Boxster 'S' prices and availability
 

Granted since I got my 981 I haven't been hanging out as much here and I haven't researched Boxster prices much like I used to but I was thinking of selling my 2000 'S' so checked out what is for sale on Cars. com. I specifically chose the year 2000 and mileage under 70k and under 60k. To my surprise in my area there are very few and the prices haven't dropped. I widened the search to the whole country and quite a few came up but again less then I thought would. Some of the lower mileage ones have asking prices of over $20k!! Holy cow really? Doubtful they will get that but it was surprising they were even asking it.

The only ones under $15k really weren't ones I would go near without doing a thorough PPI myself on a lift...and even then they would take some work to clean them up like mine and others i see on this forum.

I'm assuming the prices are inflated and no one really gets what they are asking for them, but still a nice one should get a good price. When I look at my car and all the work done to it to make it almost bullet proof it might be worth something after all to the right buyer.

Of course we all have our on view on what makes a car nice and a good buy, but being a clean and mechanically sound and maintained freak I would be very surprised to find a gem for a low price...at least around these parts.

I paid 24,000 for a 2003 s with 38000 km

01S, SF, Bay Area, full leather, premium sound, excellent condition, 60K miles: Kelly Blue Book suggests $20K for a private party sale. KBB is about 5% lower than typical asking price.

Interesting. I just did KBB on mine and even the trade in is higher than I paid for it 2.5 years ago. Something isn't right. It's almost like natural attrition (and IMS failures :)) have reduced supply.

Just searched AutoTrader and there are several more, mainly a good supply of base models with some good low prices. Not many 'S' models though.

When I was looking I noted big differences in valuation between KBB and Edmunds with KBB generally being much higher. Good S's seemed rare and I saw lots of cars that were well worn. Many owners will do oil changes, brakes when they get to the wear indicators and tires, but seem to defer other needed maintenance. Saw cars with torn CV boots, bad tops, shot shocks, worn S belt, bad motor/trans mounts, leaking water pumps, etc. Most sellers I talked to actually knew little about their cars- mention of IMS, RMS, AOS would elicit blank stares. Unfortunately I expect sellers that have done IMS upgrades, etc. won't recoup the value from the typical buyer. Sites like this and RL, some others probably offer a better chance to get value for a well maintained car. Hate to sound cynical, but with few exceptions buying or selling used cars is a real pain.

I think it's the same thing as buying a preowned Chanel purse* (bear with me, gentlemen):

The cost of a new Chanel purse keeps rising, they're up in the $4000+ range now. The used ones are going up as well.

A few years ago, a Chanel purse was $2000 new. A used, say from 1998, was about $800. Today, that SAME purse, from 1998, in the same condition, is selling at $2000+.

It doesn't matter that it's older, if the condition is the same. The entry cost for new is SOOO ridiculous, that the market for used has increased, driving the used price up.

I think this is true for used Porsche as well.

(*if any of your wives ask, it's the double flap model, medium size)

Porsche Chick is right.Be it purses,planes or Porsche's,the price for "brand new" is the lead out.The stage is set to make the "pre owned" appear as a bargain.

Last August,the dealer wanted $20,000 and I paid $18,000 for my 00 Box S 6speed with 60,000 miles with factory hardtop and Boxster Red seats.Have done IMS/RMS for peace of mind.Happy today!

NADA and NSA put the Dangermobile at $425k !

Whip, why didn't you trade in the 2000 towards the new 981?

I bought my 01 S May 2012 with 55, 000 miles with leather seats, and seat heaters and all records from my seller and previous owner for $14, 500

Its in great condition with no issues.

My 2003 S with new Carrera 18" wheels and Pilot Super Sport tires, new clutch and flywheel, new ROW MO-30 suspension, brake disks and pads, windshield, new AGM battery and many new interior leather parts was advertised for $17,900. I paid $14,900 last winter, a good time to buy. It just depends on how motivated the seller is.

Generally I don't trade when I buy, complicates the whole process. I also wasn't sure I wanted to trade it, I still love the car and pleasure it gives me to work on it...though there isn't much more I could do to it. I've decided to keep my house and put my handy skills into the house instead. Goals and priorities change. As you can see I'm in no hurry since I still drive and enjoy it. Since I was considering selling I started looking at the market and was surprised by how well the 'S' is holding value, the Base not so much but still not bad. I figure if I can get a good price I won't feel bad about just putting almost brand new 997 seats in it and a FabSpeed exhaust. I could switch them back but with my work schedule and the hassle to sell seats and an exhaust it ain't worth it. Besides the turn ins with the 986 are better then my 981...can't have that ;)

Makes sense. Always complicates a deal when trying to trade. The benefit being the sales tax and convenience (tire kickers, scammers, and the "will the check clear?")

Hindseight being 20/20 and all this mental gymnastics, maybe you should have bought the new Cayman and kept the 986? One drop-top, with one mid-engine coupe. Giddy up!:) Comments?

With the 986 they would really low balled and it wasn't worth the bother. I actually forgot I was going to trade the 987 and since I had got it at cost from my Son I knew exactly how much I wanted for it and they said OK. That meant the taxes would be $800 less on the 981. It turns out in the end I sold it to a really cool guy that just loves the car and got the extra amount in the sale to make up for the extra tax.

I will say though you are SO right about the hassle of making sure I'm not being scammed and then the time away from work to go to the bank.

So ya my original plan was to order a 981 Cayman and keep the 986 for my convertible. I really realized that I like mountain and road trips with the top down and with the 986 manual transmission and a bad left hip I simple wouldn't be making long trips. Trips to the golf course are short enough and add to the Sunday pleasure so I still enjoy the car. The new Boxster 981 is basically as quiet as the new Cayman and so I felt I got the best of both worlds. Wasn't until the last minute I figured this all out and pulled the trigger on the new Boxster.

Anyway enough babbling on. Cheers.

You guys are absolutely correct Boxster prices are holding up very well. I couldn't help but click on these ads (car G..) and see how much they are asking for there non S boxsters. After the second or third time looking what the S is going for, I was ready to PM on members on a 981 forum with my color combo and stick, to take care of my car and keep the miles down in anticipation of my trade up. :cheers: