Search is Over, Picked up a 911TT
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:31 am
I am starting a new thread from my Buyer Input one since I did purchase one.
After a very exhaustive search and 3 PPIs this week, I picked up a 55K mile 2001 Polar Arctic 911 TT. All stock except the radio is upgraded. Two previous owners, Carfax show it was dealer maintained with lots of service records, and both POs had bought it at the same dealer, so they knew the car and the previous owners who were both enthusiasts and in their mid-50s. It has been on the market for 4 months and they wanted to move it so I got a very fair deal, they actually lost money on it. It also came with a box of 60K parts as well as some O2 sensors and a set of intercoolers. I am unsure of the value but guessing $1200-1500. I have had my eye on this one ever since I saw in almost 2 months ago so it kept drawing me back and the color is gorgeous IMO.
A buddy and I drove to Denver from Austin Thursday, using a 1-way rental. Friday morning, it had snow on it, battery was completely dead. I was OK with that because I got to see a cold start in teen-ish degrees. It had not bee started for at least a month.
After we had it running, we took it to get a PPI on it and came back with a few minor things, but overall a very good report. It had no leaks which I had encountered on one of the other PPIs. This was a big concern for me as I had seen a few other records where seals and gaskets were replaced on very low mileage specimens due to non-use. The PPI showed :
1- tires needed balancing to correct shaking wheel on the highway
2- oil level sensor was not working
3- needed a new battery
4- slightly out of alignment, which I was willing to concede
It was in good shape aesthetically with the exception of the front bumper. It has a small crack where the license plate grommet had ripped out. A plate will cover the tear and I can use a screw and washer to hold the plate since TX requires them front and back.
The dealer, especially the salesperson and techs that worked on it were incredible. They balanced the tires and in doing so found that the right rear had a hole, so they plugged it. New Colorado law says it has to be done a certain way, not just pushing the rubber filler in, but removing the tire, putting on a special patch with some metal in it and then vulcanizing it from the inside (reminds me of the way the used to do it years ago). Two were out of balance and this fixed the slight vibration.
They knew it needed a battery so that was already on order.
The long pole was the oil level sensor. I have swapped one on my Benz and talked to the tech who said it was very similar. Both parties wanted to ensure it had enough oil so we could drive the 1000 miles back, and the only way to do that was a fresh all synthetic Mobil 1 oil change at $330 that they performed. I will order the sensor today and swap it in this week as I am a shade-tree mechanic. I talked to both techs extensively (both whom worked at Porsche for 7-8 years prior and had been certified) and the concerns my buddy and I had were quelled. One mentioned how clean it was underneath and said the underbelly had hardly any scratches on it. I peaked under and saw the same, no leaks and pretty shiny.
Anyway, the drive home was uneventful, made it back without hiccup, except the oil light that would come on at startup. I am very pleased with deal and the customer service I received. It was fortuitous that it had sat for awhile and so the leverage was on our side more. I did ask the salesman why he thought it sat so long and he said it was the wrong time of year to sell a car like that in Colorado.
Here is a pic. Thanks again to those who assisted me in this endeavor.
After a very exhaustive search and 3 PPIs this week, I picked up a 55K mile 2001 Polar Arctic 911 TT. All stock except the radio is upgraded. Two previous owners, Carfax show it was dealer maintained with lots of service records, and both POs had bought it at the same dealer, so they knew the car and the previous owners who were both enthusiasts and in their mid-50s. It has been on the market for 4 months and they wanted to move it so I got a very fair deal, they actually lost money on it. It also came with a box of 60K parts as well as some O2 sensors and a set of intercoolers. I am unsure of the value but guessing $1200-1500. I have had my eye on this one ever since I saw in almost 2 months ago so it kept drawing me back and the color is gorgeous IMO.
A buddy and I drove to Denver from Austin Thursday, using a 1-way rental. Friday morning, it had snow on it, battery was completely dead. I was OK with that because I got to see a cold start in teen-ish degrees. It had not bee started for at least a month.
After we had it running, we took it to get a PPI on it and came back with a few minor things, but overall a very good report. It had no leaks which I had encountered on one of the other PPIs. This was a big concern for me as I had seen a few other records where seals and gaskets were replaced on very low mileage specimens due to non-use. The PPI showed :
1- tires needed balancing to correct shaking wheel on the highway
2- oil level sensor was not working
3- needed a new battery
4- slightly out of alignment, which I was willing to concede
It was in good shape aesthetically with the exception of the front bumper. It has a small crack where the license plate grommet had ripped out. A plate will cover the tear and I can use a screw and washer to hold the plate since TX requires them front and back.
The dealer, especially the salesperson and techs that worked on it were incredible. They balanced the tires and in doing so found that the right rear had a hole, so they plugged it. New Colorado law says it has to be done a certain way, not just pushing the rubber filler in, but removing the tire, putting on a special patch with some metal in it and then vulcanizing it from the inside (reminds me of the way the used to do it years ago). Two were out of balance and this fixed the slight vibration.
They knew it needed a battery so that was already on order.
The long pole was the oil level sensor. I have swapped one on my Benz and talked to the tech who said it was very similar. Both parties wanted to ensure it had enough oil so we could drive the 1000 miles back, and the only way to do that was a fresh all synthetic Mobil 1 oil change at $330 that they performed. I will order the sensor today and swap it in this week as I am a shade-tree mechanic. I talked to both techs extensively (both whom worked at Porsche for 7-8 years prior and had been certified) and the concerns my buddy and I had were quelled. One mentioned how clean it was underneath and said the underbelly had hardly any scratches on it. I peaked under and saw the same, no leaks and pretty shiny.
Anyway, the drive home was uneventful, made it back without hiccup, except the oil light that would come on at startup. I am very pleased with deal and the customer service I received. It was fortuitous that it had sat for awhile and so the leverage was on our side more. I did ask the salesman why he thought it sat so long and he said it was the wrong time of year to sell a car like that in Colorado.
Here is a pic. Thanks again to those who assisted me in this endeavor.