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Any advice on buying a used car?

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Do you even own a car?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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Used to. Was an 87' Porsche 944 Turbo I bought in 1994 for 13k. Sold it before I went to business school in 1998 for 12k. Not bad for 4 years use. Haven't owned a car since.

My eye has been on the '97 911 Turbo for the last three years now. Just love the car - is one of those cars I used to dream about but can now be a reality. Looking for one with less than 30k miles on it. Prices now seem hop around between 62k and 70k, but would like them to crack into the 50s before I bite. Unfortunately, depreciation is much slower at this part of the curve. Still, 60k is not bad for a car that was 100+ new. Still one of the best performing production cars in the world too.

Also to consider is when am I moving to the burbs. Absolutely refuse to pay the $300+ per month to garage in in NYC. To me, thats just pissing money away.
 
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Okay...well atleast your one car was pretty cool. :wink2:

You talking the 993 Turbo S?

The last "real" 911. We don't need no stinking water cooling.

Good choice. AKAK likes silver.
 
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Donny, we need more info...How much are you looking to spend? If you're just gonna buy a beater, I'd get an 80's pickup. You don't need 4wd in Alabama, things don't rust much either. If I were you I'd get something that every junkyard and hick garage has parts for and can fix w/o computers. Trucks can take a beating, too.
 
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general rules of thumb...

If you're going to keep a car for 7 - 10 years or for its life... buy new...
else consider used... but govt didn't create "buyer beware" laws cuz they're witty...

In buying used, check out the 'for sale' ads... if the exact car with the mileage you want is too readily available that's a bad sign... you want a car no one wants to sell... the car difficult to find for sale

also need to consider how many of the cars are out there... like, if you see a lot of Toyotas or Hondas that's a function of them being the largest selling cars on the planet... so look at the mileage on those sale ads... the Toyotas you probably want have less than 60K-80K but per the rule of thumb, you generally can't find them... so that's a clue those are the cars you want... cuz the owners want to keep them... there's a reason someone is selling a used car...

If you can find a seller/original owner and see maintenance records, you can probably count on a well maintained Toyota, Honda, Volvo to get 200 - 300K miles...

disappointingly, the US car brands still suck... Ford is best of a poor group... use Consumers Report... I know from expert experience this is one area that independent research and data parallels CR almost perfectly...

lastly, use Carfax.. won't tell you a lot... but it will tell you if the car has been in a major accident or flood damaged... you don't want a car that has had either... the problems just keep coming...

PS NYB, you're too practical... you need to start living like Trump... like the Rich and Famous that you are... Testerosa Ferrari... altho any of these hot cars you get will be sooo shortlived... 5 years from now you're gonna be a dad... and car seats don't fit in the back of a 911...
 
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My eye has been on the '97 911 Turbo for the last three years now. Just love the car - is one of those cars I used to dream about but can now be a reality. Looking for one with less than 30k miles on it. Prices now seem hop around between 62k and 70k, but would like them to crack into the 50s before I bite. Unfortunately, depreciation is much slower at this part of the curve. Still, 60k is not bad for a car that was 100+ new. Still one of the best performing production cars in the world too.
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I agree good choice. The last couple years of the 993 are getting premium dollars, and have been for a while. You could probably get a 996 in your range a lot easier. For my money the old 993 was by far a better looking car. You could possibly find yourself a nice C4 S in the 96-98 range that would have all the cool body panels, Brembo brakes etc. just no Turbo. for 40-50k. Post a pic if you get one.

You can indeed fit 2 car seats in the back of a 911 and they do not have to be special order. I have 2 regular seats from Target and they will fit in a 996 or a 993. I have never tried an infant seat (rear facing) you may have more trouble with that.

If you want the speed but need the seat room you can get a brand new M3 with a full back seat for 50k vrooom a zoom zoom.
 
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"you sit in the back seat... and I'll put the baby up here in the passenger seat.. no dear, I don't want the new Chrysler Town and Country mini-van... I like my 911... what do you mean no sex till the 911 goes?"
 
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Well - here's the latest one I was tracking. Comments?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4522703573&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

You talking the 993 Turbo S?
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No - just the Turbo. The S was a slighly hopped up 911 Turbo, but since it was made in such limited numbers, it usually commands a huge premium. Hence, for me the extra 25 ponies isnt worth the extra 30 grand. The difference is I think is only 1 tenth 0-60 anyway.

5 years from now you're gonna be a dad... and car seats don't fit in the back of a 911...
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Ack! Wow does that put things in perspective! Makes me want to go out and buy one now!
 
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"you sit in the back seat... and I'll put the baby up here in the passenger seat.. no dear, I don't want the new Chrysler Town and Country mini-van... I like my 911... what do you mean no sex till the 911 goes?"
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I don't think that argument works in the real world.

First... you have to have a second car anyway... its called winter.

Second... what wife is going to withold sex to her Porsche Turbo Cahick MAgnet driving Husband, any woman worth a broke dick knows thinks the car is pretty cool anyway.

Its all about calling bluffs.

Besides... those Lexus commercials where the dude gets his wife the new Lexus SUV for christmas with the big bow on top are real... ever notice they don't show the other car in the garage?
 
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NYB,

That looks like a pretty sweet one. I love the Arena Red Color, I would be a little bit cautious of a dealer with 0 feedback though. See what you can find out about the dealer if you can. A lot of high end cars go through ebay in Fla and Texas because it is easier to clean a title through those states so beware. Do as much research on the car and the dealer as you can. I would check with the BBB of Fla to make sure they are legit and do not have any issues. I know there are tons of highline cars in Naples, so they may be legit. I have no doubt that this car will not sell through an auction, so you should have some time to ask them some questions and do a carfax on the car. If it has been titled in more than one other state I would stay away. If you find them to be a reputable dealer they will be happy to deal with you outside of ebay. They will probably throw in a plane ticket if you buy the car. It would be quite a weekend to fly down to Fla on a friday with a buddy, or your babe, and drive all the way home in your new 911. I have done it once for myself and once with a buddy. great time.

I would advise you to join your local PCA (Porsche Club of America) they typically put out a monthly or quarterly newsletter and members will advertise their own cars in there. Most times you can be a lot more comfortable with who owned the car previously, and be more confident they took care of it.

Good Luck
 
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"you sit in the back seat... and I'll put the baby up here in the passenger seat.. no dear, I don't want the new Chrysler Town and Country mini-van... I like my 911... what do you mean no sex till the 911 goes?"
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I don't think that argument works in the real world.

First... you have to have a second car anyway... its called winter.

Second... what wife is going to withold sex to her Porsche Turbo Chick MAgnet driving Husband, any woman worth a broke dick knows thinks the car is pretty cool anyway.

Its all about calling bluffs.

Besides... those Lexus commercials where the dude gets his wife the new Lexus SUV for christmas with the big bow on top are real... ever notice they don't show the other car in the garage?
 
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Nasty - it def seems like you know Porsches - and how to buy them. Truth is I probably would never make a purchase of that magnitude sight unseen. I usually just monitor prices by using Ebay. Also - most definitely will check out Florida. Don't want a car that has been driven in the northeast through tons of salt and snow. I have even talked about flying down with my brother - he's thinking of buying a 968 ragtop. Maybe more bargaining power w a package deal. We have a friend in NJ who's dad deals in high end cars in Fla, so we may start there first.

Probably a year or two away in any event.
 
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OK.. how about this one.. NYB wife speaking... "Honey, I'll drive the 911 to work in Philly... You drive the Town and Country to the train station?"
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That's harsh bro.

There appear to be serious and deep emotional scars that you're holding onto.

I think you should buy one too. :wink2:
 
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