My new 996? Please help me decide!

[AZPPS]

I found a great looking '02 996 Cab TIP (see pics below) and I really like this car!  Unfortunately the car is TN and I'm in AZ.  If I buy this rig it will be the first time I've ever bought a car sight unseen which is why I'm reaching out to all of you for some guidance.  Please take a look at the pics and details below.  Any concerns/red flags here?  What more should I ask about?  I'm not excited about the prospect of paying $2K to transport a car across the country but NOT having to pay $2K for the IMSB is certainly helping my cause here.

 

From the original ad:

Tiptronic transmission, L&N IMS bearing retrofit, new water pump & coolant recovery tank, new Bilstien shocks & Eibach springs, Victor Equipment 18" wheels, 9/10's Potenza RE-11's, leather power 8 way seats w/memory + lumbar, premium Bose sound w/6 CD. PCM navigation, xenon headlights. 2 keys & owner's manual. Garaged. Very good condition.

Mileage: 

62,750 miles

Exterior Color: 

Arctic Silver Metallic

Interior Color: 

Graphite Grey

Price: $25,700

 

I reached out to the current owner and he is willing to help me facilitate a PPI.  Do any of you know any shops in the TN area that can do a PPI for me?  I'm assuming the current owner has a shop in mind.  Should that be a concern for me?  I can always have his shop talk directly to my shop too.

 

CARFAX is clean.  Current owner purchased the car in June 2011 with 43K.  Unit now has 63K.  During that time he has, as stated in the original ad, "replaced the IMS bearing. The coolant tank is replaced. Also the water pump. Bilstien shocks, Eibach springs and rear swaybar are new." Any concerns about these updates?  How about the non-OEM wheels?  "Victor Equipment 18" wheels"

 

Thanks so much to all for you assistance on this!

 

[JFP in PA]

Because a PPI is your last chance to avoid a problem, the shop choice should always be that of the buyer, not the seller.

[AZPPS]

JFP,

I hear you and I agree wholeheartedly.  Does anybody know of any reputable shops near Pulaski, TN where I can get an unbiased PPI done?

[bBunny]

Try searching from this source

www.pcarshops.com

the car looks clean, and the owner has done a good portion of the things that need attention.
For what its worth, shipping cars from long distances is common with Porsche. Ive done it 6 times and never had any surpirises
I didn't expect. If the car checks out, I hope you plan on shipping enclosed/liftgate.

[JFP in PA]

JFP,

I hear you and I agree wholeheartedly.  Does anybody know of any reputable shops near Pulaski, TN where I can get an unbiased PPI done?

 

I'm afraid I cannot help you with that one, but I would suggest contacting the local Porsche Club chapter, which I believe is the Music City chapter: http://www.musikstadtpca.org/  They should be able to provide you with some suggestions based upon local user's experiences.

[AZPPS]

Thanks guys!

 

JFP, great advice.  I'm going to check on that next.

 

bBunny, found a couple shops on your website link about 60-70 miles away from the car.  I have spoken with the owner now, cool guy and willing to help me on the PPI so i'm going to talk with him about driving the car over for PPI.  If i were selling a car I would drive 70 miles for a potential buyer and I think he will too.  He also gave me the name of his mechanic but I'd like to find my own.  I will ask my mechanic about calling and talking to his mechanic too though.

[AZPPS]

You have all been incredibly helpful, Thank You!  Here's where I am in the process...

- Looked up shops on pcarshops.com.  Found a half dozen places within 60 miles of the current owner.  Called them all to get a feel for their business.

- Special thanks to mdragon for reaching out the local PCA on this for me.  They recommended a shop that was on the pcarshops list too.

- Current owner has agreed to get the car in for PPI at shop of my choosing.  Looking to make that happen next week.

- Current owner also gave me the name of his current shop.  I have call into them so we can chat about the car as well.

- Assuming all goes well with the PPI the next step will be getting this rig moved home.  Flying and driving would be great but timing makes that tough for me so I called Coastal Car Transport.  Super cool guy (Hank) and very helpful.  If I get this rig, they'll be handling the move for me.

 

Well, that's it for now.  Hope to have exciting news to share on this next week.  Have a great weekend, Renntech!

[AZPPS]

Car came back with a strong PPI and we inked the deal last night.  When I finally get the car here from TN I'll share some pics.  PPI showed what I hope ends up being horn frame (posted about this in a separate thread).  I'll also be replacing the drive belt and coil pack when I get the car.  Other than that it looks great.  Thanks, Renntech!