Hello from Atlanta

Hi! I'm one of those people who have always dreamed of having a Porsche, and not I'm finally in the financial position where it makes sense - although I am considering starting off with a slightly used one to start. I had an '02 BMW M3 which I loved, but ended up selling it early to save up for a larger house. I've been driving a modified MINI Cooper S for about 15 months and while I love the car, I can't help anxiously looking for the next thing (I rarely keep anything over 2-3 years).

Anyhow, I'm doing my research on what to look for, and what to look out for. In particular, I've been browsing eBay Motors as a friend recently got a great deal on a CLK430 and he's got me thinking (I've been unimpressed with the local dealer CPO lots). Any advice (on models/years or buying off eBay) would be more than welcome.

Doug

Hi Gravedgr,

If you are thinking of buying a Porsche via eBay, I suggest you have any potential purchase inspected by a Porsche specialist. They will give you the unbiased information you need to make a level headed purchase. You, will be confident that you are not buying a stolen car or a 'lemon' and you can be forwarned about any potential problems that may occur after purchase!

As for 'which Porsche is the right Porsche for me question' Only you can answer that one. What do you want from a car?, how often will you use it? and how much money do you want to spend? are just some of the questions you must ask yourself.

I recommend you try and make a short list, do your homework on these models, then go out and test drive as many cars as you can before commiting to buy!

Hi - thanks for the advice. I completely agree - any vehicle (Porsche or otherwise) would have to include a full Carfax report, all service records to date, and a full inspection by a local (Porsche in this case) certified mechanic. However, if the car is in working order but has not been treated well, it will be hard to determine this prior to the sale (at least, I'm guessing so). My biggest fear would be buying it, driving it for weeks or months, and then ending up with it broken down to previous abuse that wasn't evident at the time of the sale.

Oh well - I have used eBay and autotrader.com to locate some local dealers and private sellers which I will probably visit for some closer looks and test drives. Now if the weather would just cooperate (rain and ice now).

I'd suggest getting out somewhere - local speciality car lots or whatever, and driving various models to see what you like, before you decide to focus on one model and go for that (particularly over the internet where you cannot test drive the car). I was rather surprised that there was so much difference between the 996 and the early 993 which so many people said was far preferable. I'm one of the few, I guess, who found them not only two very different cars, but preferred the slightly roomier and (to me) m0ore solid feeling 996. On the other hand the 997 didn't turn me on. Further I drove both Tipt and 6-speed models before decided on the Tip for daily driving. Porsche models vary a great deal even within one line (911 Carrera, Boxter, etc.).

Well, I knew pretty much what I wanted, so when I found what I thought to be a good deal I didn't hesitate too long.

The car successfully passed its 15k maintenance (they threw in everyone else covered by a PPI for free) with only some oil leaks which were repaired under warranty. Its now happily parked in my garage with a completed bill of sale.

Wow, you sure didn't hang about!!

Now you've got your dream Porsche, how about posting some pic's in the gallery? Then we can all drool over them!

Happy motoring!

I knew if I waited too long, I would talk myself out of it. In fact, my wife had to push me to go ahead and do it.

This should be a link to the gallery: http://www.germanautoforums.com/albumphoto.asp?albumid=15&page=1&sortType=6

Beautiful car, congrats.

Welcome to the fold!!!

What a great looking car.....and in the right colour!!!!

I completely agree that your car is great looking.

In fact, I truly believe that any and everyone who drives a car that looks
like that is a person possessed of incredibly good taste and very high
intelligence, just a very superior person all the way around.

Congratulations on your car and your good tatste!!!






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Well Lee, if you're gonna blow a trumpet, ya might aswell blow ya own!!!

I've just noticed that you haven't posted any pic's of your Porsche in the forum gallery. Is there a reason for this?

Yeah, I didn't have any photos of the Porsche by itself. So this forced me to do what I should have ages ago: it awsa a perfect afternoon and I cleaned it up and bit and took some photos. They are in the Gallery now.

I've just checked out the pic's..... What a great looking pair! I actually think I perfer the Corvette's looks over the 911's! (You don't see many Corvettes in the U.K.)

Yeah, I love the Porsche and I drive it every day, to and from work, etc. It is a delight and actually very very practical. But the 'vette is just gorgeous, particularly with the special bodywork (the nose and hood are an aftermarket kit called "Tigershark") and the Fikse wheels, and the monster engine. And frankly, after having the Porsche now for 5 months, I like the vette's handling just a bit better. I wouldn't give up either of them.