groovzilla

couple of cars i looked at haven't gone so well - i was so confident that the 2nd one would work out that i bought a plane ticket to LA for this coming friday.

one buyer of a nice seal grey/black w/80K miles down in LA has been difficult to deal with - he never answers the phone and it is like he has no interest in really selling the car.

the second 996 i was looking at in LA was silver/grey w/88K miles - one of the 1st questions i asked the seller is if the title is free and clear, clean meaning no salvage or rebuilt, and if it is in their name. i also asked if a bank is hold the title or do they have it in hand. he answered that he has the title in his name and it is free and clear - no accidents(which i confirmed via carfax)
it turned out after several days of questions/emails/photos BS'ing on the phone/etc that once i got close to sending a deposit and requesting a copy of the title prior to the PPI, the car actually doesn't belong to the seller. he said it belongs to a family member. what makes this even more suspect is the person i have been dealing with on the phone has a european accent and so does his brother who i also spoke to, yet the title is in a man's name who has an american last name. i'm guessing these guys have a dealership or are flipping the car which is ok w/me i just want the honest story.

i'm currently awaiting a response from these guys as to whats really going on - i'd still buy the car if the story makes sense and the car is worthy.

ivangene

let's see - didnt I just post this

"looked like another one of your car deals with typical drama is all"

street rod

Too many red flags and other fish in the sea. I would pass and continue the search. If someone lies to me I am moving on in a micro-second. Definitely do not send a blind deposit IMO.

keytohwy

Must be something in the water in LA. I, too, was looking at a 996 down there and it was like pulling teeth to get the buyer to return calls, answer questions, etc. I finally walked. He even said he was a Rennlister, but was dodgy about his screen name. Anyway, you've been around, so not new advice, but use your gut.

niche

I like buying cars before they hit the market. I would look up nice 996s on Rennlist and ask owner if they want to sell. :-)

Macster

Either car may be worthy to own but it reads like neither seller is worthy to deal with.

For a legitimate seller to balk at meeting with someone who is trying to buy a car in this case is contrary to they way legitimate sellers act. I get the feeling they are looking for someone willing to act on faith and send money without actually seeing the car or doing the other things that go along with a good car purchase.

Fishy.

While I shop cars nationwide and develop a market price based on cars nationwide, I really prefer to buy locally and so far have always managed to find a very nice car close by. Maybe you need to think globally and act locally?

Divot

I don't understand the "American" last name part. We are a nation of immigrants, largely from Europe, and unless his last name is Soaring Eagle how do you know?

Also, Europe is very large. Is the accent British, French, Spanish, Irish, Russian? I think there are more scammers from Eastern Europe than the West, but I may just be prejudiced.

Mitch Leland

I would certainly pay for a CarFax report before moving forward on any car... It doesn't always tell you everything, but it's a good start. I was looking at a 996 in Florida, the broker's ad said, "no body damage". Turns out that the CarFax showed some front end damage several years prior. From then on it's hard to trust the broker. When I e-mailed him regarding the damage he never replied. It was time to get off this train...

theporscheguy

If you are that interested in the car ask for a copy of the title and call the real owner. Drama and stories in car deals usually end up in disappointment.

groovzilla

well let me explain it for you because i just got the honest story from the guy i have been dealing with - it turns out that he bought the car and owns it - not his family member as he bulls_itted to me initially.

he purchased the car in sept 2012 and claims his wife wanted him to sell it so he never registered it. hes been trying to sell it since october with no luck because people don't understand why he is selling after only 2 months.

i'm married and can understand a situation like that however i'm still suspicious.

BTW, he is russian - i could care what nationality he is it just looked fishy having the name "smith" on the title when he told me it was a family member who owned it and i could obviously tell from his heavy accent he was from europe.

jasper

Sounds like finding a good 996 for fair money is starting to get more difficult...

Good luck to you, be careful.

Macster

Honest story? Maybe. Or maybe just another story.

If the car was never registered it probably wasn't insured. Risky to own such a car without any insurance. And suspicious.

If the car was never registered it never had to pass CA smog.

Even if you do not live in an area that requires this I'd insist the car be checked at a smog shop for compliance.

You have to be careful you do not fall in love with this car.

First rule of used car buying: There is always another car.

Byprodriver

Yeah I used to enjoy going out to look at cars for sale before I moved to Hollyweird, everything I went to look at was misrepresented somehow.
Don't take anything for granted in LA!

nick49

Run! Run like hell!

You don't want a car with a story period.

And especially a car with a story that was only owned for a few weeks.

And especially where the owner was not on the up and up with you before.

And especially where the owner gives you a story about never registering it because he is married...

He lied once... RUN!

BTW free and clear means no liens.

Conforming (title) means the mileage is accurate and actual

NOT branded (title) means no salvage

Look for an enthusiast owned car for sale by the owner of at least several years.

Call lots of P dealers, talk to the sales managers and tell them you're looking for a clean 996 trade before it gets wholesaled. Look at ebay, cars.com, auto trader, etc. Buy from the owner. Advertise on forums you're ready to buy the right car. Be patient. GL!

SWK6Cup

Groovzilla:
I know that you are on the left coast (NW), have you checked with any reputable indy shops...see if they have a client who is thinking about getting rid of one of their cars?

In the East there is Speedsport Tuning (Spenser *** - owner) and Hairy Dog Grrrage (Dan Jacobs- owner) both of these guys are in CT. They are both super reputable no BS extremely knowledgable about all things Porsche.

Also, how about Jake Raby at Flat 6? (Georgia?)

In any case, if any of them know of a great car, all documented, clean and it fits your bill, then the x-country shipping isn't all that much and would be worth it for piece of mind???? Just a thought. Jake has transporters suppossedly criss-crossing the country all the time. I just finish my track season and one of the guys at Lime Rock Park actually owns Jake's old (Black) 996. Gorgeous car.

Just trying to offer a few suggestions while you are in the hunt. GL