Just did the 30k service..

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

In many ways this thread has turned into a merely academic argument. You buy the car which is front of you.

If the Car is what mostly you want (buying used almost always entails some compromise - options, color, condition, etc.), the price is reasonable for the Car presented, it passes a PPI with few faults (remember this is always a What's Wrong with this Car Inspection - no Car comes away with an absolutely Clean Slate), Service Records (OPC or DIY) and it Tickles Your Fancy, you make an offer and hope it is accepted or a compromise is reached and you purchase the Car.

Changing Wear & Tear items such as Belts, Hoses Fluids and such is a given. But, realize that repair, whether it be OPC or DIY is, for the most part, Reactive, that is, you repair the Broken or Worn Part. Sometimes R&R is made because you're already in there... so you may as well do it, but most often as I say, it's Reactive.

Buying a Used Car, whether DIY or OPC maintained and Serviced is still an unknown to some degree. A Part may fail a week after buying the Car in either instance, and not be the fault of prior Service and maintenance in either case. You can cut down the Odds of a Bad Experience with a thorough Inspection, but you cannot ever eliminate them. The PPI Inspection is much more important then where, or whom, did the Service and Maintenance. A thorough one gives a good Snapshot of the Car as it is Today.

As stated by several others, OPC Maintenance can often overlook things, or simply not take the time and care a skilled DIY would because they have other priorities.

But, again, it's the Car which is in front of you at the time you're looking which matters far more than your percieved value of either OPC or DIY Maintenance and Service. A Good Car should never be discounted, or passed over simply on the basis of whom or where the Service and Maintenance was performed...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

PS @ BruceLee - your comment about me was a little Snide and Uncalled For, what's your problem..? - Chill Out!!