996 Turbo - buying advice please!

[Peter_997]

Hi guys, after a lot of debate, I’ve moved away from wanting to get an early 997 and have decided on a 996 turbo for my 50k ish budget.

Have my eye on a low mileage (31k) 03 plate that looks to be a keeper, and have read all the very helpful forum advice/buying guides - which tend not to be that turbo specific. I have a good list of checks however for a general 996.

Advice please-
1) I will be taking it for a test drive so apart from the buying advice on the big items like oil residue/smoke, suspension, air con condensers etc. is there anything I should pay particular attention to on a turbo?

2) It’s from an independent luxury car specialist (not a Porsche specialist), and comes with an 84 pt check/limited warranty. Would you opt for a Porsche indy check as well? Don’t know if they’ll allow it, but think it’s best for peace of mind.

Thanks for any advice in advance!

Cheers
Peter

 

[j7agy]

Hi Peter,

Feel free to PM me and perhaps we could arrange to speak. Happy to share my own buying experience and ownership over the last 8 years.


Thanks,
John

 

[robbo21]

I’m by no means an expert but having recently bought a 2002 turbo at auction and had to solve a few problems with it, if you want to minimise your immediate spend after you buy it I would strongly recommend you have a Porsche expert inspect it. There is so much that moves from reliable to consumable over 20 years and particularly with low milage many of those will be waiting to expire.


If they won’t consent to an inspection by a reputable specialist I would consider that a red flag and you should be grateful for avoiding it!

Just my 2p

 

[Peter_997]

Thanks John, speak soon!

Sound advice Robbo21, I think I’m expecting that they may try to sway me to consider their checks as opposed to not allowing it with an Indy. Luckily I know a good Indy nearby I used to take my 997, my initial thought it to get it there. I imagine they will try to avoid someone poking a stick at it as bargaining power…

cheers gents

 

[Blade_uk]

Having just refurbished the turbos and replaced a-lot of corroded oil lines, for me it would be all about the level of corrosion and general condition underneath.

but agree with others regarding an opc inspection being a must