Hello all,

I've been a long time Porsche fan and finally might have a chance to enter into the car. I have found a 1999 Carrera with 17k miles. The man that owned it pretty much drove it to Aggie football games for 10 years. When he died 2 years ago, his wife put it into "professional" storage. Essentially, a friend of his owns several dealerships and stored it on a rack.

So, I've trolled around a bit looking for significant problems with this model. The IMS bearing looks to be one of the major issues. What else should I look into? I really know absolutely nothing about Porsches. I am a car guy and have restored a 1966 Mustang, but this is a different breed.

Thanks for the help!

Jason

 

You might have to change all the hoses, etc. so long in storage.... definitively do a ppi.

 

2 years is a "long time" in storage these days?

 

What exactly is the definition of 'professional storage'?

Rubber seals within an engine do rather well when continually lubricated. When an engine isn't run for extended periods of time those seals dry out and crack. So...if professional storage doesn't include periodically running the engine I would probably pass.

 

Thanks for the info! I am pretty nervous about the storage time. I am meeting with the wife of the owner this weekend and will have plenty of questions for her. I believe that the car may be driven once a month for a few miles.

Once I know more, I'll be back!

After reading about engine failures, I may decide not to go for this model and wait until I can afford something newer with less issues.

 

If it's been drive up to operating temperature once a month, that's likely good enough. When you do your PPI have them do a smog test.

 

I wouldn't pass this one up that quickly. I have a 99 with 115k miles and still running strong. If the price is right, why not!?!

BTW - 99 was the last year with cable throttle. After that - wired.

good luck!

jorge

 

I would definitively consider it, is practically new.

 

Thanks again.

FYI - I completely understand the issue with only posting negative issues with a car. I once had a G35 and it was down right depressing to read the forums. I finally had to stop reading them. From the posts, every single G35 was going to explode at any moment!

Interestingly enough, when its a classic car all of the posts are either positive or general troubleshooting. I guess when its not your daily or semi-daily driver, things are different.

 

If you like it try it, def plan on changing ALL fliuds, belts, hoses, set aside IMS fund and have a blast, I sold mine to my nephew, he drives it daily and it looks and rides like new.

 

Yes, if you do have a mechanic take a look and change all the consumables and fluids, hoses. Yes it can break soon, but as you said same could the G35.. all hype. Most of the owners run them into the 100ks, revving often over 4krpm, and the cars work just fine. Other than those issues that you read about, the cars are very consistent. Unlike the two Benz I have that always have electric gremlins. And if you break it soon, you know where to post...

 

Ok... so I went and had a cursory look at the car at lunch. Very clean with a couple of door dings in the passenger side. There was a bra on the front end and is now stored in the bonnet. The boot hydraulic jack won't keep the lid up any more. Engine oil was nice and yellow. All hoses were very pliable and I couldn't detect any cracks in them. Car tires had a flat spot on them from sitting, but it seemed to get better as I warmed them up. They still have a ton of live in them. They are the 17" wheels and have Pirelli P Zeros.

Bad news - car wasn't stored like we thought. It has been in the widow's garage for two years. Driven maybe 5 times. It does have 17,800 miles on the odometer.

2 questions -
Would you buy?
What would you offer?

Thanks,

Jason

 

I'd buy the car if it passes a PPI, yes. You can probably low ball it as the lady probably could care less about the car. You are close to get a 17k miles car, for next to nothing, if a bit lucky. The hydraulic jacks under booth cost around $60 only.

 

i would ask what she wants for it before i made and offer. it sounds like a pretty good find. i would not worry about storage time at all. if you can agree on a price , then get a ppi on it.
glwp. show us some pix!
scott

 

Hey all! Thanks to everyone that chimed in with their advice and opinions. It was much appreciated.

I went for a second drive today and my wife really enjoyed it as well. She was pretty sure we were buying a car today. However, I am going to pass on the car. I spoke to the owner a bit more and got scared away. She was pretty stuck on her $24k price. Her local mechanic said everything was fine, and she was definitely on his side.

My main concerns was that is was parked 2 years ago with 1/4 tank of gas. First time it was started was on Thursday when it was towed to the local shop and had a battery installed. Other concern was the quart of traditional 10W-40 in the trunk. I'm thinking that maybe they had the local shop change the oil and traditional stuff was used.

Anyway, I'm sure I would have loved it. If she could have dropped her price 3k, for tires, fuel system cleaning, and changing every other fluid - she would have had a buyer.

Again, thanks for the help!

Jason