Thinking of buying a Boxster ? - MUST READ !

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by tonythetiger

how much should a good PPI cost...is it recommended a dealer performs this?

Thanks

I would find a good indie to do it. Check with your local PCA for recommendations. Expect to pay somewhere around $300 at the very least for a decent PPI.

[wogin]

Hi Everyone, I am seriously considering making an offer on a 2001 Boxster today but before I do I could use some sage advice. I'm new to online forums and sincerely hope I posted this in the right place. I have already researched the car pretty extensively as far as IMS stuff goes but most appraisals and maintenance advice i have read are out of date or possibly not applicable to this age and milage. Here it goes.

Details on the car: 2001, Boxster (base) with 16,500 miles always garaged and serviced at BMW/Porsche dealerships. Carfax shows four oil changes over its life which is very good considering the milage (i think). The owner hardly drove the thing and admitted to letting it sit un-started for a long period of time.

Before she began driving it again more regularly (10 months ago), she had to have the fuel pump replaced and gas tank flushed (bad gas). At the same time she also had the battery and alternator replaced, had a new set of four tires fitted, and the oil changed. The IMS bearing is original, and the VIN corresponds with a dual row bearing (was excluded from the class action suit)

Assuming the car is in fantastic cosmetic condition what a fair value on this car today considering I probably need to replace that IMS bearing thats been sitting in engine oil for years?

Should I assume I must replace this IMS immediately even though it is low miles? (I heard "garage queens" have high failure rates somewhere)

I am a Mechanical Engineer with access to jack stands, full set of sockets/wrenches and would try and perform most maintenance/repairs myself so long as no repairs came up where i wouldn't be able to order parts and drive the car until putting them in. (it would be my only car).

If I own the car for five years and put 45,000 miles on it in that time, what should I budget for maintenance and repairs per year (IMS bearing replacement excluded)?

Im trying to figure out how financially crazy/irresponsible I'm being as I don't have a TON of money to throw at a car per year but would still like something fun with an open roof. I wanted 4 seats, but the boxster's two trunks lessens the sacrifice.

Thanks,

Brian

[BruceH]

Take a read through this thread. You seem to have a handle on some of the issues but 4 oil changes in 15 years is not good. I stick with every 5,000 miles or 6 months, which ever comes first. I would highly recommend you get a good PPI with a mechanic who specializes in Porsche water cooled engines. You are right in that garage queens are more susceptible to IMS failure plus other failures. These cars love to be driven regularly. The adage around here is to plan on around $2000/year for maintenance costs. I am sure the car looks good but it really depends on how the car was stored when not in use. It would be hard to give an estimate on its value without more information and pictures. Run a KBB estimate and see what it comes up with. You might start your own thread to get more responses. Others can help with a good mechanic in your area. Good luck and welcome!

[wogin]

Thanks Bruce.

I can swing $2000 a year, but wow that is more than I would have guessed for sure. As for the oil changes, I could see that being an issue too, but on the other hand I wasn't sure why oil would go bad from just a change in container (engine vs plastic jug) ...I had read some discussion of oil becoming acidic with age, but couldn't figure out why that would occur if the car was not being run??? not doubting, just looking to learn.

Edmunds is $9022 private party, Bluebook is $10,100 private party,
NADA dealer retail is $11,300 all for excellent condition. Are these estimates accurate? Their asking price is $11,500, so if the estimators are correct then I should be going for closer to bluebook or Edumnds? I want to have an idea of a fair price for this car considering it's milage, history (not being run for a few years and potential for problems associate with it), assuming it is in excellent
cosmetic condition with nothing discovered on a PPI.

Bottom line: I don't want to start out in the hole on the first day of ownership because i payed too much.

Thanks again Bruce. If anyone else wants to chime in please do, I value your experience.

-Brian

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by wogin

Thanks Bruce.

I can swing $2000 a year, but wow that is more than I would have guessed for sure. As for the oil changes, I could see that being an issue too, but on the other hand I wasn't sure why oil would go bad from just a change in container (engine vs plastic jug) ...I had read some discussion of oil becoming acidic with age, but couldn't figure out why that would occur if the car was not being run??? not doubting, just looking to learn.

Edmunds is $9022 private party, Bluebook is $10,100 private party,
NADA dealer retail is $11,300 all for excellent condition. Are these estimates accurate? Their asking price is $11,500, so if the estimators are correct then I should be going for closer to bluebook or Edumnds? I want to have an idea of a fair price for this car considering it's milage, history (not being run for a few years and potential for problems associate with it), assuming it is in excellent
cosmetic condition with nothing discovered on a PPI.

Bottom line: I don't want to start out in the hole on the first day of ownership because i payed too much.

Thanks again Bruce. If anyone else wants to chime in please do, I value your experience.

-Brian

The $2000/year is just a wag quoted around here but it really depends on the prior maintenance history. I am coming up on four years of ownership and have not spent anywhere near that amount. My vehicle was well cared for and I have done the same with regular oil and fluid changes. I also am not using it as a daily driver but it gets regular exercise. You just have to remember that it is a 15 year old car so no matter what, it will need attention. I would honestly say, get a PPI, so that you know what you are getting and if the report shows anything amiss, then you have that for negotiations. Price wise, off the top of my head, I would want to get it closer to $10k. And yes, oil becomes acidic with age and is what seems to cause IMS failures. Oil gets trapped behind the "sealed" bearing and turns acidic. The theory is high revs will push new and hopefully fresh oil into and behind the bearing. That is why many on here will say to drive it like you stole it, i.e., high revs, and regularly.

[Disaster]

Originally Posted by BruceH

The $2000/year is just a wag quoted around here but it really depends on the prior maintenance history. I am coming up on four years of ownership and have not spent anywhere near that amount. My vehicle was well cared for and I have done the same with regular oil and fluid changes. I also am not using it as a daily driver but it gets regular exercise. You just have to remember that it is a 15 year old car so no matter what, it will need attention. I would honestly say, get a PPI, so that you know what you are getting and if the report shows anything amiss, then you have that for negotiations. Price wise, off the top of my head, I would want to get it closer to $10k. And yes, oil becomes acidic with age and is what seems to cause IMS failures. Oil gets trapped behind the "sealed" bearing and turns acidic. The theory is high revs will push new and hopefully fresh oil into and behind the bearing. That is why many on here will say to drive it like you stole it, i.e., high revs, and regularly.

Also really depends on how much work you can do yourself and how "smart" you buy parts. I just put a bit about $1500 in the Boxster I just bought. The biggest part of that was replacing the old tires (check the date code on the tires.) The rest was plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, serpentine belt, AOS, HVAC control LCD screen, console bulbs, short shifter, top vent tube, shifter boot, & spare key. Probably have 15 hours of labor in it. If this work had been done at a dealer the cost would be 3 times as much.

Yesterday the convertible top link end snapped and I made the mistake of trying to drive the top back down and bent the clamshell. That will run me another $300 to have the clamshell fixed by a paintless dent guy. Add another couple hundred for the newer more reliable top transmissions and I'll probably hit $2k in my first month of ownership. That transmissions weren't absolutely necessary but I wanted the added insurance of a more reliable design.

Most of this stuff was neglected and old aged parts and I don't expect to see these kinds of costs yearly.

[jeanphilippe64]

Hi ,im just getting my porsche boxter s 2000 today ,i try my car and buy it after one road test, my clutch look so so ...but i decide to buy it anyway, driving to my house around 50 milles away, i get the ride of my life, push it to the limit .5000 to.7000 rpm , sound was incredible !!!! ,i think my clutch was already finish, but now im shure !!! lol i get a very good deal on my purchase saving around $6000 cheaper than the market and im felling pride to install the best quality clutch , the 986 FORUM whit you member give me all the information about what to check, what to buy, and i feel little bit like when im driving my porsche few hour before ... same passion i feel from you PORSCHE owner ! thanks you

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by jeanphilippe64

Hi ,im just getting my porsche boxter s 2000 today ,i try my car and buy it after one road test, my clutch look so so ...but i decide to buy it anyway, driving to my house around 50 milles away, i get the ride of my life, push it to the limit .5000 to.7000 rpm , sound was incredible !!!! ,i think my clutch was already finish, but now im shure !!! lol i get a very good deal on my purchase saving around $6000 cheaper than the market and im felling pride to install the best quality clutch , the 986 FORUM whit you member give me all the information about what to check, what to buy, and i feel little bit like when im driving my porsche few hour before ... same passion i feel from you PORSCHE owner ! thanks you

Welcome Jean Philippe . . . . Laissez le bon temps rouler!

[algiorda]

I was quoted $300 by the dealer and I paid $150 for an INDY.

That disparity will be standard as well for all maintenance going forward.

[Boxster_S_girl]

I've gotten quotes on PPIs from two well known, recommend Porsche indies. One was $365, the other was $370 for the "basic" PPI and $560 for a more comprehensive check that includes a leak down compression check...

I'm I getting ripped off coming and going???

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Boxster_S_girl

I've gotten quotes on PPIs from two well known, recommend Porsche indies. One was $365, the other was $370 for the "basic" PPI and $560 for a more comprehensive check that includes a leak down compression check...

I'm I getting ripped off coming and going???

That is about right. My comment was "$300 at the very least". Better to pay hundreds now rather than thousands later.

[Anker]

I second having an indie do it. The dealership would charge a lot more and they have a tendency to recommend a ton of things to "fix". I trust the indies a lot more.

[Dr. Acula]

Advice for anyone buying a 986 Boxster....



You can find these here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07396JKRM

[paperboy221]

Was wondering what kinds of opinions you all had on this boxster. I've been looking through this website for hours in trying to make a decision, everything about this car seems reasonable for the price. Thanks!

2002 Porsche Boxster 77K Miles Only - Super Clean!! | eBay

[bmsamson]

Questions arise whenever I look at a possible purchase. Current prospect, 99 base, 130k miles, comprehensive service records since new; clutch/IMS/water pump/shocks all done at or since 100k; good tires, brakes, top upgraded to glass, grin-inducing test drive. Price is somewhat above KBB, but I can live with that. The issue? CEL

P0140, P1117, P1121, P0410, P1411

of course, with the holiday I can't get it to a mechanic so I'm looking for some feedback from folks on here. First, should this be a deal-breaker? I've been reading (yes, search is my friend) and it seems this can be one of many things, but most folks who've had it done in a shop get it cleared for good for less than $1k. If anyone has been through this and has real world numbers to share, I'd be grateful. If those figures are as I suspect, then I think I'm ok moving forward, but happy for any and all insight on that score as well.

Oh, and PO has just one key and the electronics on it don't work. It locks the car and starts it, obviously, but no button function. IIRC this is like $500 to replace at the dealer?!

Thanks all. One day I'll complete a purchase and can perhaps contribute not just take from this board.

[RobertKing]

Originally Posted by bmsamson

Questions arise whenever I look at a possible purchase. Current prospect, 99 base, 130k miles, comprehensive service records since new; clutch/IMS/water pump/shocks all done at or since 100k; good tires, brakes, top upgraded to glass, grin-inducing test drive. Price is somewhat above KBB, but I can live with that. The issue? CEL

P0140, P1117, P1121, P0410, P1411

of course, with the holiday I can't get it to a mechanic so I'm looking for some feedback from folks on here. First, should this be a deal-breaker? I've been reading (yes, search is my friend) and it seems this can be one of many things, but most folks who've had it done in a shop get it cleared for good for less than $1k. If anyone has been through this and has real world numbers to share, I'd be grateful. If those figures are as I suspect, then I think I'm ok moving forward, but happy for any and all insight on that score as well.

Oh, and PO has just one key and the electronics on it don't work. It locks the car and starts it, obviously, but no button function. IIRC this is like $500 to replace at the dealer?!

Thanks all. One day I'll complete a purchase and can perhaps contribute not just take from this board.

While the key fob could just need new switches, if reprogramming is required, it's a no from me.. $200 + for that is a warning. The cel codes, oh man, so many things can cause those codes. At best, MAFs and AOS. Worse case, warped heads. Could be as simple as a vacuum leak but, at that mileage, I'd expect better. PASS.

[bmsamson]

Originally Posted by RobertKing

While the key fob could just need new switches, if reprogramming is required, it's a no from me.. $200 + for that is a warning. The cel codes, oh man, so many things can cause those codes. At best, MAFs and AOS. Worse case, warped heads. Could be as simple as a vacuum leak but, at that mileage, I'd expect better. PASS.

Thanks Robert. It was indeed a pass. Picked up an 03 base after walking on that one, and driving it happily since.

[512TXS]

Boxsters are fun and pretty easy to work on. I’m assuming most on this site are DIY folks (no problem if you’re not) so don’t be scared to get your hands dirty. Like my father always says “Just google it son. YouTube already tells you how to do it”. He’s kind of right...

Dealer oil change: $289.99 “special deal for service b”
DIY: $60 ish. 10 qt full syn Mobile 1 @Walmart and K&N filter or Mann from Amazon.

Drive belt replacement @ dealer: $699
DIY: $20.64 from Amazon and took me 50 minutes and beer the first time and 30 minutes no beer the second time on my fathers Boxster.

Front and rear brakes @dealer $1,199 WTH???
DIY: ebay $42 front and rear... 30-45 minutes

This can all be done with basic tools from Harbor Freight or local tool store. $100 @ Harbor Freight goes a long way!

[Porsche_David]

The problem is finding a good dealer that you can trust to buy a used Porsche. I prefer independent dealers like this one https://www.dupontautocentre.com/used-porsche/ and they had a 986 on their site but it sold
Has anyone imported one from the States> I am in Canada.

[mikefocke]

The reference in the OP's posting is outdated.
https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages