Bob D.

OK, its come to this. I am now desperate enough to beg for help.

I have been looking every day for about three months for a '96, '97 or '98 993. It can be a coupe or cab, and I have a strong preference for Guards Red or Speed Yellow, but would also consider Iris/Zenith Blue. The wrinkle is that it has to have a Tiptronic transmission.

Before all you Tip foes start groaning, let me say that I heeled and toe'd with the best for 25 years, and loved nothing better. Now, however, at age 43 I have developed a rare degenerative joint disease, and can no longer drive a stick.

In fact, the way this disease progresses we figure I have maybe three years left of being physically able to drive *any* kind of car, so hopefully you can understand my anxiousness to find something....

I have tried all the usual places and have had no luck finding a car (ebay, rennlist, cars.com, autotrader, PCA, etc., etc.). I prefer to buy from a fellow enthusiast rather than a dealer (and this also has sales tax benefits in my state) but will consider anything. I can not afford a $60k car, but have a good budget. Location unimportant, will travel for right car.

Any leads, tips or advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Stevarino

Hey Bob:

I'm sure you've tried autotrader.com, cars.com, etc... But try <a href="http://www.porscheclassified.com/." target="_blank">http://www.porscheclassified.com/.</a> Also try <a href="http://holtmotorsports.com/index.html" target="_blank">http://holtmotorsports.com/index.html</a> and <a href="http://californiacars.com" target="_blank">http://californiacars.com</a> - but of course an independent PPI is essential.

Unfortunately, you can't limit your search by "tiptronic" with porscheclassified.com, but you can search by model, year and state. If you find something in the LA area, I'll take a look at it for you and recommend a mechanic for a PPI.

Good luck and happy motoring.

max911

the porsche classifieds digest is now <a href="http://www.enthusiastcars.com/index_framev1.html" target="_blank"> this </a> max

max911

Except it is a '95, here's one that is <a href="http://www.roadfly.org/porsche/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=2567" target="_blank"> yellow </a>

solsrch

Not sure if you saw 2407402885 on Ebay. It is a low milage '95 993 yellow cab, with tip. Some aftermarket stuff on it but generally looks in good shape.
Good luck,
Joe

96P993

Bob you have mail

Bob D.

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the leads.

Steve and Max, I didn't know about the Porsche classifieds site, so that was a help. Max, that yellow cab has come down in asking price and is pretty darn close to what I'm looking for, but I am really hoping to get the varioram engine, and a car with rear seats so I can take my 6 year-old twins along for the ride (the yellow cab has the rear seat delete).

Keep it up folks! Any and all leads, or pointers to additional ad sources, are really appreciated. With some extra eyes on the lookout for me, maybe I can finally find something....

David in LA

Bob - While varioram cars do have more hp, the performance diffence between varioram and non-varioram is very small...too small for most of us to notice. And would be even less noticable with a tip.

With regards to the rear seat delete if that is the only thing stopping you, you may want to reconsider. I think there are a number of us on the board that would be intersted in the pieces and I'd bet you could make a reasonable trade. I'd submit a post here and get a show of hands if you are otherwise serious about the car - who knows, you could probably use the lack of seats as a bargaining chip.

Rick

Bob,
The '95 Cab that Premier has (it's the same one in the Ebay auction) has rear seats - they were put in after the car was delivered.
I've got add'l detaill on that car if you're interested - send me a private message with any questions you might have.
Best of luck to you.
Rick.

993Racer

Bob D,

First, you will find your dream car. It took me 1 year of looking every day. i travel the uSA in sales and I was kicked out of places that said I was too ****.

Try Park place in Seattle for an option. If I see one with Tip i will let you know right away.

We understand...
D

Greg Fishman

Bob,
Sorry to hear about your condition. My suggestion isn't quite what you inquired about but here goes... If I only had a few years to drive and had to have a Tiptronic mine would be a 996TT. IMO the Tip takes a fair bit of the punch out of a 993 N/A engine and since the Tip wasn't available in the 993TT, I would lean towards a 996TT.

Or maybe buy a 993 and have Ruf do some turbo work to it.

Ray Calvo

Bob, sorry to hear about your condition. Really hope that somebody can find something to improve your situation.

You say you've tried PCA. Have you gone on their web site and looked in individual region's sites to see if they have an on-line newsletter with a Classified section?

How about doing a search under Porsche dealers? Many have on-line lists with cars.

Ray Calvo

Did a quick search on "Google" under "Porsche 993 Tiptronic". Some hits:
<a href="http://www2.thecarexperience.com/pls/carexp/car_exp.car_page?p_car_id=8215" target="_blank">tiptronic</a>

<a href="http://www.racecarnewmedia.com/hendonway/stock.asp?Category=Porsche" target="_blank">Tiptronic</a>

<a href="http://www.rpmsportscars.com/door12.htm" target="_blank">Tiptronic</a>

<a href="http://www.carbuyer.com/search/porsche/" target="_blank">Tiptronic</a>
<a href="http://www.carrindustries.net/95porsche993.htm" target="_blank">Tiptronic</a>

That's enuf. You get the idea......
(SURE you've been searching???)

PWC

<a href="http://www.londonmotorcars.com" target="_blank">www.londonmotorcars.com</a>

Bob D.

Thanks again guys!

Ray, believe me I have searched until my eyes have blurred.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Like a lot of people, though, I do have color and model year preferences that I am trying to stick with. Of the links you posted, several I had seen before, but they didn't fit what I am after...they were for '95 cars, cars over $60k or were in Europe (I'm determined, but not determined enough to ship something overseas). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I *definitely* appreciate the help, however, and there were a couple of sources I hadn't run across before that I will investigate further. And it has been a while since I searched individual PCA region sites, very good suggestion with Spring in the air and more cars on the block.

Small trivia point, one of the reasons I prefer a '96+ car is that some worthwhile refinements were made to the Tip transmissions' electronics and hydraulics, in conjunction with the change to OBD II. Joel Reiser also references this in the Tech section on the PCA website.

Anyway, thanks again everybody. I will gladly pursue every lead that comes my way. As you can see from my User Number I have been a rennlist aficianado for quite a while, and this kind of help is the reason why. I look forward to being able to return the favor.