Hey guys - I'm having a ppi done tomorrow on an 07 Turbo at Automotive Excellence in San Diego. As I am (potentially) buying from a distance sight unseen, the tech doing the inspection is going to be my "eyes" to an extent on this purchase. This will be my first Porsche. I am aware of having the DME scanned for overrevs etc (big thanks to those on this forum), but am wondering if you guys and your experience/knowledge can think of any additional questions or things I should be able to find out from this inspection? Any help/comments appreciated.

Signed,
An excited but slightly nervous future 997TT owner

 

What a timely thread. I'm looking at a 997tt in Ohio at a non-Porsche dealer. Might purchase via a broker. No PPI done yet. I remember there were some good threads here but I can't find them with the search function. I'll keep looking and check back here if I find them.

 

1. Have a dealership print the service records if they are not available with the car.

2. Ask the tech to use a paint meter to run the surface of the car and ensure there has been no panel repaint.

3. See if there is a fellow 6speeder in the area that would be willing to take a look and do a flyby.

 

Big +1 on #3. PPI's will cover the mechanicals, but they couldn't care less about the small cosmetic defects you may find and are stuck with once you take possession of the vehicle.

 

Lastly, ask your tech what the total numbers of hours are on the ECU, and what the mileage is. You can back calculate the average MPH the car has been driven...an outrageously high MPH will usually indicate a reflash as the total hours will be low. Alternatively you can ask him to check the number of Programing operations.

 

Wow - these are the kinds of things I was looking for but had no idea on.
BIG thanks guys. Keep em coming!
Also if anyone is in the San Diego area and felt like checking out this car to give an unofficial but much appreciated opinion please let me know!
Cheers

 

You will most likely find a tiny imperfection on every used turbo you see. Turning down a car which is right in all other aspects can quickly add in travel costs if you want to see everyone in person.
-Getz

 

Guess it depends on the degree of imperfection you can tolerate. Agreed, all used cars will show signs of some wear, but what is acceptable to one is not necessarily acceptable to another.

 

I agree.

With a higher end car, I would expect door dings repaired, paint chips filled and flattened, and no significant chips in the glass. Tint (if any) should not be peeling...all of these things should be considered in the negotiations for the price, especially since 997TTs are not exactly rare. A buyer should feel comfortable walking away if the imperfections are more than what they bargained for.

 

Filling in a paint chip is a lot easier to do than fly home and arrange a trip to see another car.
-Getz

 

2 more Canadian buyers of US pcars, GLWS

 

lol - yeah. Two things contributing to the popularity of that. Canadian dollar approaching par with US dollar again and outright selection. It'd be interesting, but I'd be willing to wager there are more porsches in California than there are in all of Canada!

 

I'll know this afternoon if there's a black on black with my name on it! Fingers crossed.

 

Kulu motors in Calgary had a nice one but it went quickly.

 

Mine is potentially black on black as well - funny!
The cars Kulu gets in often don't last long. He runs a pretty good business and is a great individual. I drove that car the day he got it in, and it was very nice. It's just so hard to compete with what you can bring one up for from the US with exchange where it is now. PLUS I am planning on drving mine back up the California / Oregon coast - a drive I've been wanting to make for a long long time.
Good luck with yours today!