2009 W/120k Miles..........Too Many to Buy?
01-24-2023 | 11:43 PM
#31
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 178
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I think it depends on the owner. Most Porsche owners are smart and understand keeping records are important. Doesn't take much effort to keep a file and when you are spending $1000-$5000 on various services whether a rip-off Dealer or Indy Specialist, Keeping the service record is sort of a no brainer and not like climbing a mountain. Besides, keeping the service record documents whats been done to the car in case there are issues with the said repairs.
With the cars I've bought, the most common reason I have found that a responsible Porsche or Mercedes owner doesn't have copies of their records is from a recent move or previous owner of seller had same issue with previous owner moving and records being misplaced.
Never expect any records when buying from used car dealer unless it is a Porsche Dealer who serviced the car. In some cases they will contact previous owners if car has been serviced at their dealership to get previous records. But that's rare case.
My 997 C4 has spotty records early on until about 60K miles but there is a service log in the owners manual. The Carfax mileage cuts out after 10K miles in California and then starts again in southern Oregon at 60K miles.
My Manual transmission was replaced at 20K miles and shows on Carfax. Also at about 65K miles my car shows a theft recovery in 2014. According to owner I purchased it from the owners son stole it from his garage for joyride and he called Police. Nice son.
Then the Carfax shows some services from about 75K mile forward and shows all mileage until 89K miles. My car had 3 owners when I bought it (I'm 4th) but Carfax doesn't show the 106,000 mileage at purchase which was on Bill of Sale when I purchased it last year.
So Carfax hit or miss in most cases.
With the cars I've bought, the most common reason I have found that a responsible Porsche or Mercedes owner doesn't have copies of their records is from a recent move or previous owner of seller had same issue with previous owner moving and records being misplaced.
Never expect any records when buying from used car dealer unless it is a Porsche Dealer who serviced the car. In some cases they will contact previous owners if car has been serviced at their dealership to get previous records. But that's rare case.
My 997 C4 has spotty records early on until about 60K miles but there is a service log in the owners manual. The Carfax mileage cuts out after 10K miles in California and then starts again in southern Oregon at 60K miles.
My Manual transmission was replaced at 20K miles and shows on Carfax. Also at about 65K miles my car shows a theft recovery in 2014. According to owner I purchased it from the owners son stole it from his garage for joyride and he called Police. Nice son.
Then the Carfax shows some services from about 75K mile forward and shows all mileage until 89K miles. My car had 3 owners when I bought it (I'm 4th) but Carfax doesn't show the 106,000 mileage at purchase which was on Bill of Sale when I purchased it last year.
So Carfax hit or miss in most cases.
01-25-2023 | 04:37 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17,709
Likes: 5,053
From: seattle, washington
Carfax also posts erroneous data that can screw up your car's value. About ten years or so ago, I was prepping to sell an Infiniti I owned at the time only to discover the Carfax showed an accident that never happened. Carfax customer service made me get proof from my insurance company that I had never made an accident claim during my ownership of the vehicle. My insurance company was clueless as to what kind of document they needed to produce but eventually gave me a "no claims" statement. I had to wait over a month for Carfax to correct the report. What I hated the most about this situation was that contrary to a credit report, where the burden of proof lies with the credit bureau, I was the one on the hook to prove to Carfax that their report was wrong. Total bovine excrement.
01-27-2023 | 05:42 PM
#33
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
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Base C2 w/PDK, asking $35k, 2 owners, florida car, no wrecks etc., dark red w/tan interior, 30 maintenance records.
Unfortunately I received a message from the owner today that it sold so still hunting for a 997.2+ or Cayman from same year upwards. Should've bought that damn 993 Turbo back in 2006 for 30K!!!!
Great info. in this thread points to the 997.2 being a safer buy than earlier water cooled years.
Unfortunately I received a message from the owner today that it sold so still hunting for a 997.2+ or Cayman from same year upwards. Should've bought that damn 993 Turbo back in 2006 for 30K!!!!
Great info. in this thread points to the 997.2 being a safer buy than earlier water cooled years.
Last edited by Tractionless; 01-27-2023 at 05:53 PM.
01-27-2023 | 05:58 PM
#34
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 178
Some owners are smart but extremely busy and the value difference when selling the car may not be material to them to keep extensive file records.
My cars are meticulously maintained. Some evident through service records, some not. When I do my own oil change I take a couple quick photos and have my purchase records but no book. I don’t intend to sell but if I did, the tradeoff of record keeping vs a few thousand dollars is fine. Maybe that potential buyer doesn’t get the car. Tough luck for them and maybe tough luck for me too. Likely tougher luck for them though.
Of course, an inspection would reveal condition that correlates with my care…
I see plenty of evidence of haphazard treatment, maintenance and care from people who keep good records. It tells me that if I am looking for some neatly written and saved records they are a good source. A good car, not so much.
edit: I’m reminded of when I spoke with a seller, who kept meticulous records. He also pointed out how well he kept the car and that he made sure to “start and idle on cold days during the winter” to make sure the engine didn’t get gunked up.
lol. Records.
My cars are meticulously maintained. Some evident through service records, some not. When I do my own oil change I take a couple quick photos and have my purchase records but no book. I don’t intend to sell but if I did, the tradeoff of record keeping vs a few thousand dollars is fine. Maybe that potential buyer doesn’t get the car. Tough luck for them and maybe tough luck for me too. Likely tougher luck for them though.
Of course, an inspection would reveal condition that correlates with my care…
I see plenty of evidence of haphazard treatment, maintenance and care from people who keep good records. It tells me that if I am looking for some neatly written and saved records they are a good source. A good car, not so much.
edit: I’m reminded of when I spoke with a seller, who kept meticulous records. He also pointed out how well he kept the car and that he made sure to “start and idle on cold days during the winter” to make sure the engine didn’t get gunked up.
lol. Records.
Last edited by SpeedyD; 01-27-2023 at 06:02 PM.
01-27-2023 | 06:15 PM
#35
RL Community Team
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 1,671
From: Philadelphia
2009 C2S 186K miles
I used to keep a big folder for all my cars... it never did me any good... should have but didn't. Now that I am doing 99% of my own work, I gave up keeping receipts even for parts. I do keep an excel spreadsheet but that could be faked of course. In short, I don't care any more. I got other things to worry about.
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
I used to keep a big folder for all my cars... it never did me any good... should have but didn't. Now that I am doing 99% of my own work, I gave up keeping receipts even for parts. I do keep an excel spreadsheet but that could be faked of course. In short, I don't care any more. I got other things to worry about.
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
01-29-2023 | 02:12 PM
#37
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17,709
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From: seattle, washington