Would you be put off....

[FONT=tms rmn"] ....by a 2002 C4s with "3 previous owners" listed in the log book? (i.e I would be the 5th) The reason I ask is I am on the verge of buying one with the above amount of owners. Also, there is a void in its 1st MOT (as it was left untested for 3 months). It was simply not used and left covered in a garage. I have 'known' the car for nearly 2 years and the owner for almost 27 yrs. Would any of the above put you off buying? As even though I am fully aware of the cars history others may be dubious when it comes to my turn to sell....?? All opinions are greatly appreciated, Thanks!

I would ask questions, especially if I knew the owner well. But if the answers were ok and seemed genuine, I'd still go for it at the right price. I might ask for some form of documentation explaining the owner history, though.

It's all down to price? Not forgetting an OPC inspection to confirm warranty available, pay the £700ish and enjoy.

I'm the 4th owner of my 997 which is only 18 months old and one of the first in the country. I was worried at first so requested a history from the DVLA (cost £5). The first owner had it for 2 days, so was probably a speculator, the second owner for 3 months, so either didn't like it or was rich enough to punt it on quickly without worrying about depreciation and the last one had it for 9 months. Bought the car from an OPC, fully warrantied and it is mint. The point is, do the DVLA check if you're worried, but as long as the servicing is in order, warranties are in place and the mileage is in keeping with the age of the car - what does difference does a few owners make? Better that than 1 owner who hasn't looked after the car.

All the servicing has been carried out at an OPC and has 3 stamps in the book. The car has now reached 25k miles. I'm not too bothered about the number of owners as I'm aware that alot of dealers would register the cars in the garages name (in order to hit target/bonus) Also with cars of this calibre, owners tend to buy into the dream only to realise a few miles down the road (excuse the pun) that maybe they couldn't quite afford it... My only main concern is the void in its first MOT. (this was due last September, it was left until December where it was then given a major service and MOT'd, all at an OPC, the receipts do not advise on additional work being needed) PS I will be having it inspected and warranted before purchasing (and keeping it this way) Cheers once again

I wouldn't be too worried about the MOT being late. As mentioned, the servicing is the main thing[ ]

If you are going to keep up with the extended warranty then I don't think you will have any issues or disadvantage due to lack of MOT on time histroy or having many owners, as I think it gives the buyers a peace of mind to see a vehicle with existing warranty even if you are selling with only a couple of months warranty remaining...

You could take the view that each time the car has changed hands a new loving owner and cherished the car as if it were new. Thus being spoiled more often then a car with less owners. Its true. Do you remember what it like when you get a new car? Very careful with it, cleaning it etc etc etc. As for the MOT, don't worry. If you drive more then one car its easy not to worry about getting the car taxed, mot'ed insured when you have others to drive. By that I mean busy lifestyle etc.

If you know the car and the present owner and you trust them - snap it up! Number of owners doesn't bother me, and you have to remember that some people change cars quite regularly, especially at the higher end of the market. Get the extended warranty before you part with any money.

These cars are luxury items and many people buy them to enjoy them for a while then move on to the next "treat" as it were, as long as the car is in the right condition, how many owners it has had shouldn't be a negative. Its the car that counts. OPC inspection and warranty are a bit of a must for me, so if it is in the right condition for the price and the OPC warranty is in place I would go for it! [ ]

Thanks to all for the positive replies and therefore settling my paranoid mind! I will let you all know how I get on after this weekend. Also how does £38k sound? Bearing in mind I will need to buy a warranty, have 4 wheels lightly refurbed (being a bit anal on this one) and a small scratch touched up? P.S for full spec pls see my previous post "C4S - looking to buy" Many Thanks

A lot of car for the money.

Sound OK to me, my pal bought an 02 C4S just before easter with 22k on the clock, mint condition and 12 months Porsche warranty from an independant for £47k, which I thought was a few grand too high, so yours sounds a bit of a bargain at £38k. My OPC reckons these cars should drop around £7k per year, so a 3.5 year old car from a base price of say £65k is £41kish?

Agreed, very good price.

Does this theory mean it will be worth £34k in another years time and only £20k in 3yrs time?? Really don't fancy loosing that much per year... I was under the impression they begin to plateau at about £30k following a similar line to that of older 911's and holding their value? (as long as the mileage is kept fairly low etc)

It looks like a good car at a good price, If that is the car you want BUY IT!!!!! It will depreciate but not as much as you will Appreciate the car.[8D]

Maybe the "plateau" is a bit lower at around £25k - that seems to be the price you expect to pay for an 8/9/10 year old 993 with 7-8k miles per year on the clock I think? The C4S should hold up beter than the other 996's as I understand that to be the pick of the bunch (GT3 and TT aside!)?

[FONT=tms rmn"] I am working on the Following figures: In 3 yrs time with 40k on the clock (car now being 6.5yrs old ) it reckon it should fetch around £31/32k - Private sale I am basing this theory on currently available C2's with 40k on the clock on a '99/00 plate. (currently going for around £30k - Private sale) I have added the extra £1/2k due to it being a C4S and also a 'face-lift' model

I agree with Rossco! So stop faffing about and buy the car, because your worth it. After all "you are a long time dead" as they say.

[FONT=tms rmn"] I know know, I'm just checking that I'm not about to get raped on depreciation (which I don't think I will be) I have first refusal and am looking again this weekend, so its pretty much conclusive that it shall be mine. I have also checked the insurance and I consider it a bargain! - £800 with privilege (considering I'm 26)

More likely cost very high 70's and has taken a big hit. Depreciating about 7K a year now may be about right but would think a little more for the next year. It's a gtrat buy, be brave.

It sounds like a good buy, thats for sure, i am not that keen on to many owners myself but as long as it has been looked after all will be well, depreciation makes me wake up in the middle of the night at the same time if you bought a brand new BMW 3 series you will loose far more and not have the same kind of car. The performance car market is taking a hammering at the moment but the way i look at it, it's all relative, if my 996 depreciates then so will the newer one or 997, i want to buy next time, if you are just going to have it for a year or so to get it out of your system and not buy another one, well you may loose some money but it will be the best fun you will have with your trousers on. Go for it and really enjoy. Phil