'99 Boxter - Purchasing - Would like some advice - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

idjiot · 08-31-2005, 08:20 AM

Got the car - will post information later. Does anyone know of a good mechanic near Laguna Niguel, CA? (Orange County, CA) I need to get the car checked out prior to completing the purchase...

Brucelee · 08-31-2005, 12:03 PM

For this PPI, I would use the nearest Porsche dealership. Do a google to find one. Well worth the money.

Best of luck.

I love Laguna Niguel BTW-that Ritz is my favorite resort in the world!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by idjiot

Got the car - will post information later. Does anyone know of a good mechanic near Laguna Niguel, CA? (Orange County, CA) I need to get the car checked out prior to completing the purchase...

idjiot · 08-31-2005, 12:49 PM

*****UPDATE*********

I called Dealer A to get some details and it turns out they don't run any tests - it's all visual. The only thing that "might" be different is that they do a road test. That's it.

My only question now is: do I need any of the checks that I've listed below or can I just go ahead with the visual?

Thanks!
**********************

I called up two dealers:

1. Dealer A - quoted me $464 - said that it was their complete certification program.
2. Dealer B - quoted me $125 - he said that it would be mostly a visual check on everything.

My question is: what do I really need?

I've read about compression checks, laser alignments, multi-pint checks...at the end of the day, I'm not sure what I really "need."

In case you're in California and knowledgable: Dealer A = Newport Auto; Dealer B = McKenna

Thanks!!!

Brucelee · 08-31-2005, 12:54 PM

In my opinion, you need something not quoted.

The pre-cert inspection is overkill.

The visual check is not enough.

My dealer does the visual, a road test, and puts the car on the computer, runs it through a diagnostic. They also do a print out of all warranty work done on the car since day 1.

They charge $230 and this takes them about 2 hours.

BTW-this is Hoen Porsche, here in Carlsbad. The contact is Mike Cooper at 760-438-4434 if you want to speak with him.

Hope that helps.

Good luck!

idjiot · 08-31-2005, 01:16 PM

I spoke to the guy at McKenna about the diagnostic but he said that running the computer wouldn't show anything unless there was some sort of "light" that appeared in the car. Is there something more specific that I can use to ask them at McKenna?

I can probably request a test drive so that should be okay. The diagnostic and the other warranty information appears to be the only thing different - I'll call to see if McKenna can do the warranty.

I would just go to Carlsbad but I'm in LA and Laguna Niguel is already 65 miles away...

Perfectlap · 08-31-2005, 01:37 PM

my advice:
Look for at least a 2000 Boxster. I was just reading Excellence and they spelled out some significant changes between 1999 and 2000.
The price in the used car market is probably negligible btween these two years better to go with the one with problems worked out.
kinda like deciding between an 86 and an 87 911. You want the new tranny.

Brucelee · 08-31-2005, 02:31 PM

Well, there actually are things the computer can tell you about the car, such as how it has been driven. For example, if the car has been over reved, if the car has ever been air borne, etc.

Having said that, if you can add the test drive and get the warranty summary (which is in the computer at McKenna, that would be pretty good I think.

And yes, 65 miles one way is a bit of a haul at $3.29 per gallon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idjiot

I spoke to the guy at McKenna about the diagnostic but he said that running the computer wouldn't show anything unless there was some sort of "light" that appeared in the car. Is there something more specific that I can use to ask them at McKenna?

I can probably request a test drive so that should be okay. The diagnostic and the other warranty information appears to be the only thing different - I'll call to see if McKenna can do the warranty.

I would just go to Carlsbad but I'm in LA and Laguna Niguel is already 65 miles away...

Ronzi · 09-01-2005, 01:00 PM

I am coming late to the party, but my $.02 on the manual/Tipper issue, anyway...
I bet more guys on this forum have replaced clutches in their stick shifters than Tipper owners have had to monkey with their autos. In other words, I don't think the reliability thing holds much water.
A clutch is a "consumable", and it WILL have to be replaced, and at 60K miles I would expect it is at least half used up. I understand that a new clutch is about a $2,500 date. So if your intended use for the car is as a daily driver in city traffic, there is that to think about.