I'm buying a 996. Need help
#1
Racer
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I'm buying a 996. Need help
Hi everyone. I'm looking at a 996 and need help. Can an option sticker be wrong? Here is the VIN: WP0AA29983S620084
It's a great car. Amazing car. However, it's from a dealer and there are no records. It has the option code sticker but there are lots of options on the car that are not on the option code sticker. Some options would be difficult to add and others are costly to do after the car is purchased. For example, it has the bose stereo, heated sport seats, xenon headlights, 18" light wheels with colored crests and none of it is on the option sticker. Can they option sticker be wrong? Wheels are easy to add, but sports seats that are heated with the buttons would some work to add (I would think). The bose stereo would be a trick to add too.
Can the option sticker be wrong?
It's a great car. Amazing car. However, it's from a dealer and there are no records. It has the option code sticker but there are lots of options on the car that are not on the option code sticker. Some options would be difficult to add and others are costly to do after the car is purchased. For example, it has the bose stereo, heated sport seats, xenon headlights, 18" light wheels with colored crests and none of it is on the option sticker. Can they option sticker be wrong? Wheels are easy to add, but sports seats that are heated with the buttons would some work to add (I would think). The bose stereo would be a trick to add too.
Can the option sticker be wrong?
#2
Rennlist Member
Dealer install option not unusual
How many owners?
Car Fax?
How many owners?
Car Fax?
#3
Rennlist Member
Any signs of flooding? I'd have a thorough PPI done.
#6
Rennlist Member
I agree, while adding some of that stuff would be easy, the heated seats and bose would be awfully tough since the wiring harnesses are custom to the options (I believe).
#7
Rennlist Member
Mine will be for sale soon, if you are interested in a nice 25K original mile car with all maintenance done and up to date. 6-speed coupe 2003. I am buying a 996-GT3 to replace it. PM me if you are interested. Sorry to hijack.
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#8
Racer
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Sticker in the book is a match to the hood. All options on the list are there except what's highlighted in the above post. Here's the biggest kicker.
It's an x-51 car. It's on the sticker. I want the car, but the oddities just aren't adding up. No records suck too. I think I'll run a car fax and see what shows up.
It's an x-51 car. It's on the sticker. I want the car, but the oddities just aren't adding up. No records suck too. I think I'll run a car fax and see what shows up.
#9
Rennlist Member
Sounds like a nicely optioned car, I hope you don't let the disagreement between the car and the sticker turn you off. When I was searching for a 996 I heard of people finding the same issue. Some people found the COA to be more accurate.
#10
Three Wheelin'
Naturally it would be better if everything matched up but that's not a reason to not purchase the car. In this case you are not purchasing an investment vehicle or even a desirable car (relative to all other 911s). Let's face it you can buy a 996 for under $15k all day long. Heck you can buy mine for $14k and I have records. So I would just base your decision on the car that is in front of you and buy it for what it actually is not the option sticker. No records and buying from a dealer? Make sure your PPI is done by a true Porsche expert. Assuming there are zero records you will need to perform all maintenance that you can't see with your eyes and that could get very costly very quickly.
#11
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Naturally it would be better if everything matched up but that's not a reason to not purchase the car. In this case you are not purchasing an investment vehicle or even a desirable car (relative to all other 911s). Let's face it you can buy a 996 for under $15k all day long. Heck you can buy mine for $14k and I have records. So I would just base your decision on the car that is in front of you and buy it for what it actually is not the option sticker. No records and buying from a dealer? Make sure your PPI is done by a true Porsche expert. Assuming there are zero records you will need to perform all maintenance that you can't see with your eyes and that could get very costly very quickly.
Unless this is a rare 996 (like a Turbo S with 350km, or a GT Car) then you really only care about the mechanical condition of the car.
#12
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Let's see this beauty!
#13
Racer
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https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/c...626597509.html
Feel free to pick it apart. The guy knows nothing about Porsche's. It's a 2003. x-51, 030, rear wing and sports exhaust are all on the option sticker. Has all the options I'd want except sunroof delete. Even 10mm lowered drivers seat.
zero records. The guy is planning on taking it to the action today or tomorrow. The photos were taken months ago. The car is dirty. Seat backs on the sports seats have excessive scratches. Rims are spotless. Tires have amazing tread depth, but are from late 2012/early 2013. It's like it hasn't been driven since then. Tool kits is missing. All manuals are present. Windshield has been replace. No real evidence of paintwork. Has a K&N Filter in it. Seat heater buttons don't light up and might not work at all. Drivers window might need a new regulator as it pops down when you open the door but then goes back up before you close the door. 66K miles. Has an LN Engineering Sticker on the Engine indicating the IMS has been done. Clutch is tight and feels newer.
There is no time for a PPI. He's dropping it off at the auction.
Feel free to pick it apart. The guy knows nothing about Porsche's. It's a 2003. x-51, 030, rear wing and sports exhaust are all on the option sticker. Has all the options I'd want except sunroof delete. Even 10mm lowered drivers seat.
zero records. The guy is planning on taking it to the action today or tomorrow. The photos were taken months ago. The car is dirty. Seat backs on the sports seats have excessive scratches. Rims are spotless. Tires have amazing tread depth, but are from late 2012/early 2013. It's like it hasn't been driven since then. Tool kits is missing. All manuals are present. Windshield has been replace. No real evidence of paintwork. Has a K&N Filter in it. Seat heater buttons don't light up and might not work at all. Drivers window might need a new regulator as it pops down when you open the door but then goes back up before you close the door. 66K miles. Has an LN Engineering Sticker on the Engine indicating the IMS has been done. Clutch is tight and feels newer.
There is no time for a PPI. He's dropping it off at the auction.
#15
No time for a PPI? Maybe you shouldn’t buy.
Seriously, you can call LN and find out when the IMSB was done and look over all the known visible 349 modes of failure yourself. If you can’t do a PPI, at least try to get him to let you get/do and oil change on it and take a look at the filter. Other than bore scoring and chain tensioners, there’s not much more you can’t tell from the filter (assuming the IMS is still within its “time” window).
Seriously, you can call LN and find out when the IMSB was done and look over all the known visible 349 modes of failure yourself. If you can’t do a PPI, at least try to get him to let you get/do and oil change on it and take a look at the filter. Other than bore scoring and chain tensioners, there’s not much more you can’t tell from the filter (assuming the IMS is still within its “time” window).