner....? lots of info needed.....

Well this is what I am thinking, and what I needed to hear. I think I'll pass unless he drops to the very low 20's, then I'll post again! Yes I'm influenced by the mods. I figure about 8-10 worth if I had to do it from scratch. Good dose of common sense though. Thanks.

I believe the general consensus (sp?) is that if it has made it this far (high miles), the chances of failure go down significantly.

Just a note re Big Reds. They are a liability on a NA car and not needed or perfered. They add a lot of unsprung weight and actually adversly affect handling. The OE brakes with Pagid or simular pads will get all your braking done and keep the chassis nible.

Good - I like to hear this stuff.

I echo the comments...young kid..high milage...all those mods...didn't he also say he drove to church on Sundays at 55 mph?

not that it sounds like it matters, but they breaks could be "painted" red instead of actual "big reds". Unless of course he stated that they are in fact "big reds" and in that case scratch everything I said. Your not buying anyway so quit reading my thread now...quit...I make no sense...

Get a PPI done at a reputable porsche shop. Was this kid the only owner? Do you know what dealership was used for servicing? If so, you can get detailed service information from them regarding any major work the car has needed.

I have discussed sending the car to TRE already,and in fact TRE has woked on the car. But you know what, all of the good advice above has told me what I knew already. Don't go near this car for anything over about $23K, and even then, budget for some major mechanical work. But they are real big reds. The kid had money, don't want to spoil it but he's an television actor.

ahhh dude..now you got to tell us...hints Is he on one of the major networks? Hmmm vancouver area? Is it one of the Mckenzie brothers?

No he's Hollywood - He's the seldom seen blonde brother in military school on Malcolm in the Middle. I don't watch the show much but enough to know who he is. Apparantly he modded the car after running one of those celebrity long beach racing events., but the story is that the novelty wore off and he just daily drove the car... a lot I guess. I've been dealing with the friend who has been entrusted to sell his Porsche. This guy has been straight up and very respectful for what it's worth. It's not clear if the actor has owned the car since new. I'm not pursuing the car for the time being, so haven't bothered asking....there's lots and lots of other iron out there to consider before I go back there. I certainly don't want to drag the guy's otherwise good name through this web forum though, so please let's not get this thread too "on the radar", other than to debate the merits of buying a high mileage well used early 3.4 litre 996. Which is an interesting topic.

"I certainly don't want to drag the guy's otherwise good name through this web forum though, so please let's not get this thread too "on the radar", other than to debate the merits of buying a high mileage well used early 3.4 litre 996. Which is an interesting topic." Good move on your part Jasper....the issue is the car and whether it's a good deal or not, whether it's been beat up or not....not the identity of maybe celebrity status of the previous owner....