I would get close-up pics of interior and exterior before I do anything.

 

Not as bad a drive east from LA as you might think.. I did a driving trip to the east coast a couple of years ago..

Go out east towards needles towards the grand canyon. Then head towards Albuquerque. (if you like you can take a side trip through Sedona).. Then up to Santa Fe..

It really doesn't get boring until you get past Sante Fe/Albuquerque..

It's definitely a long way, and I'm not typically one who likes driving super long distances.. but if you've never driven through that part of the southwest and like the beauty of the desert it's worth doing it once.. especially when it isn't blistering hot in the summer..

Just resist the temptation to eat in the car to save time, lol...

 

I bought a 997 C4S cab from a Ferrari dealer in Scottsdale; site unseen, they lied on the condition of the vehicle, there was a damaged fender, damaged interior pieces, and the entire front had been repainted due top accident, also road rash everywhere and I needed a new windshield. Cost me $13000 to make it right, they sent me $3000 as a refund. It royally pissed me off.

I bought a Boxster Spyder from Byer's Porsche dealer, also site unseen, it was perfect. I was worried until the vehicle arrived.

So I have had it both ways.....ya just never know.

I would ontly trust from a Porsche dealer myself

 

Didn't realize that you were buying used..

I'd never buy something of that magnitude like this sight unseen, Even if I was 99% sure I'd still take a Saturday to fly out and back just to confirm..

My older sister sold me her Guinea pig when I was 6, and it turned out to be a Hamster..

But from your latter posts I gather that you decided that for yourself..

Good luck and enjoy..!

 

I wish you could trust Porsche dealers but I got screwed from a Porsche dealer in Ohio who said the car was mint but had several of the panels painted which they neglected to tell me despite asking if it any of the panels had been painted. The car I purchased was a CPO car.

 

Yeah. I already had a Carfax done. And next week I'm having RMG in Sunnyvale do the PPI for the car. From the reviews on this site it seems like they are very thorough in inspections. And then I'll fly out for a final eyeball test. Even though this is my first Porsche and I don't know too much of what to look for, it'll be something at least and it'll be peace of mind.
And seller has been forthright and disclosed some prior damage and issues. I'm happy so far. Hoping it all works out well.

 

I've done is before for an S550 site unseen across country. The transportation company did a pre shipping inspection for me of the body, and I had a good feeling about the seller when I talked to him over the phone. Transaction went smooth as butter. If you feel comfortable then go for it, if you have any doubts then fly in.

 

I agree. I would never purchase a car sight unseen. Actually, I want to be there for the PPI too. Know many do it sight unseen, but to me it is rolling the dice.

 

The seller is considering selling it through his local dealer. Is there a tax benefit or detriment to me buying through the dealer versus as a private sale? I think CA tax is higher than TX so wouldn't it be better for me to do the transaction as a private sale and then pay the Texas rate when I register at the DMV back home?

 

Don't buy it through the dealer. A pointless middleman with a guaranteed markup.
Buy it privately and take the car and title back to your home State where you register it and pay your taxes.

 

Did the Hamster live long and prosper ?

 

What if the car is still under lease? After reading some more I think the seller would have to pay tax to do the lease payoff because in essence he is the buyer at that point. Then he'll turn around and sell to me, at which point I have to pay tax again since I'm now the buyer. (*grumble grumble* about government taxes).
I also read that if we did this through a dealer that perhaps he would save on taxes or something? Anyone know?

 

Are you taking over the lease (and the buying it) or are you buying it outright?

Basically a financial institution or bank owns the cars so you'd be buying it of them.

 

Ended with an unfortunate incident with the cat. Very traumatic (For me and the hamster not for the cat)

 

I suppose given the fact that hamsters are merely rats with perms, it was never going to end well.