[AJR]

Hi guys,

A prospective Boxster owner here. I have been looking at a few cars and have settled on a 2004 986 S single owner with very low miles (under 6000!). The owner has all service records going back to 2004. Servicing and oil changes every year at the same dealer. A leak was fixed by the dealer a few years ago. The car has always been garaged and looks like new.I intend to run a carfax tomorrow just for sanity sakes.

The car has a new battery but tires are the original ones from 2004, so I intend to get new ones. The owner has been very kind and given detailed responses to all my queries. He prefers the PPI to be done at a Porsche dealership. We haven't settled on the dealer yet - but I don't mind going to his dealer as I have read pretty good reviews on them on various forums.

I have spent about dozens of hours reading up here and few other forums but still feel like I'm clueless about the buying process. I still have more reading to do and will continue my efforts. Can you guys please give me your input on the following based on your experience owning Boxsters? Also please do add your thoughts if I have missed something.

1.) I have read both opinions for and against going to the car owners dealer. Based on the few posts I have read my impression has been that the dealer would not be too biased as I'm a prospective client. I did my due diligence about the dealer for what its worth and find they have pretty favorable reviews on some of these forums. Anyone have any arguments against my conclusion? I would love to be hear them.

2.) I have put together a list of things I need the PPI to cover. I have read a few very good blogs (Mike Focke's and Randall's) and posts on the forums about check lists, but haven't really digested the whole information yet. My confusion is relating to different flavors of PPI. Is there something I need to be very specific about when I request a PPI to the dealer - I mean is it a la carte where I pick out a dozen things out of list of hundred? (I remember Randall's blog recommending a "4-wheel, laser alignment"). Or is the PPI an industry standard process of 20 or however many things which would be checked. I realize this has been answered before and I have read some of the answers which I haven't quite comprehended yet. I would appreciate if someone were to be kind to dumb this down for a dense guy like me.

3.) I have decided against buying a warranty. Based on the PPI recommendations if I decide the car is worth buying, I will get all the recommended issues fixed up front. Also I'm willing to take the risk of a blown engine if it comes to it. Anyone wanna play devil's advocate on this? Am I being too simplistic?

4.) Any checklists for when I go see the car in person? Are there any particular things I need to look at?

5.) Any preventive things I need to budget on as its a very low miles car? I have been thinking about the IMS bearing replacement. I haven't decided on it yet. Your thought will be appreciated.


Thanks in advance to everyone who reading this. I really appreciate your time and patience on providing me inputs.

I intend to own a Boxster soon if not this I will find a different one.

Cheers,
AJR