Part three >

Now my search was for a 944 for closer to $10,000 instead of $5k or $6k. But I had a floating range- I was examining 944 ads asking between $7k and $10k. The age of the car and mileage were the only real differences between the less expensive and more expensive ones. But that was just from scanning the ads. In person, I thought, it could be a different story. Then the ad for what would eventually be the car I purchased popped up, and it was located nearby in West Chester, PA. I had seen it before, but I think I ignored it during my search for a $5k or $6k car because it was a few thousand more ($8300.). This time around the car was instantly appealing. The ad read:

The text commanded a WOW, I thought. The car in the picture with the ad was at a lengthy distance and od angle and nothing to jump about. I called a cell phone number and got the college-aged son of the family who was handling the sell. Arriving at their house to check it out, the car was a beauty. I had compiled a list of notes and mechanical questions to ask mostly from section 5.6 of the First-time Buyer FAQ (also on the "Links" page). The 19-year-old son turned out to be a gear head of sorts, so he knew about the car because he worked on it and was the primary driver. (They bought it with 72k.) He apparently worked at Pep Boys, an auto care outlet, as well. I was told his father, who wasn't home when I was there, is a biomedical engineer and also restored cars (attention to details in both areas!). So I felt I was dealing with car people. To support that assertion, the son fielded every mechanical question I had with ease and quickeness. Simply, he knew every element of the car! I would be the third owner, there were records from the original owner along with the original window sticker ($35,000) and manuals. After test-driving it with him, then alone, I was thrilled with the condition! And it purred. I'm not a gear head, but the car felt responsive, handled terrific and was extremely clean. Plus there was a mechanical history on the car. It was only from approximately 68,000 miles and not the 50,000 exclaimed in the ad. Nevertheless, the major things that would be needed were completed a few thousand miles prior to the day I visited.

During the test drive, the son and I gave a verbal agreement- I said I wanted it! Not the best bargaining strategy, but I felt extremely good about it! I asked him how much, if the price was firm and who else was looking at it. I bought it without haggling, and paid the asking price. I thought this was a fair deal for each party. Considering the condition of the vehicle, the work they just had done and that it was something of a rare model- 1989 2.7 liter (not too many popped up on Autotrader), the price was right, I felt. The only thing I DID NOT DO was have a mechanic -- mine or any other-- give it a look over before buying, which is a significant prepurchase move, according to the research (and conventional wisdom regarding cars). But I was confident in the son and the family's integrity, the maintenance records, the flawless visual element and driving ability of the car and the price. This was a fair deal! I should note that Kelley Blue Book and NADA differ by a few thousand dollars on prices for "private sale" 944s in excellent condition near 100k miles!?! I had brought a certified check for $3,000 with me in the mother's name, per her request. On a piece of copy paper, the mother and I hand wrote and signed an agreement of sale (date, price, VIN, balance to be paid) with the son as a witness. WOW, I was going to own a Porsche! I was thrilled to say the least. A week later, my mechanic (the one recommended by the owner of the black 1978 911) performed a comprehensive exam on, in and around the car for $80.00. His report was glowing- no leaks, good brakes, solid body, all major mechanic engine parts in terrific condition! I did it, I thought- I scored an ace model in super condition! Without a doubt, the research, specifically the list of mechanical questions, was vital to finding and buying a Porsche 944.

I received the 1989 944 *n/a with the following equipment (some things were standard, some were options, as the research dictated):

What needed fixing >