Buddan

Hi, I am looking to purchase a 993 C4 black on black and have notice a wide range of prices out there. The private dealers are charging a huge premium and I am very confused and do not really know how much to spend on a descent 993.

Does it make sense to purchase one with higher miles around 100K to 150K that @35K and then do a engine rebuild? What other concerns might there be with buying a high milage 993?

This would be my first Porsche so any help in the buying process would be must appreciated.

Thank you!

justin993

When Looking At high mile cars, may be more likely to find one that has had top end rebuilt. Buy on condition with high or low mile cars

TJ993

I tHINK THE kEY IS PROPER MAINTENANCE WITH FULL DOCUMENTATION - OR RECORDS.
Then A Complete AND A THOROUGH PPI.
Caqr should have Extensive Maintenance per Porsche Recomendatioons with Matching Records to confirm the work when required was Completed - Then Confiormed by a Qualified Mechanic.
Leak Down Test - Study Results
Oil Consumption Rate
MY Car has 133 Miles But had a Top End Early in Life.
I will avoid the Evaluation part But will follow your thread :>)

six gun

+ 1 In addiation the prices do start to fall off around 70 to 80K and I would put a high value on petigree, (3 or less owners, service records,origional paint etc) and as Justin suggests, conditon, conditon.. Good luck

gaby1088

I would rather have a car that needs no top end that has 120-130 and consumes normal oil, than risk a 60k mile car that might need a top end. First because the lower mile one is much more expensive, and then you have to factor in the cost of a possible top end rebuild. Im no expert but aren't most top end builds under 80k? I feel like your less likely to get a top end rebuild if a car already has over 100k miles and consumes regular amount of oil.

Sutts74

I bought my 97 c4 cab with 100k. Service records and 2 past owners that took good care of the car. Obliviously there will be a bit more stone chips etc on the outside but If I had a low mileage car I would be hesitant to drive it as much as I do.

ehanauer

I bought mine at 98,000 miles. It was from a dealer, a one owner car, but no service records. It looked and ran great, and passed the PPI. I still put another $5k into it to get it the way I wanted it. After 2 1/2 years (and a few more minor fixes) I still love it. I bought it to drive daily, about 6k miles year.

boman993

Buy the best example you can find within your budget. You will know it's the best example based on a thorough PPI performed by a shop that knows 993s. Get a compression test and a leak down done (but more importantly a compression test). Service records are important too, but who's to say they haven't been fabricated in Photoshop?...They're definitely a good to have; but tread lightly and ask lots of questions. (I vaguely remember reading on Rennlist about an infamous 993 dealer that was acquiring records on ebay and changing the VINs to correspond to the cars they were selling..real shady stuff and it happens.)

When buying privately, you are also "buying" the previous owner; a few phone conversations could clearly give you an insight into how the car has been treated.

Good luck!! Best part about buying your first Porsche is the search for one! Enjoy it! (I miss that so much!)

pp000830

This may help:
What make you think any high mile car needs any internal engine work?
I it is not burning enough oil to foul the plugs and cause a misfire SEL, is there a problem?
You know the line, “accept the things I should not fix, have courage to fix the
things I must and have the wisdom to know the difference”

therossinator

You describe how I purchased mine.
135,000 miles
No mods
Great service records from local mechanic
After resealing the resonance flap it has remained dry as a bone for 5k miles.
I paid $21,500 about 6 months ago. I'd recommend you wait to find one cheaper than 35k.
IMC
Ice don't the recommended mods per this site and couldn't be happier. I don't feel that a rebuild is imminent either.

TJ993

+1
EXCELLENT Write up !

TJ

boman993

Either there is a bunch of (significant) detail omitted from your post or you stole the car. $21K, 6 months ago for a 993 coupe with only 135K....wow. Salvage title? Lots of accidents? There's gotta be more to the story.

TouringTeg

I picked up my 101k mile 97 C4S a few months ago. Most cars will need some kind of work. You just want be aware of more expensive repairs such as top end rebuild and clutch replacement.

It had a few things that needed repairing.

DIY fixed so far:
Sunroof not closing properly - screws had come loose holding the sunroof motor to the roof
Front brakes squealing - replaced worn front pagid pads with new Textar pads and anti squeal dampers
Light in key not working - replaced with LED

There are lots more cosmetic items I am slowly fixing. Missing clutch pedal cover, cracked plastic door caps on both sides, pitting on signal lights/headlight lens.

goofballdeluxe

Is 100K high mileage for a nearly 20 year old car? At less than 6K miles a year, some would say yes, some would say decidedly no

stuttgart1

Sorry to hijack this tread.

What factors determines car need top end rebuild? I recently test drove 2 993C2, 1 rev much more freely and engine is stronger compare to the other, both have relatively low mileage and stock.