ttreat

I recently sold a 996 after 7 years of blissful ownership. I was looking at some early 997's that weren't too much more and came across this car. The car is being sold by the insurance company at a salvage auction. I know it is listed as flood damaged and have thinking about getting an inspection. From the pictures it doesn't look like the typical flood damage where the interior was clearly flooded. I know there can be many hidden problems but if this car can be taken at a reasonable price (less than 50% of retail) do you think this would be worth the risk, and would there be any additional concerns versus the standard issues when dealing with a flood damaged car?

gutenfreibier

A lot of times they will mark where the water level was. It might be worth investigating deeper. At 50% of retail I don't see how you could go too wrong.

shekmark

Like super storm Sandy salt water damage, or more recent? ? Any Idea where it lived? When was it that eastern PA was seriously flooded by the Delaware River? We had cars by me , at the Jersey shore, "totaled" by the insurance companies because the salt water reached the floor pan with no water entering the car. I am guessing it really messes with the electronics. In a Porsche, I don't know what wires are lurking down low. There are many on this forum that would know. ,

Steve 911

The interior does look pretty clean. Most of the Harvey cars that showed up on copart had the waterline marked with "WL" or a clear line drawn. Does this one have it on any of the photos? If so, that would be a good place to start. Also, knowing what type of water entered the car would be important as well.

ttreat

The car has a TX title. In my limited investigation, it seems most cars were damaged by fresh water in the recent hurricanes. It could have been near the coast and got some of the tidal surges, also. I really don't think I would pursue it if it has signs of salt water damage.

user 72902

user 72902

318touring

Lots of electronic modules on the floor under the front seats. Various engine electrical connectors located just above the bottom of the engine.

25% off retail might be tempting.

jll1011

Hi-Arc

ttreat

I'm talking with an inspector and he says that he typically starts the cars, if they will run. In most cases this hasn't been a problem for him. I guess it is better to do damage before you might buy it. Is there any chance that running the car would cause long term damage that you wouldn't see immediately. If I knew I was buying it, I would not run it until I had drained and replaced all the fluids. I do like the idea of knowing it will run. I just wouldn't drive it until I did a full fluid replacement.

captainbaker

Personally, If it runs and doesnt throw any codes.....and the price is right....I would buy it knowing its gonna be a deep discount on the back end. If water entered the cabin, no. If it was salt water, no.

If the inspector can pull the carpet back under the seats to see if there is any moisture on the floor boards, that would be a win/loose test.

nwGTS

Also pull the toolkit container out of the funk to check for moisture above the gas tank. My worry would be any wiring harnesses running above the plastic underbody pan. If they let you PPI this thing, remove those and get a good look at the condition of the harnesses.
Looks terrific in pictures. Fun build! And a sincere best of luck insuring it.

ttreat

So it turned out that this car was much worse than the pictures showed . Apparently somebody cleaned it and changed the fluids. It ran but would cut out when throttle was applied and quickly began to overheat. Not something that I want to get involved in but it would make a good parts car.

Racetwin2

I see lots of hard-to-trace electrical issues popping up.