Well, I spent over a half-hour on the phone with Laura from Hergesheimer today. Here is the skinny...

1) hood and deck lid supports
2) rear tires
3) radio
4) minor undercarriage corrosion (midwest car, not serious)
5) all brake pads okay, rotors slightly "dished"... recommending turning them when pads are replaced down the road
6) computer diagnostic all okay (no CEL history, etc.)
7) very slight wetness at chain-housing gasket, but minor... other than that everything completely dry
8) has porsche battery (she doesn't like them; last 2 - 3 years?)
9) clutch within specs and felt good
10) compression (cylinders 1 - 6) 202, 204, 203, 198, 197, 196
11) everything else tip-top

That is except, and this is the kicker, the power steering rack... it needs to be replaced (approx. $1,800). She said they usually don't see this on low mileage cars, only when a mistake is made w/ ATF vs. PS fluid.

Truspeed will take care of tires, hood/deck supports, radio, and the steering rack.

I'm a little disappointed but maybe shouldn't be... Am I getting a major item taken care of that I won't have to worry about down the road? Or is it a sign of other problems to come? Laura said they rated the car (steering rack aside) as a ~4.6 out of 5, or in the top 10 to 15% of the cars they see.

Any advice appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

No reason to be disappointed if the repairs are paid for by Truspeed. Who is going to do the work? What is wrong with the radio?

I think this is all good news.

 

Sounds solid, especially if Truspeed is going to pay for the steering rack and other stuff. If Laura thinks the compression numbers are fine, I would feel pretty good about the car. If you like the car, mileage, options, condition, price, pull the trigger. I would be happy with that PPI.

 

I don't see any major problems. If they are paying for the new steering rack, looks like your way ahead. If they are putting on new rear tires, make sure they match the same brand and model as the fronts or replace all four with the same. So the only repairs/work down the road is a ~$100 battery and new pads and rotors. Go for it. These are used cars, bound to have some problems but it looks like Truspeed picking up the major repairs.

 

I agree with all of the above.... Hergesheimer cares for a 930 and 2 993's for my sons and I... they are great and if they're doing the work for you, you're a lucky guy. Enjoy!!!!!

 

Thanks! I guess I should feel good about it... I just wasn't sure if the steering rack failure was a sign of bigger things down the road.

As for the radio, Truspeed had swapped this car's with a non-working one on a car they sold over the weekend. I've been told they'll replace it with a stock single-disk radio as per specs.

 

BTW, tires will be P-zeros just like the fronts.

 

If it was not a good car, Laura would let you know. She is very direct and honest.

 

Just keep an eye out on your power steering fluid. My car had a leak right at the reservoir; simple fix was to tighten the clamps but not after the previous owner drove around with an empty reservoir No major problems with the steering rack yet; knock on wood

If they can put in a CDR-220 for you, have them do it. You'll be able to connect an IPOD if your into that stuff

 

trojanman -

Sounds like a fine car to me. Laura gave me great advice when Hergesheimer did the PPI on the 993 I bought back in February of this year. They know what they're talking about there, and I agree they advise you to run if it wasn't a good car. The compression numbers look pretty consistent.

Fight On!

Scott

 

Ditto Don....see if they'll put in a CDR-220.

Dave

 

Sounds like a solid car. Pull the trigger and enjoy!

 

BanG!!!! You are the new owner. Enjoy

 

If you get a new steering reack now you will not have to worry about it for a long time! And as a bonus an alignment needs to be done with the new rack!

 

I agree with all the above. This sounds like a nice car. If it is the right colors and options I would go for it. All known issues will be address prior to purchase. All used cars and many new cars have issues. Having to do brakes down the road is not a deal breaker IMO. Maybe they have a better than stock head unit. Might as well upgrade if possible. Porsche radios aren't the best available in the market. Good luck and welcome to 993 ownership.