[The Donkey]

I have been out of it for a while caught up in general economy issues but I stumbled across a 993 while I was out of town the other day. I have been looking at them off and on for the last year or so but haven't gone too far out of my way to find one since there aren't many in C'ville.

Anyway, this is a 95, is priced well, isn't necessarily a color I love, but it is in excellent shape. I drove it and it is tight, was well cared for, in great condition in and out. It has mileage in the low 90k's and no records.

My question, price, color aside, what are y'all thoughts on the probability of a top end job on this car in the near future (assuming it hasn't had one), is there any way to tell if it has had a top end done and what is decent pricing on this car if it hasn't had one done assuming interior and exterior condition of say 8 or so?

I seem to remember Noah saying that you either get a low mileage one and pay the premium or get a high mileage one that has had the suspension and top end done...there is no in between.

I would use this car as a DD. The A/C works, unbelievably. I would have to get rid of my 2 other cars.

Thoughts? My only real hang up is the lack of records and chance of big work in the near future. If it runs good and is priced right then maybe I take my chances. Either way I don't have to do anything but with the economy where it is I am seeing these sit a bit longer and prices a bit lower.

Thanks,
Wm

[edevinney]

If the car is really tight to drive it may well have had the suspension done. Take a look underneath for that. Low mileage is no guarantee of good shocks - mine were toast at 38k or so. Unlikely IMO that it's had a top end if the price is low, someone would remember that bill! At 90k is may well need a clutch, too.

Bog standard 95 993, 90+k miles, 80% - I'd say a great buy would be $22k.

[Richard Curtis]

You might check Rennlist.. there's a 993 specific list. Also worth browsing would be the 964 list on the same site (lots of similarity in the two models). I'd add that at 90k, it's likely to have had one clutch already and is probably close to needing another, based on what i've read. My 964 had a clutch at around 40k. FWIW, from what i've read, the a/c on 964s and 993 models was considered good, especially compared to earlier models.

[cmartin]

what are y'all thoughts on the probability of a top end job on this car in the near future

Total crap shoot, it's a used car. Make sure you do a compression test and/or leakdown. Easy enough to do and it gives you some info so you know what you're getting into. A top end (no p&c's) isnt that spendy if you do it yourself.

I would have a Honda or Toyota as a backup though. If you have to pay for repairs or rent a car I'd rather have backup transport.

Good luck

[Clarke]

Have Rick V give it a PPI before you jump.

[The Donkey]

I would definitely get RV to do a leakdown/compression on the car if we get that far and a PPI. No worries there.

I was thinking 22k was a good price as well, maybe even lower. It may actually be higher than a 8 overall in exterior and interior. The lack of records puts it down there.

It has 19" wheels. Could that make it drive tighter? It didn't feel overly rough though, surprisingly.

I do know that it has been serviced at a high end dealership or independent its entire life and it has had 3 owners. The last one for 2 years and didn't get driver much but has had new brakes, rotors, 60k service recently.

It is really tight and strong is all I can say. I was impressed and have driven other 993's before.

[86911TLCAB]

If it has been serviced then why cant you get the records? i really enjoyed mine...and Steve Stomski continues to enjoy it...22k would be a great price for 95 993...

[The Donkey]

I might be able to get the records from the dealership and/or independent. I am trying to obtain them. I am just not counting on them. I don't know if want to spend that much time on it if a top end is imminent. Not many options available to me for top end work, that I am aware of, at least not locally.

[Landjet]

I recently sold a 95 993C2 with a supercharger for $25k that had 98,000 miles on it. Car needed constant renovation of one sort or another, large and small. I bought a newer car with 12,000 miles. Not all cars are the same. Good luck in any case.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by cmartin

Total crap shoot, it's a used car. Make sure you do a compression test and/or leakdown. Easy enough to do and it gives you some info so you know what you're getting into. A top end (no p&c's) isnt that spendy if you do it yourself.

I would have a Honda or Toyota as a backup though. If you have to pay for repairs or rent a car I'd rather have backup transport.

Good luck

+1 on all counts inc. the second car. Add PPI which some forget is Pre not Post purchase inspection. I have an extra dual mass flywheel from a 95 motor if you find the need. It has so much mass it has its own atmosphere and a moon.