Does this CARFAX look alright?

Hi All, Please help me review the CARFAX, this is my first time buying a Porsche. http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...AA299X4S620881 Things that I noticed are: 1. Transmission replaced at 10,894. 2. Accident with a fixed object. Dealer said owner hit something on the road that damage the front bumper. It's been fixed. I need to verify this with a PPI 3. No service record after the accident. Shouldn't there be some service to be done between 10,894 miles and current 38k miles? Thanks

carfax... are to general and wont always show every service record.... Talk to the dealer about the service record. PPI is a must!

I'm actually surprised at how detailed that report is. The transmission replacement isn't a big deal. The CA police report could be something as simple as a bumper scrape. It would be good to see if you can find the report that was done. Failing that a PPI, or removal of the bumper will tell you if the impact was enough to go beyond the bumper cover - you'll see movement marks on the braces for the bumper. Get a PPI done and if it passes you're probably okay.

Dealers will normally record service that is registerd in Carfax, but not indy shops afaik. Does the dealer have a copy of the service records? Be sure you get some extra love/discount for the previous accident, even if it was fixed properly. Good luck, report back after you buy it with some pics!

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You can try, but the owner might tell you where to go. I would. I've had a situation where I've replaced a bumper cover because I've scraped and cracked it - there is no way that I'd acknowledge permanent damage to the car or value for something that is cosmetic, superficial and fixed. To insist otherwise is insane.

Are you going to keep the car forever? If not, walk away from this car. Even if the accident damage is minor and cosmetic, this CarFax history will follow the car for the rest of its life. It will result in a diminished value when it comes to trade in or sell it. In this economy, you can be very picky about the car you buy.

Many dealerships will run a paint meter over a car when you trade in. If they see that there was any painting at all, regardless of the reason, they will often use that to knock your trade price down. Fair is fair, so the same reasoning should be applied when buying. Any paint work is a point for negotiation for diminished value. I agree that respraying a bumper should not diminish the value, but unfortunately in 3 or 4 years when you go to trade, it is likely that fact will be used as an excuse why your car does not get full value.

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and some underlying bumper hardware replaced due to accident. "5mph" collision from vehicle jumping the light and ramming rear of my car and shoving my car into vehicle ahead. No air bag deployment. No fluid leaks before or after incident. Car drove as good after accident as before so alignment/etc not affected. I was able to take 'before" pictures and pictures after covers removed to show damage not substantial and did not involve any mechanical systems. (Had car inspected at dealership *before* body work done to verify nothing amiss in the engine/drivetrain/exhaust area.) My point is a bumper cover replacement is not end of the world. Car might not be that bad of car: Are all body panel gaps even? Straight? Can you tell if just cover replaced or did a radiator or AC condensor get replaced as well? Look at both sides and see if one side has newer looking A/C condensor or radiator or if ducting is cleaner freer of trash. OTOH, there are a lot of cars to chose from and you could certainly give this car a pass and not limit your selection any. Takes some of the risk out of buying a used car in avoiding any car with any body/paint damage, no matter how slight. Sincerely, Macster.

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I get what you're saying, but it's totally flawed. My car has an OEM aero kit on it that was installed after the car left the factory - do you think the aero bumper has the same paint thickness as the metal work on the car? Explain how you handle that one! Macster nailed it - it the damage is cosmetic, then there's no reason for the seller to give up any diminished value. I know I've told buyers to take a hike when they pulled stuff like that in the past. The lesson is that if you like a car and have done appropriate research, then a replaced bumper cover and transmission are not a big deal (in fact they're assets) and if you do try to take advantage of a seller that is already pissed off that his car is worth a small fraction of what it was worth last year, then be ready to be told to take a hike. Just my $0.02

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I agree with you that it should not make a difference, but who ever said that dealerships were logical? Or even all buyers? The fact is that any detectable paint work is likely to diminish value if you end up trading at a dealership. If the seller has a good explanation and documentation there is no reason to worry. And besides when you buy a Porsche, you should not be worried about what the eventual resale value is. My experience is that we all think our cars are worth a lot more than they really are. Having had the experience of owning and selling 7 Porsches over the years, I have learned that lesson well.

Hi All, Thanks for all the inputs. I promise myself to buy a car that I would only keep it forever so I'm taking as much time as possible to make sure that I get what I like.