Thank you guys for the advice. I will be due for the 30k service not too long from now as the car is approaching 25k. I took it to 2 mechanics- the first one accepted it off of the delivery truck since they were a day late and I couldn't swing 2 days off work waiting. He looked it over, charged me 250 bucks, and made a list of small scratches, etc but didn't note anything mechanical wrong. He advised the 30k mile service a little early and wanted to charge $2000USD.
What I didn't like about him is that for that amount of money, he didn't even drive the car except into the garage bay. So, I personally don't think he is that thorough. He did change the fuel filter for me.

The second guy came on 3 different recommendations. Austrian fellow who is a race car driver as well, and has a great rep for being the best in the state for exotics (does a lot of ferrari and lambo stuff too). I took it by his shop and he and I took it for a spin (he drove and WOW- he hit the gas on a few corners and i thought i was going to die!!- a real race car driver).

He said it felt really good, but felt the grinding downshifting into 2nd like I did. He said, no rush, just baby it and when I am ready for the 30k service, he would work on the 2nd gear issue, but that the transmission issue would require the engine to be removed. Good news is that the 30k service, he said, would be cheaper because the engine would be easier to work on since it would be removed from the car.

He is unsure of the transmission price, but said it may be in the 1500 range. He didn't pressure me into anything, saying that he would take it easy on the second gear downshift, avoid grinding, and it would likely be ok indefinitely if no more damage done. Of course, if gets worse, go ahead and take it in earlier. No rush on the 30k service, he said to do it at 30k unless the gear or anything else becomes an issue before that time. I had a really good feeling from him. Like he wasn't salivating over my credit card. I could tell he was a good, honest person.

Any thoughts?

WSK

 

Congrats on the car. Sounds like a decent deal for sure.

The last mechanic you talked to also sounds like a keeper. He gave you proper advice on the trans. and the 30K.

Personally, I would live with the 2nd gear issue for a bit and see how much of an issue it is for you and how you drive.
Getting into the transaxle gets pricey very quickly.

Definitely check the age on those tires before more spirited driving!

 

Just curious because everyone seems to recommend a pre-purchase inspection: Did the PPI find the second gear problem? If so, were you able to negotiate the price down because of the issue?

 

imho/ my 2¢: have all fluids replaced, belts & TIRES for sure esp. being 6 yrs. old. (regardless of what previous owner says).

bol & congrats... one of the most fun cars you will ever own.

 

Jeff-
There wasn't a PPI inspection. I took a gamble. I should have had one done, but honestly I love the car so much now that I would have still bought it with the minor 2nd gear issue. I don't grind it anymore since I figured out what NOT to do to grind (eg- downshift fast).

WSK

 

Palmettonative, i just purchased a 95 Cab that looks exactly like yours (Black / Cashmere) with the exception of 18 Turbo wheels. Car is cosmetically perfect but owner had really only changed the oil since purchasing it in 95 other than all the recalls. So far so good. Drove from Punta Gorda, Florida to Tulsa with no problem. It had 12,400 miles when I picked it up. It came with new tires on the rear. I purchased it for 34k, so it seems we are both in the same $ ball park. Since then, I have put new front tires (plenty of tread but 12 yrs old), changed every fluid, replaced the caps, arms and plugs. K&N filter. Replaced the sound system, cleaned the ISV & MAF (this made biggest difference in running), replaced the right lower valve cover. Paid for the fluid change other wise did the work myself. Car is now sorted out in my opinion and ready to enjoy. I will get around to posting a picture this week. I also learned the nuances of the top operation this week.

Enjoy your car. I have so far.

 

Very nice. Those aren't the original rims, of course, so the tires shouldn't be all that old. But you should check to see that the steering brace was put on the car when the 18" rims were added, that's an issue on the 95 cars.

 

I shouldn't admit this, but I've never had a PPI. Over the years I have bought a dozen Porsches, 6 of the 356 variety, and 6 of the 911 variety. In fact, I usually can tell if it is a car I want to buy within the first couple minutes. It either hits me right, or doesn't. The initial impression normally doesn't change with more looking. More looking usually confirms the initial impression- the one you get when the garage door first rolls up.

It sounds like you did well on your 993, PPI or not. If this is your first Porsche, you've chosen well to buy a 993.

Jeff

 

I was in a search this summer. Found my "dream" car and got a PPI. That PPI uncovered about $3k in "work" that wouldn't have been found through a cursory look at the car. I passed on that one and found my current car and couldn't be happier with it.

I guess the gamble is that you pay market for a car that has hidden costs tied to it, and the deal you got wasn't as good as you thought. In the end, you have a 993 so how bad can it really be as long as you had the bucks budgeted to fix it up.

Personally, I'd never buy one without a PPI unless it was from someone I knew, and it was a car that I knew... just me.

 

perhaps swapping tranny fluid would help with your 2nd gear grind.

 

vjd3- my rims are 17inch. I was thinking they were original (not the cup rims, but an optional rim from Porsche). What's the easiest way to tell?