I'm considering pulling the trigger on a 20k mile 2008 997.1 TT tiptronic. I want to make sure I am adequately conducting my due diligence. My questions are:

1. The car had a PPI done by a local Aston Martin dealership by a prior interested party who could not arrange financing (link: http://s000.tinyupload.com/download....63893325669744). Is this an adequate "PPI" or should I still have the car taken to another shop to get one done? I reached out to a recommended vendor in the area (not the AM dealer who did the one attached) so I have that option. Also, anything particular noteworthy in the existing PPI?
2. I do not need to get a DME on a tiptronic, right?
3. The car is far away from me and I plan on having it shipped. Am I crazy to consider purchasing it without seeing it in person? It would cost me around $1K to fly out and see it prior.
4. I am considering an aftermarket warranty, any recommendations? I see the Fidelity name thrown around a lot, are they good? Does anyone have a good source for purchasing one?
5. If I get an aftermarket warranty, can I arrange for that after I already have the car delivered or is that something I need to arrange for prior to purchase?

I've been reading up as much as I can through searches but the above still remains.


Thanks!

 

1. I would get a second ppi done, it can't hurt
2. Yes get a dme report, someone could have still done damage and over revved motor, i.e.; left in second up to redline or more... Get dme
3. Personally I would spend the extra 1k to see what I'm buying before I buy it, somethings may have been left out in the reports that you may see, good or bad
4. Fidelity is excellent, I had it on mine for a few years and I also own repair shops and recently dealt with them on a customers car, they are by far the easiest to work with and are more than fair
5. Depends on where you're purchasing and if they sell aftermarket warranties, call fidelity and find out the best option

 

personally i would never buy a car i couldnt lay hands on.

and why 1000$ to fly? if you really want the car leave a 500$ refundable deposit schedule a flight 2 weeks out for the best rates. i can fly cross country for under that cost and rent a car

 

Wait and buy a PDK over a tip.

 

It you must have an automatic buy an 09, if you want PDK buy a 10.

Never buy a P-car without seeing it first.

 

Hanging out and saw your post.
Big, if not huge price difference between an '08 and a '10plus car. Also big price difference between an automatic an manual '08. That tip '08 is a hard sell.
I differ from the others, DME is a waste of money, AFAIK you can't over rev an automatic. Leave it in 2nd gear and the car will hit the limiter. Shift down and the car won't shift if the revs would be too high.
Agree, you should be able to get anywhere and back for less than $1k. I would consider a purchase from a P car dealer without seeing it - private party no way.
New PPI? Depends. Couldn't see that PPI. Most guys don't look at squat. Did they note the brake depths? Tread depths? You need to drive the car and hit the brakes hard to see if it has wheel, brake rotor or alignment issues. Did the PPI include metering the paint. Most critical point. Carfax won't show you a repainted panel and the value will be less.
Don't know much about the Fidelity warranties, but people seem to get benefit from them.

 

Spend the money and go look at it.

I just bought a Estroil blue e36 M3 online with of seeing it, VERY bad move on my part. Never again. Someone thats good with a camera can make stuff look like a million bucks.


On a side note, I am selling my 997TT black/Black

Car is very clean, HRE P43S on it, AWE exhaust,AWE Intercoolers, COBB tune, Eibach springs, and that suspension computer ( i forgot who makes them)


and its still under warranty with easy care

 

I would advise you get a PPI done by a shop that is very familiar with these cars. These cars are quite sophisticated and I'm sure can have some areas of potential trouble the AM tech may not be aware of.

While the belief is a Tip (or PDK) can't be overreved it is possible under some circumstances.

I would want a DME read out just in case and to get the total engine run time and to then be able to do something of a sanity check with run time vs. the odometer reading. Around "30mph" is about average. A bit above this can be due to the car being used mostly for highway. Higher still could be signs of tracking. A bit lower than 30mph is a boulevard cruiser. Too low can be signs of tampering.

A good PPI should be able to read the DME run time and engine overrev counters for you so you get that as part of the PPI.

If you can't see the car in person, if you can't experience the car on the road as you intend to use the car then this must be part of the PPI or you have to take your chances.

Speak with the shop where you will have the car serviced and any warranty work done and ask what aftermarket warranty it has found to be the best in honoring claims and in dealing with.

You will have to speak to the warranty company you decide to deal with and ask when you can have the warranty in effect. Could be the warranty company would want the car checked out before hand.

If you end up buying the car and have it shipped to you be sure you have the car fully insured. There is theft, but also the risk of accident damage, vandalism, fire, storm (hail) damage and even something corrosive dripping down on the car from a vehicle above.

Be sure if you can arrange it to have pics taken of the car *before* it is picked up for shipment and then compare the car's condition when delivered.

 

I agree!! Camera angle and light is everything.

 

Pardon my ignorance but why an 09 in particular? Is it because of the interior changes or where there changes to the tiptronic?

 

I appreciate the comment, I'll have a new PPI done and I'll fly out to see the car and test drive it before pulling the trigger.

When you say that an 08 tip is a hard sell, can you just elaborate a bit?

I'm on a budget so that is why I am looking at the 07-08s, it seems like there is a sharp price increase from 09 onwards. I would love to get a PDK but that would put me out a lot more than I'd like to spend on this toy.

 

I believe it's the last of the the turbo tips, it's got PCM 3.0, better interior, last of the Mezger dry sump GT-1 engines, last of the 997.1's, a transition car with very low production numbers. Some would say a future collector but that is still up for debate. Anyway, they are certainly holding their value better than the 07's and 08's. JMO-

 

It won't take long before people realize any head unit from 2009 or 2008 isn't that great and wil swap it if it matters.
You aren't buying for the sound system nor is it a long term investment. The only way to get a tip to overrev is with aggressive software and it will never be the dangerous 4+ range.

You will be happy with an 07 or 08. Again dont worry about tomorrow's prices until tomorrow. Heck Tysons corner sold a 15 TT with a 192 sticker for 139. It's all about timing and in 3-5 years if you sell with less and less people being able to drive a stick you might find the Tip is the car to have. Who knows. Prices are funny people will raid college funds to buy a gt3 then never ever take it to a track or even close to one.