12k miles on the '99 kinda scares me...

 

The potential of a RMS issue should not be the deciding factor for you. $700 or so repair for new improved seal IF you get the rear leak. No way of telling if it is going to happen if the car is dry underneath (lower mileage 996's have a higher chance of a future leak). Other than that, in my book, lower miles is better than higher.
Make an offer $700 or so lower than you want to pay, f he accepts and you get a leak, all good mentally.
Sevice records, previous owner, PPI play big roles.
IMO, White/Red has the edge with the info you've disclosed.

GL

 

When I drove a bunch of higher mile 99s, every one had worn or broken buttons and releases on the driver's sill and I noticed the design was changed from '01 on . (maybe '00 but I have never driven one)
I think there is a design flaw which makes them very easy to scuff and break getting in and out of the car. I'm sure you can be careful but I was glad with my '01 that that was changed. Wish I could remember what else.
The 99s I drove did frequently have a bad clutch but I am not sure if the 99 clutch is more susceptible than other models. Bad thowout bearing I was told at a dealer.

 

I have a '99 and have never had a problem with the trunk opening and I use it a lot. The low miles does kind of scare me in that this car has never been driven. If you start putting a lot of miles on it, you might find some things that should have been fixed under warranty. As long as you budget for it, no problem.

Your biggest fear should be that you might have a bad engine that never got a chance to show symptoms. This is highly unlikely but it is a risk in a car that has that few miles.

Price wise, you should check in your area what the car is worth on a trade and fix the price up from there. A dealer would get top dollar for that low mileage car, but they would also back you with some sort of limited warranty for at least 30 days. There are lots of really nice '99's out there selling in the low to mid 20's. Is that low mileage really worth an extra $10,000?

Remember it is not the asking prices that is important , but rather what cars are actually selling for. I have been buying and selling Porsches and other high end cars for many years and have learned that most cars finally sell for a lot less than the advertised prices. Porsche owners seem to be the worst for thinking their cars are worth a whole bunch more thn the market will bear.

 

From what I've seen and read here in the 6 months I've been here, I would also be afraid of a 1999 with only 12,000 miles.

 

Only thing I can add here is that I think $33,000 is way too much money for a '99, even with low miles.

 

+1000

 

I would be all over the '99 like stink on ****......

 

What's not to like?
- 12k miles
- full leather
- 3 spoke wheel
- 18'' turbo twist wheels
- PRISTINE

If you like the color combo, (and I thibk it is relatively rare) go for it. Get a PPI and see what happens. If the PPI checks out, offer him $28.5 and negotiate from there.

 

I'd like to see a picture of the red interior. I bought my '99 two years ago with 10K miles on it. I have 33K now and it did develop a RMS leak recently. Who says white is boring?

 

For perspective, I feel I got a decent deal at $33k for my '99 C4 with 43k miles and a very fresh engine, but that was over a year ago. I'd say it seems a touch high at this point.

 

Seems the board is split about 50:50, some saying 12k on a '99 is "iffy" - some saying it's worth the extra $$. The car has every maintenance record and would be subject to inspection - am I wrong in looking at it as a relatively new 996?

 

My advice -- since you seem happy to choose either...
If you can afford it PPI both cars - then go with the best inspection.

 

Well, maybe you're right. I paid $28.5K in late 2006 for my '99 cab with 75K.

 

MY01 - have the interior LED "ambient" lights....