When to let go?

[dixiecup]

Hi,

I am new to the forum but have owned and driven my '98 boxster for 3 years now. It has nearly 138,000 miles. The clutch and waterpump and convertible top motor (ooops...my fault!) have been replaced. It runs well although it rattles a bit (?possible suspension going?). :ah:

I love the car, but I do a lot of freeway driving in LA. I'm trying to decide if it's time to trade it in for a different Porsche before something "major" going wrong either kills me or makes me stranded on the freeway...do you think that it is less reliable and/or less safe the higher the miles go?

Or, do you think it's just as reliable as a low-mileage Porsche who's potential "problems" haven't been discovered?

What would you tell your wife/daughter?



Thanks a bunch! Dixie

[boxs2000]

If you took good care of your car and kept up with the maintenance, then you have a very good chance that your car will continue to serve you well. There are several people that has ran their car well past 150k. The question now is to ask yourself do you just want a new car? And you just want to have a good list of reasons to present to the wife?

[dcporsche99]

Hi,
I would have to agree with the maintenance issue. If the issues on your car have already been addressed and from what you said, much of the mileage is from the highway, then I don't see why your car wouldn't go well beyond 150K.

As for the possible suspension / rattling issues, those may may be easily taken care of by you and / or by your trusted, fair, and relatively honest porsche mechanic.

But, all of this is, IMHO, isn't really all that helpful considering you know your car the best...you drive it everyday. If you feel uneasy with a higher mileage car and you can afford to take the plunge again, then maybe that's the best way to go.

Lastly, I think you raised a good point about a lower mileage boxster. The next car you buy may have those issues we all know and love and love to hate. But since you've been there already, you'll know what to look for---just make sure you get a PPI.

Good luck Dixie!

[husker boxster]

Hi Dixie, welcome to the forum!

+1 on the advice from dcporsche99. And if you decide to go with a new model, use the forum to study up so you can make a wise choice. Lots of great info here (starting with Sticky Note #3 at the top of the Gen Disc) and feel free to ask any questions. Lots of experience here that you can lean on. Then decide what colors and options you need or want and let the fun begin.

Something to consider is looking for a CPO (certified pre owned) used Boxster from a Porsche dealer. You pay a little more for one but most of the items we worry about are then covered for 2 yrs (it's not a bumper to bumper but RMS is covered). Porsche doesn't just CPO late model Boxsters either. I traded in an 01S on my new 08 and the dealer has CPO'd it. So older Boxsters can have some factory warranty. Just something to think about...

In the meantime, enjoy your sunny warm weather. It's cold and snowy here.

[Dr. Kill]

One more thing to throw into the mix – do you owe anything on it?

For me, I am always willing to overlook a problem here or there if I don’t have to be making payments on my car, but throw in repair bills (especially Porsche repair bills) on top of a car payment, and I would seriously consider unloading it.

You will probably be fine driving it for a while longer, but just be prepared if something else blows up on you. I drive a lot for work and am reimbursed based on mileage. My car is still pretty new at this point, but I take all of that mileage reimbursement and dump it into a separate investment account. That way, when something catastrophic finally does happen to my car, I will already have the funds reserved to fix it – and if nothing happens in the next 7 years or so, there is my new 911 paid for – cash. Maybe if you did something similar to this, it would give you the peace of mind to keep driving your car for a few more years.

Regardless, welcome to the forum.

[dixiecup]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your replies. I guess I'm uneasy only b/c I was "taught" that high mileage cars were unreliable.

I actually got the car at 80,000 mi so I don't know how the original owner drove it.

It's paid off. The next one (thinking about a Cayenne S) would be too.

I really appreciate the advice....I guess I'll have to let the Cayenne deal go by. On the bright side, I get to drive my cabrio in LA a little longer!



Dixie