Is this a good deal?

First, it's great to be here. I'm about to be a first time 911 owner at the ripe old age of 49 (mid life crisis car). There is a wealthy friend of the family who said he'd sell me his 1999 911 hard top with 37,500 original miles, black on black with the exhaust upgrade for $19,000. Sounds like a great deal but I've noticed prices are all over the place. Car looks darn near new and he just has it fully serviced and inspected. He bought it in 2004 with 30,000 miles on it so he RARELY drives it. Should this be a concern?

If the car is as perfect as you say its certainly a fair price. Since it has not been driven much in the past 10 years you will need a thorough PPI first. Good luck and post pics if you get it.

Fair price pending thorough PPI. Ask for records even if it's your friend.

Mid-life doesn't start until you're 72...my fine young man. Follow the suggestions above and discover the pleasure.

Sounds like an opportunity to me to own a Porsche at a very decent price. A complete PPI by a knowledgeable shop would help you make that decision. I'd be all in if I was in the market. I still really enjoy my '99 with 70k miles.

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Definetly can, Oil should be changed annually. The price is high unless the car is perfect!

That's a phenomenal deal and buy it pending ppi.

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Sometimes I think the 10 years of military and hard living had me at "mid life" around 30!!!

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Bought my first Harley at 46 and talk of the neighborhood was my obvious mid-life crisis, picked up the first 996 at 52 and talk was I was having "another" mid-life crisis. I just simply said "nope, same one" and now pushing 60 and I'm still living the crisis.

OMG, 72?? 60??? I feel like a kid again!! Sounds like a nice 99. Any pics?

I'm also 72, my wife is 48 and a fox, my bike has 400 hp, I drive a Porsche, my house is paid for, life is good.

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Picks will be coming Friday! I take the car for a PPI here in Houston then close the deal if all goes well!! After looking at what people are asking for their 99's with anywhere from 5-30K more miles, I'm thinking $19K is a pretty good deal!

Good to fair deal on this 996.1 and a plus for knowing the 2nd owner at least. If the PPI works out it should be pretty good. Coincidentally a friend of mine recently traded in his 2001 996.1 c4 cab (unfortunately a tip) to a local dealer. It's been languishing a bit on their lot and they've marked it down a bunch. I heard what he was paid for it, so I can figure their bottom line. Dunno if there's any interest, but if there is PM me.

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When I hear people equating Porsche ownership with a mid life crisis, I cringe. While there may be some (perhaps more than I would like to think) for whom ownership is prompted by a mid life crisis, I believe that this is a poor reason to own a Porsche, and I dislike the stigma that this kind of thinking perpetuates. I've owned Porsches since I was in my late twenties, so by reason of that no one can call my continuing ownership a mid-life prompted thing. But if I had not discovered them until my fifties my reason for owning a sports car would have nothing to do with advancing age...and yet sometimes the ignorant acquaintance will make the "mid-life" comment. So, own the car for the desire to own a Porsche and to experience the brand. And yes, let's see some photos when/if you get the car.

I would pay that for the car if it's in good shape and checks out and has good service record history.

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Trust me, it's not really a "mid life" crisis car. It's more of a "I can finally afford to spend 20K cash on a car". Last one just graduated Texas A&M and it's like winning the Lotto!! I had a Roush Stage 3 Mustang in 96'. Fabulous grunt in that car but it lost more than one battle to Raccoons and such!! All that skirting and about 3 inches off the ground. I got tired of $1500 front ends and side skirts!!

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^This^ I've loved 911's since I was a kid. Funny thing is, I bought mine from my son who did all the legwork/research ppi etc. and then decided after 6 months of ownership that he couldn't live with the stigma attached to the car (assumptions that he was a "rich kid" [he's not -believe me] from people who didn't know him, and "attitudes" from people who do - executives at work, etc...)... "Porsche - Damned if you do, Damned if you don't..." How's that for a marketing slogan

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Well, I hate to be the wet blanket but there is a concern and that is and I hate to mention this but it has to be said there is a concern about the IMSB. A low miles early example rarely driven is a high risk candidate to manifest an IMSB failure. If you still want the car there may be aftermarket solutions available that might mitigate the risk. You'll have to do your research on these as I have not really kept abreast of the solutions other than to know they exist. Also, as a general rule I do not buy cars from friends, wealthy, poor or anywhere in between.

The '99 probably has a dual-row bearing (like mine did) - so unless there's glitter in the filter, I wouldn't be wringing my hands about this particular component. There are lots of other items that should be evaluated - water pump, coolant cap, fuel filter, motor mounts, etc. - if you decide to move forward with the purchase. 99's can be solid cars - mine has been.

My biggest concern would be, will you still consider him a good family friend if the car hand grenades after you own it for two weeks? If you can honestly say yes, then don't give it another thought. If you're not sure, find another car to buy. That commentary has nothing to do with reliability of 996s, the condition of this particular one, or anything other than maintaining a friendship. I've bought cars from friends that became money pits shortly after getting them and we remained friends. I sold a car to a friend who decided I sold him a piece of crap, when I knew full well that I disclosed everything. He doesn't talk to me anymore. Take that for what it's worth.

That sounds like a great deal to me.

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+996 I sold a 7 year old Audi A6 with 120,000 miles to the son of a friend a few years ago. About 3 months later, the alternator went out. He (the son) was pissed at me and insinuated that I sold it because I knew the alternator was going bad. I never sell to a friend anymore unless they positively acknowledge an understanding that stuff breaks on used cars - and it is a question of "when" something will break, not "if" it will break. That being said, even though this appears to be a fair deal on this car, he's not giving it away. He's really not doing you any favor selling it at that price unless he's financing the deal or something like that.

Sounds like a good price for the car. If you like it and PPI checks out (have them look at the filter for shavings) jump on it. Immediately get the IMS kit done (~$1500 P+L) and you'll have peace of mind. Next, head to the track for a DE or TT and you'll know you made the right decision.