Boxster mileage queries.

[Obertelli]

I'm looking to buy a 2.7 Boxster in the next week or so, most likely a manual version and likely to be around the 2000 model year.

The one I'm looking at tomorrow is a private sale late 2000 model, has 102k miles and a "full service history". Actually it's a service book with 14 stamps from main dealers and independent specialists, and a comprehensive set of invoices from 70k miles onwards. The seller therefore cannot verify when the clutch was last replaced nor whether the water pump or RMS have been replaced, but has proof of a very recent replacement all round of the pads and discs (Mintex and Apec) and has a recent good secondhand exhaust. My dad has already previewed it for me though and verified it appeared virtually as new and was "purring" with no rattles or squeaks at 90mph. The last MOT (UK annual test for safety, legality and emissions) was in June 2013, so there's no recent confirmation that the emissions are legal. It only has one ignition key.

The other one is a year newer, sold by a dealer so has a new MOT, has a comprehensive but not full service history, the added benefit of climate control, but 154k miles which the dealer claims was mostly from "hot and healthy runs" to and from the UK to France. There are two keys. It also looks to be in excellent condition and has a dealer warranty (although I often find they're not worth the paper they're printed on). I've yet to arrange a viewing or speak to the dealer to ask about the clutch and other consumables.

Both are the same price.

The second one seems at first to be the better value deal, but I have no idea what kind of mileages the engine and transmissions are typically good for if looked after on these cars. There's also the concern about how long the steering rack, suspension and other assorted potentially expensive moving parts last. I note that the second car has one of the highest mileages I've seen advertised on a Boxster, so wonder if it's got down to the price, age, and up to the mileage where specialists typically buy them to break for parts.

A third one also looks to be excellent, and is a Tiptronic so there's no clutch replacement costs to worry about and has aircon. It's an early 2000 model and has just 67k miles, with only 400 miles in the last 6 months. The price is about £500 more than the first two and it only has one key. The downside for me is that it's over 300 miles away so there's a significant cost involved to view it, and I'm concerned that too few miles can be as bad as too many as it allows lubricant films to dry out and seals to harden/dry.

I'd be grateful for any comments based upon experience.

[nicecar]

how much for the cars U.S. dollars?

[BIGJake111]

regardless of value the cheapest boxster across the pond could be like 10k USD while cheapest here could be 6k USD... like the same car could be worth different depending on location. Personally i think the tip sounds great despite the distance, dont let an extra key entice you away from a good car. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the 3 though. But your low mileage worries is more of a 40k then 60k. If the tip was local id suggest it in a heart beat but since its far off i think all 3 cars are good contenders.

[Obertelli]

UK prices appear to be rather lower compared to those in the U.S.

The first two cars are £4250 and the third is £4750. According to todays rates on xe.com that's roughly $7100 and $7950. Similar cars on this site have been recently listed at $10200 for the 2.7 manual and the tiptronics are obviously higher.

[nicecar]

take more time...buy the lowest mileage latest model for your budget....service records weigh heavy on a used purchase, buy from a enthusiast, they will be proud to show you how they have taken care of their car. If budget allows try for an S model. from the sonds of it you have about 9000 us dollars, probably wont get an s for that money. If you want to drive the car buy man. tran. IMO tip will defintly be less expensive.(generally)

[BIGJake111]

As a Tip owner, they can be VERY fun. However they are harder at resale... technically a tip should add around 500 to the value of a car, but alot of people prefer or want the manual so that brings their value back to around what a manual would be valued at.

[edc]

Apec brakes screams cheapskate non enthusiast to me. They are cheap stuff off eBay.

[silver-S]

And while you're waiting for the perfect Boxster, hold out for a Boxster S.

[Obertelli]

Thanks everyone.

Test drove the first one today, but it wasn't in the condition I'd been led to believe, and was even more poverty-spec than I realised. It had a significant knock on the rear bumper, a dodgy driver's window regulator (and that window was badly scratched), the roof wasn't as good as I'd been told, and the clutch was certainly going to need a change very soon although wasn't slipping yet. The clutch pedal was also far heavier than I'd been told to expect: far too heavy for my wife to use and heavy enough to be really annoying on my stop-start commuting through London. The exhaust was also a little smoky on starting, and the historical emissions tests showed that more often than not it had barely scraped a pass. But it did drive superbly; no rattles or squeaks and the brakes and tyres were excellent.

I was tempted to make a very low offer, but decided that the car just wasn't quite right enough for me to do so without looking at others first. It was a good benchmark as it's the first one I've ever got my hands on so the investment of a day and a 190 mile round road trip was worth it. And for some reason, my current daily hack, an '88 Citroen 2cv with 2 cylinders of throbbing 602cc air-cooled power(!) behaved even more impeccably than usual today and was even getting up to 79mph on the flat. Not bad considering it's now a lot heavier and older than when it left the factory and was originally only capable of 71mph. I think it's trying to tell me it doesn't want me to sell it...

Tomorrow I'm making a 600 mile round trip to look at the low mileage tiptronic model. It's an early 2000 example, and has the added benefits of aircon and a heated front screen, both of which could be really beneficial in the record-breaking wet weather which the UK has been experiencing this winter. The car I looked at today had certainly been suffering a badly-fogged windscreen (US=windshield) of late judging by the water-marks inside. Hopefully I'll be driving home instead of using the return portion of my rail ticket, but only if it's the right car at the right price. The rail fare is expensive but I've always expected to spend a bit travelling to find the right cars in the past and this one's no exception.

Unfortunately the dealer with the higher mileage newer model has not been in touch and I have a very limited amount of time off work to find a car before spring arrives and racks up the prices of ragtops.

I take note of the comments about tiptronic, but this time around I need a car which my wife can drive as well. She prefers manual trannys but has always refused to learn the unusual gear shifter on my current ride, and that's meant that whenever we drive from London across Europe to Spain or Italy I've had to shoulder all the driving myself. Tiptronic also means no expensive clutch replacements to budget for. But again, prices are different in the UK: over here manuals are the norm and so autos attract a premium price.

[BIGJake111]

A 2CV to a boxster... that must be a big change.. Ive always been intrigued by those little cars as an american. Remember you can keep the tip in manual all the time if you want to haha. If you are in the city, i see it justifying the price difference haha.. Hope you find the best car soon. Another american quirey though, i couldnt imagine a car without air con haha... at least i can manage without cup holders.

[Obertelli]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

A 2CV to a boxster... that must be a big change...

Definitely!

The second car was not to be. Too many niggling questions. Very little service history, mileage irregularities on the HPI check, wet carpets front and rear (probably just blocked drainage tubes), and a very harsh and unsettled ride quality with a bit of a knocking/clonking sound at times from the rear suspension, despite the seller claiming it had recently had poly bushes fitted at the rear. The car was also well down on power even in manual mode. If I knew more about them I might have upped my offer and we were very close indeed but he wouldn't drop further and my head insisted that my best offer was already pushing it a bit far.

It's only the second Boxster I've looked at though so the experience was still useful.

[Taipanic]

Keep in mind the Tiptronic can be very expensive if it goes bad (ask me how I know...). I have a Tip and a 6 speed S, the Tip is better for "cruising" and gas mileage, the manual is more fun & exciting during spirited driving, less fun in traffic jams. If the car you choose does not have records, I would consider replacing water pump & belts a priority and plan to either install IMS Guardian or just have the bearing replaced. The Tiptronic cars also cost more for IMS/RMS work due to the longer time to R+R the tranny. Personally, I would also try to find a car with mileage 100k or lower. Any car with 150k on it will have a constant stream of parts wearing out if the previous owner has not done much work on the car.

[Obertelli]

Originally Posted by Taipanic

Keep in mind the Tiptronic can be very expensive if it goes bad (ask me how I know...). I have a Tip and a 6 speed S, the Tip is better for "cruising" and gas mileage, the manual is more fun & exciting during spirited driving, less fun in traffic jams. If the car you choose does not have records, I would consider replacing water pump & belts a priority and plan to either install IMS Guardian or just have the bearing replaced. The Tiptronic cars also cost more for IMS/RMS work due to the longer time to R+R the tranny. Personally, I would also try to find a car with mileage 100k or lower. Any car with 150k on it will have a constant stream of parts wearing out if the previous owner has not done much work on the car.

Thanks, Taipanic.

I've just bought a 2002 2.7 Tip S with 68k miles. In the last year it's had new tyres and a new water pump, and yesterday the previous owner had a new plastic window sewn into the roof after cracking the old one demonstrating the roof on a cold day.

It's in incredible condition with just a few minor points to sort out and drives like a brand-new car.

[Perfectlap]

Wow that's some really high mileage for those first two. Glad you found one with lower mileage.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Obertelli

Thanks, Taipanic.

I've just bought a 2002 2.7 Tip S with 68k miles. In the last year it's had new tyres and a new water pump, and yesterday the previous owner had a new plastic window sewn into the roof after cracking the old one demonstrating the roof on a cold day.

It's in incredible condition with just a few minor points to sort out and drives like a brand-new car.

Somehow I knew you end up in the third car. Glad you are happy with your purchase sounds like a great car! Welcome aboard! Would love to see some pics though nudge nudge.