PrePurchase Questions

[rteichman]

As I am sure these questions have been asked before if people could just provide location pointers or key words for searches, I would be very appreciative (of course don't let that stop from anyone actually answering the questions )

I hope to realize a dream of mine to own a Porsche. I live in eastern PA and found a nice red/black 99 Boxster in the Doylestown area with 43,000 miles on it. If I buy it, I would replace my 92 Miata with it and use the car for weekend pleasure driving only. My questions are as follows:

1) Does anyone know someone I can call to go and mechanically inspect the car? I would never know what to look for. I found some internet based companies that do this, but they just test drive, inspect the outside/inside. All things that I have already done. What I need is for someone to look at the engine, drivetrain, frame.

2) What are the "gotchas" on this car. I heard about the top cable, but was that for 99 cars?

3) I will be paying 20K for this car. Is that a fair price? Its an internet type dealer that sells highline, used, German, cars (MB, BMW, Porsche, Audi). You should see their inventory!!!

4) In your opinion, what will this car be worth 4 years from now with an extra 20,000 miles on it. I ask this since I'm curious as to what the expected depreciation is. I don't expect to sell it, however I want to have an idea about what I can get out of the car should my financial circumstances change and I need the cash back. What can I say? I am a very risk averse person (who rides a motorcycle ), and wants to make sure if things goe south with my job I can get cash back out of the car.

5) Antyhing else I should be asking?

Thanks
Rob

[Brucelee]

I am a used Porsche dealer. This is what I recommend.

Do not buy any car over the Internet without inspecting it yourself.

Have the car inspected PRIOR to purchase by a Porsche dealer. A full inspection will cost about $200 and run from the bottom of the tires to the top of the convt top.

Run a Car Fax.

Make sure the dealer performs a check with a paint meter.

Have the dealer run a warranty claim history on the car.

Ask the seller for any service records they may have.

This is a good start.

Good luck.

PS-no one knows the value of your car into the future. Our guess is as good as yours.

rteichman, good luck on your future new purchase! My only advice is make sure you wear a helmet when you ride your motorcycle!

[rteichman]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

rteichman, good luck on your future new purchase! My only advice is make sure you wear a helmet when you ride your motorcycle!

I always do !

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Do not buy any car over the Internet without inspecting it yourself.

Have the car inspected PRIOR to purchase by a Porsche dealer. A full inspection will cost about $200 and run from the bottom of the tires to the top of the convt top.

While it is an "Internet Dealer" they are not far from my house, and I did drive down there, look the car over, and took it for a nice test drive. I sould never by a car without checking it out myself and can't understand how anyone would.

Do all Porsche dealers offer this service? There is one about 10 miles away from the used car dealer, and I can have it taken there. I travel for work, and thus am never around during the week. Can I safely arrange for the seller to take the car to the dealer and then get the report from the dealer? I would obviously ask the dealer to check the VIN number so as to ensure he is looking at the car I am buying. Also, I think this used car dealer has a close relationship with the local Porsche dealer. Will the dealer give me an honest appraisal?

[Brucelee]

Good advice Audio Guy.

As a personal purchase, I would not automatically rule out a car that had been rapped. However, I would want to know about it so that I could negotiate the price down and of course, if it were a bad rap, if it were repaired correctly.

As an example, I had a 911 that had been rapped. I took it to my suspension guy and it HAD NOT been repaired correctly, it was a mess.

Even though the car LOOKED great, it went back to the auction the next week.

Such is life!

[rteichman]

What's rapped?

Also the dealer close by is Holbert's Porsche. Is there service dept OK?

Rob

[AUDIOGUY]

Excellent advice as usual Bruce. I would just caution our new friend rteichman
not to be too super sensitive to minor cosmetic paint and bodywork. As long as it is done properly, there shouldn't be any issues. He is looking at a 99 car. Not old by any means, but been around for a few years. I will qualify this by saying that I run a large collision facility in NJ. Definately suggest the mechanical inspect as he is getting a 43k mile car.

I purchased my car from Brandywine Porsche near him and would strongly recommend those guys. Excellent dealership. Great parts department and guys that really love and appreciate the Boxster. The same day I purchased my car, a gentileman was there trading in a Bently buying a Cayenne Turbo and a Carrera GT. I felt like I was treated as well as he... even though I spent about 1/10 th what he did.

I am sure Brandywine's service department would be happy to inspect the car.. for a nominal fee. If you are truely set on having the body inspected, there is a premier collision facility in King of Prussia called Karosserie that people from all over the country come to for repairs. The owners name is Dick Von Medicus and they may be able to inspect the car for any type of bad prior repairs.

Well, best of luck on your purchase!