911 Cat D - Should I stay clear ?

[petrolhead76]

Thinking of buying a 2001 911 Cat D but worried by the fact its a Cat D. Whilst I understand the insurance premium isn't affected there are alarm bells going off in my head saying "stay clear"

Should I buy or avoid ? Please help.

[cableguy]

Sounds like you've made your mind up to stay clear...

Dependant on a few things really:

Price?
Proposed term of ownership?
Knowing that it may take some time to move when you come to sell on!
History of damage etc etc....

If it were my money i'd probably look for something a little older for similar money, knowing that you'd hopefully have no problems with the repair etc. as well as a much easier time to move on when the time comes to trade.

C.

[TvrJohn]

As long as you are happy with the repair, you'll get yourself a bargain for the money.
You may struggle to sell it on however, if its a long term thing do it

[wildoliver]

I think it depends on the damage, if it was a stolen recovered, aside from locks and the odd ding there will usually not be much major damage, but how has it been driven? If it has been a cat d accident write off was it just a wing and door or was it jigged? I wouldn't mind a car that was cat d but had just had cosmetic damage, but major chassis damage I would want to know it was done properly (basically I'd want to do it myself) and I would want it cheap to make up for it, but every cat d car I see including at salvage yards pre repair is barely cheaper than a straight example don't see the point in that!

Got offered a 993 salvage for 17K other day think he thought I had just got off the banana boat!

[turbo tim]

Make sure the repair is fully validated.
Get the car checked.
Make sure you buy it cheap.
Realise you'll also have to sell it cheap.

Otherwise, I don't see a problem.

[Glassman]

Bit ambitious for someone who needed advice on how to change a starter motor on a Micra.

[Crimp a Length]

depends on deal and repair, most CAT D's are light panel damage.
Rule is buy cheap/sell cheap. Its all relative really

[graeme36s]

Best advice walk away unless you are buying a very very cheap 911 that in the future you will want to part with very very cheap.

[Gaity]

This one is so simple - don't be afraid.
Do some homework on the history.
Get it inspected.
If you're still happy, don't pay more than 75% of 'straight' price.
Drive it, enjoy it.
If you sell it, don't expect any more than 75% of 'straight' price.

[headlesshorseman]

have a good look at what the damage is-was some of the insurance companys cat d cars for next to nothing damage dent,broken light,stolen etc and some cat d them with major damage there is no hard and fast rule as to catagory i have an 07 vehicle in my yard now that has no damage at all yet it is on the hit list,then again i have others that are blitzed and are catx which is unrecorded,buy with your eyes wide open dont get attached just because its a porker.

[phelix]

I think there are four questions you need to be able to answer:

1. Can you confirm what the damage was that caused the Cat D and that it was repaired correctly?
2. Do you mind owning a car that has had accident damage?
3. Is the current purchase price significantly below (15-20%) other similar cars?
4. Are you prepared for some potential difficulties if/when you go to sell the car in the future?

If you can answer a reasonably strong yes to all 4 then go for it.

[petrolhead76]

Thanks for the responses guys - I think I'm going to go for it ! Its the only way I can afford porsche ownership of the 911 with a recent model

[Eagerbeaver]

Cat D is quite simple. Check the repair, if you aren't capable, get someone to check it for you. It's often a route to a better cheaper car than you'd otherwise be able to afford.