Thoughts on this 997.1

[JCKST1]

Some of you may have noticed my previous post from a while ago regarding a 997.1

Whilst browsing again I came across this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182511846866?euid=39074a...

Love the look of the car plus it has PSE, PASM & the gen 2 lights. MOT history is clean on the car with just the usual tyres/discs advisories over the last 13 years.

What are peoples thoughts on it?
The garage doesnt have the best reviews to be honest but I would be getting a pre purchase inspection done & they do offer warranties so hopefully I can get one which would cover the common bore scoring/IMS problems. I wouldn't expect much come back from the garage so basically looking at this as a private sale.

Price wise having spoke briefly to him I can get it for around the £22,000 mark which is a fair price.

Also whilst on topic is there any other companies who offer warranties on 13 year old cars. Most seem to be 10-12 years max.

[YoungMD]

Well it sounds good and a nice price but with 997.1 the devil really is in the detail. It hasn't really done that many miles so I would say an inspection for bore scoring is essential. So also is a generally look at what has been done...a good inspection would throw all of this up. I would put a deposit down subject to all the checks not throwing up anything major.

Even if the engine is fine you can spend a good few £k on sorting out silly stuff like radiators and exhaust and corroded bolts .....

[So]

JCKST1 said:

Some of you may have noticed my previous post from a while ago regarding a 997.1

Whilst browsing again I came across this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182511846866?euid=39074a...

Love the look of the car plus it has PSE, PASM & the gen 2 lights. MOT history is clean on the car with just the usual tyres/discs advisories over the last 13 years.

What are peoples thoughts on it?
The garage doesnt have the best reviews to be honest but I would be getting a pre purchase inspection done & they do offer warranties so hopefully I can get one which would cover the common bore scoring/IMS problems. I wouldn't expect much come back from the garage so basically looking at this as a private sale.

Price wise having spoke briefly to him I can get it for around the £22,000 mark which is a fair price.

Also whilst on topic is there any other companies who offer warranties on 13 year old cars. Most seem to be 10-12 years max.

A beautiful looking car. Needs examining at closely.

I'd be trying to get a Porsche warranty on it, though I suspect the lights and any other non-standard parts will scupper that, even if the car is stil owned by a private seller.

[JCKST1]

Thanks guys. I will give them a bell tomorrow and go through the service history etc.

I dont think I could even get a Porsche warranty with the normal lights, the car has to be purchased from them to get a warranty I believe. The garage can offer warranty up to 12 months, depending on the company its with it maybe worth taking out.

Providing the above is OK I will leave a deposit and arrange an inspection for this week.. Just need to find a local specialist now!

[So]

JCKST1 said:

Thanks guys. I will give them a bell tomorrow and go through the service history etc.

I dont think I could even get a Porsche warranty with the normal lights, the car has to be purchased from them to get a warranty I believe. The garage can offer warranty up to 12 months, depending on the company its with it maybe worth taking out.

Providing the above is OK I will leave a deposit and arrange an inspection for this week.. Just need to find a local specialist now!

As far as I am aware, a current owner can get a Porsche warranty immediately if the car passes a 111 point check. A new owner can get one after 6 months.

I bought a 7.1 similar to that and got a Porsche warranty from day one by paying the seller to get one on it.

The 997.1 is a very special car. If you can get that one with a warranty on it that means something, you should buy it. It looks very nice, albeit that the lights make me wonder what else has been messed with.

[JCKST1]

Thanks I didn't know that.
If you dont mind me asking how much did you pay for the warranty?

From the looks of it just the lights have been changed (I actually prefer the gen 2 lights), however a full inspection should highlight anything else.
Ticks every box for me, so providing the SH is up to date and its been serviced on time I will be placing a deposit on it

[So]

JCKST1 said:

Thanks I didn't know that.
If you dont mind me asking how much did you pay for the warranty?

From the looks of it just the lights have been changed (I actually prefer the gen 2 lights), however a full inspection should highlight anything else.
Ticks every box for me, so providing the SH is up to date and its been serviced on time I will be placing a deposit on it

I seem to recall the 111 point check was about £200. The warranty was about a grand, The price has not increased much; I've paid for both recently on another car.

You're aware, I presume, that your car would need to be returned to how it was when it left the factory.

[Shewie]

JCKST1 said:

.. Just need to find a local specialist now!

If the car is in Shrewsbury, give Dave Griffiths Racing a shout. They're Porsche specialists and based just outside town. Should be able to give you an independent assessment.

[jakesmith]

So said:

albeit that the lights make me wonder what else has been messed with.

The lights are plug and play units not genuine gen 2 parts. Owner prob has originals. Very common mod and very easy to do, I wouldn't think it means anything else has been modified

[So]

jakesmith said:

So said:

albeit that the lights make me wonder what else has been messed with.

The lights are plug and play units not genuine gen 2 parts. Owner prob has originals. Very common mod and very easy to do, I wouldn't think it means anything else has been modified

Hmmm, I've found in the past that tamperers tend to tamper. But a 111 point check will reveal the truth.

[JCKST1]

Just spoken to a member of staff, they are going to check the service book to see when the last one was and if it was a minor or major service.
The guy on the phone was a bit rude to be honest, lived up to the reviews online lets say that!

I asked if there was any additional paperwork with the car for the clutch etc, to which he replied no, he then said he has had about 30 997's and the questions I am asking are pointless as the car only has 44k miles on it not 100k+. I know its low mileage but I have seen others online with 40 - 50k mileage which have had a new clutch.

Anyway, I am hoping by paying for a specialist inspection it comes back clean and the car has had a clutch. Maybe the last owner never kept any paperwork/receipts.

[JCKST1]

Further update - Car was last serviced at 35,000 miles (9000 miles ago) - Looking at the history that was around early 2015 so it will be due a minor now I believe?

[So]

JCKST1 said:

Just spoken to a member of staff, they are going to check the service book to see when the last one was and if it was a minor or major service.
The guy on the phone was a bit rude to be honest, lived up to the reviews online lets say that!

I asked if there was any additional paperwork with the car for the clutch etc, to which he replied no, he then said he has had about 30 997's and the questions I am asking are pointless as the car only has 44k miles on it not 100k+. I know its low mileage but I have seen others online with 40 - 50k mileage which have had a new clutch.

Anyway, I am hoping by paying for a specialist inspection it comes back clean and the car has had a clutch. Maybe the last owner never kept any paperwork/receipts.

I would find it very difficult to buy a car off a dealer with that attitude. Buy the seller etc,.

[rubystone]

So said:

I would find it very difficult to buy a car off a dealer with that attitude. Buy the seller etc,.

I bet the trader will be even more irritated when you tell him you're going to want an inspection done....don't buy a warranty from him either...by law he has to warrant the car for 6 months anyway...and I doubt a warranty he sells you will cover 'wear and tear'

[ooid]

Dont get me wrong, am I being too dinasour or old-school here thinking of buying a car (performance/sport) without seeing it and test drive is sort of huge risk for me? and price-point is not an issue really, it could be anything. I could only understand non-working cars for restoration purposes for buying online but the rest, especially cars like these need proper test-drive and visual inspection before making any move.

I've been on the 997.1 or 993 market last year but after seeing 8-9 cars in real, totally changed my decision not to buy to be honest. (that does not mean that I might change my mind again and buy a c4 )

[JCKST1]

He did say an inspection was fine but I think he thought I meant a basic RAC one or similar.

I did speak to David Griffiths (Porsche specialist just down the road from this garage) who said he will carry out an inspection but it would be visual, no bore scope etc. So not really worth the time to be honest as I know what to look for visually and in general however he was very helpful and gave some great advice. He doesnt know this garage personally but knows of the garage, I wont go in to it but his words were 'tread very carefully' as they will buy and sell anything from a £1000 run around to a Porsche for example.


My heart is saying go for it... My head is saying dont!

I also spoke to a specialist warranty company who would cover it for two years, this included the cylinder heads and all mechanical issues.

[rubystone]

JCKST1 said:

He did say an inspection was fine but I think he thought I meant a basic RAC one or similar.



I also spoke to a specialist warranty company who would cover it for two years, this included the cylinder heads and all mechanical issues.

Presumably only after they'd had it inspected though?!!

[BertBert]

rubystone said:

by law he has to warrant the car for 6 months anyway...and I doubt a warranty he sells you will cover 'wear and tear'

Really?

[JCKST1]

I would presume that a warranty firm would inspect it however if I am paying for a full specialist inspection as well it should pass no problem.

Just having a flick through the paperwork on the warranty now and it states cylinder bores covered which is a bonus whether I buy this 997 or another.

[andymc]

BertBert said:

rubystone said:

by law he has to warrant the car for 6 months anyway...and I doubt a warranty he sells you will cover 'wear and tear'

Really?

he doesn't have to give any warranty at all, he does have to abide by the sale of goods act