Inspect and lose the car or don't inspect and get a dog????

[advtracing]

Get a ppi EVEN if you buy from a site like this , i have been burnt this year over a 912 purchused through from another well known site and well known member .... lesson learnt ...court case pending....

never again !!!!

[gsjohnson]

Common denominator here is...EBAY. That's the lesson to be learned here.

[execmalibu]

PPI in some cases are over-rated!

The minor mechanical bullsh!t items I could care a less about I want to know about the integrity of the body/chassis FIRST, and then the major mechanical items.

I have had mechanics look at an old car and tell me that the car is in really bad condition and needs a lot of work... They tell me things like the brakes are worn by 50% and that there leaks, and that the bushings and shocks are worn... They look at a 40 year old car and expect that everything on the car should be like a brand new car! They ask me why would I want to buy that old junk?

A lot of mechanics condemn great cars because they have no idea about the true value of the car they are inspecting!

I can not tell you how many absolutely AMAZING cars were condemned by mechanics that I have bought at ridiculously low prices because the mechanic tells the owner that their car needs a huge amount of work. Like if the car runs and drives great but smokes a little at startup a mechanic will try and sell a $10,000 total engine rebuild. The un-educated owner will rely on the mechanic and ask how much in that condition the car is worth.

The mechanics will often deduct from the value of the car the retail cost of every repair to make the car like new! "This 911S needs $20,000-$30,000 to be perfect and you would be lucky to get $15,000 the way it is!"
So after hearing this the owner tells the mechanic to sell the running and driving early 911S to the first guy with $12,000 cash in hand.

I have also had excellent luck overall with ebay both buying and selling!

Ebay is just another source for advertising...

I think one of the worst places to buy is at a auction where although the car is there to inspect you really have no contact with the seller.

All of these cars I have were bought on ebay and they are all great cars! Especially for what they cost!

Again in my opinion if you know what you are buying and ask the Right questions you should be OK...

[Ghost Chaser]

Be patient.

I am currently in the process of trying to buy a 356 Speedster back home in America (I currently live in Switzerland). Even if I flew home to look at the car, I still wouldn't have sufficient knowledge to carry out a proper PPI myself. This leaves me with two practical options: One, I could send my mechanic over to look at the car and pay for his trip; two, I could hire a local specialist to do a PPI. I've chosen option number two.

I did my research on the 356 registry, found a reputable 356 restorer close to the car, and have hired him to check it out. I will add that the seller encouraged me to do this, which I take as a good sign.

You got burned on the deal with JP. Learn from your mistake. If an un-inspected one gets away, so be it; it's better than buying the mystery car behind door number three.

For whatever it's worth, if there's one thing I've learned about buying cars, it's that there will always be another good one for sale.

Best of luck with your search for the right car.

Cheers,
Rich

[tfiv]

If you are looking for a good price from afar, rolling the dice and sending the money is usually how it works.

If you don't want to do that, find a car that's priced high enough that it isn't going to sell in 24 hours. You can then do your thorough PPI. There are usually $10,000 of retail problems with almost any old 911, you can negotiate at that point.

[210bhp]

Yale

Why don't you turn the tables and post a detailed wish list and model of what you want on here. List every detail you are after including year, condition, colour, location, price etc etc...... be as detailed as you can. Then you will most likely get replies by pm which you can persue at your leisure working with the owner on whatever you need, personal inspection, mechanic inspection, detailed photos etc.

I am sure there are owners who would appreciate a confidential type approach rather than putting their car out there on the open market (often to get flamed by 'observers' with no intention of buying).

Just a thought.

Regards
Mike

PS Execmalibu............. that ivory E was a great car. Should have bought it when the exchange rate was better!!

[Eminence Gris]

Jeff is right on. I've bought over 30 911s and the last PPI I did was on the very first 911 I bought. The (well respected Bay Area) shop identified 2 completely non-existent problems and completely overlooked a chassis tweak that was much more serious. Waste of money.

I have since sold cars and watched PPIs go awry, with misidentified problems or, in once case, a laundry list of 'problems' that were pointed out based on the assumption by the shop owner that I had said something bad about him in the past(!!!)

Air cooled cars will tell you their mechanical issues with a test drive. And after all, mechanical issues are relatively easy to address compared with chassis & cosmetic issues.

OTOH, I have brokered nearly a dozen purchases and sales and an extra set of eyeballs on the scene (with no emotional involvement in the deal) can be a lifesaver. If no trusted observer is nearby, a shop will have to do. Just be aware that shops aren't always the gold standard in appraisals.

Oh, and to back up Jeff's story: I was at Ventura about 4 years ago and looked at a "1972 T" shell on a trailer. 2-400 people walked right past it, probably noting the eye-level perforation on the fender closing panels and ignoring the fact there was no other significant rust. Everyone apparently also ignored the VIN: 91122... and ignored the paint tag: 225. I bought that car for $1200 with some additional panels thrown in, restored it to painted roller status for a fellow forum member, watched it change hands again, and it's currently for sale in Long Beach for $50,000.

[Longballa]

It's really all about the body. That's where you start. If you find a car you like and want it checked out ask for some local help and I'm sure one of us could help you.

[boxster03]

Agreed body shop should be your first PPI

[j911brick]

You didn't miss anything with this deal. based on the pictures I see allot of red flags.

When your dealing this much money for a car a few hundred $$$ for airfare and a PPI should be no big deal. You can never pay too much for a good car, but you will always pay too much for a bad one.

The beauty with cars is that there is always another good deal out there.