OP -

I think you're the big variable in the "purchase" vs "no purchase" decision.

How will the car be used? How many miles will it be driven per year? How risk tolerant are you (financial risk, inconvenience risk)? How solid are your relationships at home? Do you take on your own repair / maintenance work yourself? (I'm not suggesting to get answers to those questions here.)

You started the thread by asking "Am I crazy for even looking at this 997?" At a minimum that conveys a definite lack of confidence. Looking at it is a far cry from BUYING it. So maybe your confidence / risk tolerance is fairly low?

This car has changed hands twice in the past 2000 miles / 15 months. It clearly was a "dead end" 911 for those two owners for definite reasons.

Maybe a (good) PPI will help fill in some of the blanks on this car. Even with that, you're looking at a .1 car with 87k miles that's been hit twice. With a largely unknown maintenance / repair history. And the last two owners bailed on it within 2000 miles / 15 months.

My advice is to steer clear of this car. My opinion however is not the one that counts.

You know yourself - and that's the knowledge that should guide your decision.

 

If you didn't fit well in a 987 Cayman I doubt you'll fit well in a 981 Cayman. I've had both as loaners from the dealer and couldn't tell the difference. Not close to a good fit for me and I'm 6'3" and 190 lbs. You need a 997 imo. Plenty of room compared to the Boxsters and the Caymans. I bet at your size you'll be much happier instead of cramming into either of the Caymans.

As I said, I'm 2" shorter than you and 60lbs. lighter and there's no way I could live with the limited space of a Cayman. But to each their own. Sit in a Cayman and a 997 and feel the difference if you haven't already. Big difference.

 

I have an 08 S and they are great cars...but the ticking most definitely would be a deal breaker for me. Wrecks are your personal call and at that price certainly doable, but the engine is just not worth the gamble or time for me. Keep fishing.....

 

That's totally normal considering what the temperature gauge shows. My cars with 5w40 or 5w50 actually peg the gauge at 5 when started cold and stay there for a bit until things warm up.

 

It's odd that the car has black gauges and is an S. They came with white gauges. Are we sure it's actually an S? Does the airbox have the 3.8L tag on it and what's the engine number - does it start with M96 or M97? Does have PASM which wasn't on base cars so maybe it is an S.
It's a pretty basic car with manual regular seats, no SC, etc. I think with the mileage and accidents it's a $35kk car if it checks out.

 

Carfax shows "S" model
Nice to have Black Gauges - My Fav.
Wonder how they are Black?? ----> Good call Kellen

 

I would say a Branded Title example would be $34-$35K. IMO this one with just accident damage and very good-excellent bodywork/paint would be closer to $37K.
Very curious to see the Bore scope results

 

I like the white gauges because they're white during the day but black at night, however they accomplish that - it's like having 2 gauges in 1 set and why I haven't swapped mine for RUF gauges (well that's and few thousand dollars they want LOL).

 

I always hated the white gauges - Much prefer the black Gauges because they are like the early 356/911 gauges and IMO much better. White just too much contrast and don't look right
To each his own

 

VIN decoder states the car is an S. Has an option code 022 - "Instrument Dials in Black".

Price: $91,400.00 Exterior: Arctic Silver Metallic Interior:
Black Leather Seats Warranty Start: October 20, 2007
BASE 911 Carrera S
022 Instrument Dials in Black
342 Heated Front Seats
405 19" Carrera Classic Wheel
672 Navigation Module for PCM
680 Bose High End Sound Package
810 Floor Mats in Interior Color
AR Black Leather Seats
X1 Arctic Silver Metallic

 

I had no idea you could order "S" Gauges in Black.
Good find Ironman!

That should add about $3K to the asking price

 

Thanks for the input guys.
I have booked a PPI with a borescope.--Couldn't get in until 12 Apr. The dealer was fine with me borrowing the car.
We'll see how it goes.

Neville--appreciate the list of deferred maintenance. Most of that I had in mind.

My eyes are wide open here and I'm not locked on just this car.
In the meantime, the search continues. I'll keep you posted.
Rob

 

Pretty sure there was a "white gauge delete" option on the S cars but can only recall seeing one over the years so not a common option. If this is a base turned into an S it looks like most of it was covered. It's got the S tail pipes and the badging on the rear. But as you say, what about the badging inside the engine compartment and the door sills? It also sits lower than the base but I guess it could have been lowered.

Bottom line. The black gauge cluster on a 997 S is rare.

 

If you read the posts above, the car is an "S" ----> It was ordered with Black Gauge Faces as an option.

 

Great thread.

Long time Pelican guy here, I've had 2 early 911 in my past. Currently Pcar-less.

Planning on a 997.2 in a couple years so I'm learning now.

Looking forward to the test results.