I am looking at purchasing a Porsche that I was able to negotiate a rather attractive price from a independent dealer, of assorted vehicles, in Greenwich CT. Everything looks good on the car, 15k miles, but when I asked him if I could get a PPI, he says fine, just so long as the vehicle stays on his lot.

 

It’s your deal and your risk threshold.

Do they have a lift on site?

If it’s a PDK, I would just get a solid onsite PPI with test drive.

If manual I would want to add a DME Report.

Its a 15k mile car that has over a $200k sale price.

The main things I would be concerned with this type of car is any type of previous body repair or evidence of flood issues. I would want the car measured for paint depth and looked at for evidence of overspray or repair.

Small mechanical issues wouldn’t bother me, because they are small in the scheme of things for this purchase and they won’t impact long term value.

Does the dealer have any service records? Have they told you how they got the car in the first place?

 

Is it a dot 1 or dot 2? PPI is different for each variation.

 

It's a 2011 Speedster, so I don't know if that makes a difference.
I think something is fishy here, if the PPI is the only thing standing in the way between a sale and a no sale, you'd think they would go for the sale.
I think I will bow my head and walk away slowly.

 

Its a 2011 Speedster, 15k miles ~$200k sales price.

He’s started 4 threads in the last few days on it.

 

OP - have you investigated the possibility of getting someone that is qualified to do a PPI to do so at the seller's location?

Given that you've been able to negotiate a good deal on the car, having the PPI done at the seller's location is something that I would look to pursue.

If that becomes an impossibility, I would have a conversation with the seller and ask if he (or she) would be willing to accompany you in the car to wherever the PPI would be done.

 

I don't know of a PPI being done without putting the car on a lift so you can see any damage underneath or components that need to be replaced.
I am waiting to hear back from the recommended Porsche shop to see if that's what they would do. If not I will also see if they know or heard of this dealership to see if they have a bad reputation.
I am in AZ. and the car is in CT.

 

^^^^ this

Whatever happens, do NOT buy the car without a PPI.

 

Definitely not now, with them not allowing the PPI to be done properly.

 

The scenario is becoming clearer based on the additional information you're providing.

The selling dealer does not have a lift? Amazing. If not, then there's no way to have a proper PPI done on that car at their facility - and that's the conversation that I would have with the seller. In the face of that, if they remain adamant about not letting the car go off of the lot for a PPI, then I would tell them to go stuff their Speedster.

 

You need to do a test drive and that is very important as part of a very thorough PPI, and that's what I want

 

I’m not a huge PPI fan, but I’d never spend that kind of coin without having someone who knows these cars take a look at it. I’d see if you can find someone local who can get under it at the dealer. If the dealer can’t figure out how to get it into the air, walk.

At that mileage, I’d be most concerned about collision or underbody damage. I’d not be worried about engine and trans. Buy an extended warranty if that’s your concern.

I can’t blame the dealer for refusing to let the car go off the lot. It’s a sellers’ market and that’s a hot car. Plus I’d not want some unknown touching my inventory unsupervised.

 

If the seller won't even permit a test drive, then I think the answer to the question you've raised has been determined.

I would forget about that car.

 

The dealer refuses to let it off the lot. The inspection shop has great reputation and is very, very thorough. They would even flatbed the car to the shop. I still think there is something else going on - why in the world would you loose a deal because the buyer needs to feel assured that all that money is not wasted?
Is there flood damage?

 

Sellers' market. I really think it's that simple.