vjd3

I posted about this car last week ... it's a 97 C2 cabriolet, 58k miles, very clean, new 18" rims and tires, new (non-OEM) top, good Carfax, nice condition, drives well other than slight clutch slippage under hard acceleration --2500-3500 rpm.

It's about due for the 60k service and it clearly needs a clutch. The SAI passages are clogged, dealer who PPI'd it says it's "full of" secondary air injection codes, although the check engine light is not currently on.

I've negotiated the price, after some spirited discussions, down to $30,500 and given a tentative "yes" to the seller. Firming up the details on Monday. Worst case scenario is doing a top-end rebuild, clutch and 60k service all at the same time.

Would you buy it or pass in favor of a car without these immediate needs? I'm in no hurry, winter is here despite today's warm weather. I could save my $$$ over the winter and perhaps buy Stevearino's beautiful white/chestnut 95 C2 cab if I can come up with some more cash if someone doesn't snap it up first.

Slow Guy

Just to give you a price point I bought my 97 Cab in Sept. w/ 66k mi. Between 62k & 64k mi. the PO had the 60k service, new clutch, new brakes all 4 corners and new Pilot Sport tires all around. The top has 1 maybe 2 years left in it. I paid $33.7k. I don't think I got a good or bad deal, I got a fair deal (IMHO).

<edited price paid>

Chuck W.

I like it. In the worst case scenario you do a top end job, a clutch and 60000 mile service. Once those are done you will be good for another 60,000 miles and still in the ball park for a fair price for the car.

Wilder

Sounds like a decent deal. As a reference, I paid $31 for my cab this past spring: 47k mi, blk/blk, mechanically perfect but due for the 45k mi service and in need of some minor cosmetic work but otherwise mint. Good time to be looking for a cab in Boston. Good luck.

MikeAlwaysWins

Pass....

vjd3

How come, Mike?

99three

I believe it's right on the money. Once the repairs are done you are still ahead of the game. Bottom line is this...if you've been searching & this is the one you like; I think paying for the inevitable now as opposed to later is a good idea. Pull the trigger - enjoy it. I did on my 96 cab.

MikeAlwaysWins

Cause you'll wind up with a $40K 97 cab......NO JOY...AT LEAST FOR ME..

tonytrini

pass...unless you plan on keeping this car for a bit...'

u have gone thru a couple+ this year...no?

jnx

How does the new non oem top look and fit?

993Maineiac

I'd either negotiate a slightlly higher price and have the owner pay for the needed corrections. It looks like he neglected needed repairs and went to the lowest bidder for the replacement top. That would really have me concerned. I agree that you could easily be looking at a $40K+ car in the forseeable future with other issues not noticed now to come.

Just my .02-good luck.

Al :

vjd3

I do have committment issues ... ;-)

Top looks good, it's a bit stiff and difficult to close, needs a little help to come down all the way and latch but I don't think that's uncommon for a brand new top. I would likely make it manual anyway, I don't trust the automatic system in a 993 even if it's working properly.

You guys are voicing some of my own worries about it; the second 911 I ever bought was an 83 911SC that had been freshly rebuilt by a very respected independent shop in Tampa Bay; that car was nothing but trouble, even though the shop stood behind it and eventually tore it down and fixed the biggest problem (persistant oil leak due to a pinched seal installed by a new mechanic who had lied about his experience rebuilding motors and was subsequently fired), it was a huge headache all the way around.

The owner's saying he is going to get the car fixed if I don't take it and then sell it in the spring, however, my bet would be he'll do the regular clutch and service on it, and attempt to have the ports flushed which won't address the root valve guides issue. If I buy it and have it fixed, at least I'd know it has been done properly, broken in correctly, have the shop behind me as a customer, and so forth, put a LWF in it like I want ...

To me, it's a $37k car. With original paint, a new top, new clutch, new (factory) rims and tires and a freshly rebuilt engine done correctly, it's one hell of a $37k car. However, it could wind up being a $40k car, you're right about that.

Chuck W.

tonitrini brings up a good point. If you do buy this one you have to be committed to keeping it for a long time to get your moneys worth out of your repairs.

I too made my top a manual one....best 2 min DIY I have ever done.

What will really hurt you if you buy this one and put it in the shop is the wait while they work on it.

I still think it's a good deal.

Quadcammer

Do you think that you will be able to get the top end redone, and the clutch replaced for $6k?

From what I've seen, thats about a 9k hit.

Thats not including anything else they might find when the motor is apart.

mjsporsche

Vic,

You do seem very committed to this car. I agree with quadcammer that you might be into this car for more $$$ than is reasonable. I do not see this as a great buy. Why not wait for the right car to come around that has been well maintained and the owner spared no expense to keep the 993 running well.

I have been in the hunt for 993 (Metro NY area...please help!) and the condition of some 993s that I have looked at just seems to be "under" maintained and a burden for the future owner.

If you are a wrench, and enjoy rebuilding, then I would go for it. If you are more like me and pays retail for Porsche services, your future purchase seems more risk than I would take on.

Mark