I'd be curious to know why the transmission had to be removed to replace the water pump. I had the water pump replaced on my -09 C4S and it was a fairly simple job that came to about $1,200 as I recall it. No transmission removal.

For the IMS failure rate, greatly reduced with the larger bearing introduced sometime with the late -05 cars. Not eliminated though until the elimination of the IMS bearing with the new DFI engine on 2009 cars and forward. Whether or not it's a losing sleep over issue or not on the earlier cars is probably a matter of risk tolerance. I think the failure rate by Rennlist's poll is around 5%. Not something I would loose sleep over but to each their own.

 

This car is a 6sp manual correct? That's a huge plus for this car. I like the wheels and it has good options, especially the full leather. Not a lot of folks care for the full leather but I certainly can appreciate them.
The bad: black color cars get dirty fast and are noticeable including swirl marks. The engine looks dirty and dusty, definitely needs a wash.
I wouldn't worry about the gunk around the manifold, I know that Porsche spray some sort of lube underneath the car to prevent corrosion.
If the car has no fluid leaks, ticking sound when running and pass the PPI I would go for it. The price is great IMO.

 

Any used car is a gamble.
With a good PPi from a reputable inspector? That just lowers the danger a little bit.
Buy it at a fair price, confident with your PPi.
Then go have fun.
$30k, is honda civic money.
But these cars still repair like their 100k purchase price.

Shopping for parts, knowledge from here and other sources, and an Indy, can make it a little easier on your wallet.

I just did lower control arms on my 2011 X5.
A little Xoutpost research, some parts sourcing, a few Utube videos.
Bmw 644 x 2 x 3 hours @170/hr 2049 all in
Germanparts.com 211 x 2
amazon 93 ea, but found new on kijiji in sealed box and bag, for 40 dollars. 3 hours in my garage for 130 out of pocket, + one band aid.

 

I would not worry about the IMS on a 2006. Aside from personal priorities regarding condition, I would be concerned over the lack of oil changes between 25K and 56K miles. If I remember correctly Porsche was calling for oil changes every 2 yrs or 24K miles then and shortened to every 12K miles for the 2008 MY.
A good PPI is in order including compression check and scoping the cylinders.

 

The seller seems like a real nice and straightforward guy... here's a cold start video he sent me. Anything out of the ordinary here or does it seem fine?

 

Disregard anything this guys says, this is an uneducated ignorant comment. The IMS issue is WAY overblown and perpetuated by guys like this. A comparable 997.2 will be $15-20K more than that car, which can be spent on lots of fun mods or saved for a potential costly repair that ANY 911 might have. 997.1, 997.2, 991 you name it, any car like this can break and could cost a lump of $ to repair.