Regarding 01' 996 C2 4sale at Lexus Dealer..long

Just came back from test driving this 01' Arctic Silver/Black int. C2. It has 18,900 miles, 6 speed, litronics, cd changer, perforated leather seats, and an aero spoiler. The car has 18' rims shod in Contisport tires, 225/40-18 (F) and 265/35-18 (R) with i'd say 75% tread left. The spoiler has a thin crack in the base where support meets engine lid. It looks like a hairline crack in the paint or fiber glass. The horizontal part of the spoiler is unpainted(black fiber/carbon fiber). Is that haw it suppose to be? I wonder if it that spoiler was damaged? Three of the four rims have scrapes on the lips. It could have been from subjecting the car to those wheel tracks in car washes. I notice the rear seat's base comes off very easily, is that right? Is there anyway to find out the complete option list on this car? They didn't have a clue? They ran a Carfax on the car for me. It showed everything was okay. The car was a leased car that was later bought/traded in to lexus. Car was put into service 08/01 and has been on the lexus lot to be sold since 12/4/03. Lexus has it listed 4 sale initially at $63k. For the past week it's listed in the paper, " make an offer". What would be a good price for this car? The car drives smooth, but I could not really open her up do to traffic. Initially, I felt that 2nd gear is weak until I looked at the digital readout well above what I thought I was at. The car is deceptively quick. This is the first 996 I've ever driven. My stage 3 S4 feels "seat of the pants" faster because of the turbo boost. But this car handles a lot better. I'll be keeping my S4 for daily driving and hopefully a Porsche for weekend dutys. Is the 02' 996's a lot quicker with 20 more hp? I don't know if I should hold out for an 02'. It's slim pickings here in Hawaii. I may have to take my search on the mainland for an 02'. Thanks for your input, Russ

Here is a link to the 04 order guide, generally same option codes. Order Guides Some people say there is no difference but I can feel there is more low-end torque/pull. The rear wing should be the same color as the rest of the car no exceptions. You should get that checked out cause it's nearly 2 grand to replace if not covered under warranty.

$63k for a 19k mileaged 01 is crazy money. offer em $45k.

I actually was going to offer in the $45k range. But, if that spoiler is broken or had a quick fix, I don't know...maybe less to factor in replacing it. Btw, the carfax mentioned the car had approx. 18 more months of warranty...big plus for me.

Sounds like you're getting into the right price range, although that's a long way to negotiate with a dealer. I'd have the car checked very carefully by a good Porsche mechanic; coming off a lease and with the things you've already mentioned I would check every last detail to make sure the car's ok. Also, if that's the first 996 you've driven, you may want to at least find a couple of others to test drive and compare. You may still come back to this one, but you'll have a better reference point and notice more things. Good luck!

I just got finished watching Smokey and the Bandit - what a classic.... Anyhew.. oh yea... ya know, when I was 996 shopping I came across quite a few - and a few that were possible a better deal then what I actually bought. To be honest, when I see signs of a car that has been possibly not taken care of that great (the rear wing as an example - things like that make me run from a car) I get a little nervous. I paid $45k for a '99 C4 with 28k miles - possibly a bit high but the car was perrrrrfect - one owner and really taken care of - I think when you're buying a car like this it makes sense to hold out for a really nice example... it might be a couple $$ more but you're already spending big dough for a car you really dig - why not hold out for the perfect one? Just my $.02 of course.... trev

ry322, just for comparison sake, I recently purchased a 2001 C2 with 20K mi. for $52,500. Immaculate in and out. Carbon fiber interior, 6 speed, Hi-Fi, deviated trim, PSM, Ruf header, Ruf exhaust, Ruf short shifter, Ruf peadals, 2002 light weight 5 spoke wheels, tint, etc.. I got the dealer down only $500 on his price. *****Buy NOW***** as the price will rise $3$5K in the warmer months, but that probably wouldn't matter in Hawaii. My guy had a boat load at the time and claimed he was letting go the leased-up cars with a low profit. I concurred. Carfaxed and I also had a paid inspector. Over a year factory warranty left too! FWIW

P.S. I basically got $8K in mods for free! The deals are there, but beware of those in cars in a significantly lower price range if you can afford to.

If you want to see what options this car had when it left the factory, you should be able to open the front hood and see a 4x5 inch white sticker on the underside of the hood. This sticker will list every option the car was built with. Then just use these option numbers with the link in the post listed above or the option page at www.edmunds.com ( http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/pors...ox..1.Porsche* ). Tim

Thanks for all your help. You guys and this forum is the "BOMB!"

Just one more thing: If you can afford and '02 then get one. They not only have an upgraded engine but also upgraded interior and exterior.

yep, the 3.6L is a whole lot better car. despite there only being 20 hp difference between them, if you should ever decide to supercharge it the 3.6L gets 80 more hp "to the wheels"! the 3.6L also sounds better.

Thanks, I've already decided on holding out for an 02' C2 for the 3.6 liter engine. Supercharging sounds real tempting in the future...hmmm, lagless force induction on a rear wheel C2 sounds gooooddd....not as heavy too.