Another "what would you pay?" thread...
 

Okay, I'm looking at this peach tomorrow hopefully... I've blown my budget out of the water, but this one looks to be in great shape and pretty unique.

If the PPI checks out, what do you think this one is worth?

By the way, his reserve was set at $22,500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AME WA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250080672689&rd=1,1

The only thing I am concerned with is the very low miles (seems weird to say that, but with all the "these cars have to be driven" threads, it makes me nervous).

Thanks for any input, I am anxious to hear your thoughts...

Don't know. Sorry.

But, great exterior color and color combination. Love the wheels!

looks nice, but thats a low mileage 99, so be careful.

funny that i dont like those wheels at all, and my GF walked it while i was clicking on pics and shes like "yukky wheels"

i dont know whats so repelling bout those wheels :confused:

I looked at that car on ebay this week. It has a striking and rare color combination. I'm not sure why DJ doesn't like the wheels. I think they're great looking.

Good luck.

Hi,

With an OK PPI, it's not a terrible buy. It's well into the mileage where RMS typically (but not always) occurs. It appears to have it all, Heated Seats, Windstop, Nav system, Sport Exhaust Tip, TC, Park Assist, Rain Sensors, Xenons w/ washers, colored crests, OBC, Sill covers, the special wheels and rare color combo - it's got it all. This is the one that will appreciate, especially if all these toys are build options and not add-ons...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Thanks for the input.

dj, I wasn't a big fan of the rims the first time I saw them, but they have grown on me now... I like the aggresive look a lot better than any of the stock 17"s, but not quite as nice looking as Grizzly's.

Jim, glad you think I may be out of the woods for an RMS issue, as engine failure is my biggest worry (won't have much money left in the bank after this!). This will certainly be at the top of my list for the PPI, which I'm hopefully having done today or Monday. I actually wish it didn't have a couple of those options, like a nav system from 1999 and parking sensors (who needs those!?), but if they help retain value, okay by me.

I have negotiated $20,500, which is more than I wanted to spend, but still a tad less than book price, so I think it's fair. I just think I would kick myself if I didn't go for this one, from the condition it's in.

Thanks again.

HIFI, get that car...and then do the Tail of the Dragon (TOD) with us the first weekend of May! Good luck.

Are you doing the PPI in Lexington or Cincinnati?

Funny... I love those wheels! I'd trade my 18" twists for 'em!

HIFI-
Although it's loaded, price seems a bit high - unless there is some sort of extended warranty (other than 30 days or 30 feet off the property) included. I must say, that is one great color combo. Of course I might be a little impartial (here's my '99 AR/GG/GG)

http://i13.tinypic.com/35aj2p2.jpg

Yes, I am definately considering TOD if I'm able to, sounds like a blast!

I will be doing the PPI here in Lexington at an Indy shop that has been working on Porsche's for over 20 years. There are quite a few 911's in this town (lots of horse money), so I'm confident they have a good reputation.

No extended warranty, private seller. Do you think the negotiated $20.5k price is high or his asking $22.5k? Nice car, by the way!

i dunno man, i dont like the twists either.
i wish mine were the same way ther are but 19s

i DO like these
http://nmxs-images.forbesautos.com/s.../all/s?WID=336

Hi,

Just so there's no misunderstanding, RMS failure can occur at anytime. Not all cars will have it and the majority of those which do (somewhere between 20-30% by all the various polls) seem to have it go between 4k-24k mi. But, there have been several cars which have blown the RMS at higher mileage. Tiptronics are more immune, but not immune totally. One good thing, your car's engine - M96/20 has the original Intermediate Shaft which is more bulletproof than the updated one added later - a very good thing.

Just be aware that these cars are less robust than many other makes out there and can rear up and bite you severely in the wallet with no notice. :eek:

Not trying to discourage you, just want to be sure that the Light Acquisition Devices are wide open and not blinded by the sheen of the car. Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I think its too high. Mine was 17,000 with 70,000 miles. I prefer the higher milage because the engine has been good so far, so it rules out a lot of factory defects. Plus, with the 3,500 you would "save" you could put it into mods that suit your taste, not that guys. You could buy the wheels you want, a new nav system, new suspension, and other little stuff if your a good bargain hunter. Ive put 4,000 into my car and its pretty much perfect. It will be even more perfect when I get the side skirts on next week, finally, or at least I better... or else. The difference between a 30,000 mile engine and a 100,000 mile engine is that parts on the 100,000 mile engine may need to be replaced due to wear, but the same goes for letting a 20,000 mile engine sit for 8 years.

Thanks for the clarification, I do understand. I guess there is a risk with these things no matter what year, which really eats at me honestly. I am so not the person who would buy a car with a known problem that is risky... but, dammit, i like these cars so much. And like everyone else here, I've dreamt of owning one since I was a kid. Turning 30 next month, so I blame it on a pre-midlife crisis!

Yeah, I thought of that too... I'm also looking at a 2000 with 55k miles for $18k, which would give me more wiggle room to add rims, etc. However, it was only a 7 or 8 condition-wise and I'm assuming this is a 10 (I'll know soon enough). I will probably pass on it if it's not absolutely perfect, but I'm hoping it is.

Hi,

Sorry, have to disagree. At 20k mi., everything is nicely sorted out. Wear patterns are established and any factory defects would have made themselves known by this mileage. This is especially true of the engine where more exacting tolerances will show up a defective parts in just a few hundred miles.

Of course, any used car can experience problems, but at 20k mi., it won't be due to low mileage. Age may be a factor in dry seals, hoses and other things, but mechanically, if it breaks, you can't blame the mileage. Modern cars have a short infancy and old age, but a much lengthened adolescence. At 20k mi., the car is well into it's stride. I would buy any 986 with 15k mi. or more and not give it a thought. Lower mileage cars will probably cost less over the 1st 5 years of ownership than a higher mileage one and retain a higher resale value in the bargain. Go for the nicest car you can afford. If the miles are relatively low, that's a bonus. Get a PPI, if it passes, never give it another thought...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I usually like to be careful about throwing around the term "garage queen", since my own '99 has only about 34k on it, but I think the one in question certainly qualifies. Old cars with very low mileage can present some issues even though they look immaculate. I don't think a '99 is an "old car" yet, just a used one, and lightly used at that, in this case.

Just remember, you are paying a premium for the low mileage, and the only way to protect your "investment" is to not drive the car, either.

Hi,

I agree, but you also have to look at how the mileage was accumulated. A car driven 3k mi. per year is still regularly driven (albeit lightly so). Another car driven 12k mi., then stored for 6 years and then driven another 12k mi. is likely to have more potential for issues (especially if it was improperly stored). Yet another car, dedicated to DE, Auto-X and Track events will also have a higher potential if the only miles on it are hard, infrequent ones...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

If you're going to be spending top dollar for a used car, why not check out a certified one from a dealer? Then you won't have to worry as much about the engine problems that may occur.






And as a side note, I hate that "one of a kind" crap in car ads. I'm pretty sure Porsche made other vehicles exactly like that one, so it's not one of a kind.

Looks fantastic! Love the lightweight 18" wheels, but IMHO, overpriced. For comparison, my Speed Yellow over black, 2000 2.7l, 5spd,lightly optioned with 41K miles. pd much less. $22K for a '99 with low miles seems overpriced and potentially worrisome due to "under" use ;)

I'm not sure what a fair price is for this car, but it looks like a great example of a loaded non-S to me! I love the colors.

For 22.5K, you could probably find a 2000 S though, and enjoy those extra ponies.

He's wanting a lot of extra money for stuff you really don't use much on a car like the nav system, park assist, etc. The full leather is nice, but if you use the defroster much, it will wrinkle the leather near the base of the windshield. Check that on his car when you see it in person.

Just to clarify, he was asking $22.5, I negotiated $20.5k, which is a bit more reasonable. It's actually in the shop getting the PPI done right now. The car was obviously babied and in great cosmetic shape.

I didn't have much time to really drive it, but I did notice that it was really hard to get into third gear... I don't know if it's just because it hasn't been driven in a while or what... I told the mechanic to take a look at it... any ideas??

1-2 and 2-1 on my car when it's cold out and the engine is cold is really tough. However, when the engine is up to temp and I've driven it and shifted gears for a couple of minutes, it's quite smooth.

This may be the case with the car you are looking at now. Driving it when the tranny oil is hot could be the difference.

For what its worth I didn't take delivery of my 02 S until after they fixed the shift from 1 to 2. They ended up replacing the whole transmission. Whatever you do make sure it shifts well into each gear before you sign any papers. I've never had trouble shifting in cold weather. It may be a little "notchier" when its cold out but nothing out of the ordinary.

The true average value on 99 prabably around 15k. That said, as long as the car has the exact color combo and options you want, 5k can be justified. It's much better than buying the car with color and options you are not in love with and regret later.

A few things;
I never herad about 3rd gear problem. This is the must-fix.
Ask the seller if the wheels are OEM or aftermarket.
RMS check.

Btw, that is one awesome looking car.
Good luck.

The PPI checked out okay, with 2 exceptions. It has had some minor body work... mechanic said there was no worry of frame damage, looked like someone had scratched it deep and had to fix it (speculation of course). This didn't show on the carfax of course. He said that the body shop did a great job and he had a tough time even spotting it. Said he wouldn't worry about it.

The shifting problem is probably bad bushings... it basically doesn't spring back into the center when it comes out of gear. Mechanic said that it would cost about $80 to fix for the hour of labor, no big deal.

Overall, he gave it a clean bill of health, checked the RMS, tranny, etc. said it looked great. Checked the Carerra light rims and they are OEM.

I anticipate that some people are going to doubt the mechanic's advice. I will say that I am inclined to trust him. He's been working on one of my friend's Porsches for over 10 years and did this inspection at no charge. He's been racing and working on Porsches for close to 40 years (started with 356, 914, 968s). He's been in business here for well over 20 years and this is a town with a LOT of 911's.

I think I'm going to see if the seller will reduce the price to an even $20k for the 2 issues above. Thoughts?

HIFI:

c u at TOD!

Go for it
 

Hey HiFi I would get in a heart beat i have a similiar car with lower mileage at time of purchase which was at 36000. my color combination the burgundy with sand interior and I love it. Everyone I show it too females included love the color combo. As far as the options every one of them is very nice except the rear bumber sensors. Not knocking them but just don't think they were not high on your list as far as options you looked for in your box. But I would not be to worried about the low mileage especially if a mechanic you know and believe you can trust says it checks out. But that amount of mileage and factory problems in my opinion would have said hello by now. In fact I would be proud of the low mileage but use the negative part of the low mileage in your price points tell seller with a car like this it smiles with miles and the low mileage makes the car unhappy lol. Do not say those words because he will look at you funny. But you know what I mean. Anyways good luck with either path you take and if you get it good luck and have fun.

The car has 6,000 miles on it and there are bad bushings in the shifter. Unless this car belonged to the Little Old Lady from Pasadena, and that 6,000 miles is a quarter-mile at a time, I can't see how they could wear out that quickly.
Additional investigation may be in order.

HIFI,

I say go for it as well ! Beautiful car, love the rims !

I paid $22k for my 99 in April with 28k miles and NONE of the options that car has !

KBB value on that car ( private party ) is $17,650 without the options...

If you can pick that up for $20k I would say you are getting a GREAT deal :D

Nick

Thanks, yeah I'm trying to jump on it, but now he's saying someone else is interested and supposed to make an offer today. I just hope he didn't tell them what my offer is, which I imagine he did to get the best price. It's really frustrating, because he's in China and I have to wait a day to hear from him over email. So close...

I'm planning on replacing the bushings before I commit to make sure that fixes the problem. My mechanic seemed pretty confident it wasn't the tranny, but I agree with you about it sounding funny.

HIFI,

Good Luck ! Make sure to let us know what happens...

Nick

Thanks; I THINK we've agreed to a price, but it's going to take 2 weeks for the deal to finalize (he's overseas). I'm getting it for about 2k below book, so I'm happy, I just want to get it finalized!

It's still going to be dependant on whether the bushings will fix the shifting problem (hopefully!). I want to go ahead and put a short shift on it while this is being done... someone mentioned a clone on eBay for around $55, does anyone have the seller's name; the cheapest I can find is $90?

Hi,

The car has 23,400 miles on it. The seller is 2nd owner and only put 6k of those 23,400 mi. on it. Mileage should not be an issue at all with this car...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

HIFI-
I bought one of the SSK B&M clones on eBay - seller was a2rinc. Price including delivery was $64.

If you're picking it up for $20K, I think that's good especially since it's the color combo you want and it has some nice toys w/ it. I bought mine 18 months ago w/ similar mileage, 21K, and paid a little extra (even though it needed new tires). Why? Because it was very clean, had some nice options, was the exact combo I wanted and came w/ a 12K/12mo warranty.

Of course, for the first few miles on the way home w/ it, I got a little buyer's remorse until.... I hit the loud pedal and dropped it into 4th gear w/ the top down on the expressway entrance ramp. Anyhow, haven't thought about it since. Well, maybe once or twice - especially when random people compliment it while I'm grabbing coffee, getting gas or at another P-car gathering.

Hope it all works out for ya. Good luck!

Thanks, I got the short shifter from a2rinc for $69 shipped, it was his last one, so i guess he upped the price $5... oh well.

Yeah, I am happy with the deal, it seems to book out through Kelley and Edmunds at $22k, and it doesn't really need anything major until 30k miles. I just want the car in my garage! Thanks again for the info.