Great forum! I have learned alot in the past couple weeks regarding the Porsche 997.1.

I test drove a couple 997.1s in my area and I love the car. I currently drive a 2012 BMW 335i and while it's a great and fun car, it's not what I am looking for. I need a more 'fun' car.

I found a good car that matches my specifications and price range. I am having a PPI done on Wednesday. Would love to have further thoughts from the community here. Some things on Carfax worry me. Please advise :-).

Here are the details:

2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S (automatic)
Miles: 53,000
Color: Meteor Grey Metallic
Cost: $42k

Purpose of the car: daily driver for me. My wife will ride with me from time to time. My workplace is 12 miles (10 miles highway, 2 miles downtown streets). So 24 miles daily at least. I plan to put 11k-13k miles per year.

General updates to the car:

• Interior status: Interior was detailed almost every year. The car was based in Los Angeles. In my opinion, the interior is the best I have seen yet. Very clean!
• Tire status: Current dealer says tires are 80% thread. They are Hancook Ventus V12 Ev0 2
• Brakes: New brakes in the rear, 70% or so in the front

I also scoured through the Carfax and called the Porsche dealership that maintained the car from early 2013 to late 2015. Here is a summary of the prior maintenance:

September 2016 (51000 miles):

• Oil/filter change (Mobil 1)

January 2016 (48k miles):

• Oil/filter change

April 2015 (37k miles):

• 4 TPSM replaced
• Transmission checked. Everything was fine.

Jan 2014 (28k miles):

• Oil/filter change

May 2013 (23k miles):

• Alignment checked
• Automatic transmission replaced
• Engine removed to complete repair
• Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
• Tire(s) replaced
• Transmission checked
• Two tires mounted
• Two tires replaced

April 2013 (23k miles):

• Transmission computer/module replaced

Feb 2013:

• Brought in for maintenance inspection. Everything good

---

The major fixes were done in May 2013. I called the service center and the car had the 'Transmission Emergency Run' and so the Porsche dealer replaced the transmission (while under warranty). The estimated cost was $18k.

The transmission was then checked again for any faults 2 years later. This worries me though since I have limited knowledge regarding these transmission, in general.

Overall, do you think the car is in good shape? Since the transmission was replaced, is this a big problem in the long run? Would you consider this car?

Any help is appreciated!

 

what's the cost of the car?

 

delete

 

Sorry forgot to add that. Cost is $42,000

 

Asking price seems high for a 997.1 tip. Last fall after looking carefully I paid $44 for an 09 997.2S from a P dealer, 44,000 miles, new brakes, tires, battery, all records, one owner clean carfax-just needed a PDK service @$1100. Maybe prices have risen slightly but you should be able to find a 997.2 C2 with PDK for around $40+ with reasonable miles. The .2 base will give you the same performance as the .1S with the advantage of the DFI engine and PDK, which is preferable to the tip to most folks, including me as I have owned both. Best of luck!

 

That's a great deal! I have not been able to find 997.2S any less than $50k-55k in my area. Maybe your deal was an outlier? Regardless goos work!

I should mention the 997.1S above im looking at also has a completely new Pioneer system installed that supports Bluetooth and navigation.

 

Although many people may differ in opinion, but the factory PCM system has many features that connect to the car (like calibrating the tires to the car, etc...)

Plus, alterations like that tend to diminish the car's value in my opinion.

The fact the the transmission is not the original one also diminishes value (as the car was a lemon from the factory), plus leads me to believe that there are other problems with the car as removing an engine and transmission are not easy tasks and it is highly likely that the mechanic cut some corners.

I'd tell that to the dealer and also remind him that the car has high mileage (53k now, next year 66k, the following 79-80k)

If you really want that car, low ball him, leave him your number and tell him if he wants to make a sale to call you and walk out... and make sure you tell that to a sales manager

You are going to have to deal with all of those negatives when you go to sell that car and trust me, they will come back to haunt you.

Now que up all the nay-sayers!

 

Great comments! I would think the new PCM would add value. Since it is a daily, having connectivity to my phone (along with the backup cameras) is a plus in my book. I understand it may diminish value.

I understand the part about the transmission. That is worrying. Maybe the PPI can help alleviate any tensions?

I uploaded some images of the car:

 

Yeah, I'd have to completely disagree with you on that whole paragraph.

 

If you're interested in a 911 with those specs, you should check mine out. I am selling mine in Dallas.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...6414/overview/

 

Nice car! I would like to keep it local since it is easy for me to check out the car.

 

It looks like a fine car, but it is over-priced. However not unexpected from a dealer in California.

 

This car is in the Pacific Northwest. Any ideas on the expected price range? I will negotiate.

 

A quick look at other 2008 'S' tiptronic with similar mileage says the asking price is actually spot on compared to other asking prices. I look at a major component like Trans or engine as a positive if the work was done at Porsche.

 

Looking at the history you posted it appears there is no record of an oil change from Jan 2014-Jan 2016 and 20k miles. That would worry me.

Also are there any maintenance documents from 2008-2013? I did not consider cars without proof of maintenance when I bought mine (also an 08 BTW)

Personally I would not buy a car that needed a new transmission at that point but I don't have a logical argument, just a bias for over-maintained and problem-free cars