02 Boxster or 01 Boxster S

[AKnowles]

FWIW, I too will chime in on if you buy a base you'll want an S later. Or do really silly things like spend more money than it is worth putting a larger engine in it. I bought a low milage (67K) 99 base before I knew more about the 986 line. Had I ov known more, I'd have bought an S.

But doesn't matter if you get a base or an S, a Boxster is a fun car to drive.

[kris07]

Considering the overwhelming advice.. I think I will wait on the right S model instead of settling for the base.

[BruceH]

There are lots of them out there. I drove bases and S models. It really came down to the one that felt right. That includes service history, options, mileage, and how the test drive felt. Patience(something I am not good at) is a virtue

[shadrach74]

I actually think the S is underpowered...but given the choice the S is the only way I'd go. I've drive many different Pcars, and I don't think the base models had adequate power until the 997.2 was released. Just my humble opinion.

[Troutman]

Originally Posted by kris07

Considering the overwhelming advice.. I think I will wait on the right S model instead of settling for the base.

Kris. I was in your shoes 2yrs ago after I sold my motorbike. The way I looked at it was not so much engine size but more condition and previous owners/service history.
I spent weeks trolling the usual places and ended up sending a friend to look at one near Windsor(London) i live in Scotland. He said it was mint and it was, Black with Red leather plus a pair of speedster humps!. One owner, FPSH etc. It was a 2.7 with 56k and for me plenty fast enough.
These cars are not about max speed, it's the handling where they are so much fun and 220hp is enough I think.
Got mine out of storage today, got it MOT'd, taxed and took it for a blast, they are brilliant.
Get the 2.7 if you like the look of it. I paid £8k for mine, I think £7k would buy the same car today.

[kris07]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for all the input and advice. Here is the update..

Went for 2 test drives today, one with the 2.7 (50000 miles) and 3.2 (39000 miles).

Both beautiful lapis blue with savannah leather, manual transmission.

The test differences were very apparent. 3.2 had the extra horses and you could feel it. I have never driven a Porsche before and driving both gave me a good feel of both cars/engines.

The mileage was also crucial, the 3.2 at 39000 miles felt a lot 'tighter' ;-)

Handling was just amazing. It made me feel like an 'F1' driver taking corners with ease and not throwing myself or the passenger about in the car. It felt harmonious to say the least.

And guys.. I finally got it.. yes that smile you get when you are behind the wheel of a Boxster.

So I have paid the downpayment on the 3.2 S and looking to collect it on Thursday.

Excited, (buyer's remorse might set in soon, probably till Thursday)

Thanks again for all the advice, will post pics once I get the new addition to the family.

Cheers everyone !

[jgama25]

Congrats!!! Awesome choice my friend
Can't wait to see the pics.

[recycledsixtie]

Hi Kris,
I sent u a pm. Presumably you are going for a PPI? Whatever is wrong with it if you deem it acceptable then deduct the estimate on repairs from the asking price!
Be aggressive with the haggling as you may need the $$$ later.
Cheers, G.:dance:

[BruceH]

Congrats! And Lapis Blue to boot No buyer's remorse with the Boxster! A PPI is still a good idea. Are you still getting a 3 month warranty? I agree with recycledsixtie, use the PPI info to haggle. Post pics when you get it.

[darknight]

Originally Posted by kris07

Excited, (buyer's remorse might set in soon, probably till Thursday)

Thanks again for all the advice, will post pics once I get the new addition to the family.

Cheers everyone !

Congratulations! It has been almost two years for me and no buyers remorse Chances are, if it was a good buy, you are not going to regret the decision one bit.

We should start a survey though; how many of you have had buyers remorse after pulling the trigger and at what point did it set in?

[986_c6]

Congrats kris07...either base or S, there is no going wrong. Just drive the p*ss out of the car now and u won't be able to wipe that smile off of ur face!

[kris07]

Hi Guys, I need some advice on this.

This is where it my purchase is at the moment.

2000 Boxster S, Manual 39000 miles (8 stamps on service history, porsche dealer/specialist stamps only, last at 38290 miles). So approx 1200 miles unaccounted for.

I have paid a very small downpayment. The car is in impeccable cosmetic condition.

Tomorrow I am supposed to collect the car with MOT and pre delivery inspection done, 12 months warranty from Customer Protect Gold policy (which I think is useless, companies never honour these things)

Porsche dealership have said earliest that they can do the PPI and I can get the results would be on Monday.

I spoke to the dealer, he said I didnt know you wanted to do a PPI but I wish I knew and I wouldnt have taken the deposit. The reason he said is, he has other buyers and could easily sell off the car over the weekend. I understand this as well, the car for the price could easily go and I have had a few cars with almost double the miles snatched up in a matter of 1-2 days after being on Autotrader.

I will be paying $13,281 for the car. It also comes with the hardtop match color for winter. It has Porsche manuals and all repair records, MOTs and invoices. For this price I get the 12 month warranty as well.

What should I do? Insist on PPI?

[Coffinhunter]

Originally Posted by kris07

Hi Guys, I need some advice on this.

This is where it my purchase is at the moment.

2000 Boxster S, Manual 39000 miles (8 stamps on service history, porsche dealer/specialist stamps only, last at 38290 miles). So approx 1200 miles unaccounted for.

I have paid a very small downpayment. The car is in impeccable cosmetic condition.

Tomorrow I am supposed to collect the car with MOT and pre delivery inspection done, 12 months warranty from Customer Protect Gold policy (which I think is useless, companies never honour these things)

Porsche dealership have said earliest that they can do the PPI and I can get the results would be on Monday.

I spoke to the dealer, he said I didnt know you wanted to do a PPI but I wish I knew and I wouldnt have taken the deposit. The reason he said is, he has other buyers and could easily sell off the car over the weekend. I understand this as well, the car for the price could easily go and I have had a few cars with almost double the miles snatched up in a matter of 1-2 days after being on Autotrader.

I will be paying $13,281 for the car. It also comes with the hardtop match color for winter. It has Porsche manuals and all repair records, MOTs and invoices. For this price I get the 12 month warranty as well.

What should I do? Insist on PPI?

I say go for it.

1) the car has all the records, and you have the warranty. In my opinion (which is worth nothing mind you) is that you should be ok. Get the PPI, after purchase and if they discover something terribly wrong you have the warranty cover it, or...

2) you have the PPI, find a problem you don't want to deal with, then you could put it on Autotrader and have it "snatched up" in a matter of 1-2 days. You could even sell it for enough to cover expenses.

OR, after the PPI you find the car is in as good of condition as you thought and you got a good deal on a S. Then you get to experience the joy of "perma-grin"

[Heiko]

I agree... if it runs smooth, starts well when cold and hot and everything feels ok... I would buy it for that price. With the hard top for that price at that mileage its a good deal; Especially knowing all the services are up to date to 1200 miles ago...
And just think... you will have perma-grin before the weekend...
H

[southernstar]

Kris, do you also get the invoices for the work that was done, or just the stamps in the warranty book? If not, I'd be somewhat worried - i.e., the previoius owner has the car in at the Porsche dealership at 38.000 miles for (?????) and then sells it (or trades it) 1000 miles later..... Like you, I wouldn't have much faith in the warranty (check the company out on the net and read the fine print, but I can't believe that it would cover pre-exisitng problems at the time of purchase).

I really do think that a PPI is important in these cars as it is not difficult to get up into the thousands in repairs. Is it a dual-row IMS bearing (did you check the engine serial number)? If not, it is not exceptioinally rare even for low-mileage versions to have IMS bearing failures. Have you tried other mechanics for the PPI - it doesn't have to be a Porsche dealer. At minimum, I would want someone to get it on a lift, check for leaks from the coolant expansion tank, check for leaks from the water pump (when dried, you'll see white powder), check for oil leaks, check to see what shape the suspension components are in and at that point, if all looks good, have the spark plugs removed and have a compression test done (and maybe a drip down test). If all still looks good, I would pay for an oil change. Once the filter is removed, have it cut in half and inspect for particles (should be nil, or virtually nil, if the last change was 1200 miles ago). If that is good, you will sleep much better.

Brad

[dmairspotter]

I know many here talk about the importance of the PPI and I agree it's a good idea, but that said I didn't get one on my 03S when I bought it. The car had a full service history and drove like a sweetheart. Owned it for 2 years now and have almost doubled its mileage with no issues so far, so I'd have to say go for it!

[Coffinhunter]

Originally Posted by southernstar

Is it a dual-row IMS bearing (did you check the engine serial number)? If not, it is not unusual for low-mileage versions to have IMS bearing failures.

Brad

Not to start this arguement again, but I think saying "not unusual" is a bit much. The failure rate is somwhere around 2-5% , so I would say that it would be unusual for there to be a failure. Granted if it goes out that is a big deal, but not something that I am going to lose sleep over. Get the PPI, if you are really paranoid about the IMS failure, get the guardian, or replacement. Even with those expenses the car is a good deal.

[Heiko]

Hey all things aside... you gotta remember this thing is 13yrs old... and it doesn't matter what you buy at that age you'll likely have to put some money into it; especially if you're picky about your car. Porsche ownership doesn't come cheap (at least not as cheap as a regular cars) and as long as you remember that and are willing to pay the price, you should be ok buying it.
Too many people buy them and then complain that they had to spend 2-3K in the first year of ownership, or just neglect to do the maintenance because its too expensive... eventually you will pay for it

[BruceH]

Since you are buying from a Porsche Dealership AND you are getting a 12 month warranty, then I say go for it. Generally speaking, a dealership will only sell a car if they feel it is good, if not, it goes to auction. Seems like a good price.

[kris07]

Hi Guys,

Here is the update, its not from a Porsche dealership. Its from a private car sales company however the last servicing was done at Porsche specialist at 38000 miles which leaves me with approx 1200 unwarranted miles.

So I have spoken to the dealer and he said, I would rather return the deposit then to wait for a PPI for another week. I see his point and he has stressed on the warranty and the MOT inspection included pump, oil leaks under the ramp.

So the way I look at it, I will probably do a PPI next week and include that as a clause that if there was anything major we agree at a buyback value and I limit my losses to perhaps 1000-2000USD.

Thats the risk I am willing to take and I think I just have to be fair as well.

Yesterday on my way home after the dealer with the Citroen C5 that I was on broke down after the motorway and needed a new clutch and fork that cost me close to USD500. Its got me exceptionally worried about warranties but thats a 80,000 mile car. Nevertheless major alarm bells started ringing. Of course I have to be objective here but you can't help but wonder.

I am still a little worried, anything can go wrong after you drive off, these things happen but then again anything can happen whilst you sleep or sit on the couch, have a heartache etc. Thats life.

Somewhere along the line, something will give way to wear and tear and there's just no 2 ways about it. Its good to worry but worrying too much is just not good.

I used to certify fighter planes fit for flight daily, you always wondered if your plane would drop off the skies. LOL! Somehow insurance and warranties didn't stop me from worrying. Thats the worst it can get I suppose, I will certainly be a lot more confident behind a Boxster wheel :-)