Found a cheap Tip Boxster S- Advice
 

So I've been browsing for a potential boxster for quite some time and just found a 2002 Boxster S Tiptronic 69,000 miles for 7500. Seems like a screaming deal, lady is selling it in a divorce settlement and doesnt have a drivers liscence to use it.

Step 1, id stick it on a rack to be inspected.

But from you guys im wondering what your advice would be to look out for. Driving impressions to notice or see in a walkabout.

Also, as it is a tiptronic what are your opinions on this tranny? I was looking for a manual, but being realistic I've never actually driven a stick more than a block and for 7500 i think id swallow my pride on it lol.

Given the pricing deal it can't hurt at all to have a PPI done, so I'd say do that for sure.

Also read here:
Boxster Buyer's Tips

Mike Focke also has a webpage that I cannot pull up at the moment, but I will edit my post later and add his site in unless someone else would like to beat me to it. He's also got plenty of good information.

If she's just selling it that low because it's of no use to her, then you sure will be getting a deal should the PPI have good results.

Don't feel any shame, it being an S you'll still have plenty of fun with a Tiptronic. Do a search on here for "kickdown switch" and see the lil trick these cars have up their sleeves...er, vents, rather. :rolleyes:

Here ya go:

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages

1. there are no cheap porsches. who knows maybe you've found the first one, but odds are...

2. yes, get a PPI!

3. i have a tip and don't regret my decision. i can and have driven manuals most of my life. to be honest i was passing over tips when i started looking around. but figured "eh, i'll check it out" after looking at only manuals. after checking it out i bought it. i don't regret buying the tip, especially when dealing with DC-area traffic. i do admit to spending most of the time in "manual" mode however.

You're not the only person here that found a "GREAT" deal on a Boxster... for many, it usually starts off that way.

And don't buy it because it's cheap, because you'll regret that it's not a manual after if that's what you're looking for to begin with.

Sounds like a winner. Even if you have to sink $7,500 into the car you're still evens.
I'm guessing service records are a no go, neither will the driver (ex hubby) help you there bud.
I'd factor in the LN IMS as a first order of business, even if fails are less common with autos (acutally I'm not even sure if that's true). It might need new rear tires, brakes/rotors, cats, shocks might be on their last 20%. Then there are the common break downs on the Boxster like the AOS, water pump, coolant tank, ignition switch. I had to do all of the above around that same mileage point.

And since you've never driven a manual then there's nothing to miss. Definitely get the PPI but have the cash ready to offer up the second the mechanic says 'good to go'. Make sure she sees the caysh in your hand. Fan it out and wave like a well.... a fan. I can't think of many women who aren't going yank that cash out of yer hand. Tell her that you heard major mainteance for these cars can easily run $12K so the most you can offer up without full records is $6000K and then tell her that these engines are notorious for exploding unexpectedly costing $15K to replace and offer to send her a link to LN's site so she can see carnage pics.

Oh man....you can have a field day. Just make sure to act quickly.

Sounds like a good deal but PLEASE get a PPI by a qualified independent Porsche shop or a dealer. It will be the best $300 that you have ever spent.

If all checks out well, then you know that you're getting a good deal. If there are issues, then you'll know why its priced so cheap. With this info in hand, then you can make your best deal and generally know what to expect.

Then after you buy it, have $2,000 in cash (or credit!) at the ready for whatever comes up.

As for the tip vs manual, drive both and see what you think. Don't buy something you don't like just because its cheap and if you like it, then who cares what someone else thinks?

You don't mention if the car is local. Have you actually seen it? This sounds like one of the "specials" on the internet. Be very wary if the seller wants $$$ sent via Western Union.

Good luck. Hope it works out for you. If it really is a proper deal, buy it and then decide if you like the Tip or not. At that price you shouldn't take a hit if you decide you really need a manual (unless it needs a pile of work - but that's what the PPI is for).

Sounds way too good to be true, just be careful, have cash ready if PPI is good. If you don't like Tip you can always sell it at a profit and get a manual.

The concerns some have pointed out are certainly nothing to take lightly. If you're going to be walking around with cash on hand I'd ensure that you also have someone else with you just to be safe.

Yes! Good point...

Sounds like a scam to me...

Do not send them any money before looking at the car, no matter how enticing it is.

make sure she has the title when you give up the caysh!!

and of course make sure it does not have a salvage title as typically cars priced such as this have these.

^ good point. The old "bargain divorce car" smoke and mirrors diversion tactic.

Buyer Beware....

The cheap Porsche you buy will more often than not be the most expensive car you've ever owned.

I made this mistake in 2004 with my "outrageously low-priced" 97 Boxster. Oh how I wish I had waited, saved for three more years, and bought a much younger Boxster with a service history from an owner who cared for the car and kept up with the maintenance, repairs, and the replacement of wear items (bearings, struts, control arms, etc.) which wear out a LOT faster than on "normal" cars.

Whomever does your PPI make sure they hook up some sort of diagnostics to the computer and read any over revs and cam deviation while the engine is running.

A divorcee hu? What she look like? :dance: or :barf:

don't feel too bad. If you'd a waited three years to buy my 2000 S you'd be paying the same $10+K plus bill, oh wait front control arm bill just came in and it's a doozey....so yeah nearly $12K out of yer wallet. And I still have another $2K in this and that left to do. I'm going to have to reconsier plans for Porsche #2, or at least how I go about it. Maybe it will be CPO pcars only. No Porsche is a no go. Last time I was without the car for a month (lots of work) I was feeling some big time withdrawal, put on 10 pounds didn't shave and screened all my calls. :D
I've also thought about a second hand Lotus. I mean at least if the engine blows up I can pick up a Celica engine at the local Wal-Mart on sale.

lol just how severely have i underestimated the cost of ownership!? I thought the main big ticket items to watch for was IMS/RMS

10k+ in maintenance on a 10kcar seems excessive lol.

As far as if its a scam. I havnt heard back from her yet after asking about doing a PPI and test drive yesterday. Cars a couple hours from me in sanfrancisco so i plan to see it first. Im well aware of scam tactics

This thread makes me slightly nervous now though lol. 3 months ago i could of bought it cash. As of today im on unemployment and would need a slight loan... That id eventually make back up selling my motorcycle i never ride. I wasnt to worried about it as loan payments on a car that cheap can practically be found under the bed mattress scraps each month but the way some of these repairs are sounding... It would just make my cry to let such a deal pass by if its legit.

Unless your employment situation is about to change soon you may have to do some serious considering, cazten. You don't want to buy impulsively, nice price or not, and then be stuck not being able to drive or maintain the vehicle if something does happen to it shortly afterward. Then it'll be costing you money while not being used, which will turn it into a point of contention sitting in your driveway.

One thing about this is we won't know how good a deal is til we know how good a deal it is. When people see prices for these cars that have less than 2 figures to the left of the comma, a letter "S" after the model name, and for a model year that starts with "20-", they tend to kinda raise eyebrows and bring out the laundry list of 101 Reasons Why Not (don't take it personal guys, I'm just saying, y'all did go there). :rolleyes: Normally they're not wrong for doing so, but unless the car's been sitting under a giant burlap sack and is buried 2 feet in mud, I highly doubt you're going to end up dropping $10k into it immediately. Now over time, $10k may very well happen through wear and tear and come whatever may, but that's just how it is. We really just won't know until it's seen and reported back to us.

Here's the thing: provided it's not a scam, not in more than one piece when you lay eyes on it, and comes back with a sound PPI result, it's a stupidly good deal, and if anything does break, which will simply happen sooner or later and doesn't mean the person sold it to you with knowledge that it would happen, you'll be able to cover the cost easier than if you'd shelled out full price of what the car's worth and stretch yourself thin.

Knowing your employment situation does change my tone a bit, though, because loan or not, you need to be careful here. Even those of us who have the income of gainful employment still get hit hard sometimes when maintenance, scheduled or otherwise, comes through.

As someone like blue2000s would say, don't buy a Boxster, or any Porsche for that matter, on a budget. It's not an easy thing to do, and it will ruin the experience for you.

Buying a Porsche on unemployment... wow. We live in an interesting time.

I totally agree....
 

it is not much running a Porsche on a budget. Bought my 2001 base Boxster in May, and today took it in for more work at my indy dealer. First trip I took it in for cv boots leaking. Today I took it in for IMS guard to be installed plus oil change etc. The first trip I felt was mandatory. The second was discretionary. My previous car was a Miata/MX5. It was cheap to run. I waited until I was in my sixties till I got my first Porsche. I could not do justice to this car if I did not spend money on it. No money spent, it could quicky spiral into a bucketful of problems.:ah:
Hope this helps! Amount spent so far after today about $1600.
Cheers

Do not let others scare you about getting a Boxster cheep,a PPI is a most,there is a Loc, guy by me that charges $150.00 money well spent IMO.

I just bought a 2002 Base Boxster W/68K miles on it with all the Mant. done +RMS,clutch,flywheel,new tires,4 wheel alignment,CV and water pump etc,etc, owner had over $5,500.00 in repairs and the recites to prove it. I paid $9,000.00 for it from a private sell.

The price is great,just have the car checked out and bare in mind you will have to have the 60K mant, done but you do not have to worry about replacing the clutch because it is an auto trans,

Good Luck Bro.:)

Pic of my new Boxster
vvv

well i havnt heard anything back unfortunately so either it was a scam that gave up after my questions or its already been sold :(.

Probably for the best considering my situation. I work in construction so I'm used to being outa work around the holidays in winter near every year and always get back on, recession or not. Who knows maybe this is some higher powers way of saving my ass in case this year doesnt bounce back so well lol.

Guess ill just hold on, save back up, sell my bike and buy cash next winter :(

Not to thread-jack, but jbs986, I want your wheels.

Well cazten, give it a few more attempts, and if you don't hear back then it's not terrible loss. If that's the case then you get to save up and buy & own one outright. Our warnings and advice still applies, of course, but now you have that knowledge ahead of time (like I wish I had) and can make a purchase that you know will make you happy because you've given it a thorough run-through.

Play a little state lottery here and there, too. You never know...;)