Yearly repairs? Thinking of selling

[rick3000]

It's unfortunate that you bought the car and immediately had to do so many costly repairs, however many of the repairs you have had to do are fairly normal at 75k miles. What happened to you is exactly why its better to spend more upfront for a newer or lower mile car, than spend the extra on repairs. This is all hindsight, but worth considering in the future. And it sounds like you got a bad PPI.

That said, why would you sell the car after repairing everything that is wrong with it, and losing more money selling a car that needs AC repairs, etc? Also, you have to keep in mind that IMS is not nearly as prominent as it is made out to be on the internet. Think of the hundreds of thousands of Boxster owners that don't post on the internet, and are very happy!

I got my 99' Boxster in '06 w/ 17k, it now has 73k. I had no big problems with my car until this last year when I needed a new clutch, AOS, MAS, etc. Not exactly cheap. I do tires/brakes every two years, minor DIY repairs every now and then, plus services. It averages out to about $1400 a year, before the recently big repairs, it was about $800 a year.

[ekam]

Tires, brakes and motor mount are regular maintenance items. Other items are likely due to neglect from the previous owner. Clutch shouldn't need to be done at 80k unless it was a daily driver in Manhattan, but as you said you bought it from a rich kid so he likely dumped the clutch in front of his friends just for fun.

It's been said many times, people bought boxsters for a few grand thinking they got a deal, but what may be cheap to buy a Porsche doesn't equal cheap to maintain...

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by ekam

It's been said many times, people bought a Porsche for a few grand thinking he got a deal, but what may be cheap to buy a Porsche it doesn't equal cheap to maintain...

Such is my case. Well, I'm really happy that none of you guys are encountering problems. That means once I get mine up to speed, it should be easy running.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Crono0001

but it never seems to drive the way I want it to.

Are there any other reasons why you don't seem to be getting the typical enjoyment out of the car? The rest of us are nearly giddy after each drive.

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by thstone

Are there any other reasons why you don't seem to be getting the typical enjoyment out of the car? The rest of us are nearly giddy after each drive.

Oh no, it's a pure pleasure driving, especially on mountain passes. It's the constant worry when I'm getting behind the wheel wondering "is it going to break down" that really irks me. That kind of feeling is not something I want from my car. This thread has reassured me that there will be light somewhere at the end of this tunnel.

[nicecar]

fix it, drive it..... very few drivers report getting stranded. all repairs youve mentioned are common wear items. Ask me about the repairs on my boat, 2 minibikes, camper, ford expedition 03, LAWN , 2000 silverado 2500 and the list goes on. It seems to me that everything I,ve done is layed out in b and w on this forum. MY INDY CONTINUALLY TELLS ME TO DRIVE THE CAR!!!! My pelican parts friend tells me I could spend alot of money trying to make it bullet proof, as well as wasting alot of time stressing on the car and not enjoying it. Soooooo I quit stressing and started driving. I think your about at the end of the tunnel....sorry about the a.c. Trust me, I know first hand what your going thru. My 02 s is my daily driver and I am so glad I hung in there because I CANT THINK OF ONE TIME I'VE BEEN GLAD TO GET TO MY DESTINATION..... Speaking of operating costs did I mention my 10, 9 and 7 year old ?

[nnewell]

"Ask me about the repairs on my boat"

Ha,Ha. boy did that strike a nerve.
Owning boats from 30 feet to 120 feet - I know you run 'm and you fix'm - constantly.
Then when you've had enough of that buy a "classic car" - "get out and get under" does that sound familiar ?

If you want to drive a throughbred be prepared - having said that I find the Boxster very reliable ( but look at my history )

[nnewell]

If your really stressed about the car do what I did get a neuralyzer.

No worries mate.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Topless

A Porsche is an amazing car but it is not for everyone. A little knowledge, experience and elbow grease probably would have saved you about $4k on the repairs you listed. I would not have driven the car 1 week in AZ without working AC. If you are unable to do maintenance and repairs yourself, and unable to pay for professional repairs to keep it in good running order, it's time to move on. Good luck and good hunting. Hondas are pretty nice.

This, unfortunately

Before I bought mine I had two things ready:
1. Good mechanic willing to extend a line of credit
2. Toyota as a backup car

But I've been fortunate and haven't needed either

I can't believe you bought a Porsche with a check engine light on. I hope you got it for next to nothing.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by thstone

I think that your experience is somewhat normal for the Boxster. You paid $8K and have done about $6K in repairs while I paid $10K for my '99 and have done about $4K in repairs (tires, clutch, starter, etc). So we both have spent about $14K to buy it and keep it running. You still have to fix the A/C and I just did the brakes (rotors/pads) and still need a new water pump. Close enough for me to call it even. Welcome to the club. The best thing to do now is to drive it like you stole it and enjoy the heck out of it because the money is spent and we're not going to get it back in resale.

Then I must be rare, I paid that for a 98 with 100k from dealership. 10,000 miles later no major repairs other than routine maintenance (oil, filters, etc)

No engine lights, other than occasional slow flashing coolant, but mechanic says temp sensor accurate and engine not overheating (180-210) and recent midwest weather has been highest on record so I should be safe

Brakes, rotors, tires coming up

[Devact]

[QUOTE=986_inquiry;298738]
1. Good mechanic willing to extend a line of credit

986_inquiry: Which mechanic do you take your care to? I'm also in STL, and have used Le Stable in Glen Carbon and was considering Plaza for some other work. Just seeing who else others in the area are using.

[mountainman]

Your situation is probably not uncommon. Porsches are not cheap to buy or to maintain, but they are fantastic to drive. If you follow a new one from day one you are probably looking at an average of about $1500 to $2,000 a year for maintenance. Unfortunately, the previous owner didn"t pay his part and you got stuck with yours and his.
That said, there are a couple of ways around some of the expense. Avoid Porsche dealers because they will rape you repeatedly. However don't go to joe blow at the corner garage. I have a fine mechanic that was with porsche for many years and now has his own shop. He saves me about 40 percent on labor and almost that much on parts. I use him for anything that I can't do myself.
And speaking of doing it yourself, if you are going to drive a porsche learn to do much of your own work. There is a wealth of information in this forum that will guide you thru much of it. Especially the routine maintenance. I have 3 porsches and there is no way I could pay dealers to maintain them. I have invested in a lift for the garage ($2K) and it has saved me thousands. I bought a $300 bearing tool and I can now change a wheel bearing in 3 hours for $60 while the dealer gets $600. I do a complete brake job for $500 (rotors and all) while the dealer gets $2K. I do an oil change for $60 while the dealer gets $200. Etc, etc,etc
Everyone thinks they can"t do their own repairs, but many of them are much easier to do than you think. Hang around a garage for a while and watch. These guys are not rocket scientists. You will not be able to do it all, but what you save on the easy stuff will make the IMS and RMS repairs hurt less when you have to shell out for them. Buy some tools and get greasy. You will appreciate your car a lot more after you work on it yourself. That's my opinion and it is worth just what I charged you for it.

[SoK]

when i first bought my car with 42k on the odometer, i took it to porsche for the RMS to be replaced. while in there, i told them to fix anything else they saw an issue with. Final tally was about $1500 with a 2 year warranty on the work and a car that had been inspected thoroughly inside and out.

since then, i've done brake pads in the front, 3 oil changes, and charged the AC (all done myself except for the first oil change, learned my lesson about going to the dealer for that...). that's all.

my car's driven every day and runs like a dream. have yet to see a check engine light and everything works as new. almost to 60k miles. come april/may 2013 i'll have the 60k tune up and prob spring for the waterpump/thermostat/AOS.

bought the car for 14,500 in 2010, spent about $1700 in repairs and have a car that is, in my opinion, in excellent condition for the year and mileage. I do not anticipate any problems and plan on preventing some of the more common issues before they even present themselves. after april/may next year, i plan on hitting 100k with ONLY maintainance items to complete.

[Vista glass]

I have spent $4200 on maintenance this year. That includes a new clutch ( I knew that going in and budgeted for it based on the PPI , negotiated the price down with the PO based on the PPI) did the IMS while in there, some new brake pads, 2 oil changes, replaced turn signal clockspring.I put a new set of Pilot Sports on (I knew that going in and budgeted for it based on the PPI, negotiated the price down with the PO based on the PPI) Minus PO price reduction I have put $2200 into one fine fun ride. The PPI was money well spent ! it helped me get some of the undone maintenance costs from the PO.

[jcb986]

I went to Pelican to see what the parts cost for your repairs. Couple of hundred bucks for the parts. Labor cost was really high...the dealer may have been cheaper.

[BerneseMtnDog]

I bought my 2000 base in May of 2010 at which time I spent about $1800 replacing the clutch, flywheel, RMS, IMS bearing, AOS and other assorted small things like the serpentine belt. Since that time I've had to replace the headlight switch, water pump and motor mount for about $500 or so. The only maintenance I've had to do since May of 2011 is the whistling vent valve for the carbon canister at about $100. My car was well cared for before me by a Porsche mechanic who kept records. I wouldn't own this car if I couldn't do the wrenching myself and I'd never buy a Pcar that didn't have a documented history of owner love.

Steve

[Bruce Wayne]

mine costs very little to keep running..

but here is the rub. when something needs doing i do it, not let it fester and run into bigger bucks from putting it off.

sure, things will wear as on anything mechanical and i've also spent a little engery and time into getting the car up to my own high standards.

the box is actaully a piece of p1ss to work on, when i first started out with it i was very much shy of getting my hands dirty because it is a 'porsche'.

now i use nitrile gloves.

seriously though, there is a whole host of maintenance that you can do yourself brake discs (rotors) pads drop links etc, you just need a standard socket and spanner set of decent quality and perhaps some more tools along the way like a meter long breaker bar and a torque wrench, oh and some torx bits for the socket set..

i drop my front bumper/valence off every year and clear out the debris to prevent the rads/condesors rotting out.. it takes less than 15 mins...

just changed the spark plug tubes, using the data from this forum and the transom plug method (tip when you do the rubber bung up keep turning it with some grips and your feel a pop as the rubber seals slip loose and the tube slides straight out. other wise if you try to pull the tube out the plug slides out the tube) now i've figuered that out i could redo a set in about 30 mins.

A BIG tip for doing it yourself is clean off bolt / torx heads before getting into it and use the correct size spanner / torx / socket rounding heads off will just leave you having to get bolts machined out. also use a breaker bar to break the seal on a bolt dont use a short socket and just keep tugging, you'll end up rounding heads off.

i've only ended up doing work myself as i've fed up with 'specialists' charging the earth for frankly crap work and i know that if i do it myself, it will be done to the standard i expect.

tyres shouldn't wear out too quickly i've had my p-zero rossos on for close to 24 months now and they still have more than 6.5mm, but then i make sure the alignment is done regularly, poor alignment eats tyres.


my sister on her volvo xc-90 has gone through 2 sets of tyres in the past year and i keep telling her to get the alignment done. she's done more on tyres on her volvo in one year that i have spent on the porsche in 5...

again, it's keeping on top of things, when you get the boxster tip top keep it that way, it will cost you less to run and maintain its value..

as one poster said previously there are cheap boxsters, but they are cheap beacuse they need money thrown at them.. no matter the mileage a well maintained boxster has considerable value where as one that hasnt doesnt.

if you get stuck, or need help there are some very, very knowledgable people here that will be more than willing to help you out.

keep the faith.

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by jcb986

I went to Pelican to see what the parts cost for your repairs. Couple of hundred bucks for the parts. Labor cost was really high...the dealer may have been cheaper.

That's a first. My mechanic charges anywhere between $80 to $120 per hour depending on the job.
How much do you guys usually pay for a mechanic to do things?

.. that is, those of you who are like me and not brave (or smart?... or willing due to laziness :P ) enough to wrench it yourself.

Once again, happy to be apart of this community. Lots of informative, helpful folks here.

[Overdrive]

Local dealer was around $140/hr, indie is $98/hr. A good part of the reason why I bring the car to them is because I don't have the time to go at the car myself, and I don't want to start something that's going to leave the car undriveable, not be able to get back to it, and leave the car sitting like that for any length of time. Basically I'm paying for the convenience of not having to do that and having someone do it for me. Otherwise, I'd thoroughly enjoy wrenching on the car myself.

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by mountainman

...Buy some tools and get greasy. You will appreciate your car a lot more after you work on it yourself.

My sentiments EXACTLY!

I have a bunch of new tools to prove it. However, most are used well by now….and lovin' it! Worked on bikes but was intimidated because it was a Porsche too. I just started doing things that were within my wrench-ability! I washed the car and was hooked in from there….doing bearings and drop links next!

These Pcars are a blast! I am surprised more people do not know our secret….you put up with a lot to drive this car but there is no other car I would rather be in!

So ENJOY IT NOW-while you can! There are only so many sunny days my friends….BASK in the sunshine! And wear sunscreen just in case I'm wrong!

My $.02