At whay mileage do I start to question a purchase
#1
Posted 19 September 2011 - 09:31 AM
At the end of the day, it is a 4 cylinder and at what point do I really have to say "I'll pass"? I'm just trying to prepare myself for how long a 968 drive train will last. If the car has been well cared for, I'm sure there is a point where the engine and/or tranny will require a rebuild or replacement. If the car has not been well cared for - I'm sure it will show all over.
Can anyone help give me a ball park mileage? I just do not want to waste time looking at cars that are going to cost me some serious bucks and headaches. I will only use the car a few times a month, as it will not be my primary vehicle.
#2
Posted 19 September 2011 - 09:48 AM
JMHO,
Jay
#3
Posted 19 September 2011 - 01:18 PM
#4
Posted 19 September 2011 - 02:02 PM
#5
Posted 19 September 2011 - 02:06 PM
Someone said - "There are no cheap Porsches", and within reason that's a true statement. A great example of the 968 (and you may adjust your definition of "great" up or down from mine as you see fit) will cost about $20,000, and at least a few thousand dollars per year in maintenance. My definition of "great" for this purpose means there's nothing wrong with it. Everything works and there's a minimum of spooky new noises to make your hair stand on end when you drive it.
Let's say for the purpose of my example that you can buy a spankin' example of the 968 for about $20,000 and not have to do much to it (I'll never say "nothing to it", that's sacrilege), or you can buy one for $15,000 and put $5,000 into it, or you can maybe go as low as $12,000 and put $8,000 into it. Any lower than that and you're probably stretching credibility about whether or not the balance to make it this definition of "great" would really not exceed the $20,000 ceiling... Or, you can buy one for $15,000 (or less) and live with a little bit of stuff, some "beauty marks" and some clunks. As with women, once they're over a certain age they start to show some age and accidentally fart in public once in a while, no?
Why is that stretching it? Because sadly, the 968 is old enough to be well into the "danger zone". The "danger zone" is defined as that area, most recently passed through by the 944 (and S and Turbo (S)), that is affordable to the "Thunder Chicken" crowd who are bound and determined to own a Porsh, but who do not possess the means to maintain the car with any semblance of propriety. There will be lots of epoxy, Loc-Tite, touch-up paint, and VW/Audi parts on a Porsh. Thankfully it might be easy to spot because it won't be the pristine example you saw in the CraigsList ad when you get there - it will smell funny and the grill will be broken, there will be lots of bad respray on the front and back bumpers, the interior will be challenged, and the seller will tell you it's a good idea to put it in neutral when you pull up to a red light...
Well, you probably know the drill. Anyway, I do wish you the best of luck in your search, and I know that there are fantastic examples of the 968 out there in the $15,000 range, that need very little done to them, unless you catch the bug.
#6
Posted 19 September 2011 - 02:17 PM
spend it now or spend it later. the total is the same.
is that a "doom and gloom" story? not at all. go out and try to find any car that can do what the 968 can do for the kind of money that a 968 costs. you won't find it.
#7
Posted 19 September 2011 - 02:38 PM
#8
Posted 19 September 2011 - 02:59 PM
Now that being said, your original questions was about high mileage scaring you off of a potential buy. I had 244K on my 944 when I sold it...nothing wrong with it as a pretty decent daily driver. It had had a complete engine overhaul, power steering rack, and other major maintenance items done and was a very reliable car. The timing belt broke, so I sold it cheap since it needed a head job and valves and I wasn't interested in spending real money on it since I had moved on to my 968 Coupe as a "fix it while I drive it" project. I just saw my old 944 come up for sale so it got put back together and is still going strong! I almost e-mailed the guy to go look at it just to tell the story.
So, if you have some maintenance history, even if it's not complete, but recent, high mileage doesn't necessarily have to be a concern. Overall condition will tell you a lot about the cars previous owners and it was rode hard and pt away wet. These cars are built fairly well and with proper care, can and will last a long time. Take your time and fine one that fits your needs, but as previous posters have mentioned, you will spend some money on a car like this as opposed to a Japanese econobox that you can just drive into the ground. A Porsche will not respond well to that sort of treatment.
Welcome to the forum and good luck!
- Darryl
#9
Posted 19 September 2011 - 03:22 PM
Because sadly, the 968 is old enough to be well into the "danger zone". The "danger zone" is defined as that area, most recently passed through by the 944 (and S and Turbo (S)), that is affordable to the "Thunder Chicken" crowd who are bound and determined to own a Porsh,
I don't know. I'm thinking that crowd may pass right over the 968 and go for a 996 or a Boxster which can be had for the same money or less and those same guys would consider those vehicles to be a "real" Porchs .
As for the original poster, I think you can get a 70-90K mile 968 for not that much more then the 100K+ cars so if mileage bothers you keep looking. For reference, I sold a very nice 94 coupe, 6 spd, partial leather, Limited slip, 17s, and up to date maintenance for $13K a year ago.
#10
Posted 19 September 2011 - 03:30 PM
It sounds like the maintenance record for any vehicle I consider will be essential. I just did not want to buy a 968 and during my first 100 miles the bottom falls out... Large drive train repairs I'll have to leave to the experts, and I know those can get expensive quickly.
Thanks again for all the advice!
Looks like my patience will test me. Particularly since most 968 ads means >300 miles for me.
#11
Posted 19 September 2011 - 03:57 PM
#12
Posted 19 September 2011 - 03:58 PM
Patience definitely pays off.
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