Hello All!

Well, I finally found a 1997 C4s with 48,000 miles and will execute the agreement this am. A question for all of you first off though if you don't mind; your wisdom is needed again.

The seller has agreed to put Continental Conti SPort Contact2's on the car - is this a good tire? The sizes are 225-40-18 on front and 285-30-18 on rear. The seller has also agreed to ship the car enclosed.

Here is the dilemma: The PPI will be completed tomorrow by a shop the seller recommended. I have talked to the shop and they asked some PCA members and they ahve said they are a good reputable shop. The seller then wants to ship the car Monday via Concours Transport. I wanted to fly out and drive it before the deal is consumated but it doesn't look like there will be enough time. BTW, the seller is a PCA member, current local region board member, and former local region President as well as a Rennlistter (rather not mention names until the deal is closed). HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD BUY A CAR, OUT OF STATE, UNSEEN AND WITHOUT DRIVING IT?

The carfax is clean as is the title search. The price is fair, not great. The color is not my first choice but I have yet to find another one in this price range with the color I desire. However, the color of the car is acceptable.

Final note, curiously, the car has been for sale since August 2004. The seller owns a high-end boutique dealership as well as has 2 other high-end lines. It has been listed all over the place on the net.

Sumamry:
1. What do you think of the tires and are they OEM?
2. What do you think of the transport company?
3. What do you think about the length of time the car has been listed?
4. What do you think about buying a car without seeing it or driving it first?

Thanks so much. You all have been extremely helpful and I really appreciate it.

 

I did a search on question #2 - Concours has a great rep.

 

A bit late to get real help matey! Had you asked for assistance from a RL'er in the vicinity of the car, someone would've volunteered for a drive by, a test drive and a RL'er approved shop. Maybe not too late...

 

Hey MAtey...did all of that and the Rennlisters were very helpful. See ALL of my previous posts.

 

You are not going to live for ever,fly out buy it or not and drive it home !

 

I don't know much about the Conti's, but they never get too much of a mention here. My guess is that they're not the stickiest tires in the world and are, most likely, an inexpensive way for the seller to ameliorate the concerns of a buyer who wants new tires. If no one adds anything about them, why not call Tirerack.com?

The car may have sat because the price is too high, and the seller had the luxury of waiting for the right buyer. Or maybe there is an issue with the car that has dissuaded others. I'm not trying to put you in a panic, but there are simply too many unknowns to be sure; I'm just giving you some possible scenarios.

I would not feel comfortable buying a car without seeing it, but that's just me. Your seller sounds like a stand-up guy, though.

Good luck with it!

 

"The seller has agreed to put Continental Conti SPort Contact2's on the car - is this a good tire? The sizes are 225-40-18 on front and 285-30-18 on rear. The seller has also agreed to ship the car enclosed."

These are the tires I have on my car. They seem fine to me but I am by no means an expert. The only problem I have is that they develop flat spots from sitting, which send a vibration through the car.The flat spots do go away once the tires warm up.

 

Based on the first post in this thread (no one is going to read all of your previous posts, if that's what you mean), I don't see where it says that you had any Rennlisters take a gander at it.

 

I haven't..I tried and asked but no one offerred to do so. Are you offerring to drive from from Baltimore? That would great!!! I'll even pay for your gas!! Just Kidding.

I have tried and asked and no takers so I am doing the best with the situation. Anyway, what a great problem to have...should I buy a Porsche or not?

 

oops..I meant that I HAVE asked not that I haven't.

And..I am asking again. Anyone in Evansville Indiana willing to do a drive by and test drive? I will be more than happy to compensate you for your time.

PM me if there are any takers

 

Personally, I wouldn't buy a used car sight-unseen. The slightest (even inconsequential) issue that later shows up will bug me for a long time. What's the rush here?...not the seller??- the car has sat unsold for months, surely he can wait for you to see the car, complete a PPI and then sign the agreement.

As for the tires- as others have said, they are not the most wanted tires for our cars, but ANY new rubber will do. If you can swing it, have him switch those to Michelin PS2 or Bridgestone S02A. Again, these new tires should not be a deal breaker.

 

I spent 8 months searching for the right car and didnt settle for anything less than my original intentions-black on black, low miles, complete history, great price, low miles. I have documents down to the day my 993 was waxed professionaly. I bought my 95 C4 993 and a 77 Ford Bronco Sport on Ebay without ever meeting the person or test drving the cars. Actaully I bought both from the same person however I had a friend who lived about a mile from the guy and inspected and test drove both. I flew to Tahoe and drove them home. He had an Escalde I should have snatched up as well but I already have 3 vehicles.

1. Tires-they are good tires.
2. Transport companies are safe
3. Time listed-thats a long time but dont know all the details.
4. See above

If there is any doubt, dont do it. About the time your doubting yourself, you buy it, something better will come along.

 

Due to the idiocy of Massachusetts title law, where you cannot legally drive or insure a vehicle from a non-Massachusetts dealer until it is titled, registered and Mass. plates affixed to it, I have had to buy my last three 993's sight unseen. The first -- a 23k mile 95 black C2 coupe -- was owned by a Rennlister and for sale on Rennlist. After speaking to him, and having the car looked over by his local Porsche dealer, I felt it was a good car. I wired the money, he Fedexed the title, I flew out and drove it home. The car was perfect and I loved it for two months, until some old lady in a minivan pulled out in front of me and totalled it.

I replaced it with a 26k mile 95 Carrera 4 cab. This was not for sale by a Rennlister. I had it looked over by the only shop in his town that knew anything about Porsches -- where he had it serviced. The car looked great in the photos, and passed the PPI with flying colors other than needing an AC recharge, which he paid to have done. I wired the money, had it picked up and delivered to my independent guy down in Florida. It arrived with two damaged rims, a damaged nose, the whole car had been repainted, the convertible top did not work and the AWD system was inoperable. The interior was filthy and 3 of the 4 tires had nails in them. It was, needless to say, a disaster. All of the damage was duly noted by my shipper before he put the car on the truck, but at that point the funds had changed hands, the car was titled in my name and insured, and there was no turning back. I spent a lot of money putting the car into top condition, but it had lost enough luster to me that I sold it this winter -- and the new owner loves it. One plane ticket could've saved me a lot of money and aggravation, to say the least. Then again, I may have landed in jail on an assault charge, because God help the original owner if I ever meet him in a dark alley sometime.

The third car, a 95 Carrera 4 coupe with 46k miles, was for sale at a Porsche dealer in Virginia. I had two Rennlisters, Berkley and Keith Durg, look over the car; Keith took it for an extensive test drive and took more photos for me showing me every tiny flaw. Everyone liked the car. I wired the funds, titled it, and picked it up a couple of months ago and it's a peach.

Lesson learned: Buy the car from an enthusiast (Rennlister) or a Porsche dealer, and have a couple of Rennlisters look it over, drive it, and send photos to you BEFORE you buy it. Then see the car in person before you drive it away, because everything that's wrong with it will be magnified ten-fold in your mind when you notice it after you've paid for the car.

If this car's been for sale for as long as you say it has, I doubt a couple of weeks more is going to make much difference.

As an aside, if it's not the color you really love ... keep waiting. It will come up.

Vic
95 C4

 

thankyou!!!
I really appreciate the advice here.

 

Don't settle for anything less than your dream car. You'll have BR (buyer's remorse) and never feel the pride of ownership you and your new car deserve. UNLESS it's a price/deal that you can't pass up. Then you'll be less likely to have BR.
Good luck in your search.