Lessons learned: Buying a "used low mileage engine"(must read) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

thehighheelsgirl · 09-30-2009, 06:02 PM

This sounds like a horrible story, and I hope I never have to do anything like this with my car!

On the other hand, an internet forum is not a place for people to settle personal grievances or engage in name calling. I am a member on a couple fashion forums, and have seen some ridiculous fights break out in threads and that's not what we're all here for. As a new member here, I did read the rules, and it states, like I think pretty much all forums, that "do not use this forum as a vehicle to attack others." Regardless of how much dislike some of us may have for others, posting other member's names and contact info in a public domain like this is not right.

Jake Raby · 09-30-2009, 07:02 PM

thehighheelsgirl,

Trust that this forum will not be utilized for anything more on this subject than it already has been... I am well aware of the forums rules and will conform to them.

I know all about forum controversy; I've probably been engaged in more than ten thousand of them since around 1995 when I started posting to newsgroups and the like. Thats what happens when one thinks outside the box, gets big results and then shares them.

The "Purchaser" has come up with his own way of sharing this and when the time comes he'll do that..

Until then, I am just the bearer of the technical glitches and nightmares imposed by the "Phantom".

Where this story ends up being published might just surprise lots of people.

pcs5978 · 10-01-2009, 01:07 AM

The Latin phrase referenced below, Caveat Emptor or "Let the buyer beware", certainly applies in this situation. As the purchaser of this motor, no one knows this better that me. But there is another phrase that people are less familiar with, Caveat Venditor which translates to ""Let the seller beware". The size, speed, connectedness and transparency of internet-based virtual communities means that if you're representing a product or service that is not up to standard, you're putting you're business and/your reputation on the line. Being "outed" to a community can be a very anxiety provoking thing and by reading the content and the subtext of the stings in this thread its not to difficult to figure out who the "vendor" is that needs to "beware". Me thinks he does protest too much.

Stay Tuned

Rob-00BoxsterS · 10-01-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehighheelsgirl

...On the other hand, an internet forum is not a place for people to settle personal grievances or engage in name calling... As a new member here, I did read the rules, and it states, like I think pretty much all forums, that "do not use this forum as a vehicle to attack others." Regardless of how much dislike some of us may have for others, posting other member's names and contact info in a public domain like this is not right.

I couldn't disagree with you more. An internet forum is the place to settle grievances pertaining to that forum and I don't see Jake or pcs5978 engaging in any questionable name calling. They are stating facts and protecting the community. I would be interested in Brucelee and/or Rkwie's opinion on this.

Personally, if I were in the market for a new (to me) engine, I would like some background on who I could (or couldn't) trust. Actually, make that for anything I purchase.

Many forums have a buyers/sellers/vendors feedback sub-forum.

Having joined our community only a few days ago and not wanting the identity of this mystery seller revealed makes me question your motives. Forgive me if I am off base with my assumptions.

cvhs18472 · 10-01-2009, 02:57 AM

If an old animal has 4 legs, teats, weighs well over 1000#s and gives milk: is calling it a cow name calling? There is an old Polish saying that asks if a Pigs A** is still Pork--basically saying what is, is . There is no name calling here just a true story. Ed

thehighheelsgirl · 10-01-2009, 05:15 AM

I just joined this forum the other day after finding it on the internet, after I bought a Boxster last week to learn a bit more about it. I only mentioned my post in this thread since I've seen things get really out of control on other forums.

For the sake of knowing who to trust and not trust when buying these, if the source of this engine was a professional merchant, then yes, I would want to know where I can or can't buy from. I'm on a shoe forum (don't laugh, I'm a girl LOL), and there are multiple threads about what online stores to deal with and which ones to avoid. However, if the person in question here is not a merchant, while it's an unfortunate deal for the buyer, it's not like he's likely to be selling other engines in the future since he's not in the engine selling business. At least that would be my logic, those of you who are more "car guys" let me know if my thinking is wrong.

jmatta · 10-01-2009, 05:34 AM

I commend Jake for his time (which could be better spent) and efforts to educate the rest of us on the pitfalls of these engines (M96) and the new breed of snakes which have arisen looking to prey upon those less knowledgeable (and think they can get away with it).

Just remember, that shiney new "used" Boxster you just purchased could house one of these frankenstein engines...better to have the right questions to ask before you write the check.

Jaxonalden · 10-01-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehighheelsgirl

I'm on a shoe forum (don't laugh, I'm a girl LOL), and there are multiple threads about what online stores...

Let’s see, your forum name is "Thehighheelsgirl" and you’re a member of a shoe forum (didn't even know that existed

). Yea, you’re a girl alright and there’s definitely nothing wrong with that. You and Love Bunny should get together; she has a pair of boots you can appreciate.

Some older members might remember this from last December.

[IMG]http://986forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11415&stc=1[IMG]

BigOlJohnson · 10-06-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehighheelsgirl

I just joined this forum the other day after finding it on the internet, after I bought a Boxster last week to learn a bit more about it.
I only mentioned my post in this thread since I've seen things get really out of control on other forums. .

I thought you bought the Boxster in February? Talk to Aaron Holstrum lately?

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehighheelsgirl

-------------However, if the person in question here is not a merchant, while it's an unfortunate deal for the buyer, it's not like he's
likely to be selling other engines in the future since he's not in the engine selling business. --------

So, we let the Guy/Girl off the hook, just because he doesn't have ANOTHER broken
engine to sell?

I CALL BS! I say we hang him/her by his NUTS, IF he has any!

BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

BIGGY

clickman · 10-02-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob-00BoxsterS

An internet forum is the place to settle grievances pertaining to that forum and I don't see Jake or pcs5978 engaging in any questionable name calling. They are stating facts and protecting the community.

Personally, if I were in the market for a new (to me) engine, I would like some background on who I could (or couldn't) trust.

I agree 100%. If forum members can protect other forum members from spending a LOT of $ on these shysters and the problems they create, why wouldn't we share all that we know, including naming names?

Brucelee · 10-03-2009, 04:48 AM

Why the diversion to boots and shoes?

Just wondering.

jmatta · 10-03-2009, 05:12 AM

Things got a bit sidetracked by the posts from new member "thehighheelsgirl"...
everyone kind of forgot about the engine problems for a moment!

I (for one) have been watching this post a couple times daily for updates.

Dragonwind · 10-07-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Why the diversion to boots and shoes?

Just wondering.

It must have been the commercial interuption to the drama we are watching.

Chris

Brucelee · 10-07-2009, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehighheelsgirl

This sounds like a horrible story, and I hope I never have to do anything like this with my car!

On the other hand, an internet forum is not a place for people to settle personal grievances or engage in name calling. I am a member on a couple fashion forums, and have seen some ridiculous fights break out in threads and that's not what we're all here for. As a new member here, I did read the rules, and it states, like I think pretty much all forums, that "do not use this forum as a vehicle to attack others." Regardless of how much dislike some of us may have for others, posting other member's names and contact info in a public domain like this is not right.

This forum will NOT allow any fraud to be perpetrated directly or indirectly through its pages. Thus, if we have a concern raised like this that is both serious and credible, we will allow it to air, subject to the bounds of the rules and good taste. I get to be the arbiter on both counts.

Jake Raby is a sponsor and a straight up guy, who helps us all with his tech insight. We will allow him to continue this most interesting topic.

If this offends you, please skip this thread when you read each day.

Thanks.

Brucelee · 10-07-2009, 06:33 AM

Im pretty sure I could come up with it if you could come up with a monster (400+hp) 3.6 for me...

I am also checking this a few times a day.. Bruce should start charging a viewing fee for such great material.

We like to keep the information FREE and free flowing around here.

Jaak · 10-07-2009, 07:03 AM

In my case I bought the car knowing the motor is shot and needs a rebuild (PO overfilled with 4 litres of oil). Here I am lucky as my friend owns an Independant P-Car shop and has sent it out to be rebuilt. His source has been doing Porsche & other high end names for over 20 years. I weight the "fresh crated" from the dealer VS rebuild and decided the rebuild will have 2009 upgrades done to it.

The 3.2 MY2002 from Porsche will be one they have sitting "on the shelf" and not had any updates done to it. It would cost them too much to tear it apart and provide a fix. Rebuilt would be a better option as the latest updates will be installed.

Jake Raby · 10-07-2009, 07:42 AM

From a technical aspect this engine situation gets even more unbelievable..

Both cylinder heads are not servicable and while they are repairable they are not worth the txpenditure of time or money to do so.

These heads had been resurfaced in the past and had a somewhat bazaar repair made to one of the cam journal surfaces so we decided to use them as a pair of 4,000 buck door stops.

We are currently prepping a set of replacement cylinder heads, we had to purchase another core engine to pull these heads from it.

It gets better. Much better.

More pics later.

BigOlJohnson · 10-07-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

From a technical aspect this engine situation gets even more unbelievable..

Both cylinder heads are not servicable and while they are repairable they are not worth the txpenditure of time or money to do so.

These heads had been resurfaced in the past and had a somewhat bazaar repair made to one of the cam journal surfaces so we decided to use them as a pair of 4,000 buck door stops.

We are currently prepping a set of replacement cylinder heads, we had to purchase another core engine to pull these heads from it.

It gets better. Much better.

More pics later.

Do you think that the shop that did this work before it was sold is liable?

Or is the PERSON, that mis-represented this item liable?

BIGGY

Jake Raby · 10-07-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOlJohnson

Do you think that the shop that did this work before it was sold is liable?

Or is the PERSON, that mis-represented this item liable?

BIGGY

I honestly don't know or don't care..
My focus is now only on finally making the purchaser happy by providing something of use so he can finish the season on a positive note.

To do that I have had to move around lots of other projects and I worked here until 0600 this morning before crashing for two hours to help make that happen.

If me or the buyer had more time to screw with all of this, the story might have a different twist.