Carfax?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:22 pm

Dan Ecclestone wrote:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=189057986&dealer_id=53623623&car_year=1992&search_type=used&make=POR&transmission=&model=968&distance=300&address=27713&make2=sel_one&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&bkms=1126877530191&max_price=&min_price=&end_

Bingo?

Winner!

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:37 pm

Yep, that's it. Remote car shopping is challenging. The car is about $2K too cheap for that vintage/mileage, setting off my "too good to be true" alarm. During Ryan's test drive, he noted some noise coming from the rear end of the car, and unfortunatly, it's a transaxle car (the transmission is back there...). Combine that with the fact that it's a P car, and the potential bargain could go right up in smoke with maintenance costs.

I'm trying to round up a shop in Greenville to do a thorough inspection, and we'll go from there.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:46 pm

Remember folks, if you find a car that needs a test drive in the greater Greenville area, I will jump at the chance to scare the saleperson! :twisted:

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:57 pm

TomFreeman wrote:

the potential bargain could go right up in smoke with maintenance costs.

That RX-8 is looking better and better. I'll bet it's easier to find a Mazda mechanic than a Porsche one too.

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:59 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

TomFreeman wrote:

the potential bargain could go right up in smoke with maintenance costs.

That RX-8 is looking better and better. I'll bet it's easier to find a Mazda mechanic than a Porsche one too.

When it isn't your money, the $24K car often looks better than the $12K one! :lol:

Dan Ecclestone · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:33 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:
TomFreeman wrote:
the potential bargain could go right up in smoke with maintenance costs.

That RX-8 is looking better and better. I'll bet it's easier to find a Mazda mechanic than a Porsche one too.
When it isn't your money, the $24K car often looks better than the $12K one!
_________________
I believe brand new RX-8's can be had for less than 24K and used ones can be found in the 17-20k range

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:44 pm

Right now, the '05 RX-8s are still hanging around $26 for a base model car, but I expect that to change when the '06 cars hit the lot. Once the '06s hit, it will probably be a little harder to find a base model car

The used '04s and '05s have been hanging around $23-$28K consistently. I've only seen 1 car within 300 miles of me under $20K asking price, and it was a freak - it was $2K lower than the next car.

The problem with the RX-8 is that most of them are heavily optioned, with an original sticker of $32-35k. I (a) don't want to pay anywhere near that for a car and (b) don't want the options anyway.

The RX-8 is the "smart" buy. The 968 is the "emotional" buy.

Dan Ecclestone · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:18 pm

Tom,

If you have a serious interest in an RX-8, check with internet sales manager at Capital Ford in Cary, a couple month ago they said they would sell me a new 05 6-speed for $23,500. I would think you could find similar deal, especially at the end of the month!

Even Carsdirect.com is quick to offer up one for under 25K
http://www.carsdirect.com/build/options ... tore=false

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:00 pm

Dan,

Thanks for the carsdirect quote link - that's pretty interesting in itself. I'll bang away at the MD/Northern VA dealers and see what I can get. My first quote was an internet quote at a dealer in Fairfax, VA that has the car I want.

The more I think about it, the less I like this particular Porsche - I found out a little about the service history for the car this afternoon. It just looks like the previous owner didn't want to pump the money in to it for the repairs it needed. With money, it would be a very solid car, but it would no longer be the screaming bargain. So...I guess that means I don't need the Carfax.

George Bright · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:23 pm

We have a 968 in the shop right now. The back hatch frame has started detaching from the glass. I have seen this on a number of 944s but this is the first 968 I have had to work on. BTW it is purple or is that Hawiian orchid?

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:59 pm

The back hatch glass separation is a known problem on the 968's too. From a few days on the forums, it's pretty common for the higher mileage cars, and those that have been stored outside.

Oh, the color - plain old charcoal grey. Alas, not going for it anyway. I have an appointment on Tuesday evening to drive a '94 up here in DC.

Chris Brown · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:59 pm

screw the p car and the rx-8...you should totally buy this...i hear it's been taken care of real good :wink:

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2005 3:09 pm

If it was an R32 for that price, I'd be all over it!!!

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