Went to see 996 today, need opinions

Ok went to see 2000 W C4 996 today. Seller is very genuine guy and pleasure to deal with. But ... Things that I seen ; 2 owners from new Car has got 48500 on the clock. Vesuvius silver - grey leather. First code is C98. But first owner was London based company and seller (2nd owner) had a receipt from AFN Chiswick (now West London Porsche) for £65k. Options on the car are from decoder : 249 Automatic transmission 288 Headlight washer 288 996: Light washers 413 18" Turbo look wheels 424 Automatic heating control 425 Rear wiper 432 Sports steering wheel, leather 363mm (4 spokes) 432 ********* Lateral stripes, Martini [1978-1982] 436 Folding Targa top (non-folding hardtop std in 1974 and 1975) 436 996: 3-Spoke steering wheel 437 Comfort seat left 438 Comfort seat right 446 ********* Parts for type "Targa" belonging to stipulated assembly 446 996: Colored Wheel Crests 454 Automatic speed control 490 Hi-Fi sound system 538 Right seat with positrol and lumbar 567 Windshield green graduated tint 659 Onboard computer 936 Leather seats rear 981 All leather lining 983 Leather seats front and rear 983 ********** Leather seats front (NOT REAR) Service history Stamps : 1) 11722 mls 5-2001 AFN Chiswick 2) 24867 mls 4-2002 West London Porsche 3) 33323 mls 5-2003 West London Porsche Now, the seller has some bills for oil and filters and pads and brakes but they are local garage. Seller agreed to do big service at Porsche (48k big one) Car drives very well from what I've seen on the test drive. Brakes well. Discs all around in good nick. Tyres also good, but rear ones are PZERO NERO ( no N mark on them). Car has too many scratche (whole car needs FULL glass out respray) and seller offered for his guy to do it. Rear wheels need FULL repair (I'll post pictures later). I love the color. Its unique and I know that its probably going to reduce number of buyers. I can live with that. Seller was very pissed off (with Porsche, very very nice and polite guy). It shows on V5 that its NOT an import car and it was bought from AFN as UK car. Question even with all of the above how much is the car worth? Should I just walk away. Pictures will follow. Regards Voya

And pictures here AFN definitely sold that car. Seller even has some outstanding finance with Porsche Financial Services. Regards Voya.

I would try to answer the following questions: What is the asking price? What is the market value? Does it pass an HPI check? How much do you like the car? Then: Ask for an OPC extended guarantee check-up (111 points) and if it passes go halves for one. But: "IF THERE IS A DOUBT.... THERE IS NO DOUBT..." Good Luck

That option decoder you are using is fairly useless. Targa bits? Martini Stripes? Send me an email and I'll attach the proper option code list to a reply. As for the car, it sounds like it has been serviced reasonably well, just neglected (or abused) on the bodywork. Unless the price is rock bottom he won't be able to sell it looking like that. A good mopping might get rid of some of the laquer scratches and scuffs, and a good chipsaway man might be able to tidy up the rest enough for you to live with it. However, is that a dent in the bonnet I've just noticed? How much is he asking? Do you really want it that much? There are plenty more out there. edit: Oh yes, C98 is non-specific RHD production (Cyprus, etc)

no xenons then...

The price well, its less then 22k. Bodywork needs respray. Simple as that. Rear wheels also need total rebuild (noticed so many balancing weights on the inside, basically covering 1/3 of the inside of the wheel. Rear tires non-N rated pirelli pzero neros (ZR). History, well nothing in the book since 2003 which left me wondering. Will get the names of the garage that did oil/filter changes. C98 doesn't bother me too much since it has all additional spec as options. Codes are there as well (well the first 3 numbers). Regards Voya Feeling very disapointed atm.

Dylan, nope no xenons, but fully elec seats [ ]

Sorry - brain fade - hadn't noticed the lack of service stamps for 4 years! I presume it was the first owner who had it serviced properly and regularly, and the current owner has neglected it since. I guess it depends on whether you are going to keep the car for a few years, after which the history will become a bit diluted, or if you are going to keep it for a short while, in which case it might look suspicious. If it's a keeper, and he is prepared to have it resprayed it might be worth offering £20k and see if you can steal it. Before that though, I would check that Porsche would give you a warranty on a car with such a long period of missing history. Also you don't have any control of the quality of the paint job if he is arranging it. Or keep looking?.....

Well I think I'm going to keep looking. Simple list always gives you the right answer. Pro : Price Carerra 4 Cons : Not C16 - no bother for me but next seller might ask questions Bodywork - Richard, yes that is the problem if he aranges it through his mate I'm sure he is going for the cheapest possible option, I'd do the same History - Well, even if the local garage does stamp the book with all the bits, how am I to know what filter oil used, they are not OPC or Indy. rear wheels + rear tires = £800 to put right 48k service - I'd want them to replace everything based that it didn't have belts , or sparks or whatever changed. No, too many issues. And I do want good deal, but am afraid this one is not for me. Regards and thanks to all for chiming in.

good decision probably-good luck with the search-there are plenty of good cars like the one youre after without the snags you found on this one[ ][ ]

Hi, My comment is curiosity why is the seller F**** with Porsche??? Why has he used sand paper to wash his car?? Why has he not bothered to service it? Clearly these are concerns that shout that the car may also have been hammered and illustrate no real looking after of the vehical. I think you are wise to move on. There are plenty of nice examples out there. I spent 24 months looking for mine in all 12 months just researching things then another 12 months actually actively test driving. This one reminds me of one I looked which gave me the impression the chap had used it to plough a field. The body work and interior were shocking. I left after 5 mins. Enjoy the search Regards Alan.

Hi, seems like you made the right choice. If in doubt, dont. The lack of service history is a worry. Decide what model / colour and options you want. Decide your budget and wait for the right car to come along. I got 2001, 996 C4 cab, 68k, full porsche history, lapis blue/grey interior, sat nav, pcm with phone, bose and litronic headlights(high on list), 3 spoke wheel, chrome exhausts, emblem on headrests, electric memory seats, 6 cd, cruise (handy for avarage speed cameras), and FULL service day before I collected it - £30k. So worth the wait. Am now up to 93k miles in a year !!! Took out warranty for peace of mind. Something I did notice though, I HPI'd it, but they only cover up to £10,000 - read the small print !! Happy hunting, and if it seems too good to be true, it is! Sue

PS - one thing I was told, check the gaps between the panels, Porsche are very particular about this. If the gap is wider at the top than the bottom, its not right. Also, you can contact your local Porsche dealer and they will happily check out a car for you. Sue

Thanks guys (and girl), I already booked another 'viewing' look under second try opinions. Its 30 %more money but will see how its gonna turn out on thursday. Its going on P 111 point check so will see what are they gonna say. Regards Voya