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YOUR RESEARCHBefore my PPI
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Check of the undercarriage, etc
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Suggestion · Original poster
PPI is going on right now, and I brought these pics with me, and asked for a thorough check of the undercarriage, etc.
Leading evidence: 'Check of the undercarriage, etc' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check of the undercarriage, etc' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Howdy,
Looking to upgrade my 944 to a 2001 996 C4. Found an excellent example, and prior to my PPI, I took a look around the car, and noticed a few things that I was hoping for opinions on.
There's a bit of rust here and there, and I'm not sure what I'm looking at, on the underside. I've also noticed a bit of grime under the car, and in the engine bay. Finally, I've got a leak that looks like window wiper fluid from the jack point behind the driver's front tire, and down through the bolts.
[Edit: PPI Complete; Pics removed]
Well, that Porsche is 10 years old going on 11, looks like a car that has seen weather, perhaps a Northeast car. Your pics show some evidence of oil leaks, and as noted some rust and dirt buildup, some may be cosmoline from the factory. My C2 MY99 looks similar with the exception of your oil coating. A thorough PPI should go a long way in determining where the oil is leaking and tell you about your undercarriage condition. GL and share your results so others can chime in.
It looks like you're leaking washer fluid, tank in behind left front fender liner. Overall undercarriage looks pretty rusty and wet in a few places from seepage or leaks. I passed on a totally dry car, but had some rust and corrosion issues. This make working on them difficult, messy and costly. There are enough for sale without corrosion and rust.
Yup, that has been a coastal car or it has seen a lot of winter driving on salt. Not necessarily detrimental to the car, but will make working on the car a bit harder with the corrosion.
Not sure what deal you are getting but I will say pass on it. Looks like the car has gone thru some weather. There a lots of good samples of 996s our there for sale.
BUT if you really like the car then a PPI will tell you more
Good luck
are you going to DD the car? If so, then that condition (if you live in the rust belt) may not be an issue, because it will happen to any car.... but if your buying it to baby, and love, and only drive for fun, maybe you should look for an example that has been better insulated from the elements..
Excellent feedback, and thank you. A few answers:
It's more going to be a DD than weekend/garage queen. Honestly if I wanted a show car, I'd wait and go for a 993 C4S low miles, but I'm looking for a driver. Ideally I would drive it every day, assuming gas prices don't skyrocket (which they will). It's lived it's life in New Jersey, and it will remain there for now, so I expect road grime, snow/rain, salt. Going price is $26K and the mileage is 35,500, so the underside does surprise me a bit.
PPI is going on right now, and I brought these pics with me, and asked for a thorough check of the undercarriage, etc.
I'll feedback more. What I hear is, if I love it, and it's a DD, might be fine, but any other issues, and I should strongly consider passing? From what I've learned, issues such as this mean added dollars in the long- and short-term for even the usual repairs; is that fair?
Car failed the PPI, for the reasons you have hit on. Too much rust in places there shouldn't be rust, plus oil leaking. Too many cars out there for me to take one against the recommendation of this board, and my mechanic. Thanks for the responses; spot-on as usual.
I was thinking (who really cares now that it failed....but)
I was thinking the leaking up front could be the drain from the batter area and if it was partially plugged it might have water in ther that just leaks out slowly over time...
I have seen some pretty rusty "LOOKING" cars that really were not rusted, then I have seen some that really were - get an expert (which you did)
I just posted a nice looking C4 on my "found on ebay/craigslist" thread.... its near me if you want some help getting it looked at I have connections
