Rob Cleminson

Hi everyone, I’m starting my 997 journey and am looking at 2 cars

1.2007 Carrera with sports chrono package, sports seats 2 owners 52k miles clean carfax BUT not much history shows on carfax

2.2008 Carrera with 19” turbo wheels 4 owners 65k miles clean carfax AND lots of documented maintenance including coilpacks, serpentine belt and Porsche dealer maintenance

I plan on getting a PPI but can anyone offer any advice on which one you’d rule out? The 2007 has the spec I prefer but the missing history concerns me.

I am buying remote and will fly to collect whichever one I choose which is why I’m being careful

thanks for any tips

G.I.G.

I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of service history on Carfax. While dealers and some shops report to Carfax, many do not. A thorough PPI should be able to determine if the care was well maintained.

Is the '07 being sold through a dealer? If so, is it a Porsche dealer? Also, are the cars local to you or out of state? Sometimes just seeing one in person and driving it will help determine it's overall condition and help you decide if you want to pursue it further with a PPI. A lot of small dealers are good at detailing and photographing cars, but neglect will likely show up when you see it in person. If they are out of state, let us know what state and request a "Rennfax" (a local, knowledgeable Rennlist member who is willing to check out the car on your behalf).

Good luck and keep us posted.

Rob Cleminson

The 07 is with a small premium brand specialist and the 08 is with a Toyota dealer. The 07 has decent pictures but the 08 pics aren’t so good.

both cars are in California and I’m in Oregon which is why I’m trying to research before spending on the PPI.

sandwedge

This may not help you much but Carfax misses a lot of stuff. Not just maintenance history but some pretty substantial collision repairs as well. So me personally I wouldn't rule out the -07 based on a lack of maint. history on Carfax. Maybe the previous owner did a lot if not most of the regular maint. himself or maybe it was done by an indy that doesn't report to Carfax. Bottom line is that a PPI by a reputable shop (dealer or indy) is what I would base my decision on. If regular maintenance has been lacking on the -07 car it's likely that the overall care of the car has been lacking as well and would be picked up by a good PPI inspection.

php

Agree with both above. Lack of history on Carfax alone should not drive you away from the 07, especially if it has the options you want. PPI would help you identify any issues.

Rob Cleminson

Thanks for the advice

D1coach

I may have missed it but are these cars tiptronic or manual? If tip you will definitely have to add Sports Chrono to the 2008 so factor in another $1200-1400 approximately. I had an 05 C2 with tip and SC and it was fine but without the SC would have been no fun at all.

Rob Cleminson

both are 6-speed manuals

Ben Z

Maybe it's my age but I could never spend >$30K on something as complicated as an automobile sight-unseen, especially if they're only one state away. PPI's aren't cheap, and there are a ton of things I can check myself beforehand.

rwdds

All comments are right on. The '08 seems to be sorted out a little better and has been managed by a conscientious owner or 2. Even though it has a little more mileage, I would prioritize this one.

TheBruce

My two cents:

1. I wouldn't buy either without a PPI.
2. I know it adds complexity but I would really consider flying down for the afternoon to see the car(s) and get a PPI. You cant get a sense of the all the little things without putting eyes on the car. I flew to Texas to get the PPI on mine and it was a fun day. I got to spend a morning with the car before buying it, spent 3hrs going over the car during the PPI, had some great BBQ, gave him a check and flew back that afternoon. Car was in my garage a week later.
3. Another option is to fly down to buy it and drive back to Oregon. That would be an epic first trip.
4. If either is not possible, send out a Rennfax and hopefully some guys in the area can take a look. A RL member was kind enough to take a look at my car and vouch for the seller before I flew down to Texas.
5. I cant really comment on either car without more info, but one word of caution on the 50k mile car. A lot of people dump them around 40-50k before they need to spend some $ on maintenance. If you plan on holding for a while, or you aren't comfortable doing the work yourself, buy whichever car has the typical maintenance items already done: clutch, water pump, etc. If you like working on cars and can get a good deal on the 50k mile car, then you will likely have some fun projects to get the car into top shape and could sell it at 60k miles for the same thing as you paid.

Ps - we are working on a buyers guide but its still a work in progress. You can check it out in the stickies.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Rob Cleminson

I’m leaning towards the 2007 because of the Sports Seats and Sports Chonos package. My plan is to fly down on business for a day and then if the PPI is good fly back down and drive it home. If the 08 had sports seats I’d favor that.

Any my thoughts on sports seats? They seem more comfortable to me

Iceter

Get a PPI. Definitely

2 owners is always better than 4 owners if the cars have similar miles.

Carfax is useless for maintenance history. It's only occasionally useful (and often misleading) when used to find an accident history. People rely too much and place too much trust in it.

If the selling dealership thinks you're a real buyer, they may give you more information--like a maintenance log or even help connect you to a previous owner for some back story. I have never refused to talk to a potential buyer about a car I used to own. Even if I had already sold the car and had no horse in the race.

Sport chrono isn't very exciting on a manual car, but sport seats are a nice option. Got any other options to point out?

Good luck!

Rob Cleminson

Decided to move forward with the '08 after speaking with them. Turns out its been owned for last 3 years by the service director of a major manufacturer who collects exotic cars and is very meticulous about his cars having used Beverley Hills Porsche for all work. PPI is booked for tomorrow so fingers crossed! Looking forward to the drive home up the coast

Here is the spec

Exterior:Meteor Grey Metallic
Interior:Black Standard Leather
BASE 911 Carrera
Heated Front Seats
19" Turbo Wheel
3-Spoke Sport Steering Wheel
Bose High End Sound Package
Floor Mats in Interior Color
Meteor Grey Metallic
Black Standard Leather
Bi-Xenon Headlamp Package

Iceter

Sounds nice. Be sure to post pics.

BTW, Beverly Hills Porsche has an absolutely awful reputation. Question everything they claim to have serviced and you may want to avoid dealing with them now that you own the car.

Do a search if you want specific examples of their shenanigans.