Would you bypass a PPI if... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

bmx672 · 02-27-2007, 04:32 AM

...the 2001 Boxster has 13k and looks and runs like brand new? The owner seems honest and has records? (it's a local car)

Porschekid · 02-27-2007, 04:34 AM

I would never pass up a PPI even if it was a friends car but that's just me. Small price to pay if you are serious in your purchase.

bmx672 · 02-27-2007, 04:59 AM

The guy almost seemed upset that I want one... He seems straight up and on the level... I don't know if he just doesn't feel like letting me take his car to get one. The car has been babied all of its life. I think that's the issue more than anything else.
Why can't I just have a seamless purchase? I keep running into road blocks with these guys.

Porschekid · 02-27-2007, 05:12 AM

Set up an appointment on a time he will be able to drop off the car the night before or whenever is best for him if he doesn't trust you taking the car. If he is uneasy about getting it checked out I know it would make me nervous. Just let him know it's not a trust thing, you just want to be confident in your purchase.

blue2000s · 02-27-2007, 05:28 AM

Even vigilent mainenance won't protect against an RMS leak.

Marc Gelefsky · 02-27-2007, 05:33 AM

Nope, PPI is ALWAYS worth it!
If the seller has an issue, maybe there is a problem?
In all the cars I have sold I never had an issue with someone doing a PPI.
The seller should not be insulted.

Brucelee · 02-27-2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmx672

The guy almost seemed upset that I want one... He seems straight up and on the level... I don't know if he just doesn't feel like letting me take his car to get one. The car has been babied all of its life. I think that's the issue more than anything else.
Why can't I just have a seamless purchase? I keep running into road blocks with these guys.

That he seems almost upset is a sign of alarm.

I used to sell used Boxsters.

Get the PPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have been warned.

Topless · 02-27-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmx672

...the 2001 Boxster has 13k and looks and runs like brand new? The owner seems honest and has records? (it's a local car)

A six year old car with verified 13k miles?? That is a definitive garage queen. Annual oil changes at say every 2k miles whether it needs it or not?? 100% dealer service with a clean car fax? No wrecks, No fluid leaks? No weird noises when starting, idling, driving? I would buy it, put all fresh fluids in it ( that haven't been changed recently) and drive the snot out of it.

jtucker · 02-27-2007, 12:31 PM

I didn't do a PPI either when I bought my Boxster. I bought mine from a local BMW dealer I had done business with in the past. It was in his "premium pre-owned showroom", and supposedly went thru a thorough inspection by them. Anyway, two years later and not a single issue with the car. Come to think of it, I didn't do a PPI on the 911 I used to own either. I bought that from a Porsche dealer though. I usually would do a PPI on that type of car from an individual or independent dealer. I guess I've just been lucky.

J. Tucker
'99 Arctic Silver
'98 BMW 318ti

Brucelee · 02-27-2007, 12:42 PM

"I guess I've just been lucky."

Indeed!

90red · 02-27-2007, 12:53 PM

How necessary is a PPI for a vehicle still under the factory warranty?

rdancd816 · 02-27-2007, 01:13 PM

I totally agree with BruceLee that a PPI is essential. I also agree that they are not flawless. I bought my Boxster from a dealer and they did not inform or observe the following and claimed the car was PPI'd: slight RMS leak, original convertible top cables (prone to failure), and 9 year old tires. Happily the car has been great, but let the buyer beware!

Sammy · 02-27-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90red

How necessary is a PPI for a vehicle still under the factory warranty?

It's still a good idea as a PPI may be able to point out issues that may not be serious at the time of inspection but may be an issue after the warranty expires. For example, if the cam cover has a little bit of oil leaking from the gasket and you only have 6 months left on the warranty you may not notice the problem until after the warranty expires.

I did not get a PPI done and haven't regretted it but I will definitely consider it for future purchases.

kelly1005 · 02-27-2007, 07:31 PM

I've always done some sort of PPI on every vehicle I've bought... except one. And that one was the one that ended up being a total money pit. After that I even get PPIs on $1500 motorcycles. To me it's just always worth it. If the seller balks, I move on. No vehicle is unique.

The boxster was a little different as it needed it's 60k service soon, so rather than doing a PPI, I just had the 60k service done and split the cost with the seller. We agreed ahead of time that if anything was found wrong we would renegotiate the price and/or he would pay for the whole service less $200 if we couldn't come to terms. Lots of trust on that deal, but it turned out OK.

wetstuff · 02-28-2007, 08:28 AM

I would/did buy without - because my two had factory warranty left. I bought the Boxster from a Chevy dealer in CT. It came directly from P-leasing thru Manheim auctions. Shortly thereafter I paid my 'local' Porsche dealer to do a Cert. Inspection ..they did all the checks; just w/o the paperwork. The other advantage of having a little warranty left is: you can buy an extended one w/o hassle. The most recent was P-certified.

I doubt that I would buy a car - with no warranty left - without having someone look at it. ..very especially if this was my first Boxster.

When I sell the Box, I expect to comply with any reasonable request. ..even tho' I'm about 2hrs from anyone who's been under the boot of a Porsche.

j i m

MNBoxster · 02-28-2007, 08:36 AM

Hi,

Several contributors have chosen to take the risk and not do a PPI. They report no problems, but that's sheer luck of the draw, nothing more.

I don't think it's in anyway an endorsement to ignore this safeguard against buying a Lemon. Getting a PPI is simply the prudent thing to do before committing tens of thousands of dollars. Reject it at your own peril...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Brucelee · 02-28-2007, 10:33 AM

Some folks love to gamble!

David N. · 02-28-2007, 10:50 AM

Babying ruins as many cars as wringing them out occasionally does. A car that's been in sitting the garage for 5 and a half years is just waiting to have problems. And who knows, your friend may not have broken the engine in correctly, or there may be a fault that nobody is aware of.

Get the PPI, it's not a matter of trust, it's liability because you don't want the friendship to suffer if you both learn something you weren't expecting.

For the record, I got a PPI and appreciated knowing what expenses were around the corner (CV boots, water pump under warranty). Also get a compression check if you want to feel good about the engine, I got 150 across the board and knew I had a winner

-David N.