Deal Fell Through - Help Revise Strategy

[BuffaloBoxster]

I'm always wary of cars that sit. an 8 year old car with only 20k on it worries me. It's barely broken in, and it hasn't had time to become a lemon yet.

[rubberduckie]

I think it is possible, but expect to do some waiting. I was activing looking for about a year before a found the car that worked for me (my price range was a little tighter though). I ended up with a great 97, one owner, from a dealer, and all the papers checked out. With your goals, i am sure you will find one eventially (you may have to buy the hardtop later), but don't jump on a car now, just because it is here, you have to be willing to wait for somthing better to come down the road. In the meantime, go to some dealerships and drive several different years, comapire the base v. S ect. so you will get a better idea of what you want. Also, you might want to check autoextra.com and yahoo autos as well (but be careful at yahoo autos, as this site as by far the most scams). If you are planning on looking at a lot of cars is a much better deal to buy the unlimited history check package and autocheck.com (or at least be sure to check you final choice before you hand over the check. I had a close call). Good Luck!

[RandallNeighbour]

I'd not make a hard top a mandatory buying decision. There's just too few hard tops out there to make it a realistic search. However, used hard tops are found relatively cheap compared to what was paid for it new and you can have it painted to match your car's color.

[KevinH1990]

I guess I need to avoid buying the wrong car on the rebound. I have my Miata to get me through the summer months if I need to wait until the fall or next winter.

Maybe I could even snag a 2003 coming off lease. A glass rear window has a certain appeal, and would make up for the lack of a hardtop until I could buy a used one.

[MikenOH]

http://kempthorn.porschedealer.com/preowned_cars/info.php?inventoryid=184042

They've got it listed at $25.9K but I'm sure they'd take less. Porsche approved certified per owned--I'm thinking you get a warranty.

it's a bit of a drive for you but I never had one problem with the car--not one! They took off the MX's--mistake-- and put on Continentals. Not sure what else they may have done.

Ask for Charlie if you're interested.

[RandallNeighbour]

Kevin, now here's a good situation you should consider. Mike was the previous owner, has nothing to gain or lose by telling you the truth about the car's condition, and a dealer is selling it with an extended warranty. That's the best of both worlds if you ask me.

Red is a good resale value color if I'm not mistaken, although I remember reading it's not your first choice in color. You will stand out on the freeway with cops, but hey, if you're speeding you're gonna get popped with any color car in my opinion.

Mike, what did they give you for the car in trade?

[MikenOH]

some of my old posts--I might have mentioned it. I hate to be coy on the number but by the same token the sales guy has to make a living also. Let's just say it was north of $20K and South of $24K. It's my understanding the dealer had to pay $1300 to porsche to qualify for their certified pre owned status and get the warranty.