Jump to content

Marque 'specialists' who very obviously aren't...


Twinspark
 Share

Recommended Posts

The market seems to be full of them.

 

Contacted a 'specialist' about this:

 

http://www.yorkshireclassicporsche.co.uk/used/porsche/boxster/s/collingham/west-yorkshire/14902996

 

He says new clutch and RMS... so I asked if they'd also sorted the IMS bearing, given that they had the 'box off - it's prudent to replace with an upgraded part whilst you're in there.

 

They responded that 'on early Boxsters, you need to partially strip the engine to check and replace the IMS'.

 

Why market yourself as a 'specialist', then spout something that is made up bullshit when asked?

 

(There's an issue with this on later 987 Boxsters where the IMS bearing requires splitting the cases... so that car has either had a replacement engine due to IMS failure in the past, or he's very confused)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh yes, never beleive anything these salesmen say.   Unfortunately, you need t ogo and see the car, check the receipts, ring the garages etc etc.

 

If I were you, I'd ring Porsche UK and ask if they have a record of the IMS being changed.  If it was done at a main delaer, they'll have a record of it.  So, I'd still go and see the car if everything else stacks up.

 

Afterall, they are just out to sell you a car and get you hands on your cash!

 

 

Maybe one of the bods on here who live nearby can have a look at it for you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am now avoiding Yorkshire completely! Just to be on the safe side..

 

:uhoh:

 

I got my 968 from this Porsche Indy in Yorkshire and was very impressed with them. I had a dicky gauge 6 months after I bought it, called to let them know, explained that it wasn't worth the drive all the way up to them to investigate and they said they'd contribute towards a replacement if I got it done locally. I wasn't expecting this and was really happy with their attitude. It's a 20 year old car with >100k on the clock, after all.

 

I see they have a Boxster in stock too :coffee:

Edited by theduisbergkid
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good spot - how clean!  First of the facelifts with glass (not plastic) rear screen, 258 bhp (I think).  Things like steering wheel stitching, door shuts, under front and rear bonnet, wheel nuts etc etc all look absolutely immaculate and from the photos at least tally with the 24,000 mileage

 

http://www.rpmspecialistcars.co.uk/sales/view/77

 

PS.  TDK that's great aftersales - little details like that mean a lot and make a difference.  Audi could certainly learn from that

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thing is, when you're asking £12k for a 986 Boxster, you can afford to give a gold plated warranty with it!

 

Whilst that's a bloody tidy car, it's a £9 or maybe £10k car.

 

It's certainly not something to take to the track or leave parked on the drive all year round.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You pay your money, you take a chance, on something like that, i'd rather pay a bit more for a decent service and a good warranty on a decent low mileage car, and you can always make them an offer, just because it's up for 12k doesn't mean you have to pay that.

And as for being too good to track or live on a driveway, utter rubbish, the better it is, the more likely it is to survive both those things!

You can't have it both ways, if you want a 'cheap' car, you'll only find it at dealers with cheap reputations.

Edited by Tipex
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thing is, when you're asking £12k for a 986 Boxster, you can afford to give a gold plated warranty with it!

 

Whilst that's a bloody tidy car, it's a £9 or maybe £10k car.

 

It's certainly not something to take to the track or leave parked on the drive all year round.

 

So, you want it cheap and you want it reliable and warrantied? Good luck with that.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You pay your money, you take a chance, on something like that, i'd rather pay a bit more for a decent service and a good warranty on a decent low mileage car, you can always make them an offer, just because it's up for 12k doesn't mean you have to pay that.

And as for being too good to track or live on a driveway, utter rubbish, the better it is, the more likely it is to survive both those things!

Yep +++

If you're not happy with their best price, move on... but you may be moving on to a less well-cared-for example.

Or just wait. If you're right, then the car won't sell and eventually they'll drop the price in order to move it.

And you can track a good car. Mechanically, you want it to be good. Cosmetically, just keep well behind the other cars and the crud zone behind them. The 911 did two per year for a good while & is in lovely shape. The Caterham has been pushed hard and chased others closely and, err, isn't :grin:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't mind paying for a good one.

 

I do mind getting reamed up the arse on something they'll have taken in for not a lot more than £6k. Which is why I won't be buying from them!

 

I'll find something - but it's getting the middle ground between the back street sheds and the way OTT prices sometimes asked by the specialist dealers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, you want it cheap and you want it reliable and warrantied? Good luck with that.

 

Hope the receptionist is wearing her wedding ring...  ;)

 

the middle ground between the back street sheds and the way OTT prices sometimes asked by the specialist dealers.

 

That is a bit like having your cake and eating it, TBH (but not in the gym, obviously).  They make take the car in for £6k but they may do a lot to it to get it into the tip-top condition you want.  

 

Question: How long will it take you to find that perfect medium?  And what value do you put on that time?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's worth spending some time looking as that £12k 986 has a bloody long way to fall in depreciation, which is something I'm trying to avoid. After a couple of years of track days and parking it outside in all weathers, that will be the £6k-£8k car I'm seeing elsewhere.

 

On the other hand, a less shiny, but still perfectly good £6k-£8k car will lose a lot less and may well end up being worth almost the same as the better car would be after some abuse on my part.

 

I'm not looking for perfection - just something solid and usable. Something I wouldn't be afraid to take to the track, park in a supermarket, or in the car park of a city centre hotel in a former Eastern Bloc country...

 

I'd hate to prang a really nice car on a track day. But I could live with pranging a 'good' but not perfect car, if that makes sense?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd happily pay a premium for a mint low miler car.  In years to come its almost always the last of the breed people want and will pay top money for.  Buy and garage and maintain that Boxster and it will ALWAYS command a premium over other 986s.  If you could find out how long they've had it in stock that might work in your favour negotiation wise.

 

The only question I'd have is the service history - its not mentioned in the advert and being a 2003 it might be before Porsche introduced two year intervals (they came in around the time of the 987 / 997 iirc)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't garage it, so that's out of the question. It'll be under a cover on the drive or just left open to the elements. It'll be tracked, abused and generally not particularly cherished, as I want a car to drive, not polish.

 

So it makes incredibly little sense to buy something like that at that kind of money!

 

And being a 2003 model means it's one most likely to go bang in an expensive way, too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And being a 2003 model means it's one most likely to go bang in an expensive way, too.

Good point!

You'd be far better off buying a cheaper unknown quantity from an online ad. Buying from a well-respected independent with a great reputation and 2 personal recommendations, a 12 month warranty and an example of them going beyond the call of duty in fulfilling that warranty - that's crazy talk. The best thing to do is never consider any car they ever have for sale based upon this horrendously overpriced example.

I'm glad you're staying grounded about all this, I'd hate for you to have a massive overreaction to anyone helping you or anything. :)

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If 'trying to help' = 'recommending a horrendously overpriced car just because you've had good experience from said dealer'... then you'll have to excuse me for not accepting that help.

 

That's well into 987 3.2S money. Or £2k over what I can get a 987 2.7 for from a local reputable dealer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For only £2500 I'll sell you a stoat with a Porsche badge glued to its head and a lego wheel hanging from each leg.

I promise it'll never depreciate (or die) and will write you a letter in Cantonese that confirms this and is worth £25k for insurance purposes.

Deal?

Edited by eldavo69
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only question I'd have is the service history - its not mentioned in the advert and being a 2003 it might be before Porsche introduced two year intervals (they came in around the time of the 987 / 997 iirc)

 

2003 was the borderline.  My 996 was an October 2003 build for the 2004MY, January 2004 registration, and is officially on the 2 year service schedule which they had just introduced.  I've done an annual oil change anyway :coffee:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...