Carfax History question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rteichman · 01-08-2006, 05:24 PM

I found a Boxster that I might be interested in (well actually its my second choice, my first choice everyone here said was to expensive), and just pulled up a carfax on it. It shows some things that concern me
1) From 6/2000 @ 9,000 miles to 2/2002 @ 20,000 miles there is a vehicle service record about every 2,000 miles and it mentions suspension system serviced almost every time. It was then sold at 24,000 miles. There is 1 service record showing for the second owner on 9/2003 @28,000 miles

2) It was titled on 6/2003 to a new owner and then retitled again on 12/2003 and then 11/2004. Twice in Alexandria VA and once in Arlington VA. But it only has 2 owners on record. Is this strange?

3) This car lists it as "Vehicle Offered for sale" on 10/2005 What does that mean?

Now compare this to the original car I looked at which shows only 1 title change and just a services record every year which I assume is the inspection. I should mention that this car is a PA car and the other one (with all the records) is from NJ/VA

Are all those service records a red flag? Why does one have so many items in its history when the other one doesn't?

Brucelee · 01-08-2006, 05:30 PM

Can you cut and past the car fax to this thread?

rteichman · 01-08-2006, 05:42 PM

The long one (NJ/VA):
10/23/1998 18 New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Garden City, NY
Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Registered as
corporate lease vehicle

06/13/2000 9,221 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed
Suspension system serviced

07/26/2000 10,041 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

09/01/2000 10,761 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

10/09/2000 11,429 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Suspension system serviced
Engine serviced

12/29/2000 12,789 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

06/08/2001 14,962 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Electrical system serviced
Cooling system serviced
Suspension system serviced
Brakes serviced

09/26/2001 16,193 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Suspension system serviced

01/08/2002 18,394 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Suspension system serviced

02/08/2002 19,480 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

12/04/2002 23,550 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle

12/10/2002 Dealer Inventory
Fairfax, VA
Vehicle offered for sale

05/27/2003 24,888 Virginia
Inspection Station
Fairfax, VA
Passed emissions inspection

06/05/2003 Virginia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Alexandria, VA
Title or registration issued
New owner reported

09/12/2003 28,139 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

12/02/2003 Virginia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Alexandria, VA
Title or registration issued

11/29/2004 Virginia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Arlington, VA
Title or registration issued

10/17/2005 Private Owner
Arlington, VA
Vehicle offered for sale

01/08/2006 Porsche Cars North America No recalls open for repair
Detailed Vehicle History Definitions:

deliriousga · 01-08-2006, 08:03 PM

Since it was originally a lease vehicle, the auction was most likely a dealer auction. The first "offered for sale" is most likely the dealer who bought it at auction putting it on the lot. The second one should be the guy who wants to sell it to you.

Overall, it looks like the first owner (lessee) was anal about the service. Suspension service is a normal thing when doing an oil change at a dealer. They check everything out and lube if necessary. The second owner was not as nuts about the service. I would ask for receipts for the last oil change service since to see if it was back in 2003. That's a concern as the oil needs to be changed every year if the mileage is not high enough to warrant a change since it starts to become acidic from sitting in the engine. One good thing is in Virginia they are required to go through a mechanical test as well as the emmissions test so it has to be maintained pretty well, but it still needs a full PPI before you consider buying it.

Ronzi · 01-09-2006, 09:10 AM

Looks to me like something happened to that car in mid-2000. It was returned to the dealer for some kind of service 5 times between June and the end of the yr.
That was beyond anal. There was something wrong with the car that they had trouble fixing.
Any Porsche dealer can access the Porsche warranty database and pull up details of warranty work performed.

MNBoxster · 01-09-2006, 09:46 AM

Hi,

All good suggestions so far, but in truth, all it is is speculation. Not that it's necessarily a Bad Car, but sufficient question has been raised for you to find out.

Before you go plunking $X0,000 down on this car, you need to spend a few bucks and get more information. Have a thorough PPI done, even though this is no Guarantee, it just raises the odds in your favor. Then, contact a Porsche Dealer or PNA and get the service records. If you can't get them, WALK AWAY!!!

The most expensive Porsche to own usually turns out to be the one which was the Cheapest to Buy! Remember, the one thing this World is not short of are Used Porsche Boxsters! Good Luck!!

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Brucelee · 01-09-2006, 11:28 AM

Jim is dead on!

RandallNeighbour · 01-09-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

The most expensive Porsche to own usually turns out to be the one which was the Cheapest to Buy!

Oh yeah. I second this from personal experience.

rteichman · 01-09-2006, 01:37 PM

Thanks all, I appreciate the input. I looked at the car today and it was very "rough" I decided against it. I'm leaning towards the first one which you guys claimed was too expensive (99 43k miles $20k). However, I can't find one I like as much for less money. Besides it was previously owned by a member of this forum who saw my posts and contacted me to give the car a clean bill of health.

deliriousga · 01-09-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Have a thorough PPI done, even though this is no Guarantee, it just raises the odds in your favor. Then, contact a Porsche Dealer or PNA and get the service records. If you can't get them, WALK AWAY!!!

Amen!

CA_Boxster · 01-09-2006, 02:15 PM

Check these guys out: http://www.expomc.com/

They all list as eBay auctions, but you can call directly, too. Reputable place with a lot in Houston. They're also a good price gauge for looking in your own area. They generally sell the cars for $500-$1000 below their listed "buy it now" price. I watched prices for about 6 months before I decided to buy my 2000 and I found that these guys weren't far off the fair price and their inventory is high quality so it's a good barometer for comparing good cars in your own neighborhood. They usually have a few Boxsters.