Advice for a 1st time pcar buyer

Let me start by saying hello since I am new to Rennlist. I have been lurking about while researching everything I can and now I need some advice. I found one in Michigan and I am in California. I have never considered buying a car that wasn't local but this one is exactly what I am looking for. I know I need to get a ppi so can someone suggest an indie shop in Grand Rapids, MI? Also, would you buy a car you can't see in person based on a favorable ppi or would you pass if there was no way to get out there? Any other advice is appreciated. The car is being sold by GR Auto Gallery. http://www.grautogallery.com/vehicle...he-911-Carrera Kevin

Its a nice car, but at least 7-10k too much $$$ Especially if the IMSB has not been addressed

Hmmmm... low miles '03. Yes, 29K is high. But I don't think 7-10K too high. Personally, I think about 25K is right (based solely on the info in the ad.) 29K seems to be a reasonable dealer asking price, though. I imagine there is significant negotiating room in that price. Red seems to have fallen out of favor, but personally I love it. That looks like a VERY nice 996. Service records, sport seats, painted console, red belts, and 3M clear bra even! .

Jay, you think you could buy something this clean and nice for $19,900? Don't think so....at least not where I live. I think the price might be $3-6K high at the most. It looks like its in really good condition, and if it actually is then the asking price makes sense for a dealer. Guards red is relatively rare on 996s and IMO looks really sharp. The Sports Exhaust and Sport Seats are desirable options. If the IMSB has not been addressed, I would use that as a negotiating point on price.

I waiting to hear back from them about the IMSB and figured if it hasn't been done I would offer $24k, if it has then maybe $26k. I am also trying not to get my hopes up but it is exactly what I have been looking for.

If it's "exactly" what you've been looking for, I'd say buy it for the 26K if that's as low as the dealer will go, even if IMSB has not been replaced. If you have been looking for awhile, you will know that 26K is still a good price for this car. Sure, some have paid less, but some have paid more. No need for a new IMSB thread, but it is a very controversial issue, and certainly not a deal-breaker. Regarding your question "Also, would you buy a car you can't see in person based on a favorable ppi or would you pass if there was no way to get out there?" Yes, if it was from a reputable seller.

I was ready to by a car in Michigan but someone beat me to it. This car looks great...everyone has already said it all...and most important, you want it. Years ago I bought my one Ferrari in life...and there was a wise saying..."Buy cheap and pay twice." $29k is a Los Angeles Dealer asking price, and that is what I paid for my 2003. If you get it for a few grand less, great...and look what you've got, a great car that is going to make you smile every night when you go to sleep and every morning when you wake up. Don't worry about the IMS. There is a place here in So. Cal that does them the way Jake Raby would so you are in good hands. Good luck.

GR Auto Gallery also serves as a consignment shop, and the price could be reflective of what the car's owner wants for it. The other 996s they have for sale seem to be a bit on the expensive side, too. I've never bought a car from them, but we sold my grandfather's Oldsmobile through them and they were great. Also have a buddy that had them sell a Cobra replica that was impressed with their services. Incredible facility, too. For your PPI, I had German Auto Service work on my E34 M5 a few times, they do nice work. http://www.germanautoltd.com I've never dealt with this place, but it also looks solid: http://www.euroautowerks.com It's a bit further out of town, though. Keep us posted, it's a great looking car and caught my eye when they listed it!

If it's what you want then go for it. What the hell is a couple of grand when you are talking almost 30,000. These cars are still the deal of the century in my estimation. Buy anything less and you will probably pay 3 grand more in the first year of ownership anyway. This one is all done and you have the records to prove it. If you can get him down mentioning the bearing then do it. If not then I would say offer cash at $25000. Not everyone can offer cash but I could in this position and would if it was what I really wanted. You are asking for advice. That decision is yours.

Very nice, if it is exactly what you are looking for then go for it. I would say $26-27K is realistic from a dealer, a few grand less from a private party. BTW, I do not see a PSE switch so probably no sport exhaust but it does have the sport exhaust tips.

The car looks immaculate, with dealers there's always room for negotiation, but base on the condition of this one, $2000 tops, red and black is my favorite color combo, I never have the experience of buying a car from my phone, but if this is the one you feel you want and have the colors you want, go for it pay a PPI and get delivery.

You won't regret one dang minute of owning it I am sure. having picked up mine last month in the same color even I can say, they are great cars.

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You could be right - I didn't check the option codes. However, the early 996 cars (up to and including some 2002s) didn't have a switch for PSE. The driver couldn't turn it off or on.

Spoke with the dealer today and wanted to confirm whether or not it had PSE since there was no switch. He said it was listed on the original window sticker but I didn't see the code XLF on the sticker in the photo, but it is also difficult to read. I tried to arrange for a PPI but in order to get it to German Auto Service I would have to pay to put it up on a flat bed. If I go with the local dealership they will drive it there since it is so close. Should I go with the dealership? I offered $26k and it was rejected immediately, then he called later to say the lowest they would go was $27,500.

You will pay a premium for a dealer car for sure. But is it worth losing the deal over a few grand?? In the long run, it makes no difference if you pay 26k or 28k assuming you won't go bankrupt by buying it in the first place... And it this is the car you love, go for it. I promise you won't even think about the price after you have bough it...

Also, I'd personally go with the dealer PPI in this case.

We all know the dealer game, so try for $27,000. I agree with ejs1. If you like the car, buy it, even at 27,500. Over the life of the car, a couple grand is inconsequential, and you already said that it's exactly what you are looking for. The dealership PPI will be fine.

Yes to what the others said. $27500 is a fair price, let the dealer do the PPI and get that on a truck and headed for LA.

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7-10k ??? maybe with 100k miles... First the car is guards red, a premium color, it looks like it has been maintained very well, very sharp interior and exterior. It has low mileage and its a 2003 with the turbo facelift. I would say around 25k and 26k if the IMS has been changed.

Just buy it. Trust me finding the right one is a challenge in itself, sounds like it is everything you were looking for. Offer 27, they probably picked it up for 23-25k. Pull the trigger even if it's firm at 27500.

Another +996 here. I bought a very well sorted 03 last year. This appears to be a great car - if you dig it, buy it. Price seems reasonable - you'll likely land in the $26.5 to $27.5 range. Split the difference on any deferred maintenance or issues you can spot. This car would be a great buy below $25K (assuming it's exactly as described by the seller/consigner). Good luck!

KevinE, surprised you have not found a 996 that you really want in California

The last time I was in GR, I don't remember seeing much of a foreign car industry - definitely an American car city. That may have changed in 8 years, but the dealer PPI may be the only game in town, especially since you're not local and can't do the legwork.

It just blows my mind how inexpensive getting the keys to one of these cars is. I bought mine, at the time, for an absolute steal 2.5 years ago as it was just about winter here in MN and the dealer was going to have to sit on it until spring. The car had a factory long block replaced my Porsche at 27K miles and all the service history. I bought it with 37K miles on it for 23K. I believe I got the deal at the time as the dealer desperately wanted my Range Rover as a trade. 7K miles later I found myself into the car with roughly 30K worth of repair and upgrades to it. In retrospect, I could have bought a very, very well sorted 996TT with mod money left over as my price to play is now hovering over 53K all in. Oh well, we love the car and it is absolutely pristine at this point and I am doubtful I will ever sell.

In my experience red 996 C2s are somewhat hard to find. This car seems very clean, with nice options. If this is the car you have been looking for, and the PPI is good, buy the darned thing. A thousand dollars one way or another is irrelevant - this is a Porsche, not a Camry. If that is a deal-breaker or a cost problem, Porsche ownership is perhaps not for you. A rock-bottom priced car will usually cost a whole bunch more money to recondition and repair once you get it. I don't address this to the OP, but to the other comments quibbling about price. There are no cheap Porsches.

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+996. I've said it before and will say it again here: PRICE to GET IN the game should always factor the COST TO STAY in it.

I think that $29,000 is fair probably settle at 26,500. Idk what these people are talking about with $10,000 too high yea maybe for an 01 mk1 with 80,000 miles!

I love that car. I'm in the camp that says if you find something this nice and you lose it over a couple of grand you'll regret it later. MY ADVICE IS MAKE THE BEST DEAL YOU CAN AS LONG AS YOU BECOME THE NEW OWNER. You'll forget about the extra money you are trying to save in a short time if you get the car you always wanted.

not the right forum, but I posted my first questions here when I started looking, so here's the result that I picked up yesterday. If you like the car and it checks out buy it! They are simply incredible. 2002 28,000 miles

I am having a ppi done this Tuesday by the nearby dealership. I would have preferred going with the cross town independent but the cost of putting it on a flatbed to get it there seemed high. If it comes back clean I will pay $27,500 and not let this one get away. On a side note, I drove two cars yesterday; an '03 C4S with 70k miles and a 2015 mustang. I have to tip my hat to Ford on this one. The ecoboost engine was a pleasant surprise. It made me wonder about my choice to get my first porsche considering cost of ownership. But last night as I was falling asleep can you guess which car I kept thinking about? The C4S had an asking price of $33k, is red with sport seats and NO SUNROOF. But it is a 3 owner car with unknown history, a gash in the sidewall of one of the tires and the rear bumper had scuff marks on the corner. The bumper also looked warped and had black bumper stops, which I thought was only on the earlier cars. This was an easy one to walk away from even though is looks nice on the web. If you are interested in checking it out here is the link http://www.diamondautolife.com/vehic...8e5f042ce129f/

If you'd prefer a C4S, check out mine. I can guarantee it is in better shape than that. https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...arrera-4s.html

It's all what you are willing to pay for what you want. I bought my 04 cab with 22,000 miles 5 months ago and paid mid 30's and still did IMS and clutch! But it was a rare color combo and a cab so I figured it was what I wanted...then why not. Sad part is - I'd sell it tomorrow and start the search over. I love the hunt. Get what you want and don't fret over a couple grand!

Copilot, thanks for sharing but I am kind of particular about the color and a black interior is a must for me. I wish it was a better fit because Coos Bay isn't too far to go. Now I am wondering about this one http://www.vertexautosales.com/detai...-13237642.html

It has ugly headlights.

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The one in your link has a blue interior.