********************ing about my Boxster

[slogans7]

As an owner of another triple-black '02, I'm wondering if the vehicle you bought used to live somewhere other than Florida. A plastic window from an '02 shouldn't have cracked IMO. Perhaps it had been in a colder climate and left exposed. What did the window look like when you bought it?

I feel your pain on the damage to the hood, but that will happend on virtually any black car. Follow 'Lap's advice on repairing the chips. And don't forget to clay your car when you wash/polish/wax it, particularly the hood.

And I would agree that a good independent mechanic will appreciate your business and not charge you to subsidize a fancy building and advertising.

[MikenOH]

My wife's E320 looked like it had been straffed by something after a few years of driving on interstates. I tried various waxes but nothing seemed to help. I hear the 3M film is worth considering; I'd probably try that first after getting the front end resprayed.

The chip repair process that another respondent has recommended is worth trying. If you got the time and a steady hand, you can repair most of the small chips to the point where they aren't noticable.

The rear window can probably have new plastic sewed in; I did this through an upholstery shop on a TR6 years ago and it put off getting a new top for several years. I also recommend Plexus--the best stuff I've ever found for a plastic window.

[xclusivecar]

1) Replace the e-brake and be done with this one. Do you keep the car outside year round? Sounds as if heat, sun, and humidity took its toll on this one.

2)Forget the tether on the gas cap. No biggy. My '00S doesn't have a tether and I didn't even know they had one. Just place the cap between the windshield wiper and plastic cowl when fueling.

3)Window cracking is pretty normal...especially with how these tops fold. Did you "chop" it religiously while lowering the top? Some people do disagree with the benefit of "chopping", but as you lower the window you can really see how stressed it becomes before it finishes its fold down. Only if its 85 degrees and up do I not "chop" it since the window is so pliable at this point.

4)Being so low to the ground you can only expect to encounter chips as you did. I have my bumper re-painted yearly since I do drive my car year round (even in Chicago's winter). Your's being black only adds to being able to notice all of the imperfections.

5)Besides my now gone Honda Accord...this has been the most mechanically reliable car I have owned. I didn't expect this going in mind you. All of your problems seem to be on the cosmetic side. Fix these, keep the car and drive it as it was meant and it will reward you with great reliability.

[JNC]

For paint restoration, see Zaino string in general discussion.... :troll:

[slogans7]

Doh! After my comments about the plastic rear window, I cracked mine today. My wife and I went to the informal car show at Crystal Cove (CA) to see her friends that own the Fisker company, and it was a rather cold morning. When I put the top down after the show, I gave it the standard "chop" and it cracked. Now I've gotta replace the window after all! Lesson: don't chop when it's cold.

[natecooper]

I bought an 01' a bit over a year ago with 13k miles and last year spent around 3k in 'extra' repairs, but on the other hand I got the car with 13k miles for $20k less than the original sticker. So who am I to complain? I went through the same thoughts about getting rid of it, but my goal is to pay it off and purchase a more care free car. Considering you have under 30k miles on it, I assume you have the same goal. The thing that kept me from selling it 6 months ago (when I was feeling how you are) is the fact that I know, if I sold it, 10 years from now I would be absolutely kicking myself.

I love Porschev's idea of getting the service manual. The turning point for me was when my shift cable broke, leaveing me stuck on the side of the road watching '94 miata's drive by. Searching this forum I found out how to pull apart the center console and I fixed the problem for about 50 bucks (vs. 300 at a dealer). Ever since, in a strange way, I feel much more attached to the car. I have also fixed a few other minor issues, saving in the range of 500 bucks.

These cars will have more than average problems with them, no doubt, but that is not why you bought the car. You own a Porsche because you are a passionate driver. Right now you are this forums equivilant of a teenager calling a suicide hotline. People who call suicide hotlines don't really want to kill themselves, they just want to know they are not alone. You my friend, are not alone.

Originally Posted by slogans7

Doh! After my comments about the plastic rear window, I cracked mine today. My wife and I went to the informal car show at Crystal Cove (CA) to see her friends that own the Fisker company, and it was a rather cold morning. When I put the top down after the show, I gave it the standard "chop" and it cracked. Now I've gotta replace the window after all! Lesson: don't chop when it's cold.

Slogans, what is the Fisker company??

[Unhappy]

I wanted an affordable high performace roadster what i got is a vo-tech project.
Just kidding
Thanks for all the replies and the suggestions.
Sometimes you need to blow off some steam and the wife just doesn't understand the relationship between me and my Boxster. (she is looking for an excuse to get rid of it lol)
Can anyone can recomend a good mechanic in the Ft Myers / Cape Coral (florida that is)?