To buy a newer year or a lower mileage boxster: That is the question ;) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

GoddamSkippy · 12-17-2008, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I have a cadillac CTS which i'll be changing into my daily driver, especially for the winter. the boxster will probably be my "Nice Day" car and maybe the car to drive when traveling to see family in DC/boston from ny in the spring/summer/fall. Im guessing that prices for "S" cars is closer to stock cars when looking at used cars. What should I expect to spend on an 03 S? im guessing that they wouldnt have a warranty but i guess i can get an aftermarket one.

GoddamSkippy · 12-17-2008, 02:02 PM

So i looked over ebay and C*Listhelper.com and see that prices for an '03 boxster is around 17,500 and for a boxster S about 20k with around 40-60k miles. do these prices sound about right? am i gettin my moneys worth for the extra 2,500 that i would spend on the S? im guessing these prices will be lower after the new year. thanks.

rick3000 · 12-17-2008, 03:06 PM

Since it is going to be a weekend car, get the S. Just know that the less Boxsters are driven the more problems they tend to have (They don't like sitting in storage).

I would personally vote in favor of lower mileage, because you will get more life out of the car. You need to find middle ground between the year, mileage, and how you intend to use you. I would be look for an '03 S with about 30-35K miles, there are plenty of deals to be found in this economy. It's a buyers market.

vincesf · 12-17-2008, 03:14 PM

I would vote for low mileage AND a Boxster that has been properly maintained. I have seen Boxster examples for sale that have fewer than 10,000 miles, but have only had one oil change in 5 years. That shows some lack of care. Even if the car is not driven regularly, it should have periodic maintenance performed at regular intervals. Lastly, buy the latest model year that fits your budget. From reading your responses above, 2003 will be a sweet spot of mileage and late year. Good luck in your search, you should do well in this "buyer's" market.
vincesf

Jeph · 12-17-2008, 04:25 PM

Buy my car for $15k. If your budget is higher, spend the rest on your own personal mods.

Make sure you have tons of documented maintenance records. (I do)
Make sure it has been well taken care of. (Mine has)
Load up on options. (Mine is)
Tires are pricey, make sure it's got good tires. (Virtually new)
Most Boxsters look the same, get a head turner (Nailed it)
If you live in an area that gets cold, you may want a hard top. (So toasty)
Low mileage is ideal. (Less than 6k/year over here)
Owned/Cared for by fanatic. (Hello?!?)

Sure, it's not an S, but the 5 speeds is more fun!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/962242486.html

blueillusion97 · 12-17-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeph

Buy my car for $15k. If your budget is higher, spend the rest on your own personal mods.

Make sure you have tons of documented maintenance records. (I do)
Make sure it has been well taken care of. (Mine has)
Load up on options. (Mine is)
Tires are pricey, make sure it's got good tires. (Virtually new)
Most Boxsters look the same, get a head turner (Nailed it)
If you live in an area that gets cold, you may want a hard top. (So toasty)
Low mileage is ideal. (Less than 6k/year over here)
Owned/Cared for by fanatic. (Hello?!?)

Sure, it's not an S, but the 5 speeds is more fun!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/936033579.html

Thats a pretty good price if the car didnt have any major accidents

spine911 · 12-17-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueillusion97

Thats a pretty good price if the car didnt have any major accidents

OUCH!! That hurts .

23109VC · 12-17-2008, 04:39 PM

newer = better
lower miles = better
warranty = better
Better = $$$

like all things in life - you OFTEN get what you pay for.

only you know how much you are comfortable spending.

Jeph · 12-17-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23109VC

newer = better
lower miles = better
warranty = better
Better = $$$

So true... just ask "the Jones."

It's your money, go for VALUE. Be a financial wizard and spend LESS than you are able.

(Seriously, I want a 911 -that will happen when you BUY MY CAR!)

renzop · 12-18-2008, 02:48 AM

I'll add my 2 cents.

1) I don't think that it matters whether you get a Boxster or Boxster S. Two friends have had both and say that the fun factor is the same.

2) These cars cost money to maintain. Don't buy a car that doesn't have maintenance records.

3) I would not buy a used Porsche from a non-Porsche dealership unless it was being sold by the original owner.

4) There is a sizeable difference between the 986 and the 987 (the 987 is model year 2005 and newer in the US). Some people like the 987 and some like the 986. Decide which one you like and buy that model. If you are tall, you will find the 987 has more room which may be important.

5) Is this going to be your only car? If so then I would suggest skipping the purchase. A used Boxster is not the most reliable daily driver. Judging by your emphasis on price I would guess you are on a tight budget. This means that a major repair bill may sideline your car for a while or put you in debt. You do not want to scimp on repairs and maintenance on this car.

GoddamSkippy · 12-18-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renzop

I'll add my 2 cents.

1) I don't think that it matters whether you get a Boxster or Boxster S. Two friends have had both and say that the fun factor is the same.

2) These cars cost money to maintain. Don't buy a car that doesn't have maintenance records.

3) I would not buy a used Porsche from a non-Porsche dealership unless it was being sold by the original owner.

4) There is a sizeable difference between the 986 and the 987 (the 987 is model year 2005 and newer in the US). Some people like the 987 and some like the 986. Decide which one you like and buy that model. If you are tall, you will find the 987 has more room which may be important.

5) Is this going to be your only car? If so then I would suggest skipping the purchase. A used Boxster is not the most reliable daily driver. Judging by your emphasis on price I would guess you are on a tight budget. This means that a major repair bill may sideline your car for a while or put you in debt. You do not want to scimp on repairs and maintenance on this car.

Thank you for the info guys - lots of good things to consider. I guess coming from the miata, where most parts are under $50 dollars (you can get a full jdm engine for 1k installed) to the porsche is pretty alarming. im going to take my time with this ans as people said its a buyers market so im hoping i can get something for a good price and have some money stuffed away for maintenance and repairs.

Jeph, Congrats as you havea beautiful boxster and it looks like its in exellent shape. i have a hardtop for the miata and i know how valuable one is in the winter months here in north jersey. unfortunately im lookin for a 2003 or 2005. Thank you for the info.

Perfectlap · 12-18-2008, 07:22 AM

I had a Miata with lots of mods. Sold it in less than a day. Buyer flew up from Florida. Black, BBS RK's, Racing Beat aero ki, low profile headlights, KYB shocks and FM rear mounts. I miss that car!!!

Get the Boxster S. Don't even think about it. And get a 2000 or newer with as low a mileage as you can find (but make sure its been driven at least 3K miles a year).
Try and get one with Litronics (HID), a few interior upgrades like the nicer shifter and brake lever. Upgrades for this car are crazy expensive. better to get them on the car already.

GoddamSkippy · 12-18-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I had a Miata with lots of mods. Sold it in less than a day. Buyer flew up from Florida. Black, BBS RK's, Racing Beat aero ki, low profile headlights, KYB shocks and FM rear mounts. I miss that car!!!

Get the Boxster S. Don't even think about it. And get a 2000 or newer with as low a mileage as you can find (but make sure its been driven at least 3K miles a year).
Try and get one with Litronics (HID), a few interior upgrades like the nicer shifter and brake lever. Upgrades for this car are crazy expensive. better to get them on the car already.

thats funny i see that your in the nj area and we have the same upgrade plan (were you part of any miata clucbs or do any autox while you had it?)
im in bergen county.

did you buy yours at a nearby dealer or private seller?
can you add a generic HID kit to the lights?

thanks

Perfectlap · 12-18-2008, 10:34 AM

I did Autocross that Miata with Porsche Club, BMW club, the former M Club and SCCA. I kinda stopped autocrossing because of the time committment for the limited running. But the Porsche Club was always the best in terms of low turn out (more runs).
I don't reall autocross with Boxster. I had Toyo RA-1's and some of the lots were so dang rough they just shreded the tires. I kinda wish I had held onto the Miata as an autocross only car but I don't have the space for that now.

As luck would have it i was in the market for a silver and red Boxster S with low miles and that's exactly what pop'd up on Ebay. I was watching Top Gear and they were doing a show on the Boxster and how it was the best sports car for the money just days before. The Ebay car was being sold as a trade in by an Acura dealer in Montclair with barely 10K. Car was mine a week later.
The HID or Litronics in Porsche speak, comes from the factory as one whole unit.
You just use a special tool found in the tool kit to loosen one bolt and out they come. Like changing tail lights. A few have experimented with replacing the bulbs with other High Intensity versions but it's not really the same. Also the Litronics units have no amber on them, completely clear. I picked up the Litronics in a group buy with Brandywine Porsche for $1,100, before the Euro took off. I don't think you can touch them for less than $2,000 now. pricey.