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

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.

Jake Raby · 10-01-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

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.

You got that right!! It would amaze you to know how many instances arise with phone calls where Boxster and 911 oweners have experienced engines failures and ALL they want to do is screw the next guy!!!
They ask me "Is there any way I can repair the engine cheap so I can just sell the car?"

I typically then go ballistic and remind them that Porsche people don't screw each other and they obviously aren't an enthusiast at the level they should be to own one one.

Nothing fires me up more than that!

Steve Tinker · 10-01-2009, 10:33 PM

jmatta is absolutely correct - any purchaser of a used Boxster (and there are many of us who can ill afford a new one) could have a similar engine lurking under the hood......
I think both pcs5978 and Jake both have a legit argument - we are not talking peanuts here & I'll bet there is some serious money having to be spent. Imagine this happening to you......

cheetah · 10-02-2009, 04:37 AM

In all seriousness, I think that I may have been the recipient of a "fixed" engine also (in the car that I bought). Nothing to do with this seller or anything like that though. I am preparing a reply in the appropriate posting soon though.

Jake has helped me a lot so far with this, and I am 99% sure that I will be buying one of his 3.6 engines before spring.

jmatta · 10-02-2009, 05:50 AM

Jake has helped me a lot so far with this, and I am 99% sure that I will be buying one of his 3.6 engines before spring.

If I didn't have one child in college and another just about to start, I'd be all over the 3.6 upgrade...just have to wait for a while.

edevlin · 10-02-2009, 06:44 AM

"If I didn't have one child in college and another just about to start, I'd be all over the 3.6 upgrade...just have to wait for a while."

Ditto on the cost of children/college sorts of things these days. I think I could have bought about 4 of Jake's trick 3.6's on what we have had to spend recently. But hey, its a great time to get a new morgage and refinance the house, we just did and got 4.3%......

Ed

Jake Raby · 10-02-2009, 09:00 AM

Thanks guys...

Just wait, the story is getting better!

Anyone have Jerry Springer's phone number??

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]

pcs5978 · 10-01-2009, 12:00 PM

When I bought this motor, I didn't expect to have all sorts of expensive problems. But since then I've tried to look on the bright side and I've discovered a new return on this "investment" - entertainment! Didn't really imagine that I'd find myself getting advise in Forum Etiquette from someone who frequents a "shoe forum". Wait a minute didn't Osama Bin Laden escape from Bora Bora wearing a Burkha?

blueillusion97 · 10-01-2009, 01:53 PM

Wow, what a story! At least I'm glad to find out that there are still people out there that stand behind their work, and are willing to go such great lengths to make things right. When I will need engine work for my car i know where to ship my car!! I am electrician and i always fix smaller things on my cost that were not included in the estimate, i just cant leave things alone that i know are wrong. So i see where are you coming from, except your costs in this case were quite large.

I do pretty much all the work on my car, but i would never touch the engine. Once i worked on a much simpler Mercedes engine and it was not pretty, tried to save some money, ended up towing the car to someone who knew what they are doing and ended up spending 3 times more than i would have if i never touched it my self. It was quite embarrassing

And one thing thats certainly true, the seller of the engine is definitely not a porsche enthusiasts. Hopefully eventually it will come up who he/she is.

10-01-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

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]

The things women spend money on.....

RandallNeighbour · 10-01-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hindson Racing

The things women spend money on.....

I own more pairs of shoes than my wife. And your wife too.

I can't pass a shoe store on vacation and not get a pair.

I tell my wife it should be tolerated. I pass dealerships all the time and don't feel the need to buy a new car!

Jake Raby · 10-01-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

who he/she is.

Now thats funny!!!!!

Brucelee · 10-01-2009, 06:35 PM

It is ALWAYS useful to remember that many on the old INET are not trustworthy or who they seem to be.

Why, I have even heard of men pretending to be women!

Now, who would do such a thing?

RandallNeighbour · 10-01-2009, 06:47 PM

I wonder how many women pretend to be men on this forum?

"... not that there's anything wrong with that!" -Jerry Seinfeld

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