Deal of a lifetime or Scam? - 996 Turbo

Just ran across this.... not that I am in the market for another 996 right now, but what is up with that price? Looks like a steal (maybe literaly was?) http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4442313649.html

With the poor picture quality its hard to see if the body shows wear and tear from being a daily driver. 140K tip with a few issues that need to be worked out. I haven't heard of many rebuilt engines at 80K but I could have missed the threads.

Hmmm.... just checked KBB, and they peg this in "excellect" condition at $22,400, and NADA has average trade in at $25k I guess that's the basis for his price..... Didn't realize I could get a turbo that cheap.

It’s really hard to find one at or under $30k despite book values. Sometimes values are pretty out of touch. I remember paying 2-3x book value for a 944 turbo S years ago...

With a 9 year history it sounds like it's worth a look.

if I were in the market for a Turbo, this one will be a serious contender pending PPI findings

I seem to recall shopping a speed yellow Turbo in Las Vegas about 9 years ago back just before I bought an 03 Turbo in June of 2009. I can't recall any details other than the color. I'm not up on Turbo market prices but I seem to believe based on what I've read that the market for these cars is heating up and prices are rising. Good unmolested (stock) examples can command a premium price. The Tip may be seen as a negative to some but these engines pull so hard, gain RPMs so fast, the Tip can be in some cases the better transmission. I would like to find a service receipt for a on time Tip fluid/filter service. The pics are terrible. Without better pics� Window problem probably requires a new window regulator. I have had one, make that two replaced in my Boxster but I do not recall the cost. Easy enough to get a quote from a dealer. The coolant leak� I do not like any coolant leak for it lets pressure bleed away and it is pressure that keeps the hot coolant from flashing to steam and creating pockets of steam that can block coolant flow and create localized hot spots which can wreck havoc on an engine. The engine doesn't overheat -- the coolant is prevented from absorbing heat -- but there are hot spots. Head gasket leaks, or head cracks, even block cracks can result. Given the shop I believe has misdiagnosed the window I do not trust its diagnosis of this leak. FWIW, I just had a water pump in my Turbo replaced. I can't recall the price now but I think it safe to say budget at least $1000 parts/labor for this job. IF the leak is a coolant tank, or a radiator, I do not know what these cost to repair/replace. It could just be a coolant cap, too. The one on my Boxster leaked and so did the one on my Turbo. That the car apparently -- this needs to be checked during/after a thorough test drive -- hasn't suffered any from this ongoing leak suggests the leak is of the coolant cap type. A little vapor leaks out after the car is parked (with the engine hot) and the fluid level drops over time. IF the leak is a coolant hose fitting leaking, this is an engine out job. I have not had to do this but other owners have. Search the 996 Turbo forum for posts on the cost of having this work done. These cars are very nice cars but they can cost like the dickens to address problems. Remember they cost $120K (or more) new and parts costs are high and my dealer doesn't offer a labor discount because the Turbo's a 2003. It charges me the same labor rate it charges the owner of a newer car.

If I was in Vegas, I would be running to that garage with a stack of cash totaling $23k. No PPI needed, live a little. Drive the car, see the tranny shift, hear the engine run, do a few WOT runs, look for leaks under the car. If all is good, grab the car and RUN while blasting ........ Black And Yellow Lyrics Wiz Khalifa - YouTube

It seems to be priced appropriately for a tip car with 140k miles on it.

I would have expected 30k, but i really haven't seen many cars for sale with this many miles. The only cars i have seen priced this low have been salvage titled cars. It probably has some issues that will cost some $$$$ to repair.

We had a 60K mile tip turbo in Chicago for $30K even. Garbage paint and needed suspension work, but still cheap for 60K mile car. I suspect there's some shady stuff on the title/carfax (washed through another state etc)

Automagic,,, pass....

The car is priced low. Average should be around $29.5K. Manuals command around 4% more. Tips can blow a seal at engine connection point. I wouldn't worry about coolant leak...unless it is at pushed in tube at head, these are a failure point for turbos. Car looks nice from outside. Remember this car has an offshoot of the GT1 engine. :-) 2003 Carrera 4S Speed Yellow / 1955 356 Continental 1500 Rust Red / 2002 Turbo Basalt Black Metallic

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This thought had crossed my mind too but some people actually drive them and enjoy them and in the end, not really looking to make a profit. I have actually known people like that. I would say for op if really interested in yellow/tip combo to have it taken to a body shop for any previous repairs then to a ppi, then pull the trigger. If op has never driven a turbo, they should get familiar with a good example first to obtain some kind of baseline in terms of feel/ride/ power so they can compare it to this example. BTW, 23k is the lowest I've seen a clear title 996 turbo. In fact just last year. but yeah generally most seem to hover around $35k and up.

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I'm not interested at this point in buying.... but was just browsing and came upon this deal.... It was the lowest price I've seen on a Turbo by almost $10k.

Low end cars are 30 (auto high mileage) mid around 38-42 with avg mileage normal car, 45-50 for low mileage well documented or x50 etc. some cars are higher than 50 too... Price is too low so either more stories or insane seller. Check it either way.