[mikefocke]

If I were looking for a Boxster today, I'd first find a great Porsche mechanic. Not that the cars need that level of service frequently, but when they do it is good to have someone who really really knows Porsche's water cooled cars to work on it.

Next I'd go talk to the mechanic. He may have a line on a car he has been maintaining for the owner and so may be a source of a very valuable reference. Boxsters are cars that get sold for life stage reasons (marriage, divorce, age, buying a house, changing job locations, etc) and knowing the motivation of the seller and the maintenance history of the car takes much of the risk out of buying the car.

And finally, I'd look on Craigslist for your area. Get an idea of local asking prices understanding that most cars sell for maybe 5% less.

Go drive one. See if you fit. See if it is your idea of what such a car should feel like. When I was getting back into a sports car, I drove about 8 makes/models. It was amazing how a car that looked good on the showroom floor or the ads just wasn't for me. Some it took just sitting in, some as little as driving a block. The Boxster was a 1 mile and it was obvious case. But it might not fit you.