Hello, as the title says I am finally going to pull the trigger on a 997.1 Turbo and was wondering what I really need to check out and make sure is all good before I go ahead and make the purchase? Specifically I have found a car here in town ~89K asking, 2007, 33000 KM (20500 miles), manual, grey on black. (This is in Canada so remember the prices are a fair bit jacked up compared to in the U.S.
What do I need to look out for? I have been a lifetime Porsche enthusiast and have finally gotten to go-ahead to buy what I consider to be a quintessential modern Porsche. I do not want to have a bad experience of tons of shop time or costly repairs, so I really just want to be careful. Thank you very much, really let me know anything I should look out for. (I will be buying a paint depth meter to check for accidents, and take it into a Porsche expert here in town, but everyone can miss something) Thank you in advance!

Edit: Currently looking at buying from a private seller (2 owners).

 

If it's not a Porsche dealer pay to get it checked out. This way hopefully no surprises. Make sure no accidents either. Best of luck.

 

Thanks, for sure I will!

Forgot to put in, currently looking at buying from a private seller.

 

I'm a believer in a PPI, although some feel its pointless, I think it's cheap peace of mind.

Look at the DME report and check for over revs to understand how the car may have been driven by the previous owner.

The paint meter is also a great tool.

Good luck!!

 

Alright I will surely go for a PPI, agreed.

Ahh yes I didn't think of that, thank you! That will be very helpful!

Thanks again!

 

It has been said, look for a reputable indy or dealer and get the car fully checked out. Look for any leaks, evidence of accident, changed glass and etc. Service history is key so make sure you get receipts and call the places where the car was worked on and ask about.

But most of all be careful of the slippery slope next to the car. Nearly everyone falls into it and before you know it you car has massive amounts of modifications:-) Other than that, you are golden.

 

Alright, cool, thank you Are there any known issues that are kind of a big deal like with the Caymans where the engines just went kaput?

Haha, yeah. Well I just plan on getting new wheels/tires.... and having APR tune the ECU... And getting a full exhaust, and a new plenum.... and upgraded intercoolers... Haha!

 

That price is way too high even in Canada!!
I bought my 2007 TT two years ago from a Porsche dealer in Montreal with 30,000 km on it with a 2 year CPO for 82,400. It initial price was 89k.
If I look around the web it seems most 2007's are going for less than 80 at the moment privately and you can talk them down a lot.
There are a number on the porsche.ca site around your price and you can get a cpo as well.
What to look out for?
Make sure you have enough for repairs if you don't get a cpo.
I've had both hydraulic lifters replaced for the wing (around $2000), a radiator (around $1000), a horn, an accumulator ($1000) and sticking turbo actuator. Don't know how much that cost but the dealer had it for 2 weeks trying to find the problem.. Needless to say, don't go to that dealer if you are in montreal.
If it's a 2007 then the spark plugs should have been changed. If not, figure a cool $1000. Serpintine belt, another maintenance item. If the brakes need service a full brake job at the dealer will run $4000 (ordinary brakes).

Oh ya, known issues....coolant hoses that are glued in place. If they pop off it's a cool 3-4k to drop the engine. Cam position sensors or worse cam that shift in their bearing...another 3-4k.
2nd gear pop out....just started happening to me...3-4k
If you can handle the cost of repairs then it comes with the territory, other wise look at a cheaper version. Just my 2 cents.

They are not cheap but man they are fun.

 

Are you sure about that pricing? I feel like you may have gotten that price because the car was a bit f'd judging from your repairs... Maybe? (Obviously no offense intended I know some people on forums take everything super personally, and I am extremely grateful you are giving me the no BS version!)

I just checked on Porsche's car finder and the cheapest 997 Turbo with sub 40K KM was 97K from a dealer (The car I am looking at is from a private seller so no GST). There are only 3 turbos with 1000 KM of Calgary with manual transmissions and sub 40K KM and the cheapest one is 87K with 25K KM.

Do you have any specific website/search you are using to find those cars? I can honestly say I have not seen a 997.1 Turbo with sub 40K KM go for under 80 grand, could you post up some links?

Damn after reading all that, what happened to Porsche being reliable??? At least with a C7 if it goes to **** the repairs are seriously on the cheap. I can handle the costs in this price range, but seriously what has happened Porsche?? Did Porsche's CPO cover anything for you??

 

No BS. My car passed all inspections. All of it was covered with the CPO. But I did not have the hoses pop off, but most likely I'll need to cover the 2nd gear pop-out. My brakes were also like new. My car is prestine....not a single bump nick or anything.
Look around on this forum. You will find that these issues I pointed out are common faults. They do not happen to everyone of course. The car can be considered very reliable as super cars go. Compared to a civic? Well, I highly doubt you can drive 5 years in one of these things with dropping a few grand on service when it is out of warrantee.
My point is that if you are paying that amount of cash, you should get a CPO.
Oh, you are in Calgary...prices there are about 10K higher than quebec prices.
There's a few 2007's in lespac around 70k and the last time I was at the dealer there was a 2007 for 84k...could easily get to for 78.

edit:
I don't know what's happened lately...the prices in Montreal just jumped up. Heck, I could sell mine two years later for the price I paid.
Seriously, two months ago, the prices were as I said. And two years ago, even less.
Must be the PQ getting the boot....

 

Hi, congrats and welcome to the Turbo club. Besides what people have mentioned in posts above, here are the list of important options to consider - hope this helps:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...7-1-turbo.html

 

Damn thank god for CPO then. I guess the only reason for that price discrepancy would be maybe the harshness of the conditions of here vs. there? Or just different economic conditions could be changing prices a lot.
Ya they seem still reliable for the performance you get, but at the same time I thought Porsche didn't make, and for years continue to make the same mistakes that were clearly negatively impacting their customers (such as the coolant deal).

After reading all that, I think I need a CPO car!

 

89k is expensive for private.

In your PPI be mindful of brake job, clutch accumulator and plugs (if a tune in the future).

 

Really? Hmmmmm, what do you think I should be looking at more so for this miles/year? I recently changed my sights from a '10 C4S to an older Turbo so am not really familiar with what is a good price or not. Thank you, and I will be sure to have those checked!

 

Low 80's from a reputable store shouldn't be unreasonable IMO. However, turbos seem to get more expensive when people are flush with cash. I've had mine 18mos. Bought it with 58k kms and I've put on 8k and no problems (except I had to do plugs for my tune). I wouldn't be concerned with a car that avgd 10k/yr. These cars were meant to be driven.

I went straight to the Turbo. After you rocket away the first time, you'll be glad you didn't pick non-turbo. Do you plan to add mods? It's a slippery slope....