Advice on buying my first boxster - 2001 for $19,500

[jwade]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks for the feeback. How much can I expect to pay in costs per year of ownership?

Hard to put a figure on it. Could be $500 or less or more as it really depends on the mechanical condition of the car. That's why the inspection is so important. It will reveal quite a bit so whether you purchase that one you show in the picts or not, make sure you do your investigations.

If you think about it though, like any car, oil changes and fluid changeouts would definately occur regardless of mileage every year. Might want to ensure the main seal is ok between the transmission and the engine. If you have seepage, you might be in for a hell of a cost, but you would need to catch it early.

My question for you would be do you plan on using it as a daily driver or is it a toy? I don't think I could ever see me using mine as a daily driver...that's what my Honda is for.

Tires are expensive, especially at 18". Best rated tire out there is the Michellin Pilot Sport PS2. I plan on purchasing soon and with shipping they are a little under $1200 from the tirerack.com.

Be advised of cheap Boxsters out there. They are cheap because someone wants to get rid of them due to the heavy maintenance costs of a non-cared for model.

Spend the time to find a great one and you will keep it for a long time. I did and I don't think twice for what I paid. Mine virtually smells new. If i could figure out how to post picts, I'd put some up for you.

[xxxalexxxx]

Originally Posted by jwade

Be advised of cheap Boxsters out there. They are cheap because someone wants to get rid of them due to the heavy maintenance costs of a non-cared for model.

I don't think that statement is completely true, at least in my opinion. Me and my two brothers all own or have owned boxsters at some point (totaling in 4 boxsters over the years) and no one has ever paid 20k for any of them and they all have been maintained well and have had no major problems. I'm just saying that there are good deals out there and I don't see why people should be paying large sums of money if you don't have to. Inspection is very important though, so hopefully you or someone you know who knows something about cars can inspect the car and hopefully you can get records on it. I'm not saying all boxsters out there are ideal but its not true that all cheap boxsters are going to break down on you. Use the same logic as you would in buying any other car. With some common sense you can save a few thousand dollars and still have a great car. A car that someone is selling for 20k can be bought for 16k if you know how to negotiate, so be patient and talk the price down as much as you can.

[icedude]

Thanks for the advice. I would not be using it as a daily driver. I too have a Honda Accord that I commute 50 miles to work with. I would drive my beloved Box on weekends and occassionally to work on a nice day. Would be garaged through the winter since I live in Northeast PA.

I really would love to buy one for $16k but every one I see in that price range (craigs list, ebay, dealers, private sellers) are all really high in mileage or are 97, 98, and 99 model years which I don't want.

I think I'll pass on this one then and keep looking. I don't want to settle but I don't want the summer to go by without one!

I certainly don't want to buy one sight unseen and that's why if it isn't relatively local to me, it would be a problem.

Any help in finding one would be so appreciated, you don't even know. I like the silver, dark blue and dark grey exterior colors.

Thanks again to all of the forum members for the continued guidance and support.

Ice

[jwade]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks for the advice. I would not be using it as a daily driver. I too have a Honda Accord that I commute 50 miles to work with. I would drive my beloved Box on weekends and occassionally to work on a nice day. Would be garaged through the winter since I live in Northeast PA.

I really would love to buy one for $16k but every one I see in that price range (craigs list, ebay, dealers, private sellers) are all really high in mileage or are 97, 98, and 99 model years which I don't want.

I think I'll pass on this one then and keep looking. I don't want to settle but I don't want the summer to go by without one!

I certainly don't want to buy one sight unseen and that's why if it isn't relatively local to me, it would be a problem.

Any help in finding one would be so appreciated, you don't even know. I like the silver, dark blue and dark grey exterior colors.

Thanks again to all of the forum members for the continued guidance and support.

Ice

I agree totally..You want 2000 and up.

try this link:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=0&address=37040&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=POR&model=BOXSTE&make2=&start_year=2000&end_year=2001&min_price=&max_price=&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=SILVER&color2=BLUE&color3=GRAY&keywordsrep=115&keywordsfyc=__cw%2C%2C__&keywords_display=s&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

[racer_d]

I bought my 2000 in fall of 2006. Buyer was asking 18K but settled for $16,5. It had 18's, 40K miles. Speed yellow over black. It had the options I wanted in a color I grew to like even more. Sold it one year later for $16.

I had seen an Arena Red 2001 boxster near me on Craigslist for at least 6-8 months. Started at $22, then dropped, then dropped again..When I last noticed it, she was down to 17 or so.. but this was in the fall.. so if motivated 16K would have done the deal. Also with 18s, and about 40K miles.

These cars (2000-2001) seem to "trade in" at a dealer for about $12-14. I wouldn't pay more than $16 nowadays with markets going in the tank. That said, in the spring I would expect a small rise in prices due to "spring desires".

Be patient.. Be willing to travel.. Keep enjoying your search. If you have to arrange financing, do so up front. Cash talks when buying a car.