Buyers input needed

ipman
NG (Second 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:25 pm

Buyers input needed

Post by ipman » Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:33 am

Hey all-

After putting my search on backburner for a couple of months, I have picked it up again and am ready to buy. I have looked at a few and have some potentials, see below

A- 01 Tip, local to me. 105K miles, definitely a driver as it has imperfections, cracked steering wheel, stress cracks in taillights, etc. but cheap at $31K. I am thinking about pulling the trigger on this one so I can get in the game, then continue the search for the right one. I don't see how I can lose on this deal, there are always people who want to get into a 911T

E- member contacted me about a 03 with the X50 package. Tip, 103K, dealer who bought it from a PCA member of 9 years. all stock. Question here, is the X50 worth 5-7K more than #1?

F- I really wish this was closer, I'd be all over this https://www.carsauto.com/2002-porsche-9 ... c-1061.htm

looked at but passed
B- 02 manual, 82K miles, $40K . red with tan interior. had some issues and in the driver category. passed on this because it was heavily smoked it

C- 01, manual, 37K miles $47K, heavily modified. upgraded turbos, tune, techart goodies, 600+ crank HP according to dyno sheet. driver seat was broken and did not go back all the way, tilt was broken and stuck on my thighs. best part was the electrical tape on the broken e-brake handle. passed because I want more of a stock

D- passed on a 01 similar to above, manual with 92K miles at 43K, rennlist members but again I want stock. great car here though

I have found a couple that are further away , like 12-24 hour drive, but would have to ship them. I have trepidation about doing that. I prefer to have hands on, or at least have a trusted eye on the ground there. Whatever I get, all will get a PPI or I move on.

User avatar
808Bill
NG (Second 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 400
Joined: Fri May 18, 2018 6:36 am

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by 808Bill » Wed Jan 02, 2019 7:29 am

So what's the question, E?
Fly out and drive back...F!
FSI-R40

ipman
NG (Second 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:25 pm

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by ipman » Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:27 pm

Thanks. I suppose it was some random thoughts, but really it was geared for E. Is an X50 worth paying more for? If so, how much more?

It was good to get some more seat/sit time in them. One thing I did notice too was the stress cracks in the rear taillights, a couple of them had those. Is there a way to prevent this? The taillights are not cheap.

User avatar
B3DAWG
OG (First 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 1659
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:46 am
Location: Gawga DAWG Country

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by B3DAWG » Wed Jan 02, 2019 5:24 pm

ipman wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:27 pm Thanks. I suppose it was some random thoughts, but really it was geared for E. Is an X50 worth paying more for? If so, how much more?

It was good to get some more seat/sit time in them. One thing I did notice too was the stress cracks in the rear taillights, a couple of them had those. Is there a way to prevent this? The taillights are not cheap.
Yea, the the 996 rear taillights are pretty well known for age cracks over time. The turbo and C4S have the same fit taillight and there was a guy on the RL forum selling a set for just $150. That's a steal. I would have grabbed them if they were for a standard NB Carrera. Good luck with your search!

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by FRUNKenstein » Wed Jan 02, 2019 6:05 pm

There is a product called "light savers" that keep the lights secure even with cracks. I replaced my original taillights with an LED set. The new ones were about $800 for the set. I boxed up my old set and they are still in good shape, although tinted.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

ipman
NG (Second 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:25 pm

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by ipman » Wed Jan 02, 2019 8:09 pm

I have seen those and did see damage on one this past weekend, they were pretty jacked up. They look like a great product.

However, the ones I am talking about are the vertical stress cracks on the light itself, guess it is a common problem with age and those which were outdoor more.

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by FRUNKenstein » Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:54 am

It's a personal preference, but I really like the looks of the LED taillights. I believe they update the car nicely without being over the top or cheesy. I like the OEM taillights, but seeing the LED side-by-side with the OEM (like at our local PCA breakfasts, cars n coffee and car shows), the overwhelming majority of people prefer the LED taillights. They are also way brighter, so safer since they do a much better job of warning drivers behind you that you are stopping (maybe even getting the attention of that teenager who's busy texting). The backup lights are brighter, also, and do a better job of illuminating what's behind you when you are backing up in the dark.

Since my OEM taillights were tinted heavily by the original owner of the car (a mod that I absolutely hated), I was going to try to either take off the tint or find a set of used OEM taillights. When I came across the LED taillights, I figured I'd give them a try, and just keep the OEM taillights safely tucked away to hand off to the next owner of my car (assuming that day ever arrives). At this point, I cannot imagine ever going back to the OEM taillights, but I'll still keep them to pass along with the car.

The point being that cracked taillights on a 996tt shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Sure, use it as negotiating leverage on the overall price. But, $800 gets you a brand new set that I would consider a big upgrade. In the grand scheme of mods, it's a relatively cheap & easy modification that's easy to undo, but has a big overall effect on the appearance and safety of the car.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
gnat
Power-drunk moderator
Posts: 4171
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:54 am
Location: Lobby, VWGofA HQ

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by gnat » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:03 am

FRUNKenstein wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:54 am It's a personal preference, but I really like the looks of the LED taillights. I believe they update the car nicely without being over the top or cheesy. I like the OEM taillights, but seeing the LED side-by-side with the OEM (like at our local PCA breakfasts, cars n coffee and car shows), the overwhelming majority of people prefer the LED taillights.
I'm not a fan of the LEDs on the 996 as it just looks out of place in my opinion.

Being that I think the MkI front end and Taco wing are the best designs Porsche has produced (since the 356 anyway), however, I recognize that I may not share the typical world view... :lol:

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by FRUNKenstein » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:07 pm

Oh, there are definitely a significant percentage of people who like the OEM better than the LEDs. If I were going to guess based on comments, I'd say it is about 75% prefer the LEDs and 25% prefer the OEM taillights. I do not dislike the OEMs. I was motivated to switch mine out because the OEMs were tinted basically to black. Had they not been tinted, I may not have switched.

My point was that if, worst case scenario, you end up needing to replace your 996tt taillights due to severe cracks, then you end up paying $800 for a brand new replacement set that are safer (due to brighter lighting) and most people would consider more attractive. So, an $800 mod. Let's be honest - a mod on a Porsche that costs $800 isn't exactly in the crazy expensive category. There are lots of people who will drop $2,500 (or a lot more) on a set of wheels. Many people will spend $1,300 for a set of Michelins or Bridgestones when a $600 set of Sumitomo HTR-ZIII tires are damn near as good. So, I wouldn't consider cracked taillights as a major factor in buying a 996tt.

Some would even go so far as to say that even if you buy a car with no taillight cracks, it's only a matter of time before the cracks appear anyway. So, don't let it be a deal breaker.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
gnat
Power-drunk moderator
Posts: 4171
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:54 am
Location: Lobby, VWGofA HQ

Re: Buyers input needed

Post by gnat » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:24 pm

FRUNKenstein wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:07 pm So, I wouldn't consider cracked taillights as a major factor in buying a 996tt.
PS2s only and always baby!

But yes I agree that cracked tail lights are effectively a non-issue as long as the seller isn't trying to sell it as a perfect car for top dollar.

Post Reply