stubble88

I have a chance to buy a 1995 black 993 with grey interior
170k miles $34k
I've only seen pics but it looks very clean. Interior is super tight and clean
I would say it has been very well cared for
Maybe highway miles
All original
Started leaking a bit of oil when parked. Coming from the cam cover
A Porsche mechanic currently has it
I was just wondering with a 993 with this many miles but in great condition would there still be room for appreciation? Not my main concern but it is part of it.
Thanks

goofballdeluxe

All 993s have room for appreciation, if you hold on to them long enough.

In 2015, 170K is a lot of miles. In 2035, no one will care and it will be worth much more than the $34K he's asking.

Just make sure you get a PPI before buying it.

AZ Targa

Those miles are not unheard-of, there are many others on this forum that have more miles than that. It all comes down to the car's history and its maintenance. PPI!!!!
.

awdbandito

Don't be afraid of the miles alone, but see what type of maintenance has been done. Clutch? Suspension? Brakes? Some things wear out.

I also think the price might be a bit high.
For reference, I recently purchased a 220k mile '96 C2 coupe for much less than that. I has needs, but is a reliable driver.

Rockit

If the car needs nothing or very little that's a great price. I'm on the East coast so that is cheap here...maybe not in the West Coast.

So you do a top end at 200k and if the car is perfect after that you have a high 40's low 50k car in a few years.

good luck and enjoy it.

stubble88

Here are some pics

stubble88

stubble88

stubble88

stubble88

170k. Miles. Maybe those calipers have been replaced?
They look new

cluskera

Have you checked the VIN plates are present. Not sure about US cars but there is one in the luggage bay behind spare wheel (towards the cabin). Should match the windscreen vin. Colour plate to the side should be present.

Under the bonnet there should be a sticker - there should also be one in the handbook. Some dishonest people steam the sticker off the handbook and glue it to the underside of the bonnet particularly if the front has been fixed due to a shunt.

Do a PPI with a specialist (not a pal who likes Porsches).

Is the colour matching the code in the luggage bay?

Drive the car. Shifts should be clean. Listen for any odd noises.

Get under the edges of the windscreen rubbers. Any bubbles? Many have now. Front and rear. Negotiate accordingly if possible.

Get under the carpets if you can.

The leather may have been repainted. Cheap way to lift interior. That's okay but hopefully it's the original colour and is also not hiding anything too severe. Poke around the bolsters and be sure it's as perfect as it seems.

Gear **** looks aftermarket as do the wheels. Any engine mods?

Get it up on a ramp and take the liners off. Rare to get any corrosion in kidneys but check arches and sills for road rash and any trouble spots developing rust.

How many owners / any accident history? Stamps? Who serviced the car - have you spoken to them?

Have PPI guy check bumper supports - they rot like mad.

Get a leak down test done.

I'm not ofay with exact interior options but just to check I'm not aware you'd get cream leather seats and dark leather dash . Not a deal breaker but be clear what you have.

ilko

Calipers look refinished, brake rotors look pretty new, so that's good.

But the car looks rough. Gray interior doesn't age well and it shows. You'd have to spend another $5K or so to get it in decent condition. And at that price point there are much more attractive narrow body 993s out there.

So unless there is a recent engine/transmission rebuild and you're in it for the long haul just keep looking.

stubble88

the prices seem to just be going up
my budget is $30k ish
high mileage is all I can find and those are very rare making the price go up
Im afraid these will soon be out of reach

NYC993

You should consider budget to buy and own (not just to buy). A 30k car can end up costing 20k to bring to a condition of say a 40k car. And many things maybe not be optional (leaking steering rack, needed top-end, clutch, rust, suspension pieces, any deferred maintenance) I'm just making numbers up. But the common wisdom is to buy the best example you can afford instead of a fixer-upper. 170k mile car may have had many parts repalced and issues addressed, which can make it a great value, but you have to do your diligence on the car.

Edward

1. As others said, don't be put off by the mileage. Mine is at 150K and feels as strong and tight as when I bought it at 50K (and as you can perhaps tell, it has seen many a track event and still feels solid!).

2. +1 on the PPI. These cars are seriously bomb-proof in terms of reliability IF it has been properly cared for (not babied, but properly maintained). You can have a very reliable supercar, or a frighteningly expensive money pit; the PPI will help tell you which, and to what degree. And be especially careful of any paint work as that can be masking a nightmare.

3. Allow for the obvious costs of an older car's replacement items. If you're not in a rush to make it all "perfect" at the get go, then you can prioritize them and spread the cost over your years of ownership.

4. Little leaks (that are truly minor and not indications of serious work) are really up to the potential owner's tolerance level. For example, I remember at purchase, mine had a valve-cover leak...easy peasy and cheap. But later I developed a leak at cam-chain cover like yours ...ugh. But guess what, I've lived with it now for maybe 7 years and don't care as it's only a small spot on the garage floor, and causes me no grief whatsoever. Others may not be able to tolerate this, but I refuse to spend serious money for what is a very minor annoyance (if I need an engine-out job, then sure I'll do it, but no reason for me to do it any sooner).

4. Try and get another forum brother out there to put their .02 and ownership experience (post your location here). From what I see in the pics, your interior looks great, wheels look a tad rough, but generally looks right on for a car of its years/mileage.

5. No crystal ball here, but yes, the price trend seems to show the value of these cars had bottomed several years ago, and that at current, they are holding steady for daily-driver cars, and appreciating for those low-mile garage queens. As the 993 is the last iteration of an automotive era, I personally do not see this trend reversing.

So far, you're on the right track. Continue to go slow and be smart.

Edward