New 2002 Boxster S Owner

[meerzee]

Hello fellow "permagrinners"! Well, I got the chance to catch my breath from everything and once the dust settled in my life, I took a shot at getting a car that I have wanted since I was little. (A Porsche)

My car was bought without my ability to inspect personally, but I had 2 trusted friends take it for a proper inspection @ Porsche. According to Porsche there were no leaks and it appeared that all of the proper services for its age had been already done. The only thing that they did was a Mobil1 oil change, filter change, replace the washer pump on the drivers side headlight. Brakes were 90% all around and Car has 18" Turbo-look light alloy with brand new P-Zero Rossi's on all 4 wheels. (9/32+ left of tread) No curb rash, no rock/stone chips, no scratches, no wrecks. It did come off a lease so I am not sure what the requirements are with Porsche with regard to their own leased vehicles and service routines/maintenance. Does Porsche keep up with their leased cars for proper maintenance and repairs?

The details: 2002 Boxster S with 60300K miles, Sport Touring pack, tons of options, Xenons, black Porsche mats, 2-keys, all manuals/books, toolkit, Black on Savanna Beige, etc. Car is in excellent condition cosmetically and mechanically, but I am still nervous as I don't take ownership via transport until next week. I am still interested in getting it checked out locally once received just for good measure. I am a little worried about the mileage, but everything else appeared so well-conditioned, I figured that the car was worth the chance. Look over the pics and let me know what you all think. I envision this to be a weekend (maybe Friday to Sunday vehicle at best) --- and keep using my Tahoe for my daily driving. (work is only about 6.2 miles away from home)

PICS & QUESTIONS BELOW

Questions:
1. Does the mileage scare anyone and what do I really need to check?
2. Any surprises in the photos, anything I need to check from the photos?
3. How does Porsche handle their own leased cars? Do they require maintenance?
4. Any shop recommendations in New Orleans? I am leaning towards Greff Motors.
5. If it needs a 60K service (somehow they were wrong?) Is this like a $1K or so?
6. Top appears in good shape. Best stuff is the RAGGTOPP combo right?
7. In lieu of having a permanent garage space for it right now, should I get a really good cover, if so is the "official Porsche" outdoor cover decent? (from the Porsche shop via the official website) or should I get something else from Covercraft or someone else? Garage will be available within about a month for it.

Pics:











Thank you so much for all of the time, support and advice anyone might have on this. I truly appreciate it. - I look forward to really enjoying it and contribtuing on a regular/daily basis to this forum!!! BEST forum on the Internet by far IMHO.

All the best,
M

[joyfrog]

I bought my 02 boxster S about 7 months ago.....and I`ve had a couple things....one check the clutch these seem to inevitably give out around the 40-60K range.....also the rear axle boots were cracked as well do to normal wear and tear I presume....and the MAF went out.....other than that I love the car and I`ve been busy adding TA skirts and boxster humps as well as some new 19 inch rims...and rear speakers. If I had this car to buy over again the only thing I would have changed is I would have got the ABS or whatever they call it for the different slip differential in the rain this car is dangerous without it...its almost a must when its raining bad..

[blinkwatt]

If I had this car to buy over again the only thing I would have changed is I would have got the ABS

All Boxsters come standard with ABS. ABS=Anti-Lock Brakes

whatever they call it for the different slip differential in the rain this car is dangerous without it...its almost a must when its raining bad..


PSM=Porsche Stability Management,that's what your thinking of.

[meerzee]

One more question...How much is a clutch replacement for an 02 Box S? (approx)
Anything else to change (bearings, plate) while that work is being done?

Thanks.
Andy

[porsche986spyder]

Ask the previous owner if the Serpantine Belt was changed. The maintenance manual says it should be changed at 55K. simple and cheap fix. I would also ask when was the last time the spark plugs were changed. I think those are supposed to be changed at 45K. Check your owners manual for all of your service maintenance. Also your fuel filter at 60K. Other than those 3 things, your car looks great! As for the clutch, well that just depends on how the previous owner drove the car. It may or may not need it. If you don't have any RMS leaks, you've got a good car. I had my clutch changed and RMS seal at the same time. Suncoast Porsche has the best prices and gave me all the parts needed to do a complete clutch replacement along with the RMS. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

[racer_d]

I think the main item at 60K is the serpentine belt. Perhaps spark plugs.

Get a Bentley manual if you can. Some of these items you can do yourself if you are willing..

60K miles is not too high. It sounds about right for a car that has actually been driven in its life

I don't see the little black screens that go in the rollbar behind the seats.
be sure to pull off the spare and make sure the jack is in there. Also check the pouch for the toolkit. You will also want to make sure you have the owners manuals and the Radio Code.. nice to have when the battery dies.

Clutch parts are likely $400-500 plus install. so.. $1k-$1500 sounds right once a shop charges you labor.

Love the color combo! Enjoy

[SC986]

Congrats on the purchase! Biased, but nice choice on years and colors!

[meerzee]

Thanks for the advice and warm welcome...
I will have it hopefully for next weekend....great. If it wasn't a 1000 miles away and I had the time, I would have flown and driven it home. I will have it checked out for the serpentine belt, clutch, spark plugs, RMS and such when I get it home.

BTW, I now notice the missing rollbar behind the seat "screens" are missing.
What is the real purpose for these and how much to replace? Do I need them and what is the official part numbers and where is the best online place to purchase.
I did recall hearing that these screens and the windscreen will disappear if left topdown on occasion, then show up on Ebay there soon after...

Thanks --- It is awesome to be here... 986forum is the best.

-M