Questions from a prospective Boxster owner

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

My recommendation is to seriously look at all Model Years. There are some real CremePuff '98 and '99s (at Bargain Prices) while there are some real Dog '01 and '02s. There have not been that many Boxsters produced that you would have to check out 55+ Cars to find one in the shape and at the price you want. I doubt in your area there would be 10 Cars which you would seriously consider for one reason or another. And, there is some correlation between the amount of work you put in up front to the quality of Car you eventually buy. AND NO MATTER WHICH YOU CHOOSE, PAY $300+ FOR A PROPER PPI - EVEN ONE WHICH IS CERTIFIED!

All Porsches are expensive to own. None are particularly reliable, especially as compared to the 2Ks or MX-5s. The 'S' will cost the same to own and maintain as the Base Model, with the exception that you may drive it Harder and suffer the consequences of this.

If depreciation is an issue, stay away from Fun Cars altogether. In one form or another, they are all Black Holes! You can't Reason your way into a Porsche - it's gotta be a Love Affair, and one which will bring it's share of Love/Hate!

Don't be enamored by the Porsche Crest. A Miata will bring just as many smiles to most people at one third the cost.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I love my Boxster. But, in truth, I hate it much more than I imagined I would as well. I have had virtually no problems per se, but one carries a greater degree of anxiety than I ever have with any other Sports Car, even the stream of Lotus, which I have owned.

If you're still reading this, do your research and go out and find the best one you can for the money... then NEVER look back! Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Silly_me]

So..... I'm back. And let it be known that the garage full of motorbikes has nothing to do with the reason why I STILL don't own another Porsche

And my teeny little daughter is now... 16, and change, and has started the year as a senior in Highschool

And I find myself in a conundrum, as a soon-to-be empty nester with no need for jump seats, and still no Boxster in the garage, and a kid with a need for a reliable car for college......we must capitalize on this situation;

Scenario a) we buy a cheap used snore-o-matic for the kiddo.

Scenario b) we buy a late model 986 and give the kiddo wifey's snore-o-matic.

As much as it pains me I vote for option B. But, despite my previous research, and my well received responses below I have a few more questions:

-Was the engine sorted out in the late model 986? I recall Excellence stating that the issue wasn't really sorted until the 987... confirmation?

-Was the timing chain tensioner still an issue for the late model variants?

-If I were, oh I dunno, go and have a look at an 03 with 60k miles on it this coming weekend, what would I, hypothetically look for as a sign of trouble?

*note: it seems that the serpentine belt, spark plugs, and oil change seem fairly easy and shade tree possible..... what am I missing, what sort of issue is lurking for a 'routine' engine drop in order to get to?

Again, as previously, many many thanks folks

OT, wasn't this the guy from Doom -> :troll:

[dan.oneufer]

There is only so much you can see without dis-assembly, so aside from overall condition check the CV boots at the wheel if you can. I just looked at mine (which only has 32K miles) and both are torn. Also, lift the carpeting or reach under the seam to see or feel it there is any moisture (coolant) in the trunk.

[Ghostrider 310]

Question for MN, why do you feel the altruism is more present in a PPI than a certification? Nine for ten they are going to be the same folks conducting said examination. A PPI is only as good as the mechanic, the program is not factory monitored for quality and essentially gives one no leverage in the case of a future repair.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Question for MN, why do you feel the altruism is more present in a PPI than a certification? Nine for ten they are going to be the same folks conducting said examination. A PPI is only as good as the mechanic, the program is not factory monitored for quality and essentially gives one no leverage in the case of a future repair.

Don't think you'll be getting a response from MNBoxster anytime soon. He's been gone from these parts for quite some time now. Or he, as some say, returns from time to time in an altered incarnation...spooky, eh?