What to do?

[pony13ca]

Yesterday I drove a nice 98! On my drive home I made an offer of $8500 for it. IMS and clutch already done.62000 miles and Hardtop included. He accepted the offer and we were to take the car for a PPI today. He called this morning to say that his mechanic offered him $9500 for the car. But he will sell it to me if I match!
Meanwhile a 2000 S that I almost bought at $15000 is now being offered to me for $12000 by a motivated seller. But it has 93000 miles and the IMS has not been done.
For the Toronto market, both cars are very well priced. But which one would you experienced Porsche owners choose?

[recycledsixtie]

The first car the 98 should be yours but if it was me I would look elsewhere as he has gone back on his word. Don't be in a hurry to buy . There are lots of Boxsters out there.

Finding a car with a new IMS etc is comparatively rare. 98k miles(or kilometres?) on a Boxster if it is miles is quite high and you should ask to see maintenance/repair records.
There is lots of stuff that can go wrong even if work has been done.

My car for example is a Box base 2001. Now 45 k miles. It needs about $1500+ of camshaft deviation work and while in there could easily replace IMS, RMS, clutch overhaul etc etc. So even lower mileage cars will need around $2k a year spent on them. As they say pay now or pay later....

I don't want to be pessimistic but that has been the reality for me. It is the most fun car I have ever had though.

Patience, knowledge etc are very important. Make sure all lites shine before starting engine. Especially CEL light.

Cheers, Guy

[pony13ca]

It has 93000 miles. 150 km. But it is kind of sounding like a used Boxster may be a crap shoot no matter what the milage. For $12000 I could by this one, put an IMS and a clutch in it for $3000 and still be below what most of the ones on the Toronto market are selling for. The seller has fallen on hard times and now needs the money.
What is the significance of all the lights on at start up?

[The Radium King]

jake might chime in on this but internet rumour is that if the ims hasnt failed by now then it most likely wont.

[BruceH]

Which one feels "right" to you? I might lean towards the S, because, well, it's an S. But I like the miles better on the 98. I would have a hard time dealing with someone who reneged on a deal, but that's just me. Then of course, winter is coming, there will be more on the market as the driving season comes to an end in your area.

[dijinn]

Originally Posted by pony13ca

What is the significance of all the lights on at start up?

To ensure that the seller has not pulled the CEL light bulb so, buyers do not see it, think everything is good and then take it to inspection where it won't pass and could possibly cost a good chunk of change to have repaired... especially if it's related to a failing cat.

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by pony13ca

It has 93000 miles. 150 km. But it is kind of sounding like a used Boxster may be a crap shoot no matter what the milage. For $12000 I could by this one, put an IMS and a clutch in it for $3000 and still be below what most of the ones on the Toronto market are selling for. The seller has fallen on hard times and now needs the money.
What is the significance of all the lights on at start up?

The lights should all light up because each symbol represents something. The dishonest owner might remove the bulb to the CEL symbol and then you could drive away thinking everything is fine. A few days later you could have a complete engine failure.

In the case of my Boxster it had a cel light on steady. The system has been reset and the light is out. I have been assured that the CEL will come on again if I keep driving it.
That is why I have trouble selling a car with this situation. I am honest to a fault and will get my Box professionally fixed.

In your case I can think of nothing worse than buying a Boxster and a week later you have an engine failure. Like I said knowledge is very important.
Cheers, Guy

[818BoxsterS]

I have found these cars to be very reliable. In addition, the S is definately worth the extra money. If I was in your position I would get the S and do the maintanance mayself. This way you know what has been done to the car and by who. Also I wouldn't buy anything from someone who goes back on their word like that. Just my .02.

[Giller]

No matter what, get a PPI done on it before you purchase from your own mechanic! If the IMS isn't done yet, make sure in the PPI you get them to pull the oil filter and inspect as well as pulling the sump plate and making sure there is no debris in there.

[medictechrep]

I bought my 2000 S back in dec of 13. It had 90k and some change. I went in knowing that it would need things done being the age and mileage. I am going to change the IMS when I do the clutch. The only "problem" with mine is an annoying rattle which sounds like it is coming from the exhaust. I would go for the S model.

[Pdwight]

The guy told you he would take your offer, IMHO he is not a honest person to try and get more money out of you. A deal is a deal....did you see paperwork that the IMS was replaced ? and if so call the shop and verify.

Dont walk away without letting him know that he is not a man of his word.

Dwight

[pony13ca]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

The guy told you he would take your offer, IMHO he is not a honest person to try and get more money out of you. A deal is a deal....did you see paperwork that the IMS was replaced ? and if so call the shop and verify.

Dont walk away without letting him know that he is not a man of his word.

Dwight

I did tell him Dwight. And he was just trying to drive up the price. I decided not to match the price, and he called this evening and asked to renegotiate!! However I took the S for a test drive today, and it just felt right!!! So I'm going to arrange for a PPI next week.
Thanks for the help folks!! You guys are awesome!!

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by pony13ca

I did tell him Dwight. And he was just trying to drive up the price. I decided not to match the price, and he called this evening and asked to renegotiate!! However I took the S for a test drive today, and it just felt right!!! So I'm going to arrange for a PPI next week.
Thanks for the help folks!! You guys are awesome!!

Sounds great! Good luck on the PPI!

He wants to negotiate? Unbelievable Just to mess with him, I would tell him, ok, 25% less than the original $8500 "deal". Stick with the S

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Just to mess with him, I would tell him, ok, 25% less than the original $8500 "deal".

No, don't do that! Just because he's dishonest doesn't mean you should be (treat people the way you want to be treated). You did the right thing; you'll love the S.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Joe B

No, don't do that! Just because he's dishonest doesn't mean you should be (treat people the way you want to be treated). You did the right thing; you'll love the S.

I know, I wouldn't actually do that, it is just irritating when people don't keep their word. Speaks a lot to their character and now it makes the car questionable. It is really ridiculous that he wants to negotiate again. Sounds like either the other offer was never real or the mechanic backed out. Either way, time to move on from that car IMO.

[jsceash]

He fishing! I doubt he has another offer. Just let him know your interested at 8500, he has your number. I'd bet he calls back after the weekend.

[The Radium King]

he has a lot of time and energy invested into the other car at this point. i'd say the 98 is only of interest to him at 8k.

[Pdwight]

Back in the early 90's until about 2003 I was in the professional photo finishing business, I sold Paper and Chemistry and Capital Equipment. MY sales were at the top 5% and I learned a lesson early on...always be sure of your numbers. I had a about 3 deals go way into the red because I had given my word on deals and I stood by them even if it meant I lost money...I think everyone should be that way. I am not patting myself on the back by any means...I just think folks should be as good as their word

[Timco]

You want the S anyway. Good that he stalled like that.

[gmboxster]

Don't trust anyone if they can't keep their word. He is dishonest, period. Stick with the S.