Considering a 1997 Boxter

[vitaminC]

There are so many of these around, IMHO I see no reason to pay a premium for a '97, which as others have mentioned has all the short comings and none of the updates. And $11k is too much.

It's a Boxster; it will never be collectable, so low miles don't really count for much. Maintenance will cost the same no matter the miles.

The dealer wanting $20k for an '04S is dreaming!

Offer these guys $7.5k and keep the rest for maint and upgrades! (after a PPI!)
Cars for Sale: 1997 Porsche Boxster in Carrollton, TX 75006: Convertible Details - 317563995 - AutoTrader.com

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by vitaminC

There are so many of these around, IMHO I see no reason to pay a premium for a '97, which as others have mentioned has all the short comings and none of the updates. And $11k is too much.

It's a Boxster; it will never be collectable, so low miles don't really count for much. Maintenance will cost the same no matter the miles.

The dealer wanting $20k for an '04S is dreaming!

Offer these guys $7.5k and keep the rest for maint and upgrades! (after a PPI!)
Cars for Sale: 1997 Porsche Boxster in Carrollton, TX 75006: Convertible Details - 317563995 - AutoTrader.com

I actually went to go look at that one but they didn't have it. Said they were sending it to another dealer. The guy I talked to said it was pretty rough, didn't recommend it.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by vitaminC

There are so many of these around, IMHO I see no reason to pay a premium for a '97, which as others have mentioned has all the short comings and none of the updates. And $11k is too much.

It's a Boxster; it will never be collectable, so low miles don't really count for much. Maintenance will cost the same no matter the miles.

The dealer wanting $20k for an '04S is dreaming!

Offer these guys $7.5k and keep the rest for maint and upgrades! (after a PPI!)
Cars for Sale: 1997 Porsche Boxster in Carrollton, TX 75006: Convertible Details - 317563995 - AutoTrader.com

The 2001 with 29,000 miles and a 2.7L sold for $14,998. Here are some others that are for sale in the area. This is why I really don't think $11,000 is too much.

I looked at this 2004 with a 2.7L and it had obviously spent time outside, plus lots of scratches and just under 58K for $17,250 is what they said when I went to look at it.

Here's a 2000, 77K, S model for $15,500. It's also listed on eBay.

This one isn't too bad, a 2001 60K, 2.7L for $13,900. It's been sitting there for a while so could be talked down.

This is the 2004 that I mentioned earlier, 71K, S model for $20,895.


Here's a nice low mileage 2002 but they want $21,333!

I could go on, but prices seem to be high compared to what you guys are saying. Yes, you can negotiate and knock some off, but not that much!

[John99Boxster]

Bruce.....if you like the 99 2.5's performance with low miles and about the same $ you would pay for the 97, you should consider this one?????

http://986forum.com/forums/boxsters-sale-wanted/35807-fs-1999-boxster.html

Originally Posted by BruceH

Thanks for everyone's opinions! So here is my thought process. I can go look for a 2001+ and from what I have seen, pay anywhere from $4000 to $9000 more for up to a 2004. In my area, for example, there is a 2004 S with about 72,000 miles, Black with Black interior and very clean. They want $20,895 for it. There's a 2000 S in Silver with 77K for $15,500. Again a big difference. I can do a lot of upgrades and maintenance on the '97 and still have the car I want with low miles. I'm not looking to race it, just to have some fun. When I drove the '99 with the 2.5L, I was very happy with the performance. Enough to get into trouble. I was hoping to hear something today as to whether or not my offer was accepted, but nothing. He has been slow to get back to me so hopefully tomorrow I'll know something. If it doesn't work out, I'll keep looking. There's plenty out there right now.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by John99Boxster

Bruce.....if you like the 99 2.5's performance with low miles and about the same $ you would pay for the 97, you should consider this one?????

http://986forum.com/forums/boxsters-sale-wanted/35807-fs-1999-boxster.html

John,
I am still considering yours. Really like it, just not sure if I want the Tiptronic. Still debating.
Bruce

[vitaminC]

My guess is that for the better prices, you need to steer clear of dealers and work with private parties. It's also better as you increase your chance of getting some history to go with the car.

Like this: 2002 Porsche Boxster Convertible Low Miles REDUCED

Good luck!

[truegearhead]

READ MY THREAD ABOUT MY 97 MAINTENANCE COSTS!

Maintenance over past year...ooch!

If I had to buy another one I would go for a newer one just so I could get a nicer interior. Sure its the same design but the latter models seem to be a lot nicer.

Given both of those things I would choose a 97 thats been very well maintained then a 2000(given the 2000 cost penalty)

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by vitaminC

My guess is that for the better prices, you need to steer clear of dealers and work with private parties. It's also better as you increase your chance of getting some history to go with the car.

Like this: 2002 Porsche Boxster Convertible Low Miles REDUCED

Good luck!

Thanks for that Link! Somehow, I missed that one. I do search CS most days for the DFW area but that one didn't show up for me today. Thanks again, I'll have to check that one out.

[John99Boxster]

Thanks Bruce....I didnt realize you were so far away! Good Luck with the shopping!

I like the 97 you're considering and the '01 for $13,900.

Originally Posted by BruceH

John,
I am still considering yours. Really like it, just not sure if I want the Tiptronic. Still debating.
Bruce

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by John99Boxster

Thanks Bruce....I didnt realize you were so far away! Good Luck with the shopping!

I like the 97 you're considering and the '01 for $13,900.

I do really like yours but it would be a long drive home but it would be fun I like the fact that you have the GAHH roof and the red Brembo calipers already done which is something I would do as well.

[BruceH]

Thanks Snowman!

[RandallNeighbour]

That 2004 S looks good to me. Updated interior with a glovebox, a glass window top, 3.2 motor, triple black. That's the car I SHOULD have waited on and purchased!

All the pricing is inflated. Show up and drive it and tell them to stop smoking pot and offer you a reasonable price. I will say that I think the prices will drop like a rock at the end of the year. We are in for a double-dip recession.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

That 2004 S looks good to me. Updated interior with a glovebox, a glass window top, 3.2 motor, triple black. That's the car I SHOULD have waited on and purchased!

All the pricing is inflated. Show up and drive it and tell them to stop smoking pot and offer you a reasonable price. I will say that I think the prices will drop like a rock at the end of the year. We are in for a double-dip recession.

I like that one a lot too, but he would have to come down quite a bit.

I just sent an e-mail to the owner of this one for more information. A 2001 with about 80K.

[BruceH]

Finally heard back from the seller of the 1997 and he sold it, don't know how much though. I figured something was going on since I hadn't heard back. Oh well, I'll keep looking. I e-mailed three private sellers two days ago about cars listed on either CL or cars.com and not one has responded? All I asked was for more information and to contact me so that we could set up a time to see their car! You would think that if you have a car listed you would want to sell it! Frustrating.

[vitaminC]

Unfortunately, it's not just buyers that can be flakes...

[BruceH]

No kidding! I'm glad that there is no rush! I can at least afford to be picky.

[BruceH]

I changed the first paragraph of this thread today to reflect that since the 1997 Boxter that I was negotiating on is now sold, I am now looking for any clean Boxter of any vintage. I would like something under $15K with reasonable miles and well maintained. I am learning quite a bit as I look and read here! I really want one that has an exterior color of either Black or Blue and an interior color of either tan or grey. I sincerely appreciate everyone's opinions on the car I was trying to get, but now, back to the search.

I really like john99boxter's car except for the Tiptronic. I really would rather have the standard. Otherwise, his car would be perfect. I love his color combination. I need to get out and drive an S model(and even a Tiptronic) to see if that is what I need to concentrate on, but like I mentioned before, I was fine with the 2.5L. I'm in my 50's so I am not too worried about top end speed and the 2.5 really has enough kick for me. I would love to find a 2003 or newer to get the glass window, but they seem to be few and far between. That's the other thing that John's car has going for it is the GAHH top. I've been seeing lots of 2002's. Oh well, something will come along.

[BruceH]

Frustrating day today I had been interested in a 2005 S that was priced too good to be true and it was. The guy emails me today after sending me pictures and a carfax report to let me know that the car is now in Wyoming, and that he can have it to me in 5 days at no cost to me, that I would have 5 days to consider it and oh, by the way, he wants to do the transaction through a third party

Then, a 1999 pops up on CL, I go to check it out, it has hail damage, the convertible top motor is fried, and the wheels, had terrible road rash. Thes seats were cracked, etc. Moving on.

Next stop is a small dealer with a 2001, 60K miles 2.7L Boxter. It has foam all over the inside(been sitting in the hot Texas sun too much). I drove it for the heck of it, and it drove fine, but obviously not taken care of.

Next stop was an Infiniti dealer with an 2002 2.7L Boxter advertised. I get there and it is gone, so they want me try a 2007 Saturn Sky I figured what the heck again and wow, what a piece of junk! My wife goes to open the passenger door and the handle comes off! This thing had 18K miles and it was a dog! They wanted $19.9K! Why do people buy them???

Last stop of the day is a private seller with a 2001 911 for $19K and 60K miles. Interior is shot, drives great except for that rattling noise back by the engine He says it is an exhaust mount but who knows. Another Porsche in serious need of attention. Lots of interior problem in addition to the dead battery that has to be jumped.

Got to drive a BMW 550i convertible with 89K miles at some point, that was fun! Stumbled into a garage with more Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Maserati's and Carrera's than I have ever seen in one place! Didn't get to drive any of them though.

Oh well, the search goes on!

[RandallNeighbour]

did you mean a 650i convertible? I don't think BMW makes a 550i convertible. I own an 07 550i as my DD. Amazing car if you like a harsh ride in a luxury sedan.

Bruce, I'd like to recommend you contact the PCA rep for your area and ask him or her if they can help you locate a PCA member who is selling their boxster. PCA members usually take far better care of their cars than the guy who bought his boxster "because it was the next cool car i wanted to buy and abuse for X years and put no money into and then sell when I was tired of it."

[BruceH]

You are correct Randall. It's a 2006 650ci. I went to their website and looked it up. I could have sworn I saw 550 on the rear but I guess I was seeing things. Thanks for the tip on checking with the local PCA rep. I need to do that. I'm also pretty flexible about traveling to see a car that is out of state. I work for an airline so getting there isn't an issue, but trying to get a PPI would be. thanks again for the advice.