Byron_944

Hey Everyone,

I just got back from TKX Performance (the Huntington branch of RPM Racing). They did a full check on the Porsche 968 that my friend was looking at.

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...=en&cardist=40

I had called Russel Whalers previous to the PPI and he told me that the car was maintained mechanically by this owner very well. In 2002, he had brought it in for a full scheduled maintenance, including timing belts, the works. I had therefore assumed that the PPI would come out with few, if any problems.

What Richard discovered blew my mind. The car was in a MAJOR accident.

Here is the full PPI:

• Car has been smoked in heavily. (My friend cannot tolerate this BTW)
• The drivers out seat bolster was heavily worn.
• Roof cracks extend into sunroof channel
• Sunroof motor/transmission damaged
• Front Valance Insert Shattered
• Sunroof Bubbles up, also root antenna
• All rims are damaged
• Right front fender misaligned and damaged
• Left front inner tie rod is bent
• Right right suspension shows heavy indication of being damaged and sloppily repaired
• Front main seal, rear main seal, and pan gasket are all leaking
• Transmission output shaft seals are sweating

The Compression was as follow:
1) 180
2) 190
3) 185
4) 185

Right when I introduced myself to Richard he told me this isn’t the car to buy. He stopped the PPI short because he saw there was so much damage, it wasn’t even worth going the full two hours (which is why he only charged me 150 instead of 210 )

Richard said that if the car was 3500 he would buy it, but at 12,900, its way too expensive for a very damaged 968. He did say that the engine has been regularly maintained though.
I got the feeling when I first talked to this guy that he didn’t know much about 968s. I think he was duped when he bought the car in 2002, and didn’t know the car was in a serious accident. Richard told me to explain to him that my friend cannot buy the car because it’s a smokers car, and my friend is an asthmatic.

That’s my story, let me know what you guys think.

Techno Duck

Goes to show how car $150 can go to save you a major automotive headache. Good call.

Byron_944

Yup, it really can save you a ton. I have lots of pictures I took in the shop, I couldnt resist

They had two SS Camaros (old ones) Detomaso Pantera, Porsche 356, Mercedes 280 (very old one), a Boss 302 Mustang, Porsche 928 -its interior was gutted.

I also saw a GT3-wonder if its anyones from here...they also had a nice older 911S they had just fixed that was being left to idle, since they had just done a job on the engine. It sounded good

Then they had tons of M3s, which seemed plebian compared to everything else. I'll post a thread with the pics

Byron_944

Here is the VIN of the car:

WP0AA2961RS820609

Could someone perhaps check that out on Carfax (someone who has an account) and tell us what it uncovers? I dont have a carfax account.

Thanks

Imo000

All the damage shows is a run in with the curb. I don't think it's that bad. The bad part is that it wasn't repaired properly. Someone took a shortcut and straightened the suspesion parts instead of replacing it with good ones. The leaking seals and sunroof motor problem is just age related.

Byron_944

Thanks If its not asking too much, could you copy and paste the carfax? Thanks a lot!

I think Richard from TKX thought it was more than just a run in with the curb. The PPI showed cracks in the roof, and other issues which arent just related to a simple run in with the curb. I dont think Richard would have told me specifically stay the hell away from this car if it was just a run in with the curb.

Just my 2 cents

Byron_944

I got the Carfax.

CARFAX estimates that this 1994 PORSCHE 968 (WP0AA2961RS820609) had 1 owner(s). CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's title history and other supporting events to identify potential ownership transfers. In compliance with the U.S. privacy laws, CARFAX does not collect or report owner names or addresses.
Estimated Owners: Date: Location:
1st owner 04/17/1995 New York
CARFAX AdvisorTM
The cost of ownership varies by vehicle. Go to Edmunds.com to check the recommended service schedule and estimated costs for this vehicle.

Types of Owners:
This 1994 PORSCHE 968 (WP0AA2961RS820609) was checked for 8 types of registrations.
Personal Use Registration Reported No Fleet Registration Reported
No Lease Registration Reported No Commercial Registration Reported
No Rental Registration Reported No Non-Profit Registration Reported
No Taxi Registration Reported No Built to Non U.S. Standards Record Reported
Do you have information about how this vehicle was used or driven? Tell us what you know.
Register FREE Guarantee | CARFAX Help Center
Heading Graphic
This 1994 PORSCHE 968 (WP0AA2961RS820609) has no recalls that still require repair.
Date: Source: Description:
10/21/2005 Porsche Cars North America No recalls open for repair
Register FREE Guarantee | CARFAX Help Center
Heading Graphic
For your convenience, CARFAX has estimated the remaining original manufacturer warranty coverage based on information reported to us on this 1994 PORSCHE 968 (WP0AA2961RS820609). Please confirm remaining factory warranty and extended warranty options with your dealer. Interested in an extended warranty?
Estimated start date of warranty: 03/15/1995
Last reading reported on 06/29/2004: 72,172 miles Recalculate with current mileage
Today's Date: October 21, 2005
Type of Coverage: Original Warranty: Estimated Remaining Coverage:
Basic 24 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired
Drivetrain 24 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired
Emissions 60 months or 50,000 miles Coverage expired
Corrosion 120 months or unlimited mileage Coverage expired
Transferable Transferable at no cost. Same
Roadside Assistance No data reported to CARFAX
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data reported to CARFAX
Specific Components No data reported to CARFAX
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: not cost, unlimited owners covered.

CARFAX Warranty Check provides an estimate of this vehicle's remaining warranty coverage. It does not take into account some vehicle history events. For example, major accidents resulting in Salvage or Junk titles that may void the original manufacturer warranty or ownership transfers that may decrease warranty coverage. This warranty information is only valid for vehicles manufactured for sale in the US. Complete warranty coverage information is available for this vehicle at the PORSCHE web site.
Register FREE Guarantee | CARFAX Help Center

Heading Graphic
CARFAX searched more than 3 billion records from over 7,600 sources and found 26 record(s) for this 1994 PORSCHE 968 (WP0AA2961RS820609).
Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:
03/15/1995 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Patchogue, NY
Registered as
personal vehicle
04/17/1995 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Rosedale, NY
Title issued or updated
First owner reported
09/12/1995 8,229 Inspection Co.
New York
Vehicle Inspected
Anti-theft device present
at the time of inspection
05/19/1996 New York
Police Report
Case #6-347013
Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with another motor vehicle
09/30/1996 17,138 Inspection Co.
New York
Vehicle Inspected
Anti-theft device present
at the time of inspection
03/13/1998 33,189 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
04/01/1998 33,393 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Transmission serviced
Suspension system serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
09/29/1998 38,754 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
Suspension system serviced
01/07/1999 41,387 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
05/24/1999 44,214 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
12/13/1999 49,357 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Cooling system serviced
02/14/2000 50,495 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
03/30/2000 51,944 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
04/11/2000 52,154 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Suspension system serviced
Engine serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
12/15/2000 58,515 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
04/03/2001 61,010 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
State inspection completed
04/03/2001 61,012 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
06/13/2001 62,151 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
02/22/2002 66,200 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
04/19/2002 New York
Police Report
Case #30518076
Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with a guide rail
05/28/2003 71,350 New York
Inspection Station
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
02/07/2004 71,831 Inspection Co.
New York
Vehicle Inspected
Anti-theft device present
at the time of inspection
02/12/2004 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Islip, NY
Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection
04/02/2004 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Islip, NY
Registration issued or renewed
Correction to record
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
06/29/2004 72,172 New York
Inspection Station
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
10/21/2005 Porsche Cars North America No recalls open for repair
Tell us what you know about this vehicle
Detailed Vehicle History Definitions:
* Accident
CARFAX receives information on accidents in most states when an official police report is filed. The level of detail in the accident record varies by state depending on the state's accident report requirements. CARFAX recommends you obtain a vehicle inspection from your dealer or an independent mechanic for any car involved in an accident.
* First Owner
When the first owner(s) obtains a title from a Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of ownership.
* Personal Use
Vehicle was registered by the owner for private or personal use.

The check shows that it was involved in a crash with another motor vehicle in 96, and then crashed into a guide rail in 2002.

Very interesting to know, and Richard said the car was repaired very badly.

Interesting, Carfax reports one owner, but this guy told me he bought the car in 2002....

And if he did buy it in 2002, he would probably know about the second crash with the guide rail (that was in April 2002).

AndyK

In this case, running a Carfax could have saved you the $150! What a POS! Poor thing was in an accident when it was only a year old!

Byron_944

But Carfax still reported the car like this:

Total Loss Check:

GOOD NEWS! No severe damage events were ever reported by a DMV for this 1994 PORSCHE 968 (WP0AA2961RS820609). If you find that any of the following severe problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must register to activate this free guarantee!

So even though the car was in 2 accidents, Carfax still said that no major damage was done. So if I was remaining only on the Carfax, I would not know how well the "slight" damage was repaired, or anything like that.

You always have to do a PPI, carfax or not, IMO.

Byron_944

Additionally, I had no idea of the VIN before I checked the car. A guy on 968.net e-mailed him, and he never got back when asked for the VIN number.

ljibis

Wow, that's a shame.

Caveat emptor, always. I'm glad your buddy didn't get hosed on the deal...

Z-man

Hmmm - I wonder what it would take to turn that bad boy into a track car....

That said, I saw a high mileage 968 with a 'tired' but straight body go for around $10k. Those prices are a droppin'

-Z.

Tom R.

I live near rosedale. I bet I saw that car over the years. Rosedale is part of Queens. very likely the first accident was a fender bender, and the second was the patch up.

was the seller by any chance a doctor with another porsche as well?

Byron_944

I have no idea, I dont think he owned another Porsche.

The car was in LI, Rosedale is not so close to it. You may have seen it, I have no idea. I've only seen one 968 in my life (a red one yesterday) actually on the road.

Zero10

Most interesting, it looks like the guy's a liar when he says he bought it in '02. The only recent title change on it was in '04... Am I reading that right?

2 accidents, that sounds like my 86. I suppose you could even go as far as pulling up the cases with the NYPD to see what the extent of the damage was (i.e. circumstances surrounding the collision). But I suppose that would only be worthwhile if your friend was going to make a counter-offer on the car.