What to look for on Test Drive
What to look for on Test Drive
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Mark Cleverly

Original Poster:

1,171 posts

232 months

Friday 3rd August 2007
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I have a test drive booked in tomorrow for the 996 I am intending to buy. Can anyone give me some tips on what to look for?

It is a 2002 C2 facelift model. Thanks

Clevers

Dr S

5,159 posts

257 months

Friday 3rd August 2007
quotequote all
A full tank of fuel, an empty winding road, no police in sight...wink

SNDa

1,107 posts

239 months

Friday 3rd August 2007
quotequote all
PM mousem40 for the guide he wrote with Richard Hamilton for PCGB or get it yourself if you're a member from the technical articles section.

briefly but by no means exhaustive (some of which quoted from the doc):
- check for damage all round, including unclipping the carpet in the luggage compartment, peeling it back and checking for panel damage / replacement;
- rear spoiler deploys and retracts at the right speeds (75mph and 37 mph respectively);
- check all the electric controls;
- car idles correctly when started from cold; no splutter;
- pulls well when you put your foot down wink and doesn't die above 5,000 rpm briefly (could be MAF);
- even wear across the whole of each tyre (i.e. check the outside, middle and inside tread of each tyre; uneven wear could be alignment (remember the camber on these cars mean that you could have inside tread wear which you won't notice with a visual inspection);
- Oil Pressure When hot:At least 1.0 bar at idle; 4.0 to 5.0 at 4000+ rpm;
- Temperature When hot: slightly over the 80°C marker
- Also look at the oil on the dipstick. Any traces of white foamy substance (water/oil emulsion) is not great. (this is different to finding the substance in the oil cap but assuming you're still going for the speed yellow one, the mileage would suggest it's been used a bit more than a dash to the local shops / stations.

There's more and no doubt the PHers will wade in. the main thing is, if you're not sure about doing this yourself, get it inspected!!

Edited by SNDa on Friday 3rd August 15:20

Mark Cleverly

Original Poster:

1,171 posts

232 months

Friday 3rd August 2007
quotequote all
Thanks very helpful