Thinking of buying a 2000 996

The car I am looking at has all service records but it has 134k miles on it. What should I look for? I am going to have a PPI done? Thanks Coy

Quotes source post: 10628043

Four years ago, I bought my 2000 996 with 107K miles. I had a PPI done with a local shop and received a clean bill of health . I now have 134K and the car is running without problems . Not to say that things haven't needed repair. I've replaced the CV joints, sunroof motor, and various other things that would be normal for a 13 year old car. Remember , it is not a NEW car, and you need to be prepared for those items that fail through normal wear and tear. If you are uncomfortable with these prospects, take that same money and buy yourself a new Toyota Leaf. You will need to put your faith in the PPI. Good luck

Quotes source post: 10628043

Basically a car that is in good condition. Seriously. With 134K miles unless the car smokes like a Mexican volcano, rattles like a trolley car, leaks like a BP oil platform, overheats like a teenage boy on his first petting date or otherwise shows signs of poor condition the fact the car has reached this mileage without any signs of trouble is a good sign the car has been well taken care of. Take the car for a test ride then drive. I've written this before and I don't have time to type it all on again so you'll have to search for previous posts. Then perform a used car check out. Test everything. Leave nothing to chance. If you still like the car and believe you can buy it for a reasonable/agreeable sum of money then have it PPI'd. Among other things this will have the car checked for any leaks, signs of suspension or steering or drivetrain issues that the test ride/drive may not have uncovered. The PPI should include this but just to mention it: It wouldn't hurt to drop the oil filter housing and check the filter element and oil for scary metal bits just in case the car's on the brink of you know what... Of course the filter element should be replaced. Also, have the DME over rev counters read along with the engine run time. You want to verify the engine has been bounced to a super high rpm lately and the average speed over 134K miles is close to 30mph. If the speed is way lower than this average it can be a sign of odometer tampering.

At 134K you also have to have your reality meter properly calibrated. The car most likely will have some needs. At that mileage I suspect you are shopping more for price than condition. Even in fabulous condition, very few Porsches need nothing in the first year or two of ownership. Make sure you have factored in repair and maintenance costs in your "I'm saving money buying the higher mileage Porsche" calculation. That math often goes very wrong for new owners.

Quotes source post: 10628043

IMHO I think it would be a wiser move on your part to walk because of the high mileage. Save up more money and go for a 996 with about 50000 miles on the clock. I mean I don't know what the price of the car is with the high mileage but it must be low and very tempting for you to own a 996 PORSCHE. Now if you are a top notch DIY man then that's another kettle of fish but if you are not then walk and save up for something better coz no matter what, it's gonna cost you an arm and a leg down the road.

I would be looking for a different car unless the mileage was heavily reflected in the price (12-13kish).

the car is 15k -- and I am very DIY ish person -- was a mechanic in college...

Read this again. You better be, and you better be a good one. At that mileage, some very expensive things can go wrong.

i wouldnt buy it unless i had 10k sitting in my bank account set aside to pay for things that might/will go wrong

Are there complete records, have you had a thorough PPI, have you driven the car? I see nothing wrong with a high mileage properly maintained Porsche that is in your price range.

Quotes source post: 10636082

A 134K 996.1 is closer to $10K than $15K. (benefits of mass production) Closer to $15K if the seller 1) provides a encouraging leak down test...cracked heads common, but do not become an issue in all -- right away. 2) provides a long list of routine maintenance records and preventative maintenance repairs that were already completed. Labor might be cheap for you, parts not so much.