96 C4S gamble has worked out well...
 

I had a detailed story typed out about this but felt like it may be a bit boring. Short version is, had a 993, then a 997, liked the 993 better so I watch what becomes available. Had a good feeling about a car based only on a few photos so made a deal on it with no PPI or even getting any details on it at all.

Drove out to pick it up with a friend today and it looked great. "You can test drive it" -Thanks, but I'm on a mission to get this thing home and a test drive isn't going to change that either way so I'll pass.

Sign documents, stop for lunch, hit the highway.

Once I again become acclimated to a floor pivoted clutch and brake I start to pick up the pace.....and the car reveals itself as very well capable with no problems at all. A pleasure to drive, even at higher speeds...

Arriving at home I gave it a quick wash/vacuum and looked over the binder of paperwork.

Within the last 5k miles it had a new starter, plugs, wires, fluids, flywheel, clutch. Most recent invoice from early 2020 was reseal chain housing covers, chain tensioner covers(I can't picture the difference), oil fill hose(?), install PSS10 coil overs and align.

I notice it has wheel studs and I recall my last 993 having wheel bolts.

Also has a Porsche classic radio with new speakers. If the Fikse wheels weren't recently powdercoated black, it seems like they were as there are no defects.

Otherwise I know the turbo spoiler is of course not original but I do not mind it at this point. Miles upon arriving home from the 220 mile drive back is now 65558 and would have to say the interior seems to reflect that as it is very very nice.

Couldn't be happier right now. Such an enjoyable car to drive and really happy that so far it has worked out great :)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/5214/9OFnaB.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/3442/1t3qvO.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/3122/V7IjTP.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/6630/WowmEO.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7724/iALwIr.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/3343/DsWBeW.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/4521/zJGsb9.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/9855/HqduWv.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7384/0dQ4Vx.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/4521/zJGsb9.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/543/Op3GLW.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/119/l1SvQJ.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/7223/X6aCMu.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/2439/TRgf1j.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/3653/zdcnJH.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/6118/wxUGjk.jpg

Congrats
 

I have done that before twice as well and worked out fine and came back from a water pumper too. In fact my son still talks about the adventures with the 1-way airplane rides. Looks like a great example. If you want to finish your console CF appearance right, see this link.
https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1211050
Welcome back.
Zed.

Depending on one's approach to car purchasing and ownership, the PPI and whatnot is kind of overrated IMHO. I've come to believe it's more important just to know the owner, decide what level of risk you're willing to take on and then buy or not buy.

Congrats on the purchase and being back in a 993. It's pretty hard to beat these cars,

Will never sell my 993 3.8L and keeping my 997.1. Nothing feels more real on the road than my 993!

Happy you scored a good car.
My hunch says folks who would go the distance to put Porsche Classic Radio on their p-car tend not to neglect other maintenance needs. Then w/ practically zero wear on the driver seat booster (could've been a re-upholster and if so reinforces my previous point) given 60k+ on odo, and then minor things like color matched bumper plugs...
Yours look every bit a sorted speciment.
Congrats!

I do not agree. A properly done PPI will technically reveal everything one needs to know to make a quality decision from there.

I do not agree with this either with the favorite saying on this forum being - 'buy the sell, buy the seller'...

What if the seller is completely unknown, an exceptional used car salesman, and, a nefarious one at that? Only a proper inspection/PPI will rescue you from him.

Agree 100% with this.

OP, with all that said, I'm glad it worked out for you - beautiful car!

Looks like you found yourself a very nice example. I love the black wheels with the red car. The seats look to be in great condition. Often even with low mile examples you will see a good amount of wear and cracking on the driver's seat. Good luck and enjoy it in good health. Any mods planned in the near future?

Yeah. I see that if one doesn't buy/sell a lot of cars. In that case you probably don't have a network of established sources. I tend to buy from within my circle of trusted folks/brokers. But if you buy infrequently I suppose you have to take on the risk of unknown sellers and car sales people.

Beautiful 993 and cool story.

I believe in having PPIs done on our cars prior to buying. That said, when I had a PPI done on my current 993 the well respected Indie that completed it missed several major defects. I was embarrassed for him and out a chunk of money to put it right. In the end, I have a 993 I am as happy with as you are with yours. Enjoy.

Great looking car - congratulations!

Would you be willing to share your thoughts on the 997 and why you preferred the 993?

OP, I had a similar experience (on a GR as well) and my gamble worked out as well. Your 993 looks great!

Edwin

Thanks guys, much appreciated! There is minor wear on the drivers seat bolster but hard to see in pics. If you look close the dye is thinning on the outer edge.

I don't have much planned for mods. Maybe a different steering wheel. Definitely need to do something with the exhaust. I think it is stock and the car is rather quiet.

993 and 997

My previous 993 was a 95 C2 with 110k miles and it was a great car. After selling I missed it so started searching for another. Didn't have much luck at the time. I drove a 98 C2S and really liked it but it was in multiple accidents (and not the best repairs) but they priced it the same as a clean one so I passed.

Same day I drove and bought a 997.2 base Carrera. It was noticeably faster than the 993 but I never felt as confident with it as far as handling goes. Probably because my previous 993 was on Bilsteins as well and the 997 was stock (but on better tires). The low speed smoothness with direct injection was just not perfect as well. Did not feel buttery smooth and often times had a low rpm dip in power that to me felt like fueling. Annoyed me that advances in technology resulted in a car that didn't drive as nice.

Overall it just didn't have the same feeling of quality and of course just does not have the same feel, smell and sound altogether. Not bad but just not as good, IMO. Leaving the car in a parking spot and turning around to look at it made me miss the 993 even more. It just wasn't doing it for me.

Excellent counterpoint.
:cheers:

So YOU were the one that got it !!! Congrats !! I'm glad it at least went to someone on here.
I made an offer with Tony at the dealership, but my offer included shipping to Florida.
He said he would check on the shipping rates and confirm the deal with me that day.
After thinking about it a bit, I said to myself .... don't be an idiot and lose the car over
$1K shipping. So I called him back to give a deposit to secure the deal.
(this is all the first morning the car hit the market). Left a message. No call back.
Called back again a couple hours later. Left another message.
I woke up the next morning to see their website showing "Deal Pending".
It was like a punch in the gut, as it was my perfect spec, with the turbo tail, good mileage
and great price. Just needed some Turbo twists and it was my perfect 993. Oh well .....

Again, very happy it went to someone on here. You got a great car, at a sweet price.
Congrats !! Many happy miles ................

Is that your Charger as well? Big block? {hence the Dana}