Would you buy a 993 with over 150, 000 miles?
04-07-2008, 01:35 PM
#1
Racer
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Would you buy a 993 with over 150, 000 miles?
I've been looking at some 993's with over 150,000 miles on them.
Assuming they have records, and clear the PPI, would you consider buying a high mileage 993 ?
What is the most you would consider paying for one with 150,000 miles and in very good condition ?
Assuming they have records, and clear the PPI, would you consider buying a high mileage 993 ?
What is the most you would consider paying for one with 150,000 miles and in very good condition ?
04-07-2008, 02:00 PM
#3
Weathergirl
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I'd be careful with what "clearing the PPI" means. A PPI for a 150k mile car has to look for lots more things that a PPI for a 50k mile car.
Replacing wear items gets expensive in a hurry, and it's easy to get sucked into circular logic of "normal wear and tear for the mileage". Basically, a well-maintained 993 should perform at a certain level no matter what the mileage: brakes, suspension, engine power, gear shifting, etc. Areas that legitimately show wear are paint, upholstery, etc. You can't really hold a few dings, rock chips and seat bolster wear against a high mileage car, but you sure can for worn struts!
There have been many threads on wear items to look for. You won't get 100% discount vs wear item maintenance, but you really must ask yourself what standards you have for a 150k mile car, and how far any given car is from that.
Replacing wear items gets expensive in a hurry, and it's easy to get sucked into circular logic of "normal wear and tear for the mileage". Basically, a well-maintained 993 should perform at a certain level no matter what the mileage: brakes, suspension, engine power, gear shifting, etc. Areas that legitimately show wear are paint, upholstery, etc. You can't really hold a few dings, rock chips and seat bolster wear against a high mileage car, but you sure can for worn struts!
There have been many threads on wear items to look for. You won't get 100% discount vs wear item maintenance, but you really must ask yourself what standards you have for a 150k mile car, and how far any given car is from that.
04-07-2008, 03:17 PM
#5
Drifting
What year is it??? Realistically, I would guess 13 - 15K max depending on what all needed to be fixed/updated. Even less if it is a cab. I had a 95' 993 coupe with 115K miles - ran great, but needed about 10K worth of stuff fixed to make it a nice DD. It would have been an AWESOME track car based on how strong and quick revving the engine was. Is it for racing??? Stuff to consider:
Clutch
Slave
Master cylinder
brakes
wheel bearings
shocks/struts
windshield pitted
LCA's
Interior trim items
seats worn out
Cat
Too much else to list - and there will be a lot + very expensive.
Clutch
Slave
Master cylinder
brakes
wheel bearings
shocks/struts
windshield pitted
LCA's
Interior trim items
seats worn out
Cat
Too much else to list - and there will be a lot + very expensive.
04-07-2008, 03:26 PM
#6
Sorry to ask but what is/are LCA's ?
04-07-2008, 03:26 PM
#7
Racer
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"What year is it ?"
'95. Convertible.
All great input.
I agree, I've owned cars with over 200,000 and they all needed something. All but one were sloppy handling.
Price estimates were particularly helpful. I'd hate to overpay.
More importantly, I want it to drive the way a 993 is supposed to.
'95. Convertible.
All great input.
I agree, I've owned cars with over 200,000 and they all needed something. All but one were sloppy handling.
Price estimates were particularly helpful. I'd hate to overpay.
More importantly, I want it to drive the way a 993 is supposed to.
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04-07-2008, 03:42 PM
#9
Oh, OK. I always call them Front Lower A-Arms LOL ! I know Porsche calls them Lower Control Arms, but I always think A-Arms.
04-07-2008, 08:22 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
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My car's an amomaly though (one tremendous owner, '98 wide body, a lot of great mods/repairs), and maybe not a good data point.
04-09-2008, 06:45 PM
#12
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If mostly Highway miles and service records are current (esp. if owned by a PCA, Rennlist member / Porsche Enthusiast) and nice Mods. then, you may get a good car at a descent price (miles are not that important vs the care the car has recieved IMHO)!
04-09-2008, 07:47 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
+1 on everyone else, esp RallyJon.
I'd suggest getting a list together of what you think you want to fix on the car based on the PPI as well as your observation. Think of all the stuff that you'll want to fix right away, as well as in the first year or so of ownership. Then price out what it will take to fix that stuff.
If you are honest with yourself when you put this list together (remember, there is ALWAYS another car on the market) then you will have (1) a better idea if you can afford the car, (2) know whether it is a decent deal/what you'd be willing to pay, and (3) a strong bargaining chip.
You should not talk to the owner about price until you have figured out what your drop-dead price is (the number you don't want to go beyond) as well as the number at which you want to start negotiating. Don't deviate.
Not sure if that's what you asked for but I hope these thoughts are helpful. If you get a list together the folks here would be happy to prognosticate about what it would cost to repair. Best of luck and be sure to post how it goes.
dave
I'd suggest getting a list together of what you think you want to fix on the car based on the PPI as well as your observation. Think of all the stuff that you'll want to fix right away, as well as in the first year or so of ownership. Then price out what it will take to fix that stuff.
If you are honest with yourself when you put this list together (remember, there is ALWAYS another car on the market) then you will have (1) a better idea if you can afford the car, (2) know whether it is a decent deal/what you'd be willing to pay, and (3) a strong bargaining chip.
You should not talk to the owner about price until you have figured out what your drop-dead price is (the number you don't want to go beyond) as well as the number at which you want to start negotiating. Don't deviate.
Not sure if that's what you asked for but I hope these thoughts are helpful. If you get a list together the folks here would be happy to prognosticate about what it would cost to repair. Best of luck and be sure to post how it goes.
dave
04-10-2008, 10:51 AM
#15
R.I.P
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A well cared for 993 will last past 150,000 miles. The only things that you will have to worry about are the moving parts in the engine, and the transmission, and the suspension, and on the body, and the parts that don't move that have been vibrating for those 150,000 miles and the etc., etc.
Buying a higher mileage car will have lower initial expenses, however, operating a 993 is expensive. You're trading that lower initial cost for higher repair and maintainence costs. If you have the facilities, time, and talent to do your own maintainence and repair, that will cut down some of the expense. Few of us however have the capabilities to do a top end rebuild ($7-10,000). If I was looking for a track car, a higher mileage car makes sense. You will be replacing worn out stock items with performance parts. Just my $.02. Good luck with your search and hope you join the 993 club.
Buying a higher mileage car will have lower initial expenses, however, operating a 993 is expensive. You're trading that lower initial cost for higher repair and maintainence costs. If you have the facilities, time, and talent to do your own maintainence and repair, that will cut down some of the expense. Few of us however have the capabilities to do a top end rebuild ($7-10,000). If I was looking for a track car, a higher mileage car makes sense. You will be replacing worn out stock items with performance parts. Just my $.02. Good luck with your search and hope you join the 993 club.