FabianS

I'm considering purchasing a nice 95 C4, but I have some reservations with the mileage, which is 145,000 kms. The car otherwise has been maintained well, and has new brakes all around, as well as about $6000 in aftermarkes suspension, exhaust, etc. My concern is that at 145,000 kms if I drive it for 5-6 years it will have 200,000+ kms on it, which seems like an awful lot. The price is reasonable, but I wonder if I hold out for a while I might find another car with less kms for just a bit more. What does everyone think? I will of course be having a PPI and compression test done...

Thanks.

boman993

I don't think there is a right/wrong answer to this.

It really depends on what your priorities are ~ If you care about resale (you're
going to sell it in 4-5 years for sure), then wait for another one with less kms.
If you just want a well sorted car, and you love everything about it and will
drive it to 300000kms without looking back; pull the trigger!

MartinC2S

Personally I would wait. I know it's tempting to pull the trigger on these cars but I think you'll be able to find something better with lower kms. I just bought a '98 C2S with 35k on it last month after looking for over a year. They're out there, you just needs to find them and wait a bit.

FabianS

I should probably add that there aren't very many up here in Canada, and that the prices up here are quite a bit more than in the States...

Magdaddy

the value of the aftermarket goodies shouldn't be ignored. The previous owner of my C4S, put $7K into the car, just 500 miles before I bought it.

If you intend to drive the car, and not worry about the usual effects of doing so...rock chips, acquimulated mileage, hell maybe even door dings...then go for it if it all checks out.

A well cared for driver that has desireable performance mods is a good thing, it's a great thing if it's at a good price. I've put almost 30K miles on my C4S in the short 28 months I've owned it. It had 63K on it when I bought it, nearing
93K shortly. I'll roll into six figures early next spring without a care or concern.

Best of luck

doberdog

I sold a 50,000km car for top dollar and purchased one with just over 100,000km and it runs better, has had the top-end repaired, new clutch and the engine is just as strong. Don't forget, the car with higher km's might have had all the repairs that these cars often require. Check out the history of the car over anything else.
I'd only buy it if I got a great deal. My C4S was $35,000 with just over 100,000 km's in Vancouver.

mdude

High mileage should not necessarily deter you. You may wish to consider:
1) Your budget, obviously. A lower mileage car is going to cost much more but not necessarily less expensive to upkeep. Which leads to the 2nd point:
2) A high mileage car that has been through the most likely wallet busting repairs (i.e. clutch, top end rebuild) is IMHO a better value than a lower mileage cars w/ those expenses lurking. Don't know the prices up in Canada, but using the States as an illustration: a 145 km 95 C4 will go for around $25-$28k. The same car for 100km will go for $29-33k, and maybe $35k for 40-60km mileage. If the 1st car already has clutch etc taken care of, it'll be much cheaper to own than a lower mileage car w/ $10k in repairs waiting in the wings.

Good luck hunting. Keep us posted.

FabianS

The car is $26k and has original top end, and clutch. I had another Rennlister check it out for me as it's out of Province, and he thought it was a very nice car.

doberdog

You need to consider a PPI and negotiate the price based in the condition. No top-end rebuild might be a deal-breaker.

FabianS

Well, the asking price was $29,000 so he has already moved considerably. Most of the 993's I've seen up here with 100,000 ish kms got for around $35-40,000.

cmat

Also, make sure the mods are things you really want. Just because someone spent a lot on changes doesn't mean they are right for you. Suspension changes especially need to be tailored to how the car will get used. Over time I wound up removing all the mods that were on my car.

Seamless

Is the car possibly a red one from Winnipeg?

FabianS

Yes. I'm having a PPI and compression test done on Thursday.

mdude

Do not forgo the PPI, with leakdown and compression.

Find out where the car has been serviced (preferably an air-cooled specialist) and call the shop and chat up some info.

FabianS

I won't forego a PPI or compression test, but a leakdown is out of the question...Porsche dealer wants WAY too much, and it is where the car is serviced, and the indy doing the PPI and compression test doesn't have the means to do a leakdown.