Would you buy a 986 with a milage inconsistency?

[Atreyu8088]

I'm looking at a 2001 Boxster S that allegedly has 113k miles on it. I paid for a Carfax report and lo and behold; a milage discrepancy.

-2009 = 96k miles with 2nd owner
-2012 = 135k miles with 2nd owner
-3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th owner reported but no odometer recorded
-2023 = 113k miles from photo of dashboard, 8th (current) owner

Current owner purchased it only 6 months ago and was unaware of the milage discrepancy.

Would any of you buy a car with a milage discrepancy like this, even if the condition seems very good (new clutch, new brakes/rotors, new upholstery on seats, car in otherwise really nice shape)?

For a $10k, high milage, over 20 year old private party sale kind of car, maybe all that really matters is the overall condition?

[Frodo]

Are you reasonably close to it? If so, drive there, check it out. From what I've gathered, it's really difficult to falsify odometers readings on these things, ie, what you see is what it is.

Even if not, as you suggest, if it runs well, the price is right, there's no obvious visual issues, and it otherwise checks out, how far wrong can you go at that price for a 20-year old car? And...you could always use that discrepancy to negotiate an even more palatable price!

[elgyqc]

The odometer can be replaced, like if there is a problem with it. And yea I'd buy it if that was the worst problem... I'd buy it even if that is not the worst problem. It's a 22 year old $10K car, sounds like a deal to me.

[Atreyu8088]

Thanks guys!

Here is a disappointing video of someone showing how easy it is to change the milage via OBD2 port.
https://youtu.be/TUsMIETIVb0

I'll check it out tomorrow in person!

[husker boxster]

Maint and cond are more important. With that many owners, esp lately, maint prob has been ignored. For $10K for an S you shouldn't assume / expect it's in top cond. Figure out what it needs and then add $1K for unknowns that will pop up after you buy. And I'm just talking about parts prices. If you're handy with tools, then you can do most routine jobs. If you need to hire the work done, your cost just skyrocketed. Then determine if the cost of required maint is worth it vs the price of a highly maintained model that's also for sale.

Work on the discount for the mileage discrepancy. Just remember that Scarlet Letter will follow you when you sell. If you plan to keep it for a long time, the issue dilutes itself and esp if you've done a lot of maint that adds value. But 2 seater sports cars are lifestyle vehicles and owners have to sell when something changes in their life - kids, marriage, divorce, downsizing, etc. If that happens to you not long after buying, you'll take a bath because you'll have to really discount a troubled car to sell so soon after buying.

Just remember, this isn't the only 986S for sale. There are a lot of them out there.

[Bush Pilot]

Most likely a mistake by the shop who recorded the mileage that Carfax reports. If you're going to cheat on the mileage you wouldn't worry about 20k mi.

[Atreyu8088]

Thanks guys!
I saw and drove it today. The current owner spent a lot of time and money getting it back into shape. New center radiator, new brakes/rotors, new rear calipers, new leather upholstery on the seats, some new lights, new light switch, new filters, replaced all of the fluids… like a lot of things. He had a compression test and reported all cylinders were at 170psi. Not sure how warm the engine was or how much throttle that was under.

I suspect the car was neglected at some point and the guy the current owner bought it from did some touch up paint, removed the catalytic converter (probably to sell it), tossed in a “performance exhaust” muffler and rolled back the mileage to increase the value. Apparently the dude had two 968’s so perhaps it was a hobby as he only had it for 6 months.

While the current owner has done an excellent job going through and addressing many of the problems… since there is 1) a high probability of a history of neglect, 2) unknown mileage, 3) an airbag light,4) the check engine light permanently on supposedly because the removal of the catalytic converter has caused the engine to run rich (that seems like a fishy explanation given to the current owner by the previous one), I have decided to stay away from this one.

I feel terrible for the current owner. I’m the jerk who brought the reported mileage inconsistency to his attention so now he will have that on his mind as he tries to sell it. He seemed like a stand up guy who would struggle with that.

[Burg Boxster]

Nevermind...

Good luck w purchase if decide to move forward after pricing accordingly.

[Newsguy]

My Cayenne has a discrepancy, but I'm not worried about it. I'm positive it is just an incorrect data entry at a shop that serviced it. Everything else looks consistent with the mileage shown. As others have said, it's over 20 years old, so condition and upkeep are more important anyway. Legally, it doesn't matter as it's aged out of mileage requirements for the Feds.

[PLP]

If the mileage is the only discrepancy... who cares?

If you want, do the proper Porsche PPO. If not, or you are good enough, perform the inspection yourself.

If the chassis is OK, electrical looks fine, no dashboard lights, engine is not wet or very clean (clean like someone is hiding something)... get it.
You could also rent Durametric Pro for like 50 bucks for week or 10 days to run all test on the engine and other systems. Will tell you if it was over revved, or airbag problems, or some other stuff.

[PLP]

Oh, I think the state does not require ODO reading after 10 years.
Stupid idea...