Need advice on whether to buy this car or wait for something better ...

'07 C4 with 61,000 miles. Independent dealer is asking $41k

The price and options are right for me. The car drives looks, drives, and feels great. It passed a current Maryland inspection (which is fairly thorough). I was ready to buy this, but the PPI raised the issues outlined below.

I am OK with putting some more $$ into fixing these issues, just looking to avoid a car that's been abused or will be a maintenance nightmare.

PPI Tech List:
-Crank Seal/Intermediate Seat Wet
-Clutch pedal hard (perform w/crank seal)
-Drains clogged, coolant level low
-Left valve cover seeping oil
-Brakes <50% front @25% rear

Over revs:
Range 1: 4817
Range 2: 694
Range 3: 239
Range 4: 92
Range 5: 3
Range 6: 0

For reference, the PPI was $199. The overrev scan was another $30.

Send me a PM if you want to see a full copy of the PPI paperwork.

 

I would pass on that car. Wet intermediate seal makes me worry something's going to leak (or has been leaking). Coolant level low - why? especially if they tried to prep it well before sale, you leave a basic item unattended? Oil at L valve cover - another leak point. Brakes worn - factor in another 1000+ to replace those pads and get new rotors.

Top that with DME showing Range 4-5 overrevs - that's enough for me to say good bye. That PPI/DME readout money was well spent.

Sorry, but I don't know what the going rate for an 07 C4 is these days - so I can't comment on the price.

Good luck with your search.

 

I would pass. Those overrevs in range 4 and 5 not for me!!

 

Thanks for the advice. I passed on that C4, and bought an '07 Cayman S.

 

Your inspection was money well spent.
The missing information on the over-rev scans are when the events happened. With 60K miles I would guess the engine has about 2000 hours total time. If the over-revs in IR4 and 5 happened hundreds of hours ago, there may not be any legacy issues there.
But you were right to pass, combine the over-revs with the low coolant and the negatives are building against the car.
Coolant system condition is a critical parameter for the owner to reduce the risk of overheated cylinders (particularly cyls 5 and 6) and cylinder bore scoring. Good engine health may not prevent the risk of bore scoring or inter shaft bearing failure, but it won't increase the probability.
The heavy clutch pedal is a well-known tell-tale that the clutch life is limited. The RMS seal leak is unusual on an 07 model (the 07s have the stronger (allegedly) IMS bearing also).
For more info, you could read our new 997 book, available at www.porsche997book.co.uk.

 

Thanks 997booknut. Great advice, I will check out the book.

 

Be patient and keep searching! The PPI speaks for itself.

 

Sell it via Amazon and you'll pick up quite a few more US sales!

 

I would pass. Seems too much $$$ for the mileage.

Do you know the definition of the ranges for the over-revs?

 

+1 on both points.