I'm helping a friend seek out a nice 2001 or 2002 and some of the cars we have come across are certified. Since I'm not 100% on what that translates into, I'm sure somebody out there can. Some of my questions: Term is for how long after original?, How much more should you pay for it?, Is it easy to use as opposed to some extended warranties that are a hassle?, What items get checked to certifiy a car and can one with body damage/repair by certified? Can a car with mods of any kind get certified, i.e wheels, suspension, chip, etc.? Any additional info on a Porsche certified car would be helpful to us . TIA !!!

 

I am not sure exactly what certified means. But from the little I know, If your friend buys a car from a Porsche dealer I am sure he will get the best used warranty there is for that car.
I think its something with the warranty that comes from PCNA. You will also pay about 10% more from the dealer, But I think that in the long run it will be well worth it..

 

Do a search on CPO or certified.

CPO warranty is less comprehensive than original 4 yr warranty. CPO warranty is add'l 2 yrs and is more for mechanical issues such as RMS, coolant tank leak, MAF failure. Issues like battery failure or peeling paint isn't covered.

CPO cars usually are $3k over non-CPO cars. Your best deal is a private party w remaining original warranty of at least a year. Many 02-03 are priced well in private sells between 48-60k dep on mileage and options. However, I'd probly steer away from buying a 01 996 without any warranty unless you have some cash set aside for any repairs. I'd prefer 02 over 01 since 01 isn't that much cheaper (5-7k less than 02). 01 without warranty / 3.4l vs 3.6L engine, ext and int improvements are more than $7k in improvments alone.

 

I bought an 01 with Porche Cerified Pre-Owned Warranty. It is up in June and I am now shopping for an extended warranty. I have 33,000 miles. I am very happy with the PCW and would have been out of pocket for a few thousand by now. I plan on keeping my car, so yesterday I called my service advisor to ask about warranty companies that pay. He did not have any recommendations, but said if I was going to keep the car, get an extended warranty. I got a good lead from a post I put up the other day. The Porsche pre owned is good for 2 years after the factory warranty is up and up to 100,000 miles. If you buy a car from a dealer with a year or two of factory warranty left, they will certifie it for around 900 dollars and that would give you 2 years over what ever was left on the factory. (a great deal).

 

Thanks. I guess a certified car is worth it at up to $2000 more than you would pay in a private sale.

 

Considering the cost of repairs or some major engine meltdown I would do what ever it takes to have a warranty when buying any used car. I have never bought a used car that did not have a thing or two to sort out. I once bought an pre-inspected 993 tiptronic off of e bay with no warranty. The car rode great and just for piece of mind I bought a G.E. warranty. 3 months later my tip went bad and the repair cost G.E. 14,000 dollars. The first lesson was, have a warranty, the second was, do not purchase it without the warranty already in place, because what would you do if it did not pass a warranty inspection (G.E, sent someone out to look at the car before they certified me)

 

PCNA charges the dealer $1,595 for the CPO warranty - anything after that is gravy to the dealer

 

Do you know if PCNA has anything to do with the process of inspection or is that left entirely up to the dealer? I know some dealers are much more thorough than others and b/c their but isn't on the hook for the repairs, they might be less inclined to get out the fine tooth comb.