Thinking of buying a Boxster ? - MUST READ !

[Kapua]

i was in the same boat as the thread starter but after reading this im much more informed about how to have my porche appraised and priced. thanks guys you might of saved me lots of money..

[recycledsixtie]

Congrats to any would be owners who are thinking about buying a Boxster and reading this thread. I got a PPI done before I bought my car. A more in depth PPI I believe is required.

The basic PPI does not include the following but I and am sure a bunch of others would agree and some have suggested the following in addition:

- remove oil filter to check for metal
- drop oil pan to check for metal
- a leak down test
This list is not all inclusive.

My experience after 2 years of ownership is that the Boxster is the most fun car I have driven in my life. However it comes at a price. I do not think that it is a durable car in terms of some components. There is always the possibility of IMS failure. Have had CV joints refurbished, idler arm replaced and if I keep the car long enough wheel bearings replacement. This is on a car with only 40k miles. My car is a Boxster base 2001.

Before you buy this car you have to ask yourself if you should have enough $$$ in the bank to budget for a failed engine plus 'normal maintenance' of about $2k a year.....Hope this helps!You cannot run a Boxster for the same cost as a Miata.

[southernstar]

Recycledsixtie, I agree totally with your recommendations in terms of the PPI - although I do not believe it is necessary to have the oil pan removed (especially if it has a magnetic drain plug) unless the oil had just been changed.

Turning to the components you mention. In two years of ownership, apart from maintenance (oil/filter every 5-8000 km, replacement of the serpentine belt and windshield wiper blades), my only repair has been replacement of the ignition switch (a $35.00 Audi part and 1.4 hours of labour). I too have budgeted $2000.00 for annual maintenance and thus far I have banked a great deal of that amount for potential future problems.

The CV joints are typically more problematic in the S (more extreme shaft angles) and it would seem that most people with a base Boxster are able to go in excess of 100,000 miles before they need replacement. Were the boots ripped at all at any point, to your knowledge? Wheel bearing replacement at such low mileage also seems a bit unusual, but whether or not those problems are typical, you are correct - your maintenance costs aren't going to mirror that of the much cheaper (and much poorer performing) Maxda MX5 Miata.

Brad