I need advice on purchasing a Porsche!!

[blackhawk411]

Hey guys,
I'm thinking about buying a Box. Anywhere between 97~ whatever I can afford. Well the problem is thuogh, I dont want to just buy a boxster just becuase its cheap. Which year boxster has the least problems? Ive been reading few posts and I guess 97s have quiet a few problems with coolant and the top?? Whatelse should I be watching out for? I know I'm going to be getting the hardtop for sure, because those ragtops are fragile and I hate the plastic rear window. But anyway, let me know what you think.

[nautiquelfe]

Dont thank me thank randall http://www.iwantaporsche.net/BoxsterBuyersTips.htm
Very good advice. To add a bit of my own: Do plenty of window shopping on ebay, autotrader, and anywhere else you can get detailed photos. Find the options you really want and buy a car w/ them on it. They are uber$$$ to add later. Be patient in buying. Be willing to travel for the right car.

Word of caution- "The least expensive Boxster to purchase, may become the most expensive one to Own!"

-King Randall 2005 AD
- Master Minnesota Jim 2006 AD

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Word of caution- "The least expensive Boxster to purchase, may become the most expensive one to Own!"

-King Randall 2005 AD

Well said.

I like the '00-'04 models personally. I'm always afraid of "first year" models of any car (due to personal experience twice). The '00 model fixed many of the "bugs" found in the early model and raised the engine size a little and stayed pretty much the same through '04. The '05 was 80% new so I consider that a new model as does Porsche since they gave it the 987 designation. We got the '00 model because it was a Consumer Reports best buy with high reliability ratings.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Word of caution- "The least expensive Boxster to purchase, may become the most expensive one to Own!"

-King Randall 2005 AD

Hey,

I resemble that remark - http://www.986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=34481#post34481 ...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim, then I stand corrected! I am sorry about that!!!!

[RandallNeighbour]

I feel the need to chime in... I distinctly remember typing "someone on this board said something very profound... the cheapest Porsche is the most expensive to maintain.

I just couldn't remember which one of the Porsche gurus said it, but it was a winner and one I must personally say "AMEN!" to over and over and over.

Jim, youda man!

[denverpete]

Originally Posted by blackhawk411

Hey guys,
I'm thinking about buying a Box. Anywhere between 97~ whatever I can afford. Well the problem is thuogh, I dont want to just buy a boxster just becuase its cheap. Which year boxster has the least problems? Ive been reading few posts and I guess 97s have quiet a few problems with coolant and the top?? Whatelse should I be watching out for? I know I'm going to be getting the hardtop for sure, because those ragtops are fragile and I hate the plastic rear window. But anyway, let me know what you think.

Don't mean to harsh on you - you want a Boxster and that's great- we'll support you. But the whole "whatever I can afford" really isn't (in my opinon) the best way to start out for buying a Porsche - any Porsche. Research is great and you most definately should do your homework. But, don't get into this because of the price of the vehicle. This is NOT a cheap vehicle to maintain. Do it because you love it. Do it because you can afford it. But DON'T EVER do it just because you can afford the base price. That base is just the beginning.....

[blinkwatt]

When I first started looking for my first car to buy I was ready to jump onto and "deal" I could get,but then I cleared my thoughts. All the cars I were looking at(Z3,TT,90s 911,SLK 230 and the Boxster) were alot to maintain if I paid someone else to do it. Example on a Boxster,dealership charges $180 for oil change,it is a simple diy for $70 in parts. Dealership wanted $750 for a new Mass Air Flow Sensor and installation. I bought the part for $230(986online) and installed it in 15 minutes. I bought my 99' Boxster knowing that its reliability rating was decent but not the best(98' were rated among the best in reliabilty). All problems so far have been due to a K & N air filter installed by the previous owner,which were fixed for only $260(MAF and air filter). My car came with a decent amount of options but as I joined forums and saw more Boxster up close I noticed little options I wanted to put on the car. Small things like the mushroom shift knob and plain black leather(base) went out the first moment a great deal came across me,now the aluminum shift knob and hand brake are installed. If you can learn to do alot of the maintainence yourself and buy an OBD II reader($50-200) a Boxster is a relatively cheap car to maintain.Find a color combo you like,one that feels right,and one that has been maintained. Keep us informed.