What to look out for when buying a 996
#32
Originally Posted by M3killa
I've bought and sold from there too and almost always it's described differently from the real deal. Ebay has it's purpose, yes, you can find good cars there, however, whether you want to acknowledge or not, ebay has become so well known it's full of scammers and predators.
The day before the transaction I thought it was strange when the buyer told me he did not want to go to the DMV to transfer the vehicle registration. He arrived with his cousin who owned some used car dealership. After they checked out the car and gave me the $, they asked if I would leave the registration sticker on the window. Of course the answer was no. If it was yes the next question was about the plates. Their plan was to put on some temporary plates and drive the car into Canada. The fake plates were printed cardboard that they stated were supposedly used by dealerships. Their next stop was the local copy shop in my town to get the cardboard plates laminated to look more real.
Surprisingly enough they made it all the way to Canada, about 400 miles, but unfortunately that where their luck ran out. I got a call later that night form the Canadian border patrol asking a lot of questions about the transaction. I told them I sold the car, but did not want to provide any other information – and then potentially become a witness for the prosecution. The border patrol official then got upset and started threatening me. Being a US citizen I figured they really had no authority. I asked several times “is there any reason I have to answer your questions”, which he did not answer. Then the official stated by not answering his questions I have given them all the information they needed. So I stated, does this mean the call is over? This really pissed him off. He went off claiming he was going to contact the US authorities and I should expect to hear from them. Still waiting for this, it’s been almost a year. I am not worried about this since I did nothing wrong, but next time you can guarantee I will not use ebay and will insist on transferring the registration at the DMV.
#33
996 Jammy- BEAUTIFUL 996 C2 cab!!!! really po'd that it's for sale now, doubt it'll last until late Fall/early Winter when i'm back home and ready to buy
good luck either way!!! I know I wouldn't mind drivin that bad boy back from NYC, beats the last trip I made from NYC to Chicago which was in an '88 Accord that I bought from a friend(who also drove me there, so no money spent from Chicago to NYC) for $260 as my "beater"
good luck either way!!! I know I wouldn't mind drivin that bad boy back from NYC, beats the last trip I made from NYC to Chicago which was in an '88 Accord that I bought from a friend(who also drove me there, so no money spent from Chicago to NYC) for $260 as my "beater"
#34
My own research on the rear main seal issue prior to my 996 purchase in early '05 led me to believe that the problem is overwhelmingly prominent. Meaning, you should probably assume that the car you're looking at has a leaking RMS! All of the Porsche specialists I spoke with said they had never seen a car lose enough oil to cause an issue and most all of the seals that are replaced, leak again. I learned that a larger seal, I believe that from the Cayenne, is also used with no better long term results. I can tell you that my seal leaks, I have NEVER had an oil spot as a result, even after long term storage, and I have accepted that this issue is just part of being a 996 owner. To me, it's not an issue, just an insignificant fact.
In addition to what I would consider some fine advice from our fellow members, I might add that the climate control center has a habit of crapping out. I believe this is most prominent on 99 - 01's, but I'm not positive that 02 - 04's have been spared this fate. It's an expensive repair, about $800, I believe. Evidence of eminent failure are dark spots starting to creep inward from the perimeter of the temperature display. You can easily find out if the one you're looking at has been replaced during your PPI, this is true of anything that's been done by any Porsche dealer during the life of the vehicle. Being patient and REALLY looking at your prospect, sans your rose colored glasses, is the best advice you've received here, IMHO.
In addition to what I would consider some fine advice from our fellow members, I might add that the climate control center has a habit of crapping out. I believe this is most prominent on 99 - 01's, but I'm not positive that 02 - 04's have been spared this fate. It's an expensive repair, about $800, I believe. Evidence of eminent failure are dark spots starting to creep inward from the perimeter of the temperature display. You can easily find out if the one you're looking at has been replaced during your PPI, this is true of anything that's been done by any Porsche dealer during the life of the vehicle. Being patient and REALLY looking at your prospect, sans your rose colored glasses, is the best advice you've received here, IMHO.
#35
This is very sobering. Oil leaks drive me absolutely batty, and I just can't accept a car that leaks anything--especially a high end sports car like a Porsche. My old Mazda Rx7 leaked oil from any number of places from oil pan to the turbos. My current BMW does not leak anything--but it had its share of electrical gremlins--climate control unit malfunction (from a faulty capacitor), stereo display dimming (from a faulty resistor), heated seat pan that's failed. As immature as the forum members are in the BimmerForums community, they are quite resourceful in fixing things themselves, and that info has saved me $$ at the dealer. It's disappointing to know that oil leaks are fact of life with owning a Porsche.
Originally Posted by ix ix vi
My own research on the rear main seal issue prior to my 996 purchase in early '05 led me to believe that the problem is overwhelmingly prominent. Meaning, you should probably assume that the car you're looking at has a leaking RMS! All of the Porsche specialists I spoke with said they had never seen a car lose enough oil to cause an issue and most all of the seals that are replaced, leak again. I learned that a larger seal, I believe that from the Cayenne, is also used with no better long term results. I can tell you that my seal leaks, I have NEVER had an oil spot as a result, even after long term storage, and I have accepted that this issue is just part of being a 996 owner. To me, it's not an issue, just an insignificant fact.
In addition to what I would consider some fine advice from our fellow members, I might add that the climate control center has a habit of crapping out. I believe this is most prominent on 99 - 01's, but I'm not positive that 02 - 04's have been spared this fate. It's an expensive repair, about $800, I believe. Evidence of eminent failure are dark spots starting to creep inward from the perimeter of the temperature display. You can easily find out if the one you're looking at has been replaced during your PPI, this is true of anything that's been done by any Porsche dealer during the life of the vehicle. Being patient and REALLY looking at your prospect, sans your rose colored glasses, is the best advice you've received here, IMHO.
In addition to what I would consider some fine advice from our fellow members, I might add that the climate control center has a habit of crapping out. I believe this is most prominent on 99 - 01's, but I'm not positive that 02 - 04's have been spared this fate. It's an expensive repair, about $800, I believe. Evidence of eminent failure are dark spots starting to creep inward from the perimeter of the temperature display. You can easily find out if the one you're looking at has been replaced during your PPI, this is true of anything that's been done by any Porsche dealer during the life of the vehicle. Being patient and REALLY looking at your prospect, sans your rose colored glasses, is the best advice you've received here, IMHO.
#36
Originally Posted by SleepRM3
It's disappointing to know that oil leaks are fact of life with owning a Porsche.
Last edited by bet; 04-01-2007 at 03:12 PM.
#38
I understand but oil leaks are not a frequent complaint from fellow BMW owners.
Originally Posted by bet
This is a gross exaggeration for modern Porsches. I have owned modern Porsches (Boxster, 993 and 996) for 8 years now. I have had one oil leak (RMS on a car I purchased that way btw). It was fixed under warranty and has not reappeared (42k miles and 3 years and counting). The fact of the matter is as cars age the seals and gaskets start to wear out and sometimes repairs are necessary. Anecdotal of course, but of the people I know who have Porsches that have had oil leaks they are usually on cars that are garage queens/toys and not driven regularly. The guys I talk with that have daily driven P-cars don’t have many oil leak problems. I have also owned BMW’s for 8 years and I have spent over $2000 fixing oil leaks on the current one (110k+ miles) but the car looks new and still has a lot of life in it so I figured the $$ was well spent as maintenance. But I don’t consider oil leaks a fact of life with BMW’s either.
#40
Originally Posted by ReidN
Have you tried Luxury Motors they are in Chicago area. They buy their cars from all over the US I bought mine from them it was a Florida car never titled in Chicago. I had a PPI done and bought it on the spot. I have purchased 6 cars from them in the last 4 years. Get a CARFAX that will tell you where the car is from it is cheap. Then if you find one from Cali, Florida or wherever you are looking for one. Hope this helps...
#43
This is what I look for when buying a P-car....
and yes that is in the place where dreams are made: ZUFFENHAUSEN, GERMANY!!!!(aka lil' suburb of Stuttgart and official home of PORSCHE )
and yes that is in the place where dreams are made: ZUFFENHAUSEN, GERMANY!!!!(aka lil' suburb of Stuttgart and official home of PORSCHE )
#44
Burning Brakes
I only can recommend you to read my 996 Buyer's guide .Although it's in spanish there's a lot of graphic information, that I included to understand better some aspects of the car.
I know it's a bit difficult for you english spoken guys, but I hope It would help you. I wrote it for everybody, it's free, and I gave it to Loren (Renntech.org) to be downloaded.
Here are the links:
In our spanish forum:
http://soloporsche.com/showthread.php?t=1723
In Renntech.org : It's a PDF file with 3 different resolution quality and It's called "Guia996"
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...ads&showcat=37
I know it's a bit difficult for you english spoken guys, but I hope It would help you. I wrote it for everybody, it's free, and I gave it to Loren (Renntech.org) to be downloaded.
Here are the links:
In our spanish forum:
http://soloporsche.com/showthread.php?t=1723
In Renntech.org : It's a PDF file with 3 different resolution quality and It's called "Guia996"
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...ads&showcat=37
#45
lol, don't you speak english too?
just playin, but I guess it'll be a good way for me to brush up on the ol' Spanish, not that I didn't get enough practice a few weeks ago when I was in Spain(probably moreso than the German practice I'm supposed to get EVERYDAY in Vienna)
I'm sure you'll like this pic, being from Madrid....
just playin, but I guess it'll be a good way for me to brush up on the ol' Spanish, not that I didn't get enough practice a few weeks ago when I was in Spain(probably moreso than the German practice I'm supposed to get EVERYDAY in Vienna)
I'm sure you'll like this pic, being from Madrid....