JonnyIndy

Hey All,
I'm focusing in on a 1990 964 offered locally after a lengthy search. The seller had a PPI done when he bought it 3 years and 18K miles ago. The results were:
Compression
Cyl #1 - 190psi
Cyl #2 - 192psi
Cyl #3 - 192psi
Cyl #4 - 190psi
Cyl #5 - 188psi
Cyl #6 - 193psi

Leakdown
Cyl #1 - 7%
Cyl #2 - 6%
Cyl #3 - 6%
Cyl #4 - 6%
Cyl #5 - 8%
Cyl #6 - 6%

I'm looking to find out what you all think of these results and whether you think a new PPI is necessary.

Thank You

deadendd9009

They key here is consistency. Seems good to me.

Ken D

When performed by a competent shop, PPIs are cheap insurance. I wouldn't trust one done 3yrs/18k miles ago. Who knows what's happened in that time?

u7t2p7

For sure a new PPI....however a leakdown/compression is probably not necessary. Go with the advice of your indy.

fasterlaster

It's an odd market with many 964s being snatched without a PPI. If you can make the deal with a PPI move on it, but it's less leverage in this market for getting the price down.

Jjm4life

This. For the assurance of a few hours and a couple hundred you could save yourself thousands or more in unknown issues.

JonnyIndy

You clearly have the pulse of the market. The guy got an offer over asking without a PPI, so I guess my question is moot...

Bummer, I thought this was the one

Anyone know of a nice 964 for sale in the Bay Area?

hockenheimr

If your asking this question, then the car is selling above market value. There is nothing wrong with paying a premium for a solid car...in that case def get a new PPI, check the paint, rust, don't forget the ventilation fans since they are expensive, check for power drains, all the usual and you will be fine.

Goughary

Unless it's cheep, and you can afford the risk, get a new ppi. No good seller would say no. But if it's too cheep it'll likely sell without one. But if you don't want to find out about serious issues you were unaware of, always get a good ppi, and make sure they leak the motor down. Cold compression tests mean next to nothing. It's got to be done hot.

There are plenty of 964s or there. There just aren't many of you need to find one quickly. I would have saved a ton of money if I had given myself another month to find mine. Live and learn.

kreeshp

In today's air-cooled 911 market, asking a seller for a PPI is the kiss of death. Many others with deeper pockets or less cautious than you will swoop in, sans PPI, and buy a car sight unseen that's priced reasonably.

Either train your patience or increase your budget to allow for post-purchase surprises.

Mondrian

PPI is a bit overhyped - as an enthusiast you should know a good solid car when you see one and be realistic with your expectations if you can't then avoid buying a 25 yr old car and move on to something more modern or buy from a reputable dealer.

Sure PPI's have their benefits but you are competing against guys who know these cars inside out and are probably devoting more time and resources to their search so need to be prepared to move fast and even take a chance. I know top dealers buy cars from across the country without PPI, once its shipped if it doesn't meet their requirement they just send it to auction or ebay it - they are playing the numbers game coz they can & if a car doesn't land in their net (some check 20 odd sites a day) flippers will snap them off.

Unfortunately PPI advice went out the window when the market went into overdrive.

canuck964

+1

PPI's are good for rational markets.

The current 964 market is irrational.

We have the same issue with the housing market in Vancouver.

Pay $3M to $5M for a house but you better not have a subject to house inspection or financing written into your offer.

Jeff P

I just bought a 964 a few months ago. There are almost zero 964's for sale where I live, and those that I came across were almost all Tips. I called about a few cars on rennlist and ebay, and when a PPI was not welcomed, I walked. Buying a car out of state without seeing it or doing a PPI isn't for me.

The car I ended up buying was owned by a nice guy (rennlister) who welcomed the PPI. He was very upfront and honest, and PPI said pretty much what he told me, but I got the piece of mind from an independent 3rd party. I bought the car for a fair price. It was a good transaction start to finish.
Jeff

Ken D

Smart man. Sellers with nothing to hide will always welcome (and in fact, will encourage) PPIs.

So when are we going to see your intro thread Jeff? Whose car did you buy?

Goughary

Anyone who says you can't buy a 964 without a ppi is giving you the wrong advice.

I think I need to stop looking at this thread, since it makes the 964 market out to be some kind of huge bubble where the thousands of 964s in the world are some untouchable mass where we need to over pay and pay before knowing what we are buying.

Guys. It's a car. It has a price. Some get snatched quickly. But most are available at a price and sit there for weeks and months before selling. And all of those sellers will allow you to check out the car prior to selling.

Gotta cool down fellas...