Planet 9

For some reason, I don't trust those cars, especially the ones that were auctioned off first, but I could be wrong. By the way, looking for an '06-'08 CS, <10K miles, preferred-plus package, Carrera S wheels (preferred), Yellow/gray or black, Silver/gray or black, White/gray or black (in that order). If you know of a great deal, PM me please.

What I know is this: When I'm looking to trade my expensive cars, dealers call a 'make' dealer (BMW, Lexus, etc) and a wholesaler, and offer me the best figure. If done, dealer tries to sell said car for a profit, and if that fails, then call the dealer/wholesaler and sell it there.

Now, let's take this car as an example:

eBay Motors: Porsche : Cayman (item 310137816392 end time Apr-30-09 13:50:07 PDT)

It's an '06 with 1,605 miles on the clock. If you go to the 'history report' tab (next to 'vehicle description), this freaking car got auctioned off, bought by a wholesaler, then SOLD again and bought by another wholesaler. WTF?? I don't understand why somebody has to auction off a car like this (TWICE) that doesn't have something to hide. It supposedly has a clean Carfax and everything else, but I don't buy it. Am I wrong? Please enlighten me folks, as there're many great buys out there from wholesalers that I'm not considering right now, like this '08 CS with 8.8K miles in AZ for $43K:

eBay Motors: Porsche : Cayman (item 140313201943 end time Apr-29-09 16:57:16 PDT)

All seem legitimate wholesalers, with answering phone numbers, etc. Thanks gang.
JC

Moved to correct forum - please post to the correct forum.

brad

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Have you looked at the Caymans for sell in our classifieds?

Yes sir. The two I was interested in were sold a while ago (the others were either over 10K miles or dark colors). Told the guys to remove their ads. Thanks.

When I was looking for my Cayman, I looked at some wholesalers as well.. in my limited time looking, I did note that more often than not:

- Even if car had clean carfax & looked great at first glance, closer inspection revealed accident repairs, maybe ever so subtle.

- In some cases, the wholesaler carfax DID indicate previous damage.

BTW, A clean carfax doesn't really mean anything, and a lot of people in the car biz have told me as much. It's just one more piece of info that indicates a car's history. It should never replace an actual in-person inspection.

So, I opted to go to a dealer for my vehicle. Yes, I probably paid a little more but I really wanted a car that had had no previous paintwork done to it.

So, the wholesaler business model is to maybe to provide a market for cars that might not be "perfect" to those customers who don't need "perfect" at a lower price point.

My

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2007 Cayman
1999 Saab 9-3CV
1989 Saab 900T
1990 Saab 900TC

A few years back I bought a Mini from a wholesaler in the Dallas area (off ebay) - never had any problem and was very satisfied with the transaction - but I suppose these deals could be very hit or miss.

I would try to insist on getting them to let you obtain a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a Porsche mechanic first, and/or give you a 5 day (or more) return policy if you find anything wrong with the car.

My

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2006 Cayman S Tiptronic (Year-round Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
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Thank you for your comments folks. I think you summed it up best Saabin: 'it's for those customers who don't need "perfect"'. I don't expect perfect, but but expect a lot less 'wear and tear' than other people would consider normal. The good news is the great majority of Porsche owners treat their cars that way, but once the car is thrown around in auctions, all bets are off. And additional good news is I see plenty of 'new' used cars coming into the market every day sold either by owners or Porsche dealers, so no need to go there IMO. I want to keep this car for a long time, so will do it right, and wait as long as needed for the right car. Shouldn't be that long. As a matter of fact, I'm planning a road trip tomorrow for a 'refreshing' test-drive, just to fall in love with it all over again, since the time I drove it wasn't remotely thinking about buying one (too impractical back then ). This time it'll be my 3rd car, so no worries. Thanks again gentlemen.

I have a cousin who is a sales manger for a Lexus dealership. He once said that the only cars you find at auctions are cars dealers do not want to sell at their own dealerships and to their own customers. I always avoid auctioned cars regarless. My two cents.

This is an interesting thread considering that I have looked at cars from this type of wholesaler.
I've heard that lease companies that have no facility to actually physically deal with the cars on their property typically auction the cars that come off lease. True??
Also, please more comments on this issue.
Thanks.

Respectfully, that has not been my experience. There is a right way to work with these guys, though. Between myself and my friends and family we have purchased at least a dozen cars from a single wholesaler. He is an independent dealer. That is what they are, by the way.

You specify EXACTLY what you want. The last car I bought was a limited edition Mercedes. Only 1500 made. He goes through the lists of cars coming up for sale at auctions and gives you a range of prices that he thinks he can buy the car for, You tell him your maximum price. He will find you a perfect car. He buys it, and if you don't like it...he is on the hook and has to sell the car to someone else. For a flat fee of $750 to $1000 I bought a car for $50k that the local dealer was asking $75k for. Low wholesale blue book was $63k. Still under factory warranty. $95k new only 24k miles and 2.5 years before.

When done right, it is just like sending an agent to any other auction to work on your behalf.

If an independent dealer buys a car, then he has to market the car...you will pay more and not have as much choice. You don't have to buy from his inventory.

Hire them to find what you are looking for instead. Colors. Options. Condition.

On another note, my dealer claims that right now the best deals are on repossessed high end cars. He said that based upon his experience they have been treated better by their owners than the lease returns he used to focus on. The lease holder never planned to keep the car. The Realtor who bought a 600CSL and had to drop it off and walk away took care of his car. He contends that even high end sports cars are treated well because the people who buy them, then can't afford them are not teen aged punks who take them out and thrash them. Almost all are dropped off, not "repo'd". Imagine a situation where you just could not afford to keep your car and you had no choice but to turn in the keys. Most guys here would wash the car first.

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2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
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Irregardless of what your local dealer tells you, you should get a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified porsche mechanic. I have heard stories of "old lady just drove it to church and back."