Ready to buy that 996 - Here's the PPI Results

Well, I appreciated all of your comments and suggestions. I really took them all to heart, and some of them prompted me to dig into things further. I just got the results of the PPI. Remember that this car is a 2004 996 single owner Targa with 24,000 miles on it. It has spent all of its life so far in Texas. Here's what the PPI said: Exterior Cosmetic - There are a number of paint chips, and scratches on the car. Only one ding was noted. A bit of curb rash on the two rear wheels. Swirl marks in the paint that can be easily buffed out. No accident or repaint evidence. Interior Cosmetic - The wood trim on the instrument cluster is loose. The wood trim around the center console is cracked. There is a wear spot in the driver's floor mat from a heel. The rest of the interior is perfect. Mechanical - Tires - all 4 tires are nearly new Brakes - 70% of the pad left on front brakes, 65% of pad left on rear brakes. Rotors look OK. Operation - drives fine, no issues starting, idling, no rattles or unusual noises, no smoke on start-up, no vibration or pulling. Shifts fine, accelerates smoothly. All fluids look fine. A/C Heater and radio work just fine. Targa roof operates properly. Suspension bushings are solid, no leaks from shocks or struts. Brake system operates fine, master cylinder doesn't leak. Brake fluid appears clean. Leaks and Stuff - No oil on the radiator cap or oil film present in coolant. Undercarriage is clean, no evidence of bottoming out. No oil leaks on valve covers, crankcase, timing cover or shifter shaft. No leaks at the RMS or anywhere on the bottom of the engine/tranny. Compression and Leakdown - Apparently they only did a compression test, but with these results, maybe a leakdown wasn't really necessary. Cylinder 1 - 242 PSI Cylinder 2 - 240 PSI Cylinder 3 - 240 PSI Cylinder 4 - 242 PSI Cylinder 5 - 242 PSI Cylinder 6 - 242 PSI Conclusion - the car is in very good mechanical shape. Runs well with no leaks evident anywhere in the car. I am a bit disappointed at the number of paint chips and scratches that they noted. I am upset about the wood trim being cracked, since it is a REALLY expensive part $860 new, or $386 used. And of the 4 dismantlers that I called NONE had a used one in stock. I may replace it with a leather covered trim piece. If I had my druthers, I would MUCH rather have a car that is clean mechanically, and I will take some time to polish the car out by hand, and touch up the paint chips. Overall, they noted every little chip and scratch. I guess for a 6 year old car, that was to be expected. In any case, I have bought my ticket to Houston for next Friday, and will fly down and drive the car back. I will probably try to "chip" away at their price a bit, maybe try to get an additional $500 off, but they agreed to give me $200 off for the console trim, and are telling me that they are $300 underwater on the car - not that this is my problem. For $31,750, I think that I am getting a very solid car at a reasonable price, even if they aren't willing to give me any more off. I'll be sure to post some pictures when I return. In any case, I am REALLY EXCITED to be returning to the PCar Club. Larry

BUY IT

let me know if you pass on it!

That sounds like a decent deal all around. I'd be pleased with the mechanical findings, and you can improve the appearence issues with some detailers products and lots of elbow grease. Be sure to take plenty of pics of your trip back ...enjoy the ride with your 'newer' Porsche.

That's a very good price on this car. Buy it and enjoy it!

Ditto: buy it and enjoy it.

Sounds good. What colors inside and out?

$31,750 for an 04 Targa that is mechanically sound with 24k on it? That is a really sweet buy. I'm almost skeptical of that price. Is that what they were orginally asking or what you got them down to? Either way that sounds like a great car (minus the wood trim - broken or not, me no likey).

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Second that! That seems like a great price on a 04 Targa with no mechanical issues!

I had wood trim on everything. The steering wheel was horribly cracked, everything else is fine. Got an all leather one from LA Dismantlers for $250 inc. Shipping. $89 to install it @ local Porsche Repair shop.

great deal.... and its a targa, what you want right?

Thanks for the comments. Yes, the car is a Targa, which is what I wanted. The car is at a Mercedes dealer. They have had it on their lot for a bit over a month, and they were getting ready to send it to the Auction. Even though I knew that the car was a good deal at this price, I still tried to hammer on them a bit. They gave me $200 for the cracked wood, but that's all. Really, it's a bit hard to hammer on them for price reductions when the deal is already more than reasonable. Colors - the car is Teal with a beige interior. I don't know if that's "Savannah" or not. Can someone tell me? I'll be sure to take a bunch of pictures so that you guys can see it. Looks like I'm finally going to have to join - rather than just being a guest. I pick the car up next Friday. Already have my SW Airlines ticket to Houston. Then it is a stiff 18 hour drive back. Can't think of any better way to spend the first two days that I own the car than to spend it DRIVING!!!! Lots of fun in the upcoming years. I only was able to enjoy Kermit on some weekends (garage queen). This one is a DD, and I'm gonna love EVERY (bleepin) minute of it. larry

Congratulations!!!!!!! That is a beautiful color combination, and sort of rare. It is Dark Teal. Nice to see non-black/silver Carreras. The interior is Savannah. Some very nice options. You don't usually see that much root wood below a turbo. Would be interested in the full list.

Sounds like a very decent deal...have fun next Fri.

You will love the targa. I was skeptical about the looks at first. But I love the utility and giant opening. That's a fair price. For comparison, here's what I paid for mine in November. 2002 Seal Gray $35k 13,785 miles Paint is a 9.5 out of 10 Interior is a 9.5 out of 10 CPO Sport seats HIDs Bose Heated Seats Light weight 18" Carreras PSM Rear console painted Seal Gray Brake/Shifter Carbon/Aluminum Rockers flares added by dealer I may have over paid a little, but I wanted the CPO (over $4k in CPO repairs in 9 months) and a very clean car. No regrets here! Enjoy your targa...not many out there.

Congrats!!

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James: I am glad that you enjoy your car so much, it just confirms the fun times that I have ahead of me. Noting that you have had $4,000 in covered repairs in the past 9 months just confirms my view that I need to get some protection in place for myself and the car that I am just buying. Certainly these cars are fun to drive, and quality machines. But like any other, they are expensive to repair. Need to protect myself. larry

Larry, What a great way to get to know your car during the first weekend. Watch out for the hurricanes. Congrats.

excellent deal, congrats

Enjoy and Congratulations!