Hi all,

First post here but I've been lurking on the forums for a while(researching, gathering information, drooling...).

I'm looking to purchase a 997.1 C2S and wanted to make sure I have a good set of data before committing to anything.

From what I've read, it seems CPO is the way to go?
Check DME report from dealers ensuring nothing is in Range 4+?
If purchasing from private party, will a PPI have the DME info as well?

I'm looking to spend 50-60k. Are there any options you guys feel are must haves? Must have manual transmission and not a cab seem like the only dealbreakers for me.

What else should I look for when buying?
Seems like a lot of info to consider (and this being my first auto purchase probably doesn't help either).

Any bargaining tips with salespeople?

Any input is appreciated.

 

What is the intended use of your car? DD, track, etc.

I like the Bose and Nav, it isn't as good as some aftermarket systems, but it is integrated and isn't likely to be a victim of theft.

PCCB,s are nice if you want to keep your wheels clean, but stopping distance isn't any better then the cast iron rotors. They will be better on the track as they won't fade, however I have yet to find the bottom of the floor with my cast iron rotors and they PCCB's are expensive should you have to replace the rotors.

Don't get hung up on the DME scan, mine has more then most people on this forum, even if you combine them together, and I don't have any issues. Also, a car that has been driven a normal amount will have be less likey to have issues then one with low milage. These cars are meant to be driven, a garage queen will become a royal PIA.

Good luck with your search.

 

Not sure where you live, but heated seats are mandatory for me - even when I was searching for my GT3. The Porsche heated seats are great when it's cold. For $60K, I would be looking at a good 2006 with CPO. I think Sport Chrono for an S is a nice option because it does make it more responsive. You are spot-on with the DME, but it is not a standard part of the PPI if I am not mistaken. It runs around $75 and it is generally extra, but I would definitley get it done. I am partial to full leather as well just because it looks great. You need service records with all the services being done correctly. I don't mind private transactions as long as the car passes the inspection. i like this one because I am paertial to the cocoa interior and it has some nice aftermarket items.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Good luck with the search - it is a really fun part of the experience.

 

You aren't going fast enough

Get one that was not abused - so you can abuse it. I'd be wary of low mileage low avg speed. I'd take highway miles over city miles. Tires will set you back $1500 or $800 if you want to go with Hancooks. CPO is over rated. Make sure TSB are addressed. Good Luck. I have PCCBs. That just means I can wait 600 miles before the wheels need to be cleaned

 

For that price range you should demand a very nice example, probably up to an 07 model year, 08 if you go private sale.

Respectfully disagree with the above poster on CPO. In addition to the warranty, my 07 got a full service and new oem tires. And I get two years warranty as if it is a new car.

Cpo is transferrable from private party or you have to buy from a Porsche dealer.

Suggest you undertake a national search on the webs, and go slow until you get an idea of what's out there. A couple of months would be a typical timeframe.

Good luck and let us know when you find something interesting.

 

Dear tqevo (I love these screwy names):

I've bought well over 100 cars in my lifetime and at times still get fooled by salespeople/private owners. Here you'll get some very good - and some not so hot - info on Porsches depending upon who happens to view and respond to your questions. As a person who has never bought a car before with a hell of a lot of money to drop on a first purchase I'd invest time and $$ examining the car buying procedure; depending upon where you are and what's available you might even want to hire an agent.

As the owner of an 06S moded for performance with low mileage (25k, it sits for 5-6 month each year) I can tell you that not all lower mileage cars are necessarily garage queens. Mine is not for sale but if someone came along and waved 60 grand in my face they could drive away with it; your 60K should buy a nice lower mileage CPO 07 even though the CPO means it has to come from a dealer.

 

I disagree with buying a non-CPO car, it's a couple of grand more usually, that pays off with one RMS leak repair, it's a command issue with the 05'-07 997's. I know the chances are rare for IMS issues, but there is a chance.

+1, for 60K, you can probably start looking into 07's. If in doubt go with all the options you can get. Options can be 20K worth brand new but probably 2K in the used car world, so go with everything you can w/o going over your budget.

 

If your budget is 60k then you should be able to get a cherry. I would look 06-08. I think low milage non-CPO prob same as higher mile CPO. Nav is not that good so dont r/o a car that doesnt have it. For me the big options were BOSE and sport chrono. On a used car, the more options doesnt always mean more price as things equal out over time (except maybe X51 package). If you find a used car with the wheels you love it prob will be same price as all others and can save you 4-5 grand. I got lucky and found a low milage car in my price range with the wheels I wanted and a few fun xtras like painted seats/console, sport seats, and silver belts.

 

For those that don't keep their cars long, I can see where a CPO may be of value. One can save 7K - 10K purchasing private party and if a used PP car is available I would not hesitate to pull the trigger. What happens when a CPO warranty expires? Does one have to lop another 3K to 4K to extend a non factory warranty another few years or do most trade the car in for another? Just my opinion and the motivation to purchase is different for each. Good luck with search - there are many cars available. Keep in mind, the car is used - it may go at any time.

 

Just to give you an idea, I bought a 2006 997.1 C4S with 35K miles, in mint condition from an Aston Martin dealer in Atlanta, last January for much less than $50K. And this was pretty much without negotiations.

With a budget of 50-60K, you should look at 2007 models with low mileage. There are a lot of good deals to be done, and in this economy, nobody spends 50-60K on a used car, especially a sport car.

I would start looking on E-bay and select a couple of models. However, don't bid, call. The bidders on E-bay for this kind of vehicles are not really interested in buying. You have to call and discuss the with the sales guy.

In my case, the car was 5 hours from my home. I flew to Atlanta for $127 one way, and enjoyed 5 hours of pure bliss on the way back.

Yves

 

OP -- IMHO, if this is your first car purchase, do yourself a favor and buy from a Porsche dealership. They have plenty of supply so you won't be short of choices, and they are also open to negotiation, especially since it's springtime now and you want a coupe. Sure you will save money with a private party but there are too many ways a random seller can screw you with these cars to take that chance, unless you know your Porsches or have a friend with you who does. A few little things wrong can quickly erase the couple grand you save.

Also, take your time inspecting the car, asking questions, etc. When I bought my first 911 I was too intimidated by the brand to press the salesman on the little things. Don't be.

 

Yeah right, that is why the calipers have turned from red to burnt red/black

 

Lots of good info here... I really appreciate the quick responses.

I plan on keeping the car for bit(5+ years). DD, perhaps with occasional autocross.

I estimate ~10000mile/year average conservatively, but once I get the car, I'm sure that number will drive up, no pun intended!

Are there any ceilings on mileage I should consider? I hear that Porsches are reliable and will last if properly maintained, so not sure if higher mileage will be an issue.

Is it a significant upgrade to move up to an 07 or 08? From what I've seen, anything newer than 06 seems to be out of my price range.

The local dealer here(Phoenix-Scottsdale) also seems to price their stock a little higher, but I feel going with a dealer with CPO would be the way to go. I've looked at CPO options from other dealers and there appear to be some better deals.

At the same time, I'm not sure exactly what sort of questions I should be asking them. I think I'm more intimidated by the nuances of these cars than dealing with a salesperson.

 

must be nice to able to get a $60k Porsche as your first-purchased car..

if anything, step up to $65k and get a 09 997.2 with DFI.

you will save a ton just by not having to upgrade the LED lights..

personally, only factory option i'd want on a C2S coupe would be ShortShiftKit, SportsChronoPlus and Limited Slip Differential.. and full leather

BTW, CPO is a must, IMO, and DME over-revs can be mis-interpreted.. but its better to be on a safe side.

 

A silly question: have you driven a Porsche 997 before? Please do it before plucking down $60K on a used (or new) car. You may not like it (highly unlikely) or you may fall in Love with it, like most of us. But first, make sure you can drive one for more than just a few miles around a dealership place.

Yves