96 C4 with 140k...walk?
#16
Rennlist Member
When I looked at the Carfax, and saw who owner #2 was (Ft. Bragg) along with the mods it piqued my interest. I emailed a friend who MIGHT know the ex-owner. Not too many Porsche guys up there on the coast. No word back yet.
Something to consider is that per the Carfax this car landed as a trade in at SF Toyota in May, and was run through the auction (likely in Tracy). EVERY one of the 6 car dealers where I have vending machines knows damn well what EVERY niche used car coming through is all about, either in house or a phone call away. So why has everyone passed on this car for the past three months. Cuz you know internally it was offered. Kinda like the red C4 in Houston recently that was at the Sonic BMW dealer there. My local connection could have bought the car internally for his own personal use for ~$15K.
San Rafael Mitsu picks up a huge number of sports/premium cars, and aggressively turns them. ZERO idea how up-and-up they are; buyer needs to do the normal due diligence.
Something to consider is that per the Carfax this car landed as a trade in at SF Toyota in May, and was run through the auction (likely in Tracy). EVERY one of the 6 car dealers where I have vending machines knows damn well what EVERY niche used car coming through is all about, either in house or a phone call away. So why has everyone passed on this car for the past three months. Cuz you know internally it was offered. Kinda like the red C4 in Houston recently that was at the Sonic BMW dealer there. My local connection could have bought the car internally for his own personal use for ~$15K.
San Rafael Mitsu picks up a huge number of sports/premium cars, and aggressively turns them. ZERO idea how up-and-up they are; buyer needs to do the normal due diligence.
#17
When I looked at the Carfax, and saw who owner #2 was (Ft. Bragg) along with the mods it piqued my interest. I emailed a friend who MIGHT know the ex-owner. Not too many Porsche guys up there on the coast. No word back yet.
Something to consider is that per the Carfax this car landed as a trade in at SF Toyota in May, and was run through the auction (likely in Tracy). EVERY one of the 6 car dealers where I have vending machines knows damn well what EVERY niche used car coming through is all about, either in house or a phone call away. So why has everyone passed on this car for the past three months. Cuz you know internally it was offered. Kinda like the red C4 in Houston recently that was at the Sonic BMW dealer there. My local connection could have bought the car internally for his own personal use for ~$15K.
San Rafael Mitsu picks up a huge number of sports/premium cars, and aggressively turns them. ZERO idea how up-and-up they are; buyer needs to do the normal due diligence.
Something to consider is that per the Carfax this car landed as a trade in at SF Toyota in May, and was run through the auction (likely in Tracy). EVERY one of the 6 car dealers where I have vending machines knows damn well what EVERY niche used car coming through is all about, either in house or a phone call away. So why has everyone passed on this car for the past three months. Cuz you know internally it was offered. Kinda like the red C4 in Houston recently that was at the Sonic BMW dealer there. My local connection could have bought the car internally for his own personal use for ~$15K.
San Rafael Mitsu picks up a huge number of sports/premium cars, and aggressively turns them. ZERO idea how up-and-up they are; buyer needs to do the normal due diligence.
Cars like this which is passed by everyone scared me... It could be those two accidents reported on carfax...i wonder if it was serious or just minor..since it doesnt say much on the carfax.
It also states on the PPI, "Two tires mounted and balanced, Clutch replaced, Oil and filter changed, State emissions inspection completed, A/C system checked" done at or by Mitsubishi...this worries me a bit??
If there is one thing I have come to appreciate is that high mileage alone should not scare you away from a purchase. It has been discounted accordingly. A similar car with 100K miles would likely cost $30K+. Make a refundable deposit contingent on PPI and you might get yourself a really nice 993 for relatively small money. I'd be more concerned about the accidents and maintenance than mileage. Good luck and keep us posted.
I just bought an E36 M3 with 166K miles on it. This is my fourth M3 and probably the nicest of the bunch. It was meticulously maintained and drives amazingly well. The Germans know how to build cars.
I just bought an E36 M3 with 166K miles on it. This is my fourth M3 and probably the nicest of the bunch. It was meticulously maintained and drives amazingly well. The Germans know how to build cars.
best to you and your m3
#18
Rennlist Member
No word back on possibly finding out about previous ownership.
RE: Mitsu doing the work. A clutch certainly is kind of out there as far as reconditioning for sale, but who knows? Over at Concord Honda last month they were replacing an engine from a dead STI they took in on trade for basically free.
My bigger question was the same as what I first posed--if you're stretching to get into one of these, maybe you should rethink. If not, it's a much better play to find a good car, albeit at a higher initial price.
RE: Mitsu doing the work. A clutch certainly is kind of out there as far as reconditioning for sale, but who knows? Over at Concord Honda last month they were replacing an engine from a dead STI they took in on trade for basically free.
My bigger question was the same as what I first posed--if you're stretching to get into one of these, maybe you should rethink. If not, it's a much better play to find a good car, albeit at a higher initial price.
#19
I'd say walk away. It's strange that there's no documentation for a 10 year period, yet the millage was up by 40K miles, how can someone drive a car without it being registered for 10 years? Either DMV and/or CarFax failed to document it for 10 years.
In fact run away from this one.
In fact run away from this one.
#20
Rennlist Member
(Hint: there are a few areas in CA where you don't have to smog a car every two years. Mendocino Co. is one of them.)
#23
I went to check out the car today.... here's the photos.
I did find records of the car for it's first 100000mi during the first ownership, but nothing after that.
I believe the two accidents that show up on CARFAX is regarding the front and rear bumpers that happened during the 2nd ownership
I did find records of the car for it's first 100000mi during the first ownership, but nothing after that.
I believe the two accidents that show up on CARFAX is regarding the front and rear bumpers that happened during the 2nd ownership
Last edited by jo2e6y; 09-05-2013 at 12:50 AM. Reason: picture edit
#24
Burning Brakes
That's good if you have the first 100k miles of maintenance. But do you only have record of oil change? At least, the first owner did change the oil on a regular basis...
#25
Rennlist Member
those are not any sort of maintenance records that I would put any faith in. Stamps in a book, and single page hand written records can and do get "created" all the time.
Front lower bumper cover damage is simply from not watching your approach angle to an incline driveway/etc...not unusual. Rear pic of cracked center reflector at back up light, also is no indication of an accident.
This car still looks pretty good to me for the price. Get it to a local reccomended Indy for a complete PPI of the mechanicals, suspension, and have them look over the body as much as they can. Putting one if these cars up in the air, pulling the front carpet/spare/etc out, and the fender liners...can reveal any serious accident damage.
Must be something glaringly wrong with this car...to an experienced eye, or it would be gone by now. OR...maybe it just fell thru the cracks so far.
How does it run?
How did it drive?
How does the paint look, panel seems, glass?
COULD be a solid car at a very attractive point of entrance price. You need someone familiar with these cars to look at it NOW, if you are interested.
good luck
Front lower bumper cover damage is simply from not watching your approach angle to an incline driveway/etc...not unusual. Rear pic of cracked center reflector at back up light, also is no indication of an accident.
This car still looks pretty good to me for the price. Get it to a local reccomended Indy for a complete PPI of the mechanicals, suspension, and have them look over the body as much as they can. Putting one if these cars up in the air, pulling the front carpet/spare/etc out, and the fender liners...can reveal any serious accident damage.
Must be something glaringly wrong with this car...to an experienced eye, or it would be gone by now. OR...maybe it just fell thru the cracks so far.
How does it run?
How did it drive?
How does the paint look, panel seems, glass?
COULD be a solid car at a very attractive point of entrance price. You need someone familiar with these cars to look at it NOW, if you are interested.
good luck
#26
Another perspective on the subject 993.....
A few years ago, after a 12 months of research, I decided my #1 choice was:
- A 1996-98. IMO a true last-of-the air-cooled NA Porsches had to be the 282hp Varioram.
- A C4 or C4S. My preference is narrow body.
- Silver color.
After purchasing the right car for me I learned only 411 or 412 '96-98 NB C4's were sold in the US.
A few years ago, after a 12 months of research, I decided my #1 choice was:
- A 1996-98. IMO a true last-of-the air-cooled NA Porsches had to be the 282hp Varioram.
- A C4 or C4S. My preference is narrow body.
- Silver color.
After purchasing the right car for me I learned only 411 or 412 '96-98 NB C4's were sold in the US.
#27
Theres too much issues cosmetically, i felt the car was not loved... Theres cracks in the rear bumper, the turbo ducks are crooked, some gaps not consistant. Some small parts of rust. Also the doors have sounds when it opened. I dont know, perhaps im too picky
#28
Rennlist Member
The euro turbo front nose, Turbo S ducts, and lowered ride height tells me somebody loved that car at some time. What needs to happen here is somebody looking for a "driver" quality car, get a complete PPI on this car.
Still could be a terriffic buy for someone.
Good luck with your search, it's a constant learning curve
#30
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I'm sorry guys, I don't see how this car is good value. By the time you're done fixing the cosmetic stuff you'll be well over $4,000 out of pocket. Add a couple of mechanical issues, some maintenance items (those Nexen tires have to go!) and you are pushing $30K. How many people would pay $30K for a 140K+ mile C4 in good shape?
For $18K I'd buy it. For $23K I'd pass.
For $18K I'd buy it. For $23K I'd pass.