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Oct 4, 2004 | 05:53 PM

JohnJL

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From: Connecticut

Non-disclosures by previous owner

Now it appears I'll keep shopping....

Here's how it goes, give me your thoughts...
another Rennlister ( i won't disclose who because I'm not sure of their guilt here) offered me their 993 for sale. Being in the market for that car, I jumped on it. It took 2 weeks to coordinate the PPI. All along the way, the owner is telling me how well kept the car is, how he's just spend thousands on brakes and other items, etc.

I just got a call from the shop and they discontinued the PPI within a half hour. There was serious body damage and poor quality repairs. The owner swears he knew nothing about it (says he's owned it since 97, second owner) and I didn't ask the shop for an estimate of how recent the repair was.

ANyway, I got on the phone with the owner and was started telling him how bad I felt that he had driven the car 1.5 hours out of his way to the PPI, when I realized he was ripping me off. OK, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe the repair was before he owned it, but the PPI also immediately found a leaking steering pump and shot rear rotors. When he brought that up, he said he had had a steering problem before but a repair had fixed it 3 years ago.

Anyway, all I want is an honest deal here...so, anyone know someone need to rid themselves of a clen 4S, 2S or Carrera (in that order?)

Thanks all

Oct 4, 2004 | 06:33 PM

kkim

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From: Kauai, Hawaii

John,

Which is why you have a PPI done, no matter who is selling the car. I'd say you learned a valuable lesson with minimal damage.

I'm surprised, though, at the fact that the seller is a fellow Rennlister though there is no honesty/character test to becoming a member.

Don't give up... there are nice 993s out there... you just have to be patient and one will come to you. You'll know it when it happens.

Good luck!

Oct 4, 2004 | 07:03 PM

Frank 993 C4S

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John, whether you give the guy the benefit of the doubt or not (I would), it doesn't matter because the owner might still believe he's got a great car (relatively speaking). The fact is that you got a PPI and the car wasn't right for you - I am sure someone else will buy it for the right price. Be patient, it took me a long time to find the right car for me.

What color combo are you looking for? Price range? Mileage?

Oct 4, 2004 | 07:14 PM

peterf

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From: Baltimore, MD

I just had a similar situation happen to me (not with a Rennlister) but with an owner who remarked that the car was in excellent shape. Since it was about 3 1/2 hours away and since the praise for the car was high, I started with a leakdown and compression test. The car passed with flying colors. So, I went to see the car with my Bimmer's trunk full of stuff to do a detailed overview on the car. I only needed two minutes of looking at the paint to walk away. I too am giving him the benefit of the doubt, but it gives me pause as to the process. So, I know how you feel. Anyway, I guess we both need to keep looking and the right car will finally come available.

Oct 4, 2004 | 07:30 PM

JohnJL

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From: Connecticut

Guys,
Yes, you're all right about it being a relatively cheap lesson and the best insurance. I guess I am just really disappointed because it is very close to exactly what I want.

Frank,
Ext color preferences are Arctic/Polar, Black, Arena, Guards and Yellow in that order. SOme of the blues are cool too.

Internal colors - Black or Cashmere only.

Mileage - Not a deciding factor as long as all the diagnostics come out strong. I've been seeing cars in the 35-40K miles in my pricerange (but they had no-go's for me, like Tip or white paint)

Must be manual. Must be Coupe w/sunroof.
Your's will do!

Price - Up to 40K

Best,
John

Oct 4, 2004 | 07:57 PM

Frank 993 C4S

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From: NY Tri-State

John, we'll keep looking for you. There is one black C4S that I recently saw advertised at Bodymotion (not mine and not affiliated ...). It seems to be a twin of mine with a little more miles. It's probably on consignment. I only know them because I have my car serviced there and they do good work. I referred someone else there about a year ago and that person bought a white TT which I guess (?) turned out fine. Try www.bodymotion.com. Help me find a good TT and I'll sell you my C4S. Frank.

Oct 4, 2004 | 07:59 PM

JasonF

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From: Los Angeles

John-

Don't know if you want a narrowbody C4...but I have a late-build '95 for sale in Guards Red/Cashmere. I haven't posted the sale here yet, but you can go to www.pelicanparts.com and scroll down to "1995 Guards Red/Cashmere for sale" in the Porsche cars for sale...or heck, try this link... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...72#post1540972

I'm asking $32,950. Good luck, the search process can be fun and frustrating. I have family that lives in Danbury (not sure if it's near you) but if you're serious, we can meet somewhere to check it out.

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Oct 4, 2004 | 09:25 PM

amfp

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For your hunt for a '96/'97 C4S for 40K and under may be very difficult (if not impossible) to find a nice one without adding $$$$'s to bring up to good condition.

Good luck with your search.

Oct 4, 2004 | 10:46 PM

#10

JohnJL

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From: Connecticut

Thanks all for your help, I'll keep my eyes out...I've come close a few times now, so its got to be just a matter of time...

Oct 4, 2004 | 11:15 PM

#11

dp2boy

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From: Houston, Texas

JohnJL, I just got finished looking at a car for a fellow rennlister at a place called RPM motorsports here in Houston. The owner, Ray Joseph, had quite a few mint C2s and C24's. His cars are like new but also come with a steep price. No affiliation, yada yada yada.

Oct 4, 2004 | 11:20 PM

#12

TonyN

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From: Chicago NW suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJL

Total disclosure is important, but I've found that "concours condition" means many different things to people. So far I have not found a car that is as nice as the excellent C4S that I sold last year. So I just readjust the seller's description and price to corresspond to my view of the condition. I have a hard time believing that the body repair was un-noticed after owning it for several years, but some people are not all that attentive to details. The "shot rotors" and leaking PS pump would not be a big deal if they were factored into the price, after the PPI, since they are easy to fix and that's why you use a PPI. Bad body work is an entirely different story and cannot be fixed. Time to move on to another one ...

I'm looking for a 993C2 and have to readjust my enthusiasm each time another potential one falls through. But as other's have said, hopefully you will run into a "great" car, that matches your expectations. MHO is that you will not find a even a "nice" 993C4S or C2S under $40K unless it has lots of miles. For example, there's a white 993C2S offered at $40K, but it has 65K miles and tip. The market is just too hot for the wide-bodies right now. Best wishes for you search,

Oct 4, 2004 | 11:21 PM

#13

paradisenb

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From: In the pasture.

Oct 4, 2004 | 11:39 PM

#14

kkim

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From: Kauai, Hawaii

Damn, Randy!! That's quite a list!!!

Oct 4, 2004 | 11:48 PM

#15

C4S_fan

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From: Vancouver, BC

I've been looking for nearly the same car for about 6 months on a daily basis. Polar C4S, low miles, motorsound, litronics.

I've been tempted by cars that were "close", but I figure this is a toy, and I shouldn't settle for something less than my dream