All,

I need a push one way or the other... I've been bugging Larry a bit, but I figured I'd get everyone's opinion. Here's the car:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/emailT...paId=336490036

It's a very early 2007, in service 09/06, which means the warranty is up at the end of this year. Private party, so no CPO. This is my main struggle. The pros are that the seller seems great - it's almost like buying a car from myself. Car seems to be well taken care of, 12K miles, and immaculate as far as I know. Guards red with natural brown full leather - a combo I really like.

Car has a great option list: sports chrono, heated power seats, supple leather (I could take this or leave it), sport design wheels (my favorites), leather sport wheel, bose, nav, telephone module, dimming mirrors, stainless exhaust pipes.

My ONLY reservation is warranty. It's not CPO'd. I got him to check with his dealer about the possibility of doing a CPO on it for me, but they want a guarantee upfront that I'll buy the car, and pay for anything needed to bring it up to CPO level. Shouldn't take much, except for tires, to do that, but I don't think there's a way to make the CPO thing work with this dealer. They want all the money upfront for the car, plus extra to guarantee, before the CPO is even done.

Current owner doesn't seem to want to go below $60K. I'm leaning towards doing it anyway, assuming a good PPI and DME, which I will ask him to do. But I'm nervous about buying a car without CPO. The question is, which is worse, a typical $60K car at a dealer with a potentially sketchy past but CPO, or a non-CPO car with a seemingly great past? Am I worried about nothing? I've considered extended warranties, but am unsure about those as well. Some positive posts about EasyCare and Fidelity, and lots of negative ones as well.

Thanks!
-Mike

 

Yep, you're definitely on the right track...get the DME and PPI. Also, have your local P dealer run the VIN. They'll be able to tell you if any parts (bumpers, door panels etc) have ever been ordered for your car. I would also consider checking it out with a paint density scanner.

IMO, the fact that it's not a CPO would not stop me from buying it...as long as you get a good deal.

Good luck!

 

CPO's are not as crucial as most dealers would lead you to believe. After market warranties are almost as good and much easier to acquire.

 

Oops - I've had more trouble with this link!

Let's just say the car really looks amazing in the pictures, and the seller assures me that it's perfect in person. "Showroom" quality. This guy seems like a mid 50's guy who uses the car for long highway trips, and generally babies it. No track, etc.

I'm just worried about things that can break and cost a fortune, even on an otherwise well-maintained car. With Porsches, do things break as often as I think they do?

I've read many threads on extended warranties, and can't seem to find a consensus. A number of people have had major items covered, but some people don't think they are worth a penny.

-M

 

I've given you my opinion .. I am going to read a bit and see if others voice similar thoughts .

 

My 2005 is currently CPO'd but when I was looking at other cars I asked my local dealer about aftermarket warranties they honored. Turned out they sold a popular aftermarket warranty and would give me a discount since I was a previous customer. It would have cost less than other sources for this warranty, and if I had the work done by them there would be zero deductable. Very nice! I will buy this warranty when my CPO expires in about 1.5 years if I decide to keep my car.

 

Your piece of mind, if I am reading you correctly, would appreciate the warranty. So add the $ of either the CPO (plus guarantee etc that the dealer is requiring) or the aftermarket one to the price and see where you end up. If the car sings to you (have you driven it yet?) then a few thousand more is not that significant. If the total price together with your inspection/drive does not, keep looking.