I have my sights set on a 05-07 997, I have done the research, know what I want to pay, the options I want etc. where I live you don't see many 997's for sale that are within driving distance, my question is has anyone purchased from long distance, without looking and driving the vehicle and just relying on lots of pictures, carfax, service history etc.
I know a ppi is vital but can you get that done from thousand miles away?

Thank you

Oscar

 

Oscar,
I bought my last two Porsches from a distance of over 500 & 1,000 miles away. PPI is a must and was done on both. That being said I also walked from one on last year. I did the PPI, hopped a flight (one way) and upon arrival with check in hand walked away. The car was just not as well kept as stated. The finish was rough, the leather was in bad shape, yet it passed the mechanical tests. I rented a car and had a great road trip hone. Happy hunting.

 

Do research on the seller and car if it's on the forum.

Ppi is not full proof. If you have doubts, walk away. Plenty of 997

 

Gary that is quite a story, walking away just like that, I guess it comes down somewhat to trusting your gut, road trip sounds like it was fun, I have seen some 997's from porsche dealers that interest me, some are located on nonporsche dealers, obviously the nonporsche dealer prices are lower

 

I'm in Denver and I brought my 997 in San Diego and my 981 in Mentor Ohio, both are non Porsche dealers. Had both dealers drive it to a Porsche dealership to get a PPI, talked to the mechanic who did it and had him email me a copy of the PPI. Questions I asked were, "is the car modded," "how does the paint look," "would you buy it", etc. I brought my 997 in the winter time, thought about driving it back but glad I didn't. I would had been caught in a blizzard. I made it a road trip when I picked up my 981. Stopped at Detriot, Chicago, Des Moines, before driving back.

 

I sold my 997 to someone in CT and I was in IL. Even though I offered to transport the car via covered carrier he still flew in and drove the car back. He brought cashiers check and his tags and that was that!

 

Bought mine from a Fla Porsche dealer..I m in NY. I skipped on the PPI but the car was CPO warranty. Drove down to get it and it was understood after my inspection and test drive I could walk away and get a full depo refund with no explanation.