Possible new 2001 C4 purchase--help needed

Hi all--been a long time since i searched these boards but everyone was invaluable when i purchased my first porsche 1.5 years ago. sorry but this is long. my current 2001 C2 is still running great but the mileage is at 95k and i am thinking of selling it. it just so happens that my place of work also does governmental auctions for DEA seized vehicles. Yes--auction time (red flag 1!). Up for auction is a 2001 C4 full aero kit, 39k miles, 19" rims, super clean in and out, aftermarket nav, amp, carbon fiber interior etc. Everything you would expect from a drug dealer car! . As auctions go you cannot get a PPI. Since i work at the place i was able to drive it and check it out ahead of schedule--drove fine, clutch and brakes seem good. No leaks. Known issues: 1. Dead battery--its been sitting so you need to jump it--no biggie 2. Dash lights flicker (red flag 2). Now this could be a few things but i'm thinking either battery will fix or alternator(leaning to alternator). not that expensive as i get parts at cost. other than major electrical issues anything else that would be a significant issue to fix this? i'm sure it could be a number of things. 3. Central door locking mechanism stays red and locked at all times (red flag 3). This concerns me. Because the battery is dead you have to open the door manually with the key. The passenger door stays locked. Once the car is started the central door lock is red with doors being locked. only open from inside. ?? switch, something major? all other electrical systems work fine other than point 2 above. oh--since everything is locked so is the gas lid--how would i fill it up even? Thats it. I would never normally consider buying a p-car like this at an auction under these circumstances but i am fairly confident i can get it for $18k! which is a total steal. leaves me money to fix these issues. Am i just getting excited because this car looks great and has great options or even with the above issues shoudl i know better. I know--no PPI should = no buy. Ahh. someone talk some sense into me please. Thanks, Juc

if the cell (check engine light) is blinking that could be a problem... The door stuff locks like it can be an issue with the door locks actuators which can run about $800 to fix by the dealer. I would try scanning the car with an obdII first to see what codes pop up or use a durametric to find fault codes.

+1, the fault codes can give a better diagnosis; I'm thinking the car may have some water damage; check under ALL the floor board carpets, and in the battery compartment. Check sunroof operation as soon as you get a chance. $18K may just be the beginning as far as costs. For your sake, hopefully, less than $1-2K to fix any other problems. make sure the title is clean; and that someone doesn't mistake you for the clown who owned it prior and cap yo ***! You may want to consider changing the look ( tint, wheels, decals)..

Thanks guys. check engine light is not on. Unfortunately won't be able to check the fault codes prior to auction anymore. no visible water damage--checked under mats and battery compartment is clean. 2K3TTMIA - you mentioned check the sunroof. Interesting you mentioned that. I did check that out. This is what happens. Press once and it opens half way. Press again and opens the remaining amount. BUT--i need to press and hold to close. Thought it should be automatic close with one push? I can deal with alternator, door lock mechanism (although its empty on gas so i'm a little worried about how i'm going to open up that gas flap). i'm torn. the risk of buying a lemon with these may be just too great.

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So you have a 2001 car that's running great and you want to get rid of it and buy a seized 2001 car with almost certainly expensive to address issues? What part of 'HELL NO' don't you not understand? Sincerely, Macster.

Thank you- i know. at the end of the day it is foolish--i just want all the bells and whistles of the auction car...and its prettier! passing is the right decision. 95k miles vs. 39k would add some comfort though if i could just get a damn PPI on this thing first.

aaah..my decision just got a lot harder. I was able to go back into the warehouse and check out the car again. I realized that yesterday when we started it up with a charger we immediately disconnected it and that is when i experienced all the weird issues. So--this time once started we kept the charger on the car. Result: no flickering lights, sunroof worked perfectly, door locks with central switch worked fine, window regulators dropped properly. All was good! ONLY issue that is that the gas lid door is still locked. My understanding is that should unlock with the doors right? any way to manually unlock that? I don't care if it ever locks. So--since the battery charger while connected fixed the issues is that just it needs a new battery or possibly alternator? even with alternator that is not a big deal. thoughts on gas lid door? thanks. 18k may be worth the risk with the above items fixed.

$18K sounds great, considering what the cache inside the door panels could be worth.

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You might be on to something... Wasn't there a news story some months back about a guy who bought a used car -- from a used car lot not even at an auction -- and then not long after he bought the car it needed some work and a tech found a bag of dope hidden in the car? To the OP: If you end up with the car car make it on the condition it passes a drug dog sniff test...otherwise, the first time you get pulled over by a canine unit you could be in for a real surprise! Sincerely, Macster.

Just buy it. Sounds like a great deal. Worse case you spend a few grand. Go for it!

quick update. Ended up not getting it. 2 flippers showed up last minute at the auction and bidded it up to $24.5k! for an auction without being able to drive it or know whats lurking in terms of IMS/clutch etc. that is way too high for me. Lots of upgrades so i guess they just intend to flip. Oh well. made me want to hold onto my current car now though. After thinking about it its for the best. full records, sorted out. looks like i may be looking for a respray on my front bumper cover and upgrading audio and i'll be happy for a little while longer. thanks, juc

Its amazing how a fully charged battery fixes most things on a high tech Porsche. I was gonna suggest trying your own battery on the auction car but see it sold anyway.