Movie rental 996 w/no PPI: worth it for 10.5k?

2000 996 cab (w/a hard top) that used to be rented-out to studios, now sun faded and seat ripped, so going cheap. Drove well. Low pressure handler-guy said boss is a hard **** so probably wouldn't agree to an inspection cuz he's got his own shop, and they inspect every time after a studio job for extra billing if any damage etc. Called back a few days later, and handler said boss was cool w/an inspection but it had to be near and they had to tow it over and back cuz no plates. I gave them a shop name 2.5 miles away and then crickets, nothing, for several more days until "Sorry, man, we're super busy" when I called and a "I'll do my best" to my querie of getting it inspected (on my dime of course) within 10 days. I offered to call the shop and give the handler their availability and even offered to let his boss/owner's shop do a PPI at my cost (yeah, I know, naive/idiotic). Crickets again for several days now lol. Time to blow this taco stand or shell out the 10.5K w/o a PPI? I don't mind a few grand in repairs and plan on the IMS/RMS replacement for 2-3K. Thanks for any advice; be gentle ; )

How many miles and any service history? Having them do a PPI is just foolish!

82k miles. Paperwork looks good. Yeah, I know it's foolish (hence the "naive/idiotic"), but want to get the process done and was going on the handler's demeanor and company's rep........so basically I'm asking lol if it's worth the risk at 10.5K. Does completing an official PPI carry any legitimacy for a shop? Thanks.

No. Run. These things can get expensive quick, even if you DIY

Thanks. Appreciate it.

Why has no one asked the most important question? What movies was it in?

When you say "the paperwork looks good", what exactly are you looking at? A legitimate PPI must be done by one who knows the 996 inside and out...not the guys who check tire pressure, change plugs and top off oil when needed. This could be a great deal, or it could be a money pit!

It's a 2000 996 needing 500.00 initially, offer 8.5K, go to 9.5 or 9.,750 , they don't bite, walk away, Unless it's a second gold 928S or some significant cult movie Porsche, studio provenance means 25.00 to me. plan up starting from scratch on maintenance. Rather buy a Rennlister' car or other board I frequent that I know, or someone knows.

haahhahhaha indeed! that should be the deciding factor--if I liked the dam* movie. Paperwork-wise, I forgot to ask for more than basics until later (PPI), and his further responses haven't responded to that point, so it's not looking good. He's suddenly gotten very busy when I gave him my shop's name lol so perhaps he cannot bribe them........

It’s important to understand the role of the car in the movie and if it was driven by someone famous, maybe a known car guy. Think about the Bullitt mustang or Charger, etc. or was the car only in background scenes of no significance. This could have a major influence on the future value. Assuming it is an insignificant player, think about the cost to replace the seats and anything else damaged in the interior, as well as the cost to restore the paint (assuming its the paint that’s sun faded). Then there’s the usual 996 weak points to address... not trying to rain on your parade, but some guys want a turn key car to drive, others (like me) are looking for a project vehicle. It’s important for you to decide which kind of guy you are.

Bunch of lot boys joy riding movie car. Dont walk run. Most expensive 10k youve ever spent.

I'd walk away, sounds like they are already causing you grief and don't really want your business.

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate it. He played down its use on set, saying studios always treated it well to avoid extra fees, but yeah how many people (esp the transpo guys) can resist trying her out a "little bit"? I'll give him one more chance/call re: PPI etc and ask about film use (even just for curiosity at this point), but I can't imagine him saying anything detrimental. Cheers~

GL, OP...let us know what happens.

Either way movies abuse cars, except for maybe the movie Cars...

I usually give advice on buying a 996 like this; Is it what you really, really want in a car? Is it the right color, interior, options, body style, history? If not - why spend $10k on something that is marginal at best? Get the whole car you want. I'm a bottom feeder over on 928. I'll buy any color, year, options, as long as it's dirt cheap. But - I buy them for hobby work, and once I get it fixed and back on the road, I sell. Are you going to flip this car? If so, tell them $8k cash, and I want it right now. Then, do your paint, int, and regular MX and flip it for what you want. Can you paint it? Fix the int? Or do you just not really care. The deal on flipping a car is to buy at the bottom of the market. After paint and int, you're going to be in it for > $10k more. Then another $3k of other stuff. now you're up near $20k if you buy it for $8k. Hard to make money.

Thanks again for all the useful information. I'm distancing myself further and further--I really wanted it--by the unresponsiveness of the handler (who otherwise seems like a great guy lol) and the lack of a PPI, waaaay too much to overlook (and yeah I would prefer a coupe and a dif color interior). The multiple cosmetic/minor issues would otherwise be a fun challenge and get me more into the car, but any major stuff would be beyond me in order to flip it. Frustrating but educational experience.

I think you may want this car because you think it's "cheap." "A good deal." "Can't go wrong at this price." RUN unless you are very comfortable putting $5,000 - $8,000 into the car in the first year.

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Is this Studio Services in L.A. ? I may know a little about the car.

Ignore: redundant.

Well, yes, the price is attractive to me as an, ahem, teacher, but Porsche 911 has been my dream car since childhood, and I've planned to buy one after returning from teaching in Asia for years. Conveniently, I've always liked the 996 model more than 993/997. I wouldn't mind spending 5-8G the first year if I was confident that I would only need approx 2G for repairs per year after. Have you found that 2G the case? The rental company in question has "ghost" in its name and is located near Sylmar/Sun Valley......Any head's-up? Thanks a lot everyone. Cheers~

$10k is chump change, and the way you are approaching it, you sound a lot like a window shopper. Either pony up an offer, or let it go. There aren�t many non-roller 996 on the market at that low a price point, so for that kind of money, you get what you get. Assume it is a roller, and anything better than that is a win.

Buy it. Drive it like you stole it. When if fails park it and walk away.

Apparently, you haven't read all my comments in the post; I have ponied up an offer. The ball's still in their court after saying they'd tow it to my shop over a week ago for a PPI.

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Sounds like the '68 mustang I had in high school......

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My bad. I thought you were still having IMSB night sweats...

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I meant to respond to another poster; learnin' the ol Rennlist system...... Yeah, that hand grenade with the "IMS" tattoo (and his little brother RMS) feels like you're tight-roping on the San Andreas

All are overblown. If you are mechanically inclined, the work is straightforward once you drop the transmission - the RMS is a couple of bucks and an upgraded IMS bearing is $600, plus the install tools. Not expensive in the scheme of things.

Ah, good to know, thanks. I had a supervisor at Sports Trend Auto (Sherman Oaks) quote me 2G for both bearing replacements and acted like he was offering me an amazing discount.

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That's a very fair price.

Just go see it in person, kick the tires, drive it around for an hour, if you come back smiling, then BUY IT !!!

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Yeah, seemed fair from readings, but hearing of wrench guys doing it so much cheaper leads you to rethink a bit and wanna take a go at it (with an extra on the side for when you screw it up lol)

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actually, i did. it was a surreal experience going onto a rental car lot for movies lol and the guy tells me to lie to the cops if we get pulled over cuz there's no plates.......i told him then i wanted to take it locally to a shop and he said the boss wouldnt go for that only to re-neg a few days later and then disappear for a freakin' week after i gave him the shop's name for him to schedule his boss's tow (boss's condition). Dude finally texts back the day i've scheduled to see another 996 cab (4K more but eons cleaner) in the morning and texts cavalierly yeah yeah call me today blah blah. Too much beachy drama and making me eat ****e to give him my money for a project. Tough though, cuz I was ready to go for it for a week. Final Answer (u guys r gonna bust my ***** over this lol): bought a frickin Lexus SC drop top (another on my bucket list--911, Jag E-Type, and Triumph TR6 the others) while i chill for a year or two and try to get a stable job again (been teaching in asia 17 years :O Got 55 K in the bank to last me a year or bust and back to wanderlusting. Thanks though for all the help. probably wont read any more comments cuz i know lol some of you are gonna go nuts. Cheers! Viva El Ferdinand!