[TheMirror]

Hi gang -



Now that I am gonna buy a 968 no matter what, I need to make sure I'm covering all my bases. I know there are a number of cars out there that have owners willing to sell.....but these cars aren't necessarily advertised.



So far, here are the places I'm looking:



This website

Autotrader

Ebay

Rennlist

Local PCA websites



I also will leave word with various Porsche specialty shops in the Bay Area, but I need help with ones to contact in Sacramento.



Am I missing anything? Are there other sources or strategies to finding the example I'm looking for? I'm trying to stay local, at least in California.

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[sasilverbullet]

I sell cars for a living and you've hit all the bases! Now just be patient...and:



don't buy without having a PPI done

don't buy without YOU having actually seen the car in person



Good luck!

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[bob blackwell]

I agree with Michael, just try to be patient and do not settle for something that you will later regret. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[ether_joe]

[quote name='sasilverbullet' date='Mar 20 2006, 05:22 PM']don't buy without YOU having actually seen the car in person[/quote]



I must respectfully offer a differing opinion. After having seen a number of cars myself, I found a good deal on ebay in Florida (across the country from me). I had a PPI done, and based on the mechanic's inspection, both mechanical plus verifying the owner's claims of the car's condition, I bought the car and had it shipped to me.



Arrived as advertised and the car is just phenomenal.



So *if you do a good due diligence* I say you can buy without having seen the specific car.



that being said of course it is preferable to see it yourself. For me, it was a good 'buy it now' deal that I didn't want to let get away.

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[ether_joe]

oh, and I waited ~ 3 months for the right car that matched all my preferences color/bodystyle/condition/etc. some people here have waited a lot longer.



One good piece of advice i got here, if you get a car lower price, expect that you are going to put a few grand in baseline maintenance getting the car into top condition. So don't expect to plunk down $10-12K for a car and that's it, unless you get a really swingin deal.



for example, my car is relatively low mileage (92 w/ 75K) , but as a result of the car sitting for a couple of years unused I am running into some issues around that.



but WHAT A CAR. . . <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ether_joe]

oh and welcome! this a great community filled with helpful folks.

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[flash]

i bought mine without ever having seen it in person - i also bought it without a PPI - i am very happy with the car



i had a laundry list of questions and specific photo requests - be diligent - ask lots of questions - if they baulk, run away - get lots of good pics of every nook and cranny you can think of - the last thing you want to do is see pics of what looks good, only to find out that in person the shadows covered everything up - we've all been there



i am not a big proponent of a PPI - it is only as good as the shop and the mechanic doing it - if you know and trust the mechanic, then by all means get the inspection - i highly recommend somebody doing a mechanical inspection, but i don't trust a mechanic out of hand, especially a dealership one - it has been my experience that most of those guys haven't even seen one of these cars, or driven one, let alone worked on one



any inspection should include a compression check - a recent printout from an alignment rack is a good thing too - it and a good look at tire wear will be a good indicator of how well the car's suspension is maintained



be picky - find the one you want with the right colors, options, mileage and price -when you find a car that you really love, and that is the key, then post here, and one of us can probably check it out for the cosmetic and normal stuff - whoever it is will also probably have a mechanic they trust to whom you can send the car for an inspection - don't have everybody scrambling all over the place checking out dozens of cars though



expect to pay a premium for low mileage and/or really clean condition - you may find somebody desperate who will sell cheap, but remember, no good sports car is cheap, and no cheap sports car is good - you get what you pay for



there is a PPI form here on this site - there are a number of people who will be happy to help you too



take your time

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[josephsc]

[quote name='TheMirror' date='Mar 20 2006, 04:20 PM']Am I missing anything? Are there other sources or strategies to finding the example I'm looking for? I'm trying to stay local, at least in California.

[right][post="17676"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]Yes -- I believe you forgot the most important thing: tell us what you're looking for.

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[jeffm40]

Be patient is the best advice. Don't buy the first car that comes along. I spent a year and a half and several hundred dollars in PPI's, gas and airfare trying to find the right car. I agree with Flash...if they balk at anything. RUN. Demand service, parts and maintenance receipts!

The 968, as you will learn is one of the most fun little cars ever designed. They're a joy to own and drive. You don't see a lot of them around but they really turn heads.



Let us know what you are looking for: color, coupe vs cab, manual vs. tip, mileage, amount you want to spend etc. and we can help in your quest. An EXPERIENCED 968 OWNER or MECHANIC is best for a PPI. Don't trust just anyone that can pronouce PORSCHE to be your eyes and ears.

Good luck and welcome to the family!

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[TheMirror]

Thanks for all the good advice and words everyone! I've come this far, and luckily I don't have a case of "gotta have it now" syndrome. I want the right car for me, hence not purchasing the aventurine green example close to my house. I'm willing to wait for the correct vehicle!



It will be a car that I have to physically eyeball and drive, partly because of bad sinuses that rebel at the first hint of mildew or cigarette smoke, and partly because I used to be an autobroker and one of my main tasks was to evaluate trade-in vehicles.



I'm gonna explain the car I'm after in a separate post.



Cheers!

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[flash]

sounds good - if it's down here, i'd be happy to take a look

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[ether_joe]

and luckily I don't have a case of "gotta have it now" syndrome.

You mean, you haven't driven one yet? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



man, I had a bad case of goddahaveitnow before I even drove the thing. . .

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[H2Ojazz]

I also bought my 968 recently without seeing it in person. I looked at many cars on various sites before narrowing it down. I was especially looking for a 6spd coupe with complete mechanical records that was well-maintained.



The seller was a PCA member and presence on 968 enthuisasts sites with numerous posts. He paid for a PPI and sent me an extensive service history as well as pics. Pinion bearing done, as well as major services and numerous minor upgrades. He answered every one of my nit-picking questions immediately and detailed every aspect of car, right down to the stone chips and VERY minor cosmetic issues (3 touch-up spots). No surprises. He was selling because he bought a 964.



I flew to his town and drove the beauty home and have been delighted with the car! I looked for months and was often tempted by a photo. The main thing for me was finding someone I grew to trust implicitly as a fellow enthusiast who shares our love of these cars.



Be patient and find the 968 of your dreams!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[rhudeboye]

"patience" who has the time?

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[flash]

it took me 4 months, hundreds of emails, hundreds more pics, a dozen over the wire attempts at deals, and a half a dozen trips to inspect cars before i landed on mine



worth every electron and every second of the process

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[Jacks968]

I found mine on E-Bay - I had been looking for months for a replacement for a 964 Cab - a dealer had both 964 & 968 on E-Bay and the 968 did not sell. It was a color combo I liked and equipped to suit the wife and I so I called them in Omaha NE. We settled on a price and I had a local friend of a friend take a look. Bought the car & paid for shipping. Though the car had good maint history and low mileage & passed my local Mechanics PPI when it got here - many cosmetic issues came to light upon close inspection. The good news was the dealer agreed to write me a check for $1000 to cover parts I wanted replaced including refinishing the original 17 inch wheels. All in all it is a great car and I am happy - but the experience was frustrating. I won't trust anyone else to look at a car again.

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[rhudeboye]

jack- Thats what I plan on doing if I come across a black w gray int 968.

but in many ways I'm going to be even worse off then you. You had a friend of a friend, I may have to lay my trust in a mechanic. The PPI is the biggest thing but I will also have to rely on him to report nicks tears etc. and not many mechanics are going to care enough to take the time to report cosmetics flaws to me. If I find one Eastcoast I'll prob just pay for the ticket and drive it home.

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[Jacks968]

Best way to find someone with a sharp eye for these cars is on this Board or one of the "lesser" 968 boards. Or call the PCA region and get the name of mechanic they trust. For example if you called here in Seattle folks would name 3 or 4 great Porsche specialists that hundreds of Club guys trust. And you would likely have three offers to look over the car within hours of your post. It is amazing how the community supports new or aspiring owners. In this case joy loves company. Recent story - a fellow looked for a 911sc from northern Canada and found it here. Posted for advice on the Pelican region board. People lined up to help and when he came down to get the car - 10 of us met him at our local TGI Fridays and bought him dinner. He found a great car and made some friends at the same time.

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[josephsc]

Hmm... I do have a black 968 with gray interior sitting on the West Coast -- it's a cab with brakes and clutch in the last 5k miles. But it has one big problem (see my signature)....

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