rfoxdvm

So, I think I've found a 911 3.2 I'm in love with. I'm in Chicago, it's in California. I had a local transaction all figured out - where I was going to get a PPI, etc. My work and family obligations will simply not allow for a day trip to California to check it out any time soon. It looks clean from bad pictures, but what the heck do I do? I know I can do an escrow, I know I can have it shipped, but I can't figure out how to check out the car or know I'm going to get what I expect, or have a PPI done.

For those with experience buying or selling from thousands of miles away, what are my options?

Thanks again for the help on my 911 hunt so far.

Rob
2010 Cayman
2011 VW Golf TDI
soon to be 911 3.2

salukijac

Maybe you can have a local Rennlist guy/gal take a look at it so you can have an idea if it's worthy of a PPI and then go from there. I'm pretty sure someone here could recommend a shop for a PPI.

ace996

You do not want to buy a car without a PPI. I just purchased an '04 GT3, sight unseen, based on pictures and a PPI and I couldn't be happier but no way I would have done it without a PPI.
This is not a lesson you want to learn "the hard way"...

edsuarez

I also live in California and bought my 996 from Florida. It was a Jaguar dealer, and I had them take many pictures and then take it to a Porsche dealership to have the certified preowned inspection done on it. That gave me a huge amount of information from the inspection, including max RPM, how many ignitions, etc. It was well worth the money ($250.00).

Arctic1

Many shops available in California to do a PPI. Check here and other P car sites for recommended ones.

Get the photos get it inspected and make a decision.

jb

jakeflyer

what city is the car in?

rfoxdvm

Seller has sent me more pictures and talking with him has made me feel much more at ease. He is willing to take it for a PPI for me. This is exciting!

Rob Heath

When I bought my 912 a couple of years ago, I had already looked and driven several and taken a local car through a PPI so I knew what to look for and questions to ask. Found out that it needed a top end rebuild so I passed. Saw a nice car in NC on the 912 for sale site. Owner sent a lot of pictures, lots of questions answered via email. I looked up the local PCA chapter and emailed the president asking for a shop that would know P cars and in particularly older cars. I got the name of the shop, owner took it there and the PPI came back fine. 5 days later a transport truck was unloading the car in my driveway in CO.

ivangene

for a small fee I will drive it to Chicago for ya.... I am in Seattle though

cannon1000

Yeah, schedule the PPI and pay for it over the phone. Talk to the service tech afterwards. If he gives you the verbal OK (and emails the report)...make any negotiation changes based on that.

In the meantime - you should find a reputable car transporter (ask the same porsche shop), there is one that advertises in Panorama as well. Get a quote.

You can then fly out there - test drive it, pay for it and send it back....or just drive it back.

If you feel you can trust him, after you get confirmation it is loaded - wire him the money. (To me this is always the tricky part because you both have a lot to lose). Perhaps the Porsche Dealer would allow the car to stay there until picked up...that way he can receive his money, but the car is in the possession of a middle man that YOU can trust.

six gun

Good advice, lots of us in Ca. and willing to take a look. Also "YOU" pick where the car goes for PPI not where it is convienent for the owner.

theiceman

One other piece of advice . Decide on a price with everything disclosed BEFORE the PPI. Then issues found that have not been disclosed can be negotiated. If you don't do this the seller simplay states " yeah that's why it is that price" when you find issues.

cannon1000

+1

rfoxdvm

Is covered transport absolutely necessary? If the car were driven from Cali to Chicago, it would be exposed to all of the elements, is an open carrier that much different? Intercity's price is over $1500, that adds a lot to my purchase price.

Thanks for all of the advice,
Rob

MUSSBERGER

Not that I have shipped a ton of cars but it has always been enclosed. 1500 from Cal to Chicago is getting expensive.

If you could pick the spot where it goes on the trailer (top front behind the tractor fairing) I would think that would be good. But if it's a grand open and a grand and a half enclosed I would spend the extra 500.