First Time 911 Owner! 2008 Carrera from CarMax
 

Last night I brought home my starter Porsche, a 2008 Carrera automatic (my commuter car) from CarMax. I blog about unusual CarMax finds (see it here - https://thecarmaxunicornblog.com/201...econd-unicorn/ ) and saw this one on the web in Los Angeles. Flew out, drove it, and had it transferred to Virginia. Only 34,000 miles, ridiculously clean, and reasonable at $34,988. All about the warranty and no unexpected repair bills, so I bought that too. Had tremendous pay back when I did that for my S55. Of course, I don't trust CarMax and had the car independently inspected this morning and it failed - inner tie rods. It will be fixed for free. Not sure if that explains the groaning and bumping I hear at full wheel lock in reverse, but that will be addresses also. Will swap out the audio next week - the car was advertised as having nav and bluetooth - it has neither so they dropped the price $2,000. I have only driven the car an hour so far and absolutely love it. Again, it's my starter 911 - if I love it I'll upgrade in two years. Hate it I'll sell without losing much. Will be here from time to time asking for advice (I already have twice and you all have been wonderful). Many thanks - Chuck.https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...110a2a02fb.jpg
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nice ride & congrats

Very cool! GL on this one. I just bookmarked your blog..will check it out. Smart move on the warranty. I purchased on with my C2S....it's almost paid for itself.

Sounds like a good deal and smart move on the warranty. I have some friends who say the Carmax warranty is actually pretty good.

Congratulations on the purchase man.

the 911 is a saved search that I do daily on CarMax so I feel you.

I just bought an Audi from them and ended up only doing their free 30-day warranty because I don't mind working on the car myself but the story is almost unbelievable. I've already had the car in for a complete replacement turbo charger which it was about 3 Grand quoted from the Audi dealership and now it is there right now having a complete engine replacement which for a used and warrantied one runs around five grand All In. CarMax is covering everything and has provided me with a loaner car.

mike

Great car great price.

I promised my wife no mods on my driver. Third P car in the stable.

Well, I lied. Had to, just had to replace the amber lamps with Euro clears. And what enthusiast can resist the Fister D sounds. Then there was the wheel spacers all around that are mandatory on a Base 997.1

I promised that was the last one. Really.

Nice ride - congrats!

I would add lowering springs or coilovers as mandatory on a base 997. That wheel gap from the factory looks like at least 3".....maybe approaching 4". Just horrific. A lot of economy, family sedans come with a more aggressive stance than that.

Welcome aboard! Nice find.

Regarding the full wheel lock. Several models of Porsches bump at full wheel lock going forward, I would think in reverse too. This is normal due to steering geometry. All my four Boxsters and my 911 have when I pull out of my garage and have to crank the steering to lock position to clear the house. You'll probably find several explanations on a google search why...or ask Petza it might be the Ackerman effect.

Cold weather (Virginia in winter), full wheel lock, and reverse is the textbook scenario to demonstrate the Ackerman effect which results in a popping, clunking, or hopping. Every 997 will do this if the right situation is duplicated and it will scare the crap out of you when it first happens like something just broke.

Pete....you solved the concern I had when I helped a friend test drive a 2014 991.1 Turbo in 15 degree weather. car was hopping and popping at full (or close to full) wheel lock. Now to use it as an advantage when negotiating with the BMW dealer that has had that car for 3 months on its lot. :)

:cool:

Good Luck with the car...Enjoy!!

I have a Carmax 911 as well. What warranty did you get? Last time I called they had changed their protocols regarding how they service Porsche's, not sure if this is company wide.

Three years they said I could bring it directly to Carmax for $0 deductible, long story but now they say to bring it directly to Porsche and I'd have to pay the $100 deductible. I called the manager at Carmax and they said if I bring it to Porsche they would pay the deductible for me. It's gotten confusing, I bought my car 3 years ago from them.