James Fuller car

Advise/Help James as been trying to sell his 2000 C2 for a number of weeks. I think he started at £25k came down to £23700 and then £22000. I visited James a couple of nights ago and fell in love with the car. Plus points are 3 owners, 65k miles, full OPC history inc warranty until June, great condition, all bills from new. just had major service, switchable PES (great), excellent last owner. Not so good To be perfect would need the front painting, only as 3 months test. James traded the car the next day for £21k the dealer will sell it to me as it stands for £22.5k What does anyone think is it still worth having or do i walk away. The dealer won't go down from £22.5 [ ]

Would I be right in thinking that the only real concern here is a dealer making £1500 overnight? As I understand it, most cars that have been re-sold at an OPC are likely to have had front end paintwork - I was told last week that if more than 3 stonechips above a certain height are visible then OPC cannot sell as approved without paint. I think you'd be quite hard pressed to find a 996 with original paintwork that would not benefit from a bit of cosmetic surgery to the front end - mine certainly would but I prefer to keep it as it is. As for the MOT, if the car has just had a major service and has the benefit of a warranty there really should be nothing to worry about there. Seems a pity that you and James couldn't reach a deal which could have seen you both better off...

1.5k for the dealer does not seem too unfair. An OPC would paint it, but would look to sell for 5k more than they purchase it for.

James got a realy good deal against is new car, i was quite surprised. I hope James doesn't mind me mentioning this on here i'm sure he will be along soon. My main concern, is it still a good deal and or is the car worth £22500 I could go for a cheaper car but will i then after pay out in the comming months.

It's still cheap, get it!

Are we assuming that the "dealer" is an OPC? If so; it looks like you were at least contemplating spending £22k on the car. The dealer is now asking for £22.5. If this IS an OPC then it's a bit of a no-brainer. You're going to get an OPC Approved car for an extra £500 (?)... If the above is the case and I were in your shoes I would source your local OPC Approved Repair Centre and ask them how much it would cost you to get the front PU (Spoiler) re-sprayed (I reckon about £300 + VAT) and then try to get that money off the asking price for the car. Don't listen to the dealer when they say they won't drop the price - you've just got to exercise a little more tenacity. This is a terrible time of year for dealers - and (IMO) it's not going to get much in the near future. Even if you ultimately fail to get anything off (which I doubt) then you are, at least going to get an OPC approved car with a years warranty. You're also going to get a car which you can drive back to the dealers if you get a problem with it. The only bit that doesn't hold water is that you say the dealer would let it go "as it stands..." No OPC would be able to do this. They'd have to sell it as an "Approved" car - or not at all. With respect the car is an older version now and the dealers just don't want them cluttering up their forecourts. This, coupled with the time of year puts you in a great buying position. Just make all the right noises about the dealers reputation, the salesman, etc, etc and then produce the cash/bankers draft/ cheque in your hand for about a grand less than asking price. They'll then increase by about £500 and - bingo - you've got your car for the price you wanted to pay. Adrian.

It's not an OPC the trader wants to do the paint and put it up for £23995 he says he discounted the 993 for James because he new or thinks he will make 2k frofit. I've tried to haggle but no good they know i wan't the car.

..and there lies the problem. Dealers will always get as excited about taking your money as you are about a car - unless you hide your feelings. Just "lose interest" and say that there are a few others that you're considering elsewhere. There are always going to be other cars - just have a look at Pistonheads.co.uk at the moment!! the market is awash with 996s! Just be as cool as you can, literally show the salesman the colour of your money, pad around the forecourt for a while - and then leave. Let him contact you. If you're absolutely desperate to have this particular car then at least leave it until about 4pm on Friday to make any more contact. There's nothing like ending the week with a sale - especially a 911!

the problem is if i don't say i want it, they will start prep wok for painting it in the morning and will then put it up for sale at £23995.

Ok Chris, I take your point. To be brief; do you have the £22k in some shape or another? If so, go 'round to the dealer either today or tomorrow with the money and physically put it in the salesman's hand. Trust me, he'll take it from you. You can then get the PU re-sprayed at your local OPC Approved Repair Centre for circa £300+VAT. I wish you the best but I'm afraid that this does nothing for the contempt that I hold for these people. If you do get the deal you're still going to be giving them £1000 of your hard earned cash for storing the car for a few nights. Unbelievable! I'd be interested to hear how you get on. Regards, Adrian.

LOL that's a bit harsh Adrian. He's not exactly making a killing out of it and he will have to guarantee the car for a period, opening himself up to risk. There are untold numbers of property developers who buy properties, don't even complete on them and sell them on for 100s of thousands profit in a few weeks with no future risk. Same can be said for antique dealers. They don't have to offer guarantees either. If the car is priced well just buy it, if you can get a discount so much the better, but don't begrudge anyone their living.

Rodney i agree and that's why i've bought it and pick it up tomorrow. Adrian thanks for your advice. Can't wait to get in the drivers seat and enjoy the long journey home to Yorkshire. And by the way i can't stop smiling.

Well done Chris, you've got yourself a bargain there and you're going to lose very little in depreciation. I hope you have lots of years of happy motoring in her.[ ]

Thanks Rodders, as sad as it sounds i've not been this excited since my wife told me she was expecting with our first daughter.

Well done i think that is a good move you will love it. You also have to look at it from the traders view that he could always sell it to someone else for more instead of selling a good bit of stock for a lower margin even if he has sold it quickly. Let us all know how you get on with it. Cheers Phil

Thanks James you shandy drinking southerner! I've allready forgotten about the cost, your old - my new car - is in the garage as i type. I now think the car was a bargain even at the price i paid especialy when you see how much money and care has been taken by James and the previous owners. I'M A 911 OWNER, IT'S NOT SUNK IN YET!

Good thread - there seem to be smiles all round here!

Good to hear you got the car in the end - hope you have many happy years of enjoyment with it. Just one thing to be aware of though ... technically the OPC warrantee is only transferrable on private sales. If the car has been sold to a dealer and then back to you will need to get a new 111 point inspection and warrantee. I've no idea how Porsche verify this sort of detail, but you may need to be a bit cautious with the details you put down if you decide to complete the warrantee transfer document ...

Thanks for that i'll check, the dealer filled it in and said they would send it off!