ZuffenZeus

Well, when a seller doesn't post the VIN for research and then tells you it was only caused by a damaged rear rim, you should run, not walk away from the sale. We all know that when an insurance company salvages a car, it can mean serious damage that ranges from high impact wrecks, floods, or even severe mechanical damage. Some of these things can be repair and restored, but if this car was damaged to the point of salvage, I'd want to see the CarFax report and trace the VIN to see if there are images available online. It's pretty amazing how many times our RL community has dug up salvage images on Copart just by googling the VIN number.

Anyway, see the image below... This OEM turbo twist wheels can be replaced from Porsche for about $800 each, IMHO no insurance company on the planet is going to salvage a car for just one rim. But what gets me, is the person is driving a Porsche around with just 4 lug bolts on the rear wheels. Who in the world does that? hahaha... tells you a lot about this seller.








Cheers!

jhbrennan

Probably had to forcibly remove the locking lug bolt and didn't replace it - too many warnings to spend any more time on this one.

gnat

That's what people believe, but it's not really true and why details on damage is critical when looking at a salvage title.

My P!g got about $18k of work done due to some roadside construction splashing some corrosive liquid across traffic just as I passed by (actually they nailed the car in from of me and I just got the spray). It ate the clear coat and all the unpainted plastics on the car. It was still new, but the work would cost the same in another couple of years when the value of the car drops far enough for the insurance company to total it instead.

Hail damage (even with no broken glass) can total a car too.

Being close with my body shop I've seen plenty of "totaled" cars that were just cosmetic issues that totaled up over the amount the insurance was willing to pay.

In this case, however, as soon as they claim an $800 wheel on what should be a $20k car was the source of it being totaled, you know they are lying through their teeth and trying to hide something.

Holy crap! Good eye

So not only is this seller a liar, he is also a danger to those around him on the road

stan23

One bit of advice rarely mentioned is I always look for good quality and 'matching' tires during my inspection.

That is a great sign of a good/bad owner.

brwilson

Yes, I appreciate the forensics on the photos! It Has been difficult dealing with all the folks on Craigslist--I am really having a hard time finding someone I can trust. I really want a 996, but I don't want to pay too much for an engine that might blow up tomorrow, yet the cheaper cars, the ones I could afford to just loose, are almost guaranteed to fail. The 996 may be a bargain, but it seems I am never going to get more than I pay for.

jhbrennan

It's pretty unrealistic to expect to "get more than I pay for"...better to make sure you don't get less than you pay for - make sure you get good visual inspection, discussion with seller and PPI. Good luck - the search is always exciting.

jaetee

997 for 996 price... only 20k miles. Some kind of issue has got to be lurking in this car.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hdo/cto/5852111286.html

Jeremy Hazeltine

Automatic and convertible.... but nice looking car

VivG

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5841509019.html
http://skagit.craigslist.org/cto/5840988796.html

Same car listed in Seattle and Skagit Valley. My bet is scam.

trendy996

I've seen 997 dip that low before. Not uncommon. If it really does have the ceramic brakes then this is a steal.

gnat

Same car as the Tampa car too. Definite scam.

ZuffenZeus

It's a common CL scam. That white 911 is listed across the country with very low prices versus the actual market value. I've seen it listed here in Athens and Atlanta as well as Florida... and others.

I'm sure the seller will be happy to "ship you the car" as long as you pay up front via western union wire transfer. (facepalm)

Woodman71

This is on Ebay with a "slight ticking noise" in the engine. I listened to the video, couldn't really guess at what it was. The mechanic guessed timing chain...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Porsche...3D182324258069

ditto

[QUOTE=Woodman71;13745540]This is on Ebay with a "slight ticking noise" in the engine. I listened to the video, couldn't really guess at what it was. The mechanic guessed timing chain...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Porsche...3D182324258069[/QUOTE

"but it could be a valve too" and the AC is on the fritz. It's either a pricey roller, a pricey parts car, a pricey project, or a steal if its just the chain.

It could have a few other things wrong too.

jaetee

Wow... too bad it's a tiptronic. If no metal in the oil, that seems like a good candidate for engine-out refresh. Miles are not unreasonable, either.