New to rennlist.

Looking for my first Porsche. The 2002 992 C2 coupe I test drove hits the mark well with 56,000 miles and a clean belly. Obviously with a passing DME check and the normal PPI in play, I believe I can purchase 2K to 4K below market average.

The catch is ... the interior smells of mildew and there appears to be mildew on the inside of the instrument cluster glass. Should I walk away? or What are the remedies? Costs?

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

You can buy it for $2-4k less than the market average for a clean car or $2-4k less than the market average for a car with a mold/mildew issue? :-)

I think you need to get:

A) A good explanation from the seller

B) A competent tech to check it out

C) Think about the potential ramifications of moisture IN the instrument cluster as well as where the ECU lies (under the floor) etc.

My car is a 2002 Coupe as well and it has zero moisture issues. My car is used year round, in snow, rain, etc.

$2-4k below the market average for a clean car should be the starting point with that kind of issue and it would need to improve from there. There really isn't a shortage of these cars and they are not that expensive to begin with.

 

Flood car? You need to find out why it is wet. Are the carpets wet now? Check under the seats. Press some dry newspaper onto the rug and hold it firmly for a few seconds.

 

Thanks for the reply. Good thoughts.

Buying from a dealer, with no explanation. Don't know if the gamble would be worth it at any price.

 

No.. this appears to be an older issue. Mats dry and inside floor pan appears rust free. Can't rule out flood damage, but don't get the sense it was.

 

I agree with WalterR.... how would you even go about getting that smell out?

There are plenty of these cars out there in that same price range to be had without any kind of mildew issue.

Double check the security system and door locks and remote functions. if the Immobilizer under the driver's seat gets moisture in it, you could end up with some really wacky electrical issues. Plus, new immobilizer and programming will require new keys. That's about a $1000 experience

 

My 2 cents: keep looking. Your first P-car experience should be filled with miles of smiles. Not with hunting down the cause of the funk/shtank and trying to find a remedy for it.

 

Moisture + old electronics= misery in endless diagnosis of obscure electrical gremlins for which there will be no simple,clear,common explanation.
How the moisture got there is irrelevant ,all that matters is ,it is there.Worse ,the hidden leak that may have caused the problem is still there and will haunt you until you find ....all of them.
If you want a BIG discount, ask here about Salvage Title cars. Most are not advisable. Some specific ones are great bargains if you do not have the budget for a full Market Price car.
For example a Salvage Title that occurred years ago &/or for Theft.

 

Run...any moisture in these cars is a hex to be recognized, especially at the "opportunity cost" of saving maybe $4 grand
Even if you are a magician of a mechanic with a pipeline of readily available/wholesale cost parts and an astonishing amount of patience...what is your time/happiness worth if the car starts doing dash Christmas trees continuously?
Like on a bridge during rush hour...including full sudden stop, or even just driving to go do an errand....
The mind boggles at the thought of owning a dependable car you look forward to driving each time....and a real ****ing deadbeat.
Also, many Porsche owners are a specific breed, seemingly hypnotized at the earliest age by their magnificence (I'm one)... so don't spoil it

 

The damage that the moisture can do will go on for years and you will never be free of it. Move on to another car...at any price.

 

Excellent reply, Schnell.

 

I'm assuming you are looking at a low mileage car because you think it will have less issues? But it is priced like a high mileage car because it has issues? From a dealer that obviously doesn't care if it's a POS or not otherwise they would have taken the time to solve the problem?

Is this is a real scenario or are you just trolling us?

 

Years ago when we were replacing our family truck, we almost bought one with the same kind of issues. I opted to wait despite the dealer pushing me on it claiming the car was completely clean and without issues. Went home, ran a Carfax report and found out the car had been in a major accident, flood, etc... I'll never go back to that dealer again.

 

I'd listen to these guys above, RUN!! Plenty of cars out there, if nothing in your area just expand your search a little. I found my car 2 states away, guy was nice enough to meet me in between. I also (maybe just me) like to buy from personal owners not dealers. Dealers have too many resources at their disposal to screw you if they want. A good sense of about the owner and how he cared for the car and PPI and I'm happy.

 

nav -
I agree, don't do it. Now, if you've got the fever to buy your first Porsche, you're going to keep thinking about that car. And rationalizing "Hey, it can't be that bad," "You know some Febreze would probably clear that smell up," and "I can always send the instrument cluster off to have it professionally cleaned for a couple of hundred bucks."

That car is going to sit on the dealer's lot and call to you every time you drive by. The dealer's going to call you to check in on your interest. He's going to come down on the price. Then, maybe one Saturday morning, when you're feeling good, maybe you just drop by to look at it one more time and . . . wham, you write the check.

The best way to forget about that car is to keep looking. You'll find another one that will make you forget all about the water car. Until then, resist the temptation. Don't make that automotive booty call - you will regret it on this car. Too many really nice ones for about the same price (or will be about the same price once you spend the money chasing down your first moisture-induced electrical gremlin).