My experience... if you can drive there to inspect the car in person before the purchase, do so. Or ask for many detailed pictures.
If it is nice cosmetically, check front and rear - inspect from the bottom and under the front carpet (frunk area) for any accident damage.
Expect suspension needed some work. If it shifts OK, clutch grabs fine, electrical works - go for it.
Windows drop when opening doors with roof up.
Roof operates.
some will say - do full PPI, but you can go away with a cold start test (see for smoke on initial start - first seconds OK, but if stays - could be a problem). Have someone rev to 3k rpm or so and let off, repeat 2 seconds later. Any smoke?
Same on hot, better to see when driving. Exhaust smell - same thing. Coolant leaks or oil leaks can be smelled from the exhaust.
Coolant smell in the trunk - cracked coolant reservoir.
And some other stuff.
If you can, rent Durametric (eBay) to see if the engine was stressed (over revved).
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Current rides: 2003 Porsche Boxster MT (me), 2019 Bolt LT (me), 2015 Audi Q5 (wife), 2008 VW Rabbit (2.5 inline 5, MT, well, for kid... but you now, it is the 5 straight)
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