PPI done, now moving towards sale

C4 '03 cabriolet, 33k miles This car passed its ppi with flying colors today. Now moving towards the contract. It's an '03, 33k miles. All service done at a Porsche dealer in So. Cal. They had done full rotors/brakes, RMS replacement, new battery and recent oil change. When they replaced the RMS ('08), they looked at the IMS and elected to leave it alone. Most likely that will be on my short list. Other things I learned: the AOS is an updated unit that according to my indie - has no history of failure. If and when an AOS fails, it leaves a trail of white (oil) smoke - which you can't ignore and tells you "get the car into the shop for an AOS update". There was no oil anywhere near where the RMS or IMS would be leaking. I will probably have the IMS done asap - and while they're in there, look at the clutch. Also a brake fluid flush, new pollen filter (the filter appeared to be the original one). Checked the inlets to the radiators. Nothing but a few leaves, cleaned that out. Hopefully will be driving it by early next week.

Looks good, have fun.

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She's a beauty . I have an image of this black cab coasting down PCH on a Sunday morning on your way to Duke's for brunch

I handed a copy of the ppi to the salesman at the dealership selling the car. You could see the color drain from his face. I had had the indie shop really dramatize the things the car needed and used that to get a lower purchase price. Frankly, I will be spending serious money on the car over the next few months - but the car is and will be even more "perfect" when done. I'll provide photos and updates as things progress. I had owned a 993 Cab. This will be my first watercooled one. In driving the car to and from the ppi (via an interstate and some local traffic) couple of observations already: -the clutch engagement is super smooth - much less "twitchy" than any of my air-cooled ones. -Even with very wide 18" rims and tires front and back, the car tracks straight with no following any irregularities in the road. -The engine really shifts into another gear at 4000 rpm. Does the 996 have the varioram set up (like the last of the 993s)? Below 4000 rpm, the engine is a docile as a Chevrolet. -The convertible top is a joy. Much simpler than my 993 cab. I noticed the "options" sticker under the bonnet is a bit faded. I'm going to have to work hard to get all the codes off it - to see what options the car has on it (A Bose stereo is one - and I think the CD player is a "6 unit" one - not certain).

Looks great!

Yes, the VarioCam definitely makes the engine perk up once you get the RPMs up. This is (yet another) reason I cringe when I see people posting about babying their cars and never exceeding 3K rpm before shifting. If you're going to drive like that, get a Prius.

Congrats on what looks like a beautiful example and one that you are sure to enjoy. A little confused though as your first post says the car passed PPI with flying colors, new brakes, new battery, rms seal, etc. but then you say the color drained from the salesman's face when you showed him the PPI? So what work does this car need or is this simply a case of a buyer playing turn about on the seller? Not really any of my business, just curious.

I have taught in business schools coast to coast. One of the things I teach is negotiation. Rule #1: your power in a negotiation comes from your ability to say no. So when you have a list - (of what are actually normal "routine maintenance items") that looks as long as your arm, few people actually will read it. Instead, they assume the deal is "toast". It is simply a technique to "level the playing field". Doesn't always work - but that's when you, the buyer or seller, say "no".

any plans to get a matching hardtop for it?

I don't plan on a hardtop. I have a second car an Acura MDX - which here in Seattle is my "rainy day car". Seattle weather has the most gorgeous summers. From late June/early July until at least end Sept, - sometimes a good way through October - a typical day is brilliant sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, temps. at most 80 degrees, and low humidity. Perfect top down weather. Today when I went for my ppi, it was raining like hell. Not a drop of water anywhere from the soft top. I also find the hard top looks "clunky" Sort of like a turtle shell. All bulbous and out of place. It ruins the "classic" Porsche profile. My previous car, a Mercedes 500sl, had that 90 lb removable hard top. The car was completely different with the hard top in place than the soft top (or top down). However, taking the top on or off was a "two strong men" job. My wife could not assist me.

I'm in the Seattle area. The local PCA chapter is active and has some good events. The magazine is online here: http://www.pnwr.org/spiel/spielonline.asp

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if it was a c4s hardtop came with car I believe , mine did

Thanks. I've been a PCA member - both east coast and the NWRPCA member forever. I let my membership lapse when I sold my 993 last year - but will re-up shortly.

Congrats. Black cars are the fastest!

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Thanks for the reply, had I been more attentive when reading your post I wouldn't have asked the question as you did state that you had the mechanic "dramatize" the list. End of the day you have a car that you are happy with at a price you were willing to pay and that the seller was willing to accept. Good deal. I know the sales manager of our local dealer and I remember looking at a 997.2 a few year ago. Used Porsche's are rare on their lot and this one grabbed my attention just driving by. I looked up the price on their website and laughed at how ridiculously high it was. So, I stopped by and talked to the Manager and asked him what kind of dope he was on to put such a high price on the car. He just laughed and said it was a "feel good" price. I didn't get it so he explained it to me. They know their market, they know the difference between a used car Porsche buyer and a new car Porsche buyer. So, they price a used head turner with "extreme negotiating room" so they can provide the buyer with the "feel good" purchase price in the end. A tad too much attention to psychology and tactics for me, but apparently it works. That car was sold in less than two weeks, he didn't reveal the sales price except to say it went for more than I would have paid and that the buyer and the dealer were both quite happy about the deal. Again, your car looks stellar and sincere wishes that you enjoy it.

Morganabowen: The car is dark blue not black. Also correct me if I'm wrong but the place you mention, Dukes is on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. We live in greater Seattle. Dukes (for brunch) would be a 20 hour drive!

You will love every minute of the drive!

Great looking ride. Check the owners manual for the options sticker if the one under the frunk is faded. Btw, that's a good sign the sticker is still there, usually means no major front end damaged since replacemnt hoods donut have a sticker. Can you post the options and PPI?

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The thing is, most of the people I see behind the wheels of a Prius or Insight, drives like they are driving a Porsche!

Beautiful car. I think our cars (2003) have VariocamPlus. In the book 996 The Essential Companion they discuss the importance of keeping the oil level well within range as low oil levels can cause oil starvation to the VariocamPlus system. The book also gives lots of other information on the various versions of the 996. Have you looked at the Speedster hard toneau for the Cab?

Congrats on your new cab, looks like a nice example. Was out in Seattle a few months ago, what a beautiful place to hang your hat.

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There's a new members evening coming up soon. I might go since I was out of town for last year's when I was a new member. There's also a pretty active Facebook page: search for "Pacific NW Region - Porsche Club of America" if so inclined.