Hey guys, I finally found my dream car at an out of state dealership. It's a 2007 997 Carrera S (cobalt metallic blue - my fav color) with only 33,226k miles and had 2 previous owners with a clean carfax. I had the dealer send me detailed photos of the interior & exterior of the vehicle and was very impressed on the overall physical condition. At this point I began the negotiating process with the dealer and I was able to get them to reduce the asking price from $49,450 to $46,500 which is about a $2,950 savings so I felt good about my myself and was ready to purchase car but like anyone should, I had the dealer deliver the car to a nearby porsche dealership for a PPI(which I had them pay for - $158). The results came in today and was blown away! I don't know if I should be very concerned or do I know what to do next since this is my first attempt in owning a 911, so I'm counting on a lot of very "wise" advise, comments, suggestions from everybody in the 6speed community!!! I've attached a pics of the car and of the PPI results...

Thanks to everyone in advance!

 

Doesnt look terrible, Id keep looking though, theres always another one-perhaps with a cleaner bill of health. Its up to you though.

The "slow to start" is the 997.1 notorious issue, that being a weak, corroding cable from the battery to the starter/alt. Its about a $800-$1300 depending your shop to replace the cable.

RMS issues are not much to worry about and even leaky ones can be run on for years as long as u watch ur oil levels.

 

how handy are you too? you ll need brakes within the first year most likely. battery cable has been brought up already. rear seal leak would concern me to consider passing on the car. I wouldn t own or drive it un fixed, that s just me. Find out the cost to repair that. All the other stuff is cosmetic stuff you can correct when you get time and money. Can you get to see it in person before making up your mind? I would want to see all those little things. for example, a painted front bumper could be either OK or stand out like a sore thumb.
I recommend seeing the car next if you are still interested and have the cash to fix the two main issues. what is the location maybe someone here has a in to see the car for you?

 

sounds iffy to me, too many concerns for my taste, id keep looking

 

I'd pass. Previous owner was a slacker.
Too many issues.
More are bound to surface after you've had it for a few months.
Move on,...too many other well maintained ones out there!!

 

Check the battery date, slow start may just be the battery. I thought they fixed the alternator cable by 07, but I could be wrong.

RMS leak needs to be fixed before purchase. AC ***** is common, so is curb rash, not much to say about it.

Car sounds a little worn/abused. What did the DME report look like?

 

Getu1 I agree, there are a lot of other 911's out there with less issues. I didn't know about the corroding cable from the battery and I read up on some other owners complaining about the problem on a thread. I'm currently waiting for a second PPI by the dealer's request to confirm all these issues before making final decision but it's not looking good.

 

To me all of those issues on the PPI look typical of a 7 year old car that's been used...except for the leaking RMS, I don't have any advice on that. At the very least maybe you could get them to knock another couple grand off the price for the cost of repairs.

 

the only thing that concerns me is the rear main seal leaking oil. the paintwork doesnt bother me since i have my bumpers repainted every few years to fix scratches/rock chips. see if the dealer will drop the price or repair the issues. no used car will be perfect, all will need a little TLC.

 

Hi cerbomark! To be honest I'm kinda handy on certain things but I don't have the stomach nor time to start dealing with Porsche repairs, I rather leave that up to the experts.The battery cable is not that concerning to me but the RMS leak BOTHERS me a lot especially since I've bee reading that most of the issues were on the 996 05-06. Now I don't know if the dealer wants to swallow the bill the fix all those issues before selling me the car and that's if I decide to even buy it from them. To me this dealership has lost a lot of points by not doing there own PPI after the accepted the car from a trade-in to determine the condition of the car prior to advertising it on their showroom floor! Now I was planning on flying up to NY to inspect the car myself before purchase but I'm not so confident in even doing that at this point. For some reason the dealership are doubting the results and want to get another inspection done on the car because they feel like Porsche service is just trying to make $$ on servicing the car which makes me even more confused as to who is telling the truth! The car is located at a Honda dealership in "New Rochelle, NY" if anyone could help me look at the car. That would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

 

eldertec, that's exactly what was going through my mind last night after I received the PPI results. I was asking myself, how can a "Porsche owner" slack on the maintenance on such a beautiful car and not appreciate it?? Based on the carfax both owners only drove the car for an average of 3,500 miles/yr so it's strange to see these issues on a car that doesn't seem to have been abused... At this point I'm just gonna sit on the sidelines while the dealer gets another inspection because even they are scratching their heads wondering how this could be... The sales rep mentioned a good point that if there was an RMS leak wouldn't there be some signs of oil drips on their showroom floor since the car has been sitting there for almost 2 weeks now??

 

Looks like some of the cosmetic things could be a little picky---the pics are gorgeous---however that is 100% worth what you paid (PPI)---get the pickiest of picky to perform and then make your own opinions on cosmetic issues. Honestly painted bumpers are super common on luxury vehicles sold from dealers...that is a fact...part of the reconditioning

In regards to the mechanical concerns---use it as negotiation power. A rare color combo you have here---and the adaptive sport seats +1 too RMS is an issue but solvable...and can be reasonably priced from the right shop.

If it were me...take a plane trip to see it...a couple of hundred could say you thousands---either way the deal goes. Show serious interest. Use your own eyes. Negotiate in person and don't be afraid to leave...

I just plant this one seed---You never know if the mechanic also has a thing for that combo...could be deterring you so he could swoop in a for a deal!?!?!

never know! either way good luck in your search---one you go Porsche you will not go back!

 

I think you are a decision point. Heart or mind.
It is unlikely to have the dealer repair things after you negotiated the price down.
options:
1-pass and wait for another "dream car/color combo" etc etc
2- buy it knowing this is what it is and then put aside some $$$ for repair (negotiate the price down further)
3- ask the dealer for an out of the door, (with all the issues in the PPI fixed) price. If he hesitates or does not want to do it then walk away.

As the others said, all these issues are "common".
Also for the miles I would expected less "road rash"

 

Get the DME report. If all looks well to you and the report read out is Level 3 and under buy the car.

You can fix all the other issues. Or use it as an opportunity to 'upgrade'.

Find a good local indy.

 

a guy traded a Porsche for a Honda,,,,FREEEKY or the dealer bought at a public auction that is a red flag for me..