I'm taking the plunge-01 Boxster- need advice

[icedude]

Hi everyone, long time forum member, very picky Boxster shopper. I think I'm going to take the plunge. 2001 Boxster with 40k miles, ONE OWNER, maintained at Ray Catena Porsche in NJ. Silver with blue interior/Top. I could count on one hand the scuffs on the exterior! He was asking $15,900, I negotiated $14,500 since I would need to spread for the 45k service. Folks, I've been looking for over a year and I've never seen one in this condition. I know, I know, if it's what I want and am happy with go for it.

Is the consensus that those miles are NOT low enough to be a problem and is the price a good one? I think so. This one also has the upgraded S wheels, top liner inside, and the upgraded stereo with the rear speakers. He also deambered it with the Litron lights (dealer installed). He is throwing in the old lights and a Porsche car cover.

I will be using it as a weekend car and to supplement my daily driver since I have a long commute. 80 miles one way to work.

Any thoughts/advice/props/kudos will help to validate my decision as I'm getting that nervous feeling before taking the dive!

Paul

[9eighty6]

Paul,

Go for it! If you're really that picky and it seems like you've found a gem you should snag it. Not to mention at $14.5k you can all the way to the bank. That is a lot of car for the money. True a 2.7 isn't a 3.2 but if it doesn't matter to you, then take the plunge. I am more than happy with my 01 2.7 and it is more than enough to get me into more trouble than I need.

Just make sure you get some wax and lots of time!

Congratulations in advance &

[icedude]

I drove both and the 2.7 is plenty for me. I had a budget of $15k, searched for a one owner and one under 45k miles. It was a long, hard search. I will put 10k or so on it a year so I should be good to go. It'll need tires in about 10k more. How much am I looking at paying for the 45k service? Here are a couple of pics.

[Bobiam]

You certainly could have paid more for it. Good deal. Better than I did on my '01 a year and 1/2 ago at $24K with a bad leaking radiator (%**$# deceptive private seller moved away!).
Best of luck.

[Paul]

The 45K is mostly an oil and filter change, do it yourself.

[husker boxster]

Hi Paul,

Sounds like a good deal. Hopefully congrats will be in order soon.

If you're going to drive it that much, I'd suggest getting a clear bra to protect the front end. Without it the front will be peppered with stones.

Take the plunge and enjoy it. Drive it to work on summer mornings with the top down and those 80 miles will seem like a 10 min drive.

[tholyoak]

Mileage is no marker of potential engine problems if that is what you are referring to. I've done engine swaps on cars with 30k miles and ones with 90k miles that all had their engines go boom. The 2001 I recently put the 3.8 in has 50k miles. If you like the car, buy it. When you buy it, drive it. Like any car, infrequent use takes a toll.

-Todd

[Perfectlap]

That's one of the best dealerships in the country. Did they conduct their own inspection? Ask to see documentation if they did. You want to make sure someone has checked out the tranny and engine before you pull the trigger. As them if there was any RMS leakage.
How many miles are left on the tires? They aren't cheap for this car (Goodyear Eagle F1 are the best bang for the buck) and you will need a set of snow tires for use between November and April. I have Pirelli Snows.

Man I can't believe my car isn't even worth $15K now. Oh well I'm keeping it for good.

[23109VC]

it looks good!! if you like it, and it has a clean bill of health / PPI - there's not much more you can do to protect yourself and make sure you get a good one.

it looks very clean from the photos.

I have a 2.7 and it's plenty fun. I would have probably liked to get the 3.2, but like you, I was on a budget, and my dad put his up for sale, and made me a deal of a lifetime. I got his heavily optioned 2000 (M030, full leather, 18s, hi fi, headrest speakers, heated seats) for $13k. his had 73k miles...but it was dealer maintained, all records, passed PPI..and so far, several months into ownership, nothing bad has happened.... like you, this is a "spare" car, not a DD.

you will love it. put the top down, and just llisten to the sounds it makes as the engine wails toward redline.... the sound of the boxster is just flat out intoxicating.

get some good tires, maybe upgrade your suspension at some point - i love M030, the car defies the laws of physics it handles so well.

bang for the buck - that is a hard deal to beat. yeah, you can get a faster, newer, lower mileage car - but it will cost you more. as you get closer to the 10k mark, most of the boxsters i've seen are high miles, not in great condition, and older htan yours... 2.5s....

buy it, enjoy it!!!

[Pilot2519j]

Good luck on your purchase I see you did your homework. Hope you love it as much as I love my 2003 S

[gymbloke]

Go for it and have a blast.

I have a 01 S and use it every day and for the past 2 months 70miles round trip rain or shine, never mist a beat,and it's had some little tweeks done, i did have a problem with the alarm though, had to change the tilt sensor and the interior sensor but that was only after i bought the Durametric software so i could find the faults, best buy i've ever made, i like to work on my own cars as much as possibe, well with the help of one of my best friends who's a mechanic and MOT tester, but this software lets you access the cars cumputer and will tell you the history of the engine from milage to the last time at was over reved and by how much.

I also have a ZZR1100 that never sees the light of day, what can i say, sunny day the roofs down tunes on live the dream. (by the way you get called a cock and a hairdresser but who want's a BMW )

Mark

[bkiersz]

Originally Posted by gymbloke

(by the way you get called a cock and a hairdresser but who want's a BMW )

Mark

I don't get this. Is it just me?

[geoff]

Originally Posted by icedude

Hi everyone, long time forum member, very picky Boxster shopper. I think I'm going to take the plunge. 2001 Boxster with 40k miles, ONE OWNER, maintained at Ray Catena Porsche in NJ. Silver with blue interior/Top. I could count on one hand the scuffs on the exterior! He was asking $15,900, I negotiated $14,500 since I would need to spread for the 45k service. Folks, I've been looking for over a year and I've never seen one in this condition. I know, I know, if it's what I want and am happy with go for it.

Is the consensus that those miles are NOT low enough to be a problem and is the price a good one? I think so. This one also has the upgraded S wheels, top liner inside, and the upgraded stereo with the rear speakers. He also deambered it with the Litron lights (dealer installed). He is throwing in the old lights and a Porsche car cover.

I will be using it as a weekend car and to supplement my daily driver since I have a long commute. 80 miles one way to work.

Any thoughts/advice/props/kudos will help to validate my decision as I'm getting that nervous feeling before taking the dive!

Paul

All '01 Boxsters came with the inside top liner.

Carefully examine all the interior "soft touch" trim. My '01 had most of the interior parts replaced by the dealer under warranty because the finish was flaking off - a few pieces multiple times. I think 2001 was a bad year for interior trim from what I can tell.

If the battery is original, expect it to die in the near future. Tires will wear out, and at 40K miles, a lot of people have to replace the MAF, AOS and motor mount. I'm still on my original motor mount at 56K miles, but have replaced the AOS (dealer under warranty) and MAF (easy, but intimidating the first time you access the engine). You will probably need to clean the throttle body in the next 10K miles. Depending on debris in the air, you might have to take the front bumper off and clean out the radiators.

If the car hasn't had an alignment for a while, plan on getting that done or replacing a lot of rear tires (check wear there). Also, check to make sure the brake fluid has been flushed every few years per Porsche service recommendation.

Other 2001 things to check: rear window - it will crack if not properly maintained. Rear bumper extensions - if faded, Mothers Back to Black does a good job making them look new. 2001 tail pipes are stainless and polish up nicely. Porsche changed the cigarette lighter dimensions in 2002, so if you plug electronics in, plan on spending $15 or so to swap out the original for a new style that fits better. If no OBC or cruise control, they can be added later but it's easier if the cars comes with.

You should get the Bentley service manual for the basic things

Read out the OBD2 codes to make sure nothing is wrong and readiness is set for all the systems, i.e., nothing cleared to get rid of CEL right before you get the car.

Even at $14.5K, if your engine explodes and you have to spend $10K for a factory rebuilt one, you still have a fantastic car - nothing even close for twice the price! My '01 hasn't had the original engine blow up - go figure! I tell everyone the longer I have the car, the more I enjoy it

[icedude]

Originally Posted by geoff

All '01 Boxsters came with the inside top liner.

Carefully examine all the interior "soft touch" trim. My '01 had most of the interior parts replaced by the dealer under warranty because the finish was flaking off - a few pieces multiple times. I think 2001 was a bad year for interior trim from what I can tell.

If the battery is original, expect it to die in the near future. Tires will wear out, and at 40K miles, a lot of people have to replace the MAF, AOS and motor mount. I'm still on my original motor mount at 56K miles, but have replaced the AOS (dealer under warranty) and MAF (easy, but intimidating the first time you access the engine). You will probably need to clean the throttle body in the next 10K miles. Depending on debris in the air, you might have to take the front bumper off and clean out the radiators.

If the car hasn't had an alignment for a while, plan on getting that done or replacing a lot of rear tires (check wear there). Also, check to make sure the brake fluid has been flushed every few years per Porsche service recommendation.

Other 2001 things to check: rear window - it will crack if not properly maintained. Rear bumper extensions - if faded, Mothers Back to Black does a good job making them look new. 2001 tail pipes are stainless and polish up nicely. Porsche changed the cigarette lighter dimensions in 2002, so if you plug electronics in, plan on spending $15 or so to swap out the original for a new style that fits better. If no OBC or cruise control, they can be added later but it's easier if the cars comes with.

You should get the Bentley service manual for the basic things

Read out the OBD2 codes to make sure nothing is wrong and readiness is set for all the systems, i.e., nothing cleared to get rid of CEL right before you get the car.

Even at $14.5K, if your engine explodes and you have to spend $10K for a factory rebuilt one, you still have a fantastic car - nothing even close for twice the price! My '01 hasn't had the original engine blow up - go figure! I tell everyone the longer I have the car, the more I enjoy it

Thanks Geoff. I meant an insulated liner which is an upgrade to the top and heated seats since this car is a NJ car many dealers sell cars with the winter upgrades. This car isn't under warranty any longer so how much will replacing the AOS and MAF cost? There isn't a spec of anything on the interior. I'm dead serious, this car looks brand new. A little wear on the left edge of the drivers seat which is normal from getting in and out, no chips, cracks, stains. The passenger sid floor mat looks like noone ever sat in that side. 5 nicks on the exterior of the entire car and the rear window is literally perfect. He has a kit of Porsche cleaners in a case in the front trunk and one is the window treatment which he said he's used and he also puts a felt piece between it when the top goes down and folds it. Again, unless the engine blows, this car honestly looks like it's 6 months old.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks Geoff. I meant an insulated liner which is an upgrade to the top and heated seats since this car is a NJ car many dealers sell cars with the winter upgrades. This car isn't under warranty any longer so how much will replacing the AOS and MAF cost? There isn't a spec of anything on the interior. I'm dead serious, this car looks brand new. A little wear on the left edge of the drivers seat which is normal from getting in and out, no chips, cracks, stains. The passenger sid floor mat looks like noone ever sat in that side. 5 nicks on the exterior of the entire car and the rear window is literally perfect. He has a kit of Porsche cleaners in a case in the front trunk and one is the window treatment which he said he's used and he also puts a felt piece between it when the top goes down and folds it. Again, unless the engine blows, this car honestly looks like it's 6 months old.

Icedude, I would not replace your AOS or MAF unless you are experiencing problems. If you see that you have a big plume of smoke coming from your tailpipe at startup for a few times in a row, then you may need to change out your AOS. If you don't see any CEL light come on, your MAF is ok. At 58k miles, I have yet to change either on my car.

Oh, and Geoff is correct- starting in 2001 model yr., Porsche offered the insulated liner for the top as standard equipment for the base Boxster. Came with the Boxster S in 2000 as standard. Your dealer didn't add the liner to your car...it came as standard in all 2001 model year Boxsters.

[icedude]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

Icedude, I would not replace your AOS or MAF unless you are experiencing problems. If you see that you have a big plume of smoke coming from your tailpipe at startup for a few times in a row, then you may need to change out your AOS. If you don't see any CEL light come on, your MAF is ok. At 58k miles, I have yet to change either on my car.

Oh, and Geoff is correct- starting in 2001 model yr., Porsche offered the insulated liner for the top as standard equipment for the base Boxster. Came with the Boxster S in 2000 as standard. Your dealer didn't add the liner to your car...it came as standard in all 2001 model year Boxsters.

Thanks, my bad on the liner. You guys would know best - which is why I am open to advice/critique. Boxta, the brake discs are a bit rusty, which is common on all cars and I'd like to get new, colored shoes if I go with new rims. how do I shine up the discs. nice rims + rusty and drab discs and shoes = ugliness. Where in NJ are you? I work in Piscataway. Any recommended Porsche mechanics you can recommend?

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks, my bad on the liner. You guys would know best - which is why I am open to advice/critique. Boxta, the brake discs are a bit rusty, which is common on all cars and I'd like to get new, colored shoes if I go with new rims. how do I shine up the discs. nice rims + rusty and drab discs and shoes = ugliness. Where in NJ are you? I work in Piscataway. Any recommended Porsche mechanics you can recommend?

There's probably not much you can do about the rusty brake rotors besides removing the rust and then painting the rotor hats. You can paint the calipers, as I did. Here's a link to my DIY instructions that a member from another board posted on his website: http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/paintingyourcalipers

I do most of the basic work on my car with the help of my other Boxster friends. We have an informal Tri-State Boxster Club where we get together a couple times a year for a work on cars day and even take annual trips together. Here's our website: www.tsbl.org

I live in the Edgewater, NJ area now.

Cheers.

[geoff]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks Geoff. I meant an insulated liner which is an upgrade to the top and heated seats since this car is a NJ car many dealers sell cars with the winter upgrades. This car isn't under warranty any longer so how much will replacing the AOS and MAF cost? There isn't a spec of anything on the interior. I'm dead serious, this car looks brand new. A little wear on the left edge of the drivers seat which is normal from getting in and out, no chips, cracks, stains. The passenger sid floor mat looks like noone ever sat in that side. 5 nicks on the exterior of the entire car and the rear window is literally perfect. He has a kit of Porsche cleaners in a case in the front trunk and one is the window treatment which he said he's used and he also puts a felt piece between it when the top goes down and folds it. Again, unless the engine blows, this car honestly looks like it's 6 months old.

I consider myself a mechanical spaz, but no more than normal for a guy these days. I do little maintenance things myself, like changing the MAF when I got a check engine light (intimidating the first time you access the engine compartment and wonder if you will terminally break your car), but there are tons of resources on the Internet to walk you through the process, as well as this and many other great forums to ask dumb questions (Hint - Search is your friend). But I don't bother changing my own oil - I just buy Mobil 1 on sale and take it to the dealer for an oil change. There's nothing complicated or difficult about changing your own oil, just a personal quirk that I don't want to bother. I get the oil changed twice as often as Porsche recommends, which all the engine rebuild threads seem to indicate helps longevity.

Joanne at Color Plus - http://colorplus.com/ - will have the right color leather dye to make your seat look new

There are lots of ways to make owning the car a lot less expensive. PCA (Porsche Club of America) members typically get around 10% off at dealers and other service places. Buying parts online (I use Sunset in Oregon, but there are others) can save a LOT of money. The more you drive and enjoy your Boxster, the per mile cost goes down and per mile pleasure goes up. I've read Boxsters that are driven frequently last longer and have fewer problems than pristine garage queens. I also found the more you drive the car and understand how to drive it, the more you appreciate the Boxster's capabilities and how difficult it will be to ever be a good enough driver to fully take advantage of what it is capable of doing

Depending on how you drive and your car's alignment, some people change tires more often than oil. Make sure you understand that cost and plan accordingly. I find the low profile tires need to have air checked more often than on a typical family car. Lots of places to get OK tire prices (Costco, Discount Tire, Tire Rack, etc.). I do a lot of canyon driving and got 27K miles on my original rear tires. Front tires will last quite a bit longer than rears, and front brake pads will wear a lot more than rears. Brake pads are supposed to wear out about twice as fast as rotors, and I still have the original brake pads all around at 56K miles, with lots remaining. Porsches are not street racers, so burnouts, donuts and stoplight racing will hurt your ego and your wallet (tires, brakes, clutch, etc)

I found it's worth it to make good friends with service advisor if you take your car to the dealer for any work. A lot of them will take good car of people they like

If my car blew up this weekend, I would get another one without hesitation