Preliminary PPI results...opinions please

Keep in mind that this info was from the seller, who said he spoke to the inspector. I haven't yet talked to the inspector directly but will tomorrow. The car is a 1999 Carrera 4, approximately 80K miles, approximately $25K. Body and interior in good shape. Black exterior/beige interior, sports seats, manual transmission. Four reported issues: 1) RMS leak. Seller said he saw no leak, but the inspector said there was a leak. I have to give bias towards the inspector obviously. I will find out how bad it is. From what I've read, this is a $1000 repair and isn't urgent unless really wet. I could fix it when servicing the clutch, but there's no mention of the clutch needing service right now. 2) CEL related to MAF. Seller didn't give specifics but said he could fix it as a condition of the sale. 3) #2 spark plug sealing poorly. I don't understand what that means exactly but the seller said he would fix it and all it needed was a cheap grommet or washer or gasket or something to that effect? 4) Moon roof doesn't work. Seller again said he'd fix this as a condition of the sale. He said it was a faulty cable or electrical wire or something. After I talk to the inspector I will have full details, but I'd like to hear your preliminary opinions based on just this early info. Thank you very much. Nat

1) RMS leak. If only RMS leak, not suprising on '99 with 80k miles. When fixed check also clutch and flywheel. Negotiate a reduction of the purchase price if you're left with the repair. For every serious buyer he needs to get it fixed or reduce the price. 2) CEL related to MAF. new MAF is <0.3k, get the CEL code from the PPI form 3) #2 spark plug sealing poorly. I don't know the consequences of this issue 4) Moon roof doesn't work. If it's not leaking and he gets it repaired, probably not a big deal

1. As long as oil is not running out, but just seeping, you can live with it until a clutch replacement 2. MAF is about $300 and takes about 10 mins to replace DIY 3. Probably the O-ring on the boots, easy to replace and is common 4. If he said he will fix it, no big deal, but sounds like a reoccurence if it has doen this before.

So bottom line so far, it sounds as if you guys would accept the car?

IMHO, that's a pretty short list. The only thing I'd say is that I would look at the RMS issue differently if it was the car's first than I would if it had had a few. If this is the first, or if it had a replacement early in its life, that's a seal design problem and minor. If it's been eating RMSs regularly, that's an engine problem. A service history would be nice.

+1 Dig into the RMS issue. It could be fine, it could be a prelude to bigger $ issues. Get the history. My '03 had it, fixed it, and no issues since so its not necessarily a deal breaker. Caveat emptor.....

Really a fairly inexpensive 996. If you were that close already to a purchase to get the thing inspected, and after seeing list, agree with above. I'd buy.

+1

did he mention these faults up front... you dont need a PPI to find out about these problems. If the seller wasnt up front or "didnt know" about these faults then his character is questionable. JMHO

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double talk - may want to edit.

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I spoke with the inspector today and the problem list is quite a bit longer than what the seller reported (surprise). I would like to show you guys the bigger list but I'm at work right now and can't I will do it tonight though. Thanks for everyone's input so far.

The price is decent,and the complete list is available so you can decide if the PPI has more serious issues than your short list. Other than the RMS(which may or may not be an issue) the other items seem pretty minor.

Okay, here is the synopsis. Most issues are what I'd consider very minor and liveable. They would not be good for a show car but I'm looking for a fun daily driver. Hot film sensor/check engine light spark plug boots/o-ring/spark pin RMS leak (described as "not gushing," perhaps under 1 tsp. after several hours but definitely wet) possible oil separator hose clean K&N filter left front axle seal leaking adjust parking brake washer bottle/hose leaking replace wiper blades and arm caps seats are dirt & cracked - typical for mileage and age left door panel CEL - hot film lighter inoperable -- blown fuse steering wheel dirty sunroof does not close radio inoperable -- blown fuse nick in lower portion of windshield various scratches & chips & dent right rear small dent from license plate nail in RR tire wheels scratched may need 90K service headliner has wear/scratched Compression/Leakdown 1) 110/95 2) 115/95 3) 120/98 4) 120/98 5) 120/100 6) 120/98 Total estimated repair cost for every issue is $4319. He said that he has seen better but he has seen worse, and the car is not good but not bad. He would not state if it was worth the asking price ($25,xxx) since he doesn't follow sales, but his take-home message was, "If it's at the right price, it'd be okay to buy." So is it at the right price based on this info? p.s., One thing he said that made me pause was that there were several blown fuses. They replaced the fuses. All of those blown fuses give the appearance of a recent jump-start. Thoughts?

It doesn't sound like the guy took very good care of it cosmetically, or maintained it mechanically. You could probably find a car in better condition for $30K, which is what you would end up spending. Personally, I would pass, mostly due to suspected poor maintenance that could lead to additional problems later. I'm sure others will chime in here too.

The seller told me, "There's nothing wrong." Some of the minor stuff, such as "small dent from license plate" and "headliner scratched" I'd let slide on my own car. The thing is there are some things one would definitely have knowledge of, such as the radio not working or the moon roof not working, yet the seller said "there's nothing wrong." I get the gut instinct that I cannot believe the seller.

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THAT would stop me. Fixing stuff wouldn't worry me if the car was basically sound and I liked it. But that would give me pause.

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Actually it's the main thing that's making me hesitate. Bad juju is bad juju. Over the years I've learned to trust my gut (even when I'm too stupid to listen to it).

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+1 I changed my opinion once I saw the entire list...it has grown considerably. Find one for 30,000 in much better condition.

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the guy is a sleeze, he doesnt deserve your time edit what? double talk where?

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+1 Run away because your gut says not to trust the seller and he's proven himself to be untrustworthy.

+1 There are members here who have the experience to tell you if you are on to a nice car or when you should keep searching. Buying a porsche is an emotional experience. However, your should be making rational decisions through out the process and budget money for mods after.

Any guy that says "there's nothing wrong with this car" when it's blatantly obvious that there are issues cannot be trusted. Walk away.

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Although some people are just plain ignorant and don't know any better. But I'm a "+1" on this - go find a nicer car. For that age and mileage, it doesn't sound like an especially good deal. Michael

My .02 [QUOTE=Nat;4898234][*]Hot film sensor/check engine light MAF, normal [*]spark plug boots/o-ring/spark pin O-rings, minor [*]RMS leak (described as "not gushing," perhaps under 1 tsp. after several hours but definitely wet) normal [*]possible oil separator hose normal [*]clean K&N filter big deal? [*]left front axle seal leaking inevitable [*]adjust parking brake inevitable [*]washer bottle/hose leaking common, needs a zip tie [*]replace wiper blades and arm caps consumable [*]seats are dirt & cracked - typical for mileage and age inevitable [*]left door panel ? [*]CEL - hot film MAF again, repeat [*]lighter inoperable -- blown fuse 5 cents? [*]steering wheel dirty uh huh? [*]sunroof does not close ? [*]radio inoperable -- blown fuse 5 cents? [*]nick in lower portion of windshield wear and tear [*]various scratches & chips & dent right rear wear and tear [*]small dent from license plate wear and tear [*]nail in RR tire needs fixing [*]wheels scratched happens to the best [*]may need 90K service ? [*]headliner has wear/scratched happens [/LIST] Compression/Leakdown 1) 110/95 2) 115/95 3) 120/98 4) 120/98 5) 120/100 6) 120/98 Sounds pretty good to me..... [QUOTE] Doesnt sound like anything major from the list, sounds like nit picking a concourse show car to me.

That's just it; I could live with or fix most of those issues. I probably would've already bought this car if only the seller said, "Yes, the RMS is leaking. It is a common problem and fixable. There are a few other minor issues too." Instead I got a "Everything OKAY! NO PROBLEM! YOU BUY!" as there's oil leaking onto the ground. Give me full disclosure and let me decide if I want to handle the issues. Is that asking too much?

I would have done the same, tippy. It's not the car that's unnerving about this deal, it's the seller.

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True, but now he has a PPI and can make a sound choice from there.

I would walk. It's not that these items need attention. It's the fact that the guy didn't address them as they became issues. To me it says that overall he didn't take very good care of the car.

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To me the fact that obvious things like the sunroof and radio were not disclosed show a lack of honesty. Beyond that it shows a lack of car and attention to things that are easily fixed, i.e. poor maintenance and you want to run away from those cars.

December's Panorama has a Q&A on 996 clutch replacement. It is expensive--up to $5K because the engine is usually dropped.

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If my sunroof didn't work, I wouldn't know it because I NEVER use it. But all the other stiff, yeah, I would know about them and would have fixed them. The current owner, can't replace a couple of fuses?

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Oh, I love having my sunroof open on a summer's evening... never during the day, but it's nice to see the stars.

+1 There's a lot of cars out there, with sellers that are willing to disclose everything, and in that price range without any of those issues. I'd keep looking...