Buying a 981, red flags?

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

From my experience that tends to happen when cars are less desirable, cars with good spec/history will sell themselves, which is probably why you want it?

That one is a really good car as well, but a bit lighter on options. the tyres are old and it needs a big service, and the seller is willing to allow for that in the asking price I think.


Another possibility has popped up today, a rather lovely-looking 2013 car in a great colour:



Seller says:

'2013 Boxster 981. Looking for around 20k owned 5 years 2 previous owners. Cat d from damage to wheel and rear subframe when 12 months old. No bodywork damage. Was bolt on repair. Pretty much like new condition. Extended leather. Fully detailed and 3 year ceramic coat last year. No issues. 32k miles. '



I'd never considered a cat d before, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[paulguitar]

CanAm said:

Cat D on a nearly new car would have been quite an expensive repair I would have thought.

Me too. I have asked the seller if he can send photos.

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

I'd never considered a cat d before, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Unless it was the only one I could buy I would not consider it - there are loads out there to choose from, as you have already proved.

yeah, I think you're right.

[paulguitar]

ATM said:

paulguitar said:

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

I'd never considered a cat d before, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Unless it was the only one I could buy I would not consider it - there are loads out there to choose from, as you have already proved.

yeah, I think you're right.

Surely it depends on the asking price. If its 10 grand I'd buy it. Would you?

At 10, definitely, but he wants 20.

[paulguitar]

ATM said:

paulguitar said:

ATM said:

paulguitar said:

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

I'd never considered a cat d before, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Unless it was the only one I could buy I would not consider it - there are loads out there to choose from, as you have already proved.

yeah, I think you're right.

Surely it depends on the asking price. If its 10 grand I'd buy it. Would you?

At 10, definitely, but he wants 20.

What price would get you to buy it?

16-ish, if it drives spot on. The spec is really good. I'm waiting for photos and more details, in particular of the damage and repair.

[paulguitar]

ATM said:

I think the prospect of him dropping from 20 to 16ish is perhaps a tad optimistic.

You're probably right, but for 20 I can get a non cat car with fewer than 50,000 miles.

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

You're probably right, but for 20 I can get a non cat car with fewer than 50,000 miles.

Probably not a 981 that most people would be happy with.

I will post it here if I get the one I am referring to.


Still leaning towards the 25k 'S' though.

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

People don’t sell good cars cheap, those days are long gone, everyone knows the worth of everything today.

Well I have had a good at the one I think I can get for £20k, and it looks good to me.

[paulguitar]

testdrive said:

paulguitar said:

Well I have had a good at the one I think I can get for £20k, and it looks good to me.

Oil leak an easy fix on that one too ?

That one doesn't have a leak. (That I'm aware of).

[paulguitar]

Youforreal. said:

Tbh I think you will get an ok car at 20k but I don’t think it will be a great one and will probably need some stuff sorting, 20k is the start point on PH and auto trader and that even includes cat cars, it’s just logic that the better ones will be more expensive.

The one at that price level I have looked at needs a major service and a full set of tyres. So there is a bit of money to be spent.

[paulguitar]

Youforreal. said:

paulguitar said:

Youforreal. said:

Tbh I think you will get an ok car at 20k but I don’t think it will be a great one and will probably need some stuff sorting, 20k is the start point on PH and auto trader and that even includes cat cars, it’s just logic that the better ones will be more expensive.

The one at that price level I have looked at needs a major service and a full set of tyres. So there is a bit of money to be spent.

All im saying is just beware at what seems a good car and a bargain! I’ve seldom seen one, sometimes the more expensive car is a harder pill to swallow at first but is better for you and your wallet in the long run.

Yes, that's good advice. I think the 20kish one is a good car though. Never had an MOT advisory, garaged, looked really tidy to me.

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

testdrive said:

Oil leak an easy fix on that one too ?

That one doesn't have a leak. (That I'm aware of).

Out of interest how did you establish what kind of an oil leak that car had in the first place?

If you look at the start of the thread what happened was I looked at a vehicle health check that an OPC did on the car. They’d been overly enthusiastic about other probably unnecessary work being required, in particular suggesting replacement of the tyres, despite the minimum reading being 4.7mm, so I thought perhaps the advisories might be over zealous…

[paulguitar]

GT3Manthey said:

This went through collecting cars last night.

If you include commission and a new set of tyres you're in for 40k

You get what you pay for I guess.

Only 7k miles .

I was watching that one, the seller, and CC must be very pleased with that result!

Still, 7000 miles, so a very rare occurrence.

[paulguitar]

GT3Manthey said:

The GTS models I'm a fan of -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403117...

That's lovely, but sold.

[paulguitar]

GT3Manthey said:

paulguitar said:

That's lovely, but sold.

To you!?

[paulguitar]

GT3Manthey said:

paulguitar said:

To you!?

Yup . I'm a fan of the 981 platform having had a 981 GT4 and various other cars .

Loving open top motoring now and this fits the bill perfectly.

Hopefully my car for a long time.

[paulguitar]

I have another car on my radar.

This is getting complicated.

[paulguitar]

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

[paulguitar]

HighwayStar said:

paulguitar said:

Does anyone here have any knowledge of a Porsche warranty on older cars? The one I am leaning towards has only ever been serviced at OPCs, I understand that means you can extend the warranty. Do you have to have any advisory work they come up with done by them to keep the warranty going?

Warranty coverage for Porsche vehicles up to an age of 15 years, with the possibility to conclude the warranty for vehicles of up to 14 years of age / 125,000 miles – even without prior warranty coverage.

The car would need to pass their 111 point check to qualify for warranty coverage. Good detailed info here:

https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/p...

Thanks.

[paulguitar]

I think the warranty is not a good idea, having looked into it and some good advice here. I am also a very long way from trusting OPCs. I have a friend who's about to finally get rid of a Porsche he bought new 2 years ago. The incompetence of the OPC he's dealt with has been genuinely shocking. Having to have two replacement engines in a 2022 car is not very impressive either. He's bought an M5 and I doubt he'll ever consider getting a Porsche ever again.