So after reading all the recommendations for getting a PPI and finding what I thought was going to be "the one" for me, I had a PPI done on an '84 911 Coupe. The only thing disclosed to me ahead of time was that the radio did not work but the car itself was excellent and ready to go.

Then the shop called with the results...fifth cylinder leakdown was at 22%. A/C did not work. Cruise Control did not work. Several sensors had been disconnected. Wheel bearings needed adjustment. Oil leaks from three different distinct areas. Four different indicator lights did not work. passenger window did not work. etc. etc. etc.

So back to square one. How does a person looking for his first 911 find one without going broke doing PPI's??????

Thanks

 

Believe me, the PPI's are much cheaper than a lemon.
Even an honest seller may not be aware of some issues with his car internally.

 

Which car is this? A bunch of us are probably looking at it.

I'm at $450 in PPIs so far (three). None even got as far as leakdown/compression test. We're clearly buying from the wrong sellers, but it's very hard to find someone who is selling a car they've been driving knowledgeably for several years. Owners who are knowledgable ask top dollar just to see what sticks for a month or so. It can be frustrating.

The quick fix is to pay through the nose from a reputable dealer or pick up a BRZ...

 

Here's a recent gem of an ad:

"1987 Porsche 911 with sunroof 102k miles, black on black, runs perfect , never touched rain , mint , moving .. The best year ever for the 911 , only serious inquires ,"

That's the entire thing. No photos. How could this possibly be a good car from a functioning human being? I still called.

 

The seller(s) might be well advised to obtain a PPI in writing from a recognized shop prior to selling.

Good up front disclosure, and the opportunity to resolve any issues.

Gerry

 

Never know, a few years back my brother responded to an ad regarding a 914.
Porsche listed as a "Porche 9114" without photos.

Called the seller and found out it was a contractor that received it as a trade from a prior job a few years earlier. Seller knew nothing about Porsches and dropped the asking price in half if my brother would just stop by to take a look. After a 90 minute drive he checked out a rust free(even the hell hole was pristine), original paint white 73 914 with a 2.0.
Seller had all records from 1973 , boxes of all the orignal parts that were replaced for service.

He was selling thinking the motor was siezed.

After paying $2,500 plus the tow he found out the starter was stuck preventing the engine form turning.

Replaced the starter, changed the oil and tires and it is now on the road

 

When I bought my wife's Z3 I found about 10 cars online that fit the bill. After running CarFaxes on 8 of them, I narrowed it to 6, had PPIs done on 3 sight unseen, looked at a fourth in person, had a PPI done on that one as well. The 3 others all failed the PPI process, the one I drove did not, and that's the one I bought. Total outlay, just under $800.
I don't regret the $$ I spent on CarFax lookups or PPIs. It's a valuable part of the vetting process.

I only wish I had done that when I bought my 911.
Still would't trade the car for another though, and when I'm done, I will have the confidence in knowing how every bolt was tightened, and that there are no issues hiding anywhere.

Good luck in your search, and be sure to post pics when you do pull the trigger.

 

Exactly my sentiments on my "barnfind" SC. It didn't run when I bought it, I have found some interesting flaws (and I haven't even gotten to the engine yet) but when it's done I'll know exactly what it is and will be able to trust it anywhere.

 

Become a Rennlist Member and ask lots of questions before you buy.

 

A PPI is good to check your expectations. It can also be a price negotiating tool. It's a way to go into a car buy with your eyes open. I would pull the trigger on one after finding what you think is a car that you are planning to actually buy after thoroughly checking out the car. Since there is no real upside to a mechanic for performing a PPI, you should probably reciprocate in some way by referring him business or becoming a customer.

 

"After a 90 minute drive" ...... Sorry, took me a sec.

 

I average 3-4 PPI's for each car I buy. I see the $1000 or do as lemon insurance!

 

Major issue is finding a decent shop that knows whats it doing to do the PPI in the first place. If you're looking at a remote vehicle how do know the shop can do a good job? You can ask questions but it's really a crapshoot. If the only P-car shop in the area is the one who has the done its maintenance, you have a majoy conflict of interest right there, and you haven't even started the process!
Why can't we all find a car owned by a friend who was the original owner...

 

There are very few perfect ones. You will know them when you see them though. They will have a high price tag. The only new Porsches are at the dealer, so all of these will have some issue of some kind. Sometimes they are easily seen and sometimes you cant see them at all.

You have to decide which issues you can live with and which ones are worth it versus the price. Of course big engine jobs are expensive and take the fun out of owning your 911. But I would rather handle some engine and mechanicals than to even think about and body issues . The worst kind of hell is body shop hell.

The one your had inspected sounds below normal. The leak down is a problem and the oil leaks could be bigger, or not too big. AC is not good on many or most early cars. Bearings not a real big deal. But overall it sounds like there are better candidates out there.

Edit: Somehow I did not say that as nicely as I meant to. All of these cars require service. They were like that when they were built new. Many of the ones that have had top notch service are still very good cars. Some that have had somewhat less service are still good cars, but they require some catch up work. Then there are varying levels below that . The PPI can detect some things. I have seen PPIs on good cars have some things to do though. Some are bigger and some you can live with while working through you car.

 

You get lucky sometime though. I bought a Datsun 260 Z from only one picture. I KNEW this was going to turn out bad . The beautiful car rolled down off the transport a week later without a drop of rust, with 95% of everything working . Used up all my luck in one pass. I sold it later to fund up Porsche engine work .