Hi All,
First post here. Been lurking and learning. Hope for some thoughts from you all..
Recently purchased a 2005 C4S Cab (2nd Porsche, has a 944 some years back, and many Datsun roadsters.) with 29k miles for about $37k from CarMax with a 120K warranty.


Here's the issue. It sold, but then was returned within 5 days just before I bought it. I had test drove it previously, but it was reserved, so I waited and the purchaser brought the car back. I bought it 3 days after the return, believing it to be the same car.


To make a long story short..there were a few issues and when I returned it to service to have them repaired (within 30 days of purchase) the service department and myself realized that parts had been replaced with lesser parts while the original purchaser had the car.


Headlights and tail-lights (CarMax since replaced with new) , Seats swapped for non-heated non-crested (not bad shape though), Sumitomo tires swapped with Continental (prob rims too, but same turbo style), and Bose speakers replaced with non (and removed from doors also.)


So basically, someone stripped some parts, and swapped with some more used parts. To the untrained eye, its pretty close, but I have photographic evidence due to their listing. It's obvious.


CarMax offered to cancel the sale, but then I'm out a nice car. It runs great, is a rare model (200+ made 2005), black on black.


So...Do I return it and buy another, or did I get a good enough deal to outweigh the missing parts?


Thanks,
RE in So Cal.

 

the person who returned the car committed fraud upon carmax. you substantially relied on their allowing a prior test drive and prior information discourse to commit to the purchase. carmax can make them self whole from the defrauder, they need to make you whole as well so that the car meets what was believed to be the condition and was without the fraud upon both parties.

on the side, 205 C4S is not a rare except car except for the fact that most production in 205 was in turbo s cars coupes and cabs mostly with tip transmissions vs. manuals. because 2005 was the 996-997 transation time. if they will make it right keep it sounds like a good buy and a good warranty. any service history available on the car?

 

There were 763 C4S 996 built and sold as 2005's. Not sure I would call them "rare" but the end of a run of a model does have some possible rareness in the future.That's one of the reasons I plan on keeping mine.(besides being one heck of a car!)

 

Ended up returning and getting an '08 997S. I like this car. Guess I have to move to the 997 forum

 

Good choice.

 

I'm glad it worked out for you - it sounded like a bit of a nightmare for a little while there. I'd love to hear the details of how the story played out if you don't mind...

 

CarMax was actually very interested in getting the car back. I talked with an attorney and he said the best I would get was a full refund (Specific performance) unless I could prove pain and suffering. Driving a Porsche cab didn't really seem like pain and suffering to me, although it was a frustrating situation.
They have a 5-day return policy, but they extended it to as long as it took for them and I to find another car I wanted to purchase. A very helpful sales associate then started searching and transferring vehicles to my location, and I test drove a few different cars until I decided on the 2008 C2S SportChrono with about 25K miles. Took about 6 weeks to find a car, and I didn't make payments during that time, so I guess I had a free Porsche for 6 weeks. Good enough.
CarMax also offers an extended full mechanical warranty which I purchased, about $3k for 120,000 miles.
All in all, it was actually good to drive the 996 for a while, and then the 997. Athough I loved the cab, the 997 is it seems a better car. Solid, better engineered, modern options, power, etc..no offense to the 996 group intended!

 

^That's^ a happy ending! It sounds like CarMax may be going after the original buyer that returned the car with that swapped out parts in it. How would they prove that the parts weren't in there when they sold it to him though???

 

their lead witness just got a great 997...........................