Karl996

What's a bit funnier is that I know a guy called Frank who lives in Bern and is shortly getting married to an Asian girl !!!

Now that would be the ultimate coincidence.

Good luck with the purchase. 9 months down the line and she still puts a grin on my face every time

Frank996

One thing I thought of waking up this morning was if there should be a Master Key for the car (or a main type of key) like the red master key for some Maserati's? How many keys does the car originally come with? And is there some extra documentation for coding or something should one lose the key(s)?

I'm getting closer now

biglicks

Frank your comment about funny business in Switzerland. 1 in a million, not sure I agree with you. I just bought my 996TT from a Porsche main dealer (Swiss) and they advised me as part of their inspection pre sale car was spot on. Having just taken it to a specialist to have a ride height issue checked, he stated the car was dangerous to drive at high speed. Just a heads up warning, don't let confidence in Swiss sales practice put you at ease.

For the keys, normally 3 keys. Two standard drivers keys and one non electronic emergency door key. At least that's what came with mine.

I travelled the length and breadth of the Country before I got mine, best of luck with the hunt. If you need any info on local tech contacts etc let me know.

Steve

BruceP

More about price than about choosing a car, but still important I think: There are a few consumables on the 996 that are seriously expensive. Tires are the obvious example, and those you can judge by looking at the tread and the build date (performance tires are good for about five years). Some would put a water pump and an AOS on this list, some a replacement IMS bearing. Brakes might pass a certification, but still need replacement in a year or two. The point is, any of these could be a four figure bill, so it's worth noting what is and isn't in the car's near future when you're taking stock.

Frank996

Thanks for tip BruceP.

I have taken this into consideration as well. Living quite close to Germany (a few hours by car) I should be able to save some money on maintenance when going further north on vacation but still have planned a high contingency set aside for sudden repairs which have to be made locally.

This said, I don't think a service call would be better in Germany just because it's a German car, but compared to Swiss prices on everything there must be something to be saved.

fpb111

Make sure that you get at least two working keys. A complete new one, head, blade and programming cost ~ $300 US

relinuca

Just another thought. Take a friend with you when evaluating a used car. There are so many things to check, consider, especially with p-cars, and potential buyers tend to get excited and forgetful when looking at possible purchases.

One strategy: the potential buyer can work his check list while his friend reviews the service records, quizes the seller, etc.

relinuca

Frank996

Yes this is something I also had in mind.

As I have my heart deeply involved with this project, and my other half doesn't (or rather she couldn't care the less), she will be in charge of keeping me on track and ask the critical questions I will most likely sit behind the steering wheel grinning

Frank996

One more question, what about tailpipe (exhaust) smoke in general?

Should there be some on start up only (burning excess oil?) and would the colour of the fumes tell me something about the state of the engine?

Also, when is the best time to check the oil level? Cold or warm?

Macster

I'll repeat what the techs told me when I asked them about engine smoking on startup.

They said they see it all the time with cars at the dealer. These cars get started often but run no time at all which is treatment that encourages these engines to smoke upon startup.

The techs tell me that all they note is if the smoking is not accompanied by any untoward engine behavior, the CEL does not come on (steady or flashing) and the smoking is shortlived, then the pay the smoking no further mind.

If in your case the smoking was something to worry about it would be heavy, persistent and the engine would have a varying/hunting idle, or run out of character rough and the CEL could be on, even flashing.

You can check the oil level cold or hot. What you want to be aware of is how level the car is. Level is good.

If you check the oil level with the engine cold be aware the reading will be lower (a bar or two on the level display) than it would be if at the same spot you checked the oil hot, yet with the engine having been off long enough to allow the oil sufficient time to drain, such as it can/does.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Frank996

OK, I have read through the list of posting and written down all the important points, which I'm taking with me tomorrow for my first 911 viewing. I also have my other half with me who's very sober when it comes to purchasing anything and quite critical so should be a great help. I would just put the money on the car stealers desk and ask for the keys but in this case I have given the money to my GF who had veto...

I'll get back after the test drive and viewing of the the 2002.03 996 C4S.

Thanks again to all who has helped me out so far.

Macster

Couple of things... First that "stealer" comment. If you really think the dealer is dishonest do not even waste your time going there.

One reason is you do not want to do business with a dishonest business. Next the salesman may pick up your attitude and it could have him behaving differently. Car salesmen are for the most part pretty good at reading people and if you walk in with that kind of attitude well, it might negatively affect your experience.

Remember, you are going to look at possibly buy a car and no little amount of money is involved. You want to focus on this task, 100%. If you go in with -- maybe not the best description -- a chip on your shoulder you're not focused on the only thing that matters. Finding and buying the car for you at the right price.

Furthermore, shopping for and buying your Porsche should be a fun experience. Exciting, tense at times, but at no time should you feel like you are dealing with anyone but an honest person, business.

Next if you are going to trade in a car be darn sure you know the car's market value. If you have a trade in you are in effect a car salesman when you walk onto the dealer's lot to make a serious attempt to buy a car. Be prepared. You will be wearing two hats: car buyer and car seller.

Also, if financing is involved be current on loan rates, down payments, etc. If you finance you are buying not only a car but the money to buy the car with. As you would know the market price of cars know the market price of money too.

As I touched upon above shopping for and ultimately buying your next Porsche should be fun.

Walking onto the lot prepared and in the right frame of mind goes a long way towards you having a pleasurable time and driving off with the right car.