996 potential purchase need advise

Car is advertised as 2001 Carrera 4 Tip. Build sheet supplied shows 996-410 as the model code . VIN from the build sheet seems to produce a 2wd Coupe 6 speed on VIN decoder . Build sheet names car as a Carrera Targa . I'll match the build sheet to the VIN when I get to the car which is sort of in the middle of nowhere although I happen to be going there . The car has a branded /rebuilt title . 62 K miles, I will be able to get some ownership history and it looks very good in the photos . PPI not possible . Price is right . Canadian car . My question is if the car VIN matches the build sheet VIN ,can their be mistakes as significant as a 2wd /awd difference ? These are Porsche docs and the transmission is on the build sheet is shown as" not available" whats with that ? Production date March 2001 .

According to Stuttcars https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-91...ction-numbers/ There were only 63 Targas built in 2001. So I'm not saying it's impossible that the 2001 is a Targa, it is just highly unlikely. You will be able to tell if it is a Targa in photos as the shape of the smaller rear window behind the door glass is a different shape. What does the car say on the back? Does it say Targa or Carrera 4? VIN decoders are fallible so I wouldn't take what VIN Analytics is spitting out as final word on the car.

Targa and cab look completely different from the door handles up. Cab has a soft top (or a dorky bolt-on hardtop) while targa looks very nearly like a coupe. Surely you have a picture of the car?

It should be obvious what model the car is both body style and number of drive wheels when you get a look at it. You can tell instantly if it is a C2/C4 from the frunk. The C4 has hump to make room for the front diff or obviously look underneath and the Targa has a giant glass roof and an opening rear window. As other have said VIN decoders aren't always the most accurate and a Targa that early would be exceptionally rare. The most important thing is that the VIN matches the title and that there is no evidence of VIN swapping. I also am not sure what "build sheet" you are looking at, but you can always check to see if the option sticker on the underside of the frunk lid is still there and if that matches your VIN and what options that describes. Also, this one is long shot on a salvage car, but if the original manual is still under the steering wheel that should have the VIN and some (all?) options listed as well. Do you know why the car has a branded title? That would concern me most, especially if the car is still up in Canada or the Northern U.S. These cars came with factory rust proofing that for the most part does a great job, but if they have had mediocre body work done those areas are often susceptible to rust and you will definitely want to inspect them carefully.

Thanks all for the helpful comments . By the pics I would say its definitely not a Targa but again it has Delete Model Designation as well as option L1 (painted top) . Giving the guy the benefit of doubt its possible he just sent me what he got when he bought the car in 2019 and never confirmed it himself and it may not match up with the car . Anyway caution is advised.. I don't mind branded but don't want to end up with a Frankenstein . Oh yeah one more thing it has a body kit ..

OP here ; so I was about 2 hrs from viewing the car and got a text that it sold. Lots of things didn�t add up in addtion to what I mentioned above .Car is Carrera 4 , Carfax shows Carrera 2 . First In service date preceded build date ..weird. If the serial number had been switched would I be able to tell? Or is documentation just that unreliable?

Looks like you may have lucked out. Plenty of good ones out there without a squirrely history. Remember, we are entering a recession. Opportunities will materialize. If it doesn't add up, then it doesn't add up and the price should come down. 160k+ examples of 996s sold. You will find one.