Shopping for used cab

Background: previously owned a 964 and 993. Now want a 996 but since I've given up track events I can get a ragtop. Manual transmission, of course. OK, so the usual debate ensues, whether to get something that I can afford (2000 or 2001) or go for the newer/better 2002 or even 2003. Regardless of that (and opinions are welcome) I've been looking on fleabay because there are quite a few cars there and it is possible to save thousands off of retail at the local stealership. The upside of a Porsche dealer is that I can get a CPO car. The downside of these other dealers of course is that I'll have to travel to pick up the car, more difficult to get PPI, etc. And of course you never know when you buy a used car, what you might get into. Opinions on all that are welcome too. So, the main point of this is: there are three cars that I'm looking at on eBay, one at Select Luxury in Atlanta and one at Nxcess Auto in Houston, and another at Encore Exotics in Charleston SC. Advantages with them is that they are large cities where I have friends who can look at the car as well as lots of Rennlist members who may also go look at them for me, and they seem to be large dealers with a reputation to uphold. Which is the question: anyone know of these guys and have any comments as to their reputation? The SC car is a 2000 in my favorite color combo with 27K one owner but they want 43K for it, which I think is steep. The Atlanta car is a 2003 with 19K for 61 (which I also think is steep), and the Houston car is a 2001 with 35K for 43 whichi seems reasonable, but I like it the least. The ebay ids are: ga: 250017513224 tx: 220017211336 sc: 110019620923 These are just three cars out of many... I'm not fixated on any of them. And yes, I'm going to go look at the Rennlist classifieds again, but you guys all have your cars priced at retail!!! Thanks, Michael

$43k is a good chunk of change, so get the car you really want. Sounds like you like the one in SC. Remember price is negotiable. Have a friend or rennlist member check it out, then negotiate your best price. Once you agree on price, have a ppi done. If you can't agree on price walk away and keep searching. Do you plan on keeping the car a long time? If so, if the car checks out and is exactly what you want, I wouldn't worry that much about price. Better to pay a little more for you perfect car. If you plan on selling it in a year or two then of course price will matter a lot. It took my 7 months to find my C4S, but it was worth the wait. Good Luck, searching is half the fun!!!!

On a cab, it makes every sense to buy 02. Besides better interior, engine, aerodynamics, turbo lights, you also get a glass rear window which will last much longer than a plastic one. First step is figuring out what you want. Pricing shopping give you an idea on what you can afford. Then, choose the right car w option and condition that fits you. If you do buy from eBay, make sure their rep is good and car is exactly as described with title/ownership verified. Get a PPI no matter what. Also, get VIN and check for warranty history at any dealer. Call the dealers where the car was serviced to get service records. These will give you a good idea how the car was treated.

I'd agree with what has been said so far. I would add that when you get the Porsche dealer to run the VIN, ask them for a list of the factory options. Sometimes ebay ads incorrectly list options. Also, a thorough PPI + good aftermarket warranty can be the same or better than CPO. Good luck.