97 Boxster - Expenses to date

[RandallNeighbour]

I bought my 1997 Boxster with a 5 speed manual transmission and traction control in July of 2004 for $15,500. It had 82k on the odometer and from what I saw and heard, I knew it needed a new set of tires and probably a transmission, so I bought it knowing this price was under wholesale by a grand or so.

Found out the car had a new 2.5 engine put in at 70k or so when I got it home and to my mechanic. Very nice discovery the wholesaler did not know about.

Just for those who are thinking about buying a first year Boxster, this is what I've put into the car thus far... today it runs beautifully and I'm as happy as I can be, but it was not without some expenses and lots of time on Ebay to find parts cheap!

$200.00 - 4 spoke horn pad replacement - (horn went off at will so I had to do this)
$160.00 - Second key. $50 Key Remote head from Ebay, blank and programming from dealer
$500.00 - New instrument cluster ($400 on Ebay plus $100 to have it programmed at dealer)
$1825.00 - Used transmission purchase - Ebay
$375.00 - New Sachs clutch (parts only)
$180.00 - Brake pads for all four wheels
$900.00 - Labor for brake job, transmission swap and clutch replacement
$450.00 - Front control arm replacement (my mechanic did it for half of what the dealer quoted)
$125.00 - Oil change and filter change (bought the parts and had my mechanic do it)
$200.00 - Three spoke airbag upgrade - Ebay
$92.00 - Three spoke tiptronic wheel upgrade Ebay (200.00 cheaper than a non-tip wheel)
$52.00 - 5 speed shifter and boot from a 2002 Boxster - Ebay
$150.00 - Wind deflector and mesh grills - Ebay
$595.00 - New tires Kumho's from Tire Rack

$15,500 for the car
$5,804 for repairs and upgrades

$21,304 Total invested thus far. This is about blue book retail for a 1997. I do not know if having a new engine and transmission enhanced the value or decreases it. With all the RMS problems plaguing the earlier Boxsters, it might well improve or hold the value.

Oh yeah... last night, my mechanic replaced a post-cat O2 sensor that was causing rough idle and lousy fuel economy and he put in a used one he had in his garage, which saved me from replacing all four, which is what is recommended when one goes out.

I'm not complaining with this thread. I'm just making a public accounting of what I've put into my car since I purchased it, excluding insurance and fuel. It's been worth every penny as I did not have $21k saved up last year and could have easily paid $20k for a different Boxster with similar problems and had no money to spend on it.

[Brucelee]

Interesting and informative post. Continued good luck with your Box!

[Perfectlap]

was a brand spankin new engine? If so then the car was worth more than $20K
But you are now in that territory where further money invested will start to question whether you would have been better off buying a newer model.

I've seen this same situation replayed with many Miata owners I know.
They will get a Miata for a very good price and then put money back into so that its back to close to the real market demmand value they avoided paying in the first place.
Some wisely sell for something newer while others continue spending and spending an spending.
I guess the object of the game is to get back as much as you put in. Or as close as you can get to it.
Because afterall anything that can be resold is an investment.

[tdog]

Not bad, I got mine 97 with 19500 miles and put about 5000miles since then, still run like a champ and no problem at all.

[RandallNeighbour]

Brand spanking new engine! Yes!

[Perfectlap]

do you know if the engine included some of the changes to the 2.5 or is the exact same design? I'm wondering if Porsche recognizes a problem with a design from many years ago do they modify the designs in stock or just send out the same thing.
The 2.5 had some issues with regards to porosity. Doubt you'll notice it unless you put on major miles.

[RandallNeighbour]

My mechanic tells me that the new 2.5L engines Porsche supplies now (from 99 on) had crank shaft changes (now they're not out of round which caused the RMS failures). I am not sure if they corrected the porosity issues. Mine only has 15k on it and appears to be running very well.

BTW - When my mechanic put the PST2 tool on my Boxster last night before he replaced the O2 sensor, the MAF sensor appeared to be underperforming and he said "you'll need a MAF sensor before long." After he replaced the failing O2 sensor (post cat, 4-6 cylinder position) the MAF began to work flawlessly. Apparently, one affects the other in a performance way and it's hard to pinpoint which is going out with high clarity.

All I know is that the engine idles steady now, runs far more quiet on the freeway at 70 mph and it feels like far more than an O2 sensor was replaced. Combine this with the new clutch, transmission and brakes and I'm on cloud nine. I feel like this last 2500 bucks really put the car in top operating condition. Wish it was warn and dry enough to drive it again tonight!

I bet I'll see better fuel economy and a boost in power now. If it's dry Saturday morning I'll drive out beyond the horrid Houston traffic and open it up and report back here to you all.

[YellowJacket]

Very informative post. I'll give you the opposite side of the exact same car. That way potential buyers can see both sides of it.

I bought a 1997 Box for $24k about 2 months ago.
36k
All service records, indicating that the only work done on the car ever was the 15k service and 30k service, with spark plugs at the 30k service (which are usually not part of it). All services done by the dealer.
new Continental tires and 45k service done (early) by my dealer prior to purchase
2 year factory warranty.

About a month after having it, I realized that the belt was making some noise, so I took it to a different dealer than the one I bought it from, where they replaced the belt and all pulleys for FREE (covered under warranty).

Anything that goes wrong in the next 2 years is covered, and my dealer is really nice about this stuff so far.

Bottom line: I bought the same car as you, paid a lot more, and will be guaranteed no issues for the next 2 years. Plus, it came with new tires!

So I guess the question is whether my level of insurance is worth the huge premium I paid over your car. In my opinion, it is. But that's up to the buyer to decide.

[Perfectlap]

yes I went through the same with my Miata. Everything that needed replacing was chucked and upgraded (lighter clutch, flywheel,headers,exhaust, adjustable suspension and shock mounts, proper spring rated coils,shift boot, all fluids etc.
I spent $3-4K. But what a transformation. Sold the car a year later for 2.5 times the blue book and more than I paid for it.