TurboMark

I am looking for a '99 or '00 996. I am very familar with the car so I know all the general build issues, TSBs, what to watch out for, etc. However, are there any tell tale signs that a car has been 'tracked' a significant amount (yes, i know it was designed for that) or driven to extremes?

Thanks.

CPTdooberhead

If the car looks like this, it may or may not have been tracked or driven to extremes

<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/911_081602_001.jpg" alt=" - " />

Karl S

On the body, you can look for an inordinate amount of rock chips on the front bumper, fenders, and hood. Also, unless it has been replaced, the windshield is likely to show more pitting than normal and maybe some rock chips.

The front brakes will show yellowing of the Porsche script from the excessive heat of lots of track use. Also look for severely cracked front rotors. Also look at the tops of the calipers for signs of scuffing, typically caused when changing wheels. If there is a lot, it could be a sign of a lot of track wheel swapping.

You can go through the interior and look for signs of a roll bar installation (cuts in the carpeting around mounting points), wear on the seats from 5 point belts, and telltale velcro residue on the dash from a hot lap timer.

Have the brake fluid tested and a PPI done. That should find any other mechanical problems.

Of course, you can also ask the previous owner. Most people are pretty honest about this stuff.

Karl

Mike in Chi

Look for a big grin on the owners face.

RSRRacer

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Karl S:
<strong>On the body, you can look for an inordinate amount of rock chips on the front bumper, fenders, and hood. Also, unless it has been replaced, the windshield is likely to show more pitting than normal and maybe some rock chips.

The front brakes will show yellowing of the Porsche script from the excessive heat of lots of track use. Also look for severely cracked front rotors. Also look at the tops of the calipers for signs of scuffing, typically caused when changing wheels. If there is a lot, it could be a sign of a lot of track wheel swapping.

You can go through the interior and look for signs of a roll bar installation (cuts in the carpeting around mounting points), wear on the seats from 5 point belts, and telltale velcro residue on the dash from a hot lap timer.

Have the brake fluid tested and a PPI done. That should find any other mechanical problems.

Of course, you can also ask the previous owner. Most people are pretty honest about this stuff.

Karl</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Karl:

STOP TALKING ABOUT MY OLD 996. I know it wasnt as pretty as your Silver Bullit but (sniff) I did the best I could (sniff) with what I had!

See ya

Chris

GrantG

Brake discs can look blue if they were REALLY hot at one time...

TurboMark

Ah, the grin ... every true porsche owners 'tell.'

Thanks for all the input!

MJBird993

I would expect a highly tracked car to have new (or not obviously abused) brake rotors, so in addition to the otherwise great advice listed here (specifically interior wear from belts) look closely at the fender wells, especially where the different plastic parts meet, and under the engine pan (if present) and other nooks and crannys for marbles. If you haven't tracked your car, you may not realize that all of the melted track tire rubber (known as marbles) thrown off of other cars ends up stuck in various places in and under your car. So even if they never ran "R" rubber on that car, other cars did, and it's a good sign of track use (but not necessarily abuse).

Also look for a loose passenger door handle where poor unfortunate instructor was hanging on for dear life.

Michael <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

Karl S

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Chris Brown:
<strong>[QUOTE]Karl:

STOP TALKING ABOUT MY OLD 996. I know it wasnt as pretty as your Silver Bullit but (sniff) I did the best I could (sniff) with what I had!

See ya

Chris</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Chris,

I never said anything about a car that was never washed or waxed, did I?

Kal

Arthur

Some owners will track their cars frequently, and drive them hard. Many owners will put bras and paint that liquid latex film on their hoods to protect from chips, so I don't know if there is a reliable way to find evidence for track use.

Tom 97 C2-S, So. Cal.

SkyMast:

I would agree with most of the above. Just my $.02, I would only buy used from a private party. The car you are scared of is a lease return at a dealer, who will do anything to sell you the car.

In general though for MY 99/00' private party sale, if a guy is going to the track alot, the car probably has some modifications. Would you like getting beat by your buddies every weekend? Even it is a street & track vehicle, guaranteed he has messed with the suspension, seats, belts, electrical, drill holes in the floorboard for a fire ext. etc. Look to see if the paint is rubbed off where a front strut brace would be placed.

If the guy has a nomex suit and helmet in the garage and meets you in racing shoes he probably was at the track more than once.

When I sold my 993S, I proudly showed my buyer how I protected my car & highly suggested he do 3 to 4 DE's a year. Outside of the mod's, you could not tell my car had been tracked.

Best of luck.

Tom
former 993S (track/street)
02 C4 Cab

CPTdooberhead

You could always ASK if the car had been tracked...