Hello to all,

I have quite a story regarding my first Porsche, and I thought it would make for a good read. I have been pushed by my coworkers (and fellow PCA members) to share this story in hopes that I can entertain and potentially educate others.

Disclaimer: I know going into this that the previous owner will likely take offense to my honesty regarding this car. I mean no disrespect: The car was in more-or-less pristine condition when I took delivery. I make no accusations regarding his conduct, as I hold no ill-will or suspect any wrong-doing. A 10-year old car with all records and smelled like new! Not a single scratch. Nothing. Not even a door ding.

Now for the Story:

I looked far and wide for my perfect 2002-2004 996. My list was a tough one:
- reasonable miles (~60k)
- manual transmission
- IMS retrofit
- PSM
- documented maintenance
- A reasonably fresh clutch

Basically a safe and reliable transmission and engine, as I am skilled enough to fix about everything else. PSM was an absolute must. One video of a poor driver spinning one of these impressive cars sold me.

The experience was one of the most obsessive and painstakingly tough experiences of my young adult life. Plenty of highs and lows. I had 3 separate individuals go back on an agreement when they decided not to sell. Refunded PPIs. Mourning the loss each time before deleting the pictures and moving to the next one. Each time growing a bit more desperate.

Finally I got a hold of a buyer and paid a premium for my high standards. The time spent finding the next one just wasn't worth spending a grand or two less. It was time to close the "search" chapter.

The desperation did get the best of me in some regards, and I paid dearly for it. I was now about to buy a modified car: Coil-overs set too low for my usage requirements, tires on their way out, 19 inch wheels with aggressive offsets and a modified exhaust.


The drive home from Arizona to Orange County:
A mixed bag of excitement and horror. The fastest I've ever been in a car. Comfortable despite ride height and larger-than-stock wheels. Seemingly unlimited grip.

Scrapping at nearly every overpass. Every bump sent shivers through the chassis. Nothing like I had ever experienced. The car appeared to be made from one block of steel. (I later found out that the extent which the car was lowered is what led to this, not the parts)


Once Home, My First Day:
The car is incapable of driving into my garage or pulling into my place of work without an embarrassing scrape or tire rub causing the security team to stand in attention and take notice. An accident diverted me into a parking lot that contained unavoidable speed bumps. Scrapped underside, with a side of bottomed out exhaust. You can imagine the 4-letter words uttered at that moment.


My Second Day:
Scrapes, scuffs and a depleting sense of confidence. I was truly paying the price for buying a modified car. I've owned sports cars, and I know how to attack drive-ways at an angle. This is completely different. Moderate bumps invoked tire rub, and a single overpass meant tire rub so loud other drivers would stare.

Until, suddenly on my way home.... Completely shredded rear tire. No wheel damage (Thank God), but I was left stranded on a busy freeway after 2 days of ownership. A simple steel shard. No room in the trunk, the giant 19" wheel with 315 rubber was wrapped in a blanket and went for a ride in the front seat.

Day 3-4:
Driving with a space saver, left with little options but to order 4 tires. (Lighting wallet on fire). 305/30's go on... barely. Time to raise the car and make this work. I drive directly to a well known Porsche certified shop to have the adjustable suspension raised and have the car corner balanced/aligned.

Hergesheimer motorsports informs me that the suspension cannot be raised as I was led to believe. (Again, the previous owner didn't know, this was my mistake)

A fresh M030 suspension from Suncoast was then on its way, then we're on the road! Right?

Oh, if it were only that simple... I'm new to racing suspensions, and I found out the hard way that when a coil-over suspension is installed, multiple components from the original suspension are discarded. Which meant expensive parts sent from Germany, and waiting several weeks before being able to drive again. Thankfully, Hergesheimer was able to track down lightly used components and we were in business... As soon as the suspension showed up I was good... Wallet? Burned the back up one too.

Following week:
A motivated buyer shows up, and I am compelled to sell my old car. Time for a rental... Nothing fancy...


I get the car back! still tire rub... Which means the tires I just bought won't work... America's tire agrees to work with me and trade for an 18" tire set... for the wheels I have yet to buy... Wallet? Yep, still on fire. I set out to locate some 18" wheels. Find them, buy them and get them refinished (Thanks to the member named Spokes on these boards).

The car is on blocks for approximately 2 weeks while I wait for those wheels to be shipped and refinished... Driving a borrowed 1989 jeep now...

The wheels arrive... with damaged boxes. Forced to file a claim with UPS... Claim paid, back in business.

Now, finally I have a drive-able and enjoyable car! I loved the grip, the ride of the 18" wheels, the look of the M030 suspension. This was the car I truly wanted!

Then... An oil leak? How did that get past the PPI? Its slow, but its certainly there... (I left feedback on this particular shop in Arizona in a different thread). I didn't care. After a few calm months I would tear into it and fix what ever it was. Bad luck I guess... Well, worse luck...

I enjoyed every minute of driving this very special car. I liked the power and ease of applying it without drama. I liked the creature comforts. I really enjoyed a cruise up and down the coast on the weekends. What a car. I started looking at driving events in the area. My co-worker is a retired PCA instructor, and I was planning lessons.

I called home (to Michigan) on February 12th to discuss my next trip home over the summer. The exhaust was a bit loud, but conversation was still possible through the hands-free device. I began talking about the itinerary when.... BAM, BAMMMM....


Yes my friends.

At the very last stop light before my neighborhood my 4 month long journey with My Perfect Porsche had come to an end. A Lexus ES300 driven by a distracted driver struck my stationary car at approximately 40 mph, pushing it underneath a Ford F350. I suffered minor back/neck trauma and am recovering nicely. Just need to kick the headaches and I will be all better.

All drivers were insured, the driver of the Ford was an off-duty police officer who watched the whole thing in the rear view mirror.

Allstate really took care of me. They honored my request to total the car due to frame damage in both the front and rear of the car. It was close to the threshold, and I requested the car be put down.

The settlement cost on the value of the car covered all of my expenses spent. I could not have asked for a better outcome from a crumby situation. My savings are back to square 1, and I actually made a bit of coin on the car. I swapped in a set of wheels from a Boxster at the body shop i bought for 300 with old tires, just in case they totaled. Which means the new wheels and tires are safe and ready for me to sell.


That's my story. All true, all honest. I hope nothing like this ever happens to any of you, but I would like my mistakes to help people in their search. If anything, I hope it reminds you that your luck certainly could be worse! And I'm a lucky man to be walking and talking after a few weeks.

One lesson I believe people can learn from my story is that patience is the #1 most important thing when picking your perfect car. Modified cars require a great deal more caution. One man's acceptable ride quality and experience is different than another's, etc.

Oh, and try to avoid the next steel shard you see. It will wreck your day.

Goodbye Porsche. This picture is probably the most appropriate.

 

Holy crap; that sucks! Hopefully the search for your next one will go a lot better.

 

I am super picky about modifications previously done to a car I am considering... especially performance mods. I am all about personalizing/improving my cars, but I want to know it was done right and are the same mods I would have chosen.

I also don't see peoples insistence to only buy a car with IMSB replacement. At this point I think any competent indy shop and most dealers could do one quite easily... $2,500-$3K with all the clutch work. And I'll know who did it, when it was done, and presumably that it was done right. Or just put on a guardian and wait until I need a clutch change anyway with some piece of mind that I won't have bearing failure. Either way, it is more of a known quantity than undoing past mods.

I'd take your wish list and change it just a bit...

PS: Sorry to hear about the accident!

 

I lived this sad story along Joel - painful, very painful to experience! Not wanting to offend Joel or anyone else within the Porsche community - as a long time PCA D.E. instructor (now retired) I feel compelled to relay one of the key take ways from our training. That is to fully understand, and then be keenly aware of the stopping power of the Porsche cars. The issue is that Porsche brakes hold true to the old saying of stopping on a dime. The problem then becomes the fact that "unless" the car behind you is a Porsche too, their stopping distance is so poor in comparison it means they must literally go through your car in order to get to their stopping position.

Driving a Carrera requires that you not only follow too closely - more to the point - leave plenty of bail out room for yourself to pull to one side or the other as you stop. Easier said than done, buuut of course you should also drive with as much distance between your car and the one behind you. If that driver continues to be a jerk and tail gates you, change lanes!

Safe driving folks!

 

That's horrible! I hope your experience hasn't soured you on the marque.

 

I will likely buy another some day. Probably a 996 turbo, and treat it like a weekend-only car instead of a daily driver.

I also agree with the previous poster about getting a car that needed a clutch and IMS replacement. I would have done it myself given the opportunity and saved time and hassle.

 

Thank fully everyone was okay and hope your search for your next one is better !! So what are you looking at for you next DD ?

 

Wow.... first off.. Glad that you are ok and everything worked out in your favor. However....I was hoping for a really good ending to this story. All the things you went through with this car..i was hoping that you finally got everything sorted out and this was the best car you've ever owned. Unfortunately, you bought a modified car that had some issues that may not have been the best option for a DD. I hope that you find one that is perfect for your needs and you fall in love with it like most of us have with ours. Sucks that your experience with this one might sway you from buying another. Good luck on your car search and hope to see another post from you with a happier ending!

 

Thanks guys. It was quite a ride. I'm going to wait a year or so before I jump back in.

I'm definitely going with a more reasonable car in the mean time until I find my next project. I'm lucky to be able to afford and develop a car such as this, so you could probably file this whole experience under "First World Problems". I'll be fine, my ego and my confidence regarding venturing into another car are already on the mend.

I will certainly be smarter next time around!

 

Wow I am sorry to hear about all that happened...glad to see that you are ok and that you got your $ back. The 996 looked beautiful but you can and will find a better one next time when you are ready. Thank you for sharing your story.

 

I wanna see pictures of when you first bought it!

Post accident pictures?