bought from a little old lady - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

lowmiler · 02-19-2010, 04:56 PM

I bought a 1999 boxster from a little old lady. Very spur of the moment purchase. They were downsizing and she can't drive it anymore. It has been very gently used with only 42,000 miles on it. Clean car fax (if that even means anything). I'm not sure if I will keep it but considering the low mileage and who owned it I could'nt pass it up. The top is in perfect condition but was rarely put up so there is a crease and some cracks in the back window. It will need to be replaced. The oil has been changed once a year. The brake fluid was flushed and replaced in 2004 at 20,000 miles. They also put on a new set of tires. Is there anything that I need to do to the car maintenance wise? Btw, I love the way this car drives. I can see why people love them so much. Thanks in advance for any help.

Scbrindley · 02-19-2010, 08:27 PM

Congrats on the purchase and welcome. Now, lets see some pictures of your new car!

SB

97 Boxster · 02-19-2010, 08:40 PM

Congrats on the new ride. I just replaced my top with a glass window top and its definately a must if your going to keep the Box. Lets see some pics

lowmiler · 03-03-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scbrindley

Congrats on the purchase and welcome. Now, lets see some pictures of your new car!

SB

Here are the pics

Another great day in sunny Scottsdale AZ.

fatmike · 02-20-2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmiler

I bought a 1999 boxster from a little old lady.

Wow, you fell for the oldest scam in the books... Nice little old lady selling a "lightly used" Porsche...

(just kidding)

You can't easily replace just the plastic rear window (you can try, but its a serious effort). Instead, most folks opt for a new top from a 3rd party manufacturer. GAHH makes a great product. If you go that route, get the acoustic material.

You can also try to polish the rear window. There are some specialty products that can help soften and clear the rear window. They work OK, but not really good enough if the top is creased and yellow.

Unfortunately, brake fluid from 2004 is well past its expected life (more like 3 years). Suggest you flush that.

While your at it, replace the oil and filter (once a year? So it was changed 12 months ago?). Also replace the oil filter, engine air filter and cabin filter. The cabin filter is a do-it yourself job its located in the front trunk.

Quickurt · 02-20-2010, 05:38 AM

Hah! Congrats on the car, I came on the thread thinking it was going to be a new joke!!
If you replace the top. I'd consider the extra to upgrade to a glass window, if you're going to keep the car. Even if you're going to sell it, it should be worth the extra as it will definitely add value. There are threads on the forum (do a search) for uprading. I believe you will have to replace the framework through a dismantler, but you may be able to get a good price on the whole thing (top and frame).

Lil bastard · 02-20-2010, 06:09 AM

Congrats!

You have a lot of work to do.

Brake/clutch fluid flush and bleed - every two years!

Serpentine belt replacement - five year max!

Plugs - 45k mi.

Air filter (likely)

Coolant flush/fill 5yr./150k mi.

Battery - 5 year max.

Tires - 5 year max.

All these items have both a time and mileage service interval. This car is waaay past many of them.

Cheers!

lowmiler · 02-20-2010, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I'm getting her detailed on tuesday so pics will be coming after that. I have been doing alot of reading here about the diy rear plastic window replacement. I will most likely go that route. The top looks brand new so i can't see replacing the whole thing even if it gets me the glass window. Can and indy do the brake fluid or is it dealer only? I'm afraid of what that is going to cost. I also know someone who has 19" carrera wheels and tires for sale. Might pick those up.

Lil bastard · 02-20-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmiler

Thanks for the input guys. I'm getting her detailed on tuesday so pics will be coming after that. I have been doing alot of reading here about the diy rear plastic window replacement. I will most likely go that route. The top looks brand new so i can't see replacing the whole thing even if it gets me the glass window. Can and indy do the brake fluid or is it dealer only? I'm afraid of what that is going to cost. I also know someone who has 19" carrera wheels and tires for sale. Might pick those up.

19's look stupid on a Boxster (my $0.02), ride quality suffers, tires cost more.

Brake fluid/flush is straight up - can do yourself and save some money to replace those dried out tires. Get a power bleeder from Bavauto and 2 Ltr. ATE Blue fluid.

Plastic window is doable, but probably a 7:10. If you haven't done this type of work before, have an auto upholsterer do it.

Cheers!

Lordblood · 03-03-2010, 08:25 PM

Congrats on your new ride! My Boxster's certainly kept a smile on my face, despite all the repair work I've had to do on it.

If anyone has not mentioned this, I'd get a full inspection done on the car. Usually people do a Pre-Purchase one, but since you already bought it that won't be happening. My dad got a 2004 S500 last friday and got a free inspection from the Mercedes-Benz dealer, it's very cheap insurance (he just needs to replace some wear and tear suspension stuff, he tells me).