Not all listings tell the full story. Our guide to spotting the gems—and avoiding the headaches—when shopping for performance cars.
Buying a high-performance vehicle is different from buying regular transportation. These cars were often driven enthusiastically, modified liberally, and sometimes maintained… creatively. Here’s what we look for when evaluating a potential acquisition.
Service History Is Everything
A complete service history isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. We want to see records of regular maintenance, and more importantly, evidence that performance-specific items have been addressed. Subframe reinforcements on E46 M3s. IMS bearings on certain Porsches. VANOS rebuilds on older BMWs.
No records? That’s a red flag. “I did all the work myself” without documentation? Bigger red flag.
Modification History Matters
Modifications aren’t automatically bad, but they tell a story about how a car was used. Bolt-ons and quality suspension upgrades from reputable brands? Probably an enthusiast who cared. Cheap eBay turbos and cut springs? Run away.
The cleanest cars are often unmodified—but a thoughtfully modified example from a knowledgeable owner can be excellent. The key is understanding what was done and why.
The Pre-Purchase Inspection
Never skip the PPI, even on a car that looks perfect. A specialist who knows the specific model will catch things a general mechanic—or an enthusiastic buyer—might miss. Compression tests, leak-down tests, suspension geometry checks. It’s money well spent.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off about a deal—evasive answers, pressure to move quickly, stories that don’t quite add up—trust that feeling. There’s always another car. There’s not always another chance to walk away from a bad purchase.
Patience is the enthusiast’s greatest asset.