About to pull the trigger on C4 cab.....need advice

I have had some great advice on this forum that has helped me learn a great deal. I was going to wait until winter to get a cab to save a little, but I've found one I like but the price is just a little above what I think is reasonable. It's a 2002 C4 cab CPO at a dealer that I found listed on e-bay. Fortunately the dealer is only about 2.5 hours away, so I am going there on Tuesday to take a look and drive it. What are some must ask questions, other than has it ever been in an accident, has it ever been painted, are there any mechanical problems not listed on the maintenace log? It has about 20,000 miles with a single owner with a complete maintenace history. Also, if they won't come down in price, are there other things that I can negotiate, i.e., include a 30,000 mile service at my local dealer (I don't know when the regularly sheduled maintenace is for a car with this mileage). Can they have someone transport the car to the local Porsche dealer, or better, can they have someone else drive my reliable, but POS 1993 Camry back to the local Porsche dealer so I can drive my new car home!! It has passed the dealer inspection, but should I pay for an independent PPI? It will have about 2.5 years of warranty remaining after I purchase the vehicle. Thanks in advance for your replies. I can't stop thinking about this, but I know I need to use sound judgement. It's just so damn hard when I think that in two days I could finally have a Porsche in my garage!!!

put another 100 hours research into the internet! Use Autotrader.com to nail down fair value or they will skin you imo. Harp on everything you don't like about that car. find out if they have others to dump - over inventoried etc. deal close to month end - might get some perks by not popping it out to the next month.

Thanks for the advice. After checking autotrader and kbb, it sounds like a pretty good deal (3%-14% better).

Dmac, when you get to the dealer, go through the maintenance history first, ask alot of questions about what this is and what that is, then go look at the car top to bottom, put the top up and down etc., then and only then, drive it. They know they have it priced high (if it is a P Car dealership). They also know that the 996 prices have fallen since 997 arrival. Figure out what price you would like to pay and stick to it!!

Thanks. This sounds like a good approach and I will review the maintenance history extensively before I begin to look, test and drive. When I called yesterday, they claimed that the battery wasn't holding a charge and they are going to replace the alternator tomorrow. I'm surprised this didn't come up on their inspection, but I am glad that it will come with a warranty. At least they are being honest so far. BTW, I really like Colorado. I have been through much of that state and I am coming out the last weekend in October to catch an Avalanche game on Satuday and the Broncs on Sunday. Thanks again for the good advice.

Just a data point, I recently passed on an '02 C4 cab with 18k miles at $61k. Decided I want a TT instead. Honestly, I'd wait until Winter. With the original warranty on '02s expiring and the 997 cab being available in greater numbers I expect the '02 prices to take a huge tumble like we are seeing with '01 cars this year.

Thanks for the info about your opportunity. I would love to get a 996ttCab too, but $120,000 is more than I want to spend now. I expect that the 996Cab price will come down once the 997tt is released as well. Now you have me thinking again about waiting until the winter for my purchase. The one I am looking at is mid $60,000s with more options than I've ever seen on a C4 cab. The complete wood package sure looks nice. I'm sure I could get the deal to about what you were working on. I really like the style of the C4S cab but they are more rare and are around $85,000 from what I have seen. My plan is to wait until the warranty is up and then put in a supercharger, better brakes, and suspension. Thanks again for the help!

LOL, I'm not in the TT cab market either, just a lowly coupe. Yes, C4S cabs are low to mid $80s, but the 997 C4S cab this Fall should loosen up that supply up. If you can get a high option car you love into the $60ish range, sounds like a deal.