Advice please - buying a 993

jac in a box · Feb 9, 2005

Just had a quick call from my brother - lucky boy is about to get a 993.

However before he commits he's asking for some advice and I'm hardly in a position to give it (brothers asking sisters what to look for in a car!)

Anyway the story is this. A chap he's done some work for is in need of cash quickly and is selling his 1996, 993. 60K miles full OPC history (though is due a service) The Guards Red paintwork is in need of a little TLC, interior shows little signs of wear and the car drives well. A quick look underneath appears to show no nasty oil leaks. Oh, and the car has Tiptronic.
How much? Well the seller is willing to take £17.5K !! And will probably take brothers Alfa 156 as part of the deal!

Sounds good, but he naturally wants to know what what he should be looking for, the questions to ask and what are the downsides to owning a 993.
He has already commented on the odd pedal positioning and the slightly, but enjoyable, raw feel of the car.

The only advice I've been able to give is to suggest he gets a good independant to give the car a pre-purchase inspection
(he lives in Fareham, Hants - any recommendations for a suitable establishment?)

I'm hoping you can provide some more advice

Many thanks

Jackie

lauris · Feb 9, 2005

seems cheap....very cheap.. immediate thoughts are buy it,,, tiptronic is a personel choice,, I dont like it but other do...

best advice anyone can give you,, is to have the car checked over by a specialist...

parts, repairs are very expensive, and worn things are'nt always obvious to someone who does not work with porsches,,

I would want,, stamped history book,, even if its missed a service,or tow, you would want to know when it was last completed..

then take it to a specialist,, if you cant do that then even having the AA or RAC inspection done would give you some comfort that it has not been in serious smash or is about to need the engine out to sort oil leaks,,,,,,or replace a clutch,, or power steering rack as they are expensive as well....

if time is really short,, at least have it put through an mot,, they only cost £40 and will look at tyres, suspension, corrosion, (there should be none), exhaust, lights etc,,, and while its up on the ramp,, ask them to check for any pbvious signs of damage, or oil leaks,,,,

they are fantastic cars,,, but need proper maintenance and service,,,,

this might sound stupid,, but I would allow yourself maybe £2000,, to give car a good service and possibly sort any small repairs that are required....
when I bought my car,, 1997 car 993 S with 24k,,,, it needed a standard 24k service,, a front strut was leaking, a rear oil seal on drive shaft, new bumper brackets and a couple of air intakes for brakes,, plus a set of tyres,,,, was not far short of £3000 and that was'nt a main dealer.... although tyres were £900....this helped when negotiating the purchase..

although

subsequently, a year later,, it developed another oil leak,, and then needed new drive shaft, rear wheel bearing,, and clutch and flywheel plus some little linkage on the gearbox that they probably damaged when changing the clutch......plus service.... ..(in less than 5000 miles) another £1800.......

cheers
scott...

Stewart Rix · Feb 10, 2005

Jackie
£17.5k is way too cheap even for a left hooker. I'd be very suspicious. There must be a catch - is it wrecked and recovered? If it is, its not worth taking on the risk even if it looks pretty on the outside. An HPI check is an absolute must!

jac in a box · Feb 10, 2005

Thanks guys.

I've emailed your response's to brother....hopefully his head will rule his heart.

If the car is genuine and he gets it at that price, well, he's one lucky fella.

I'll let you know the outcome.

Jackie

38F3E1 · Feb 11, 2005

ORIGINAL: jac in a box

... A chap he's done some work for is in need of cash quickly ...

Then why hasn't he sold it to a dealer. At that price dealers would bite if it is what he says it is. He could have cash inside two days.

phil993 · Feb 11, 2005

Just walk away Renay - its got to be a dog

LK_991GTS · Feb 12, 2005

ORIGINAL: phil993

Just walk away Renay - its got to be a dog

It may be fine, you don't know until you look and have it inspected. After all, if the asking price was £10,000 more, would you then think it must be OK? It would be the same car!

phil993 · Feb 12, 2005

In my opinion the Porsche market is very much like the property market. If its cheap thers a good reason - why would anyone sell their car for less than a trader would bid?

jac in a box · Feb 14, 2005

Thanks for all your comments and advice fella's....I emailed your replies to him as they came - even the "walk away..." suggestion!

Fortunately he took the sensible route; HPI check was spotless - no finance, no accidents.
Independant specialist check up showed it needed a service (already known) new front pads required and that's it!
Proper N rated tyres - the 2 rears were changed recently.
Drives faultlessly

Paintwork is definately jaded - but all original, no signs of any touching up, usual stone chips on the front but nothing too ugly.

Interior just as jaded - needs a good tidy up, but nothing is ripped, torn or damaged. Everything works.

First owner, well known footie player (not that I know him or anything about the game!) 2nd owner - current owner since '99

So how much?

Well the guy took brothers Alfa in p/ex (needed a car to run around in) and allowed £5k for it...... and £12k cash as the balance!!!!

It appears the current owner had no idea of it's true value nor did he think it wortwhile taking to any dealers as he thought it would be too old!
He arrived at his selling price purely based on "what he needed" as a lump of cash to ease his financial problem!!

Two people without any knowledge of what they're buying and what they're selling....brothers got a bargain and I'm first in the line when he sells!

Should have some pics soon if anyone is interested?

Thanks again

Jackie

38F3E1 · Feb 15, 2005

ORIGINAL: jac in a box

It appears the current owner had no idea of it's true value nor did he think it wortwhile taking to any dealers as he thought it would be too old! He arrived at his selling price purely based on "what he needed" as a lump of cash to ease his financial problem!!

Maybe that would explain why he suffers from financial problems !!