The hyper-daily-driver, one year later.

[Retroman1969]

Well I've lasted a year with the great experiment of using a 1999 986 Boxster as a daily driver on my car-challenging and mileage-gobbling job. It has not only survived, but has never broken down or stranded me. It has done everything I have asked of it.
It has not been without cost, however. Nothing major, but dealing with age, mileage and lots of deferred maintenance from the previous owners has added up.
I bought the Boxster with 124,000 miles for $4,500.
It now has 158,000 miles.
Total investment in the car so far (including the purchase price) has been a little over $11,500.
Typical repairs have been rear control arms, engine mounts, one radiator, tranny service, belts and hoses, A/C control box, A/C evaporator and seals, gas cap, alternator, convertible top, new used seats, tires, brake rotors and pads, top micro switch, trunk struts, and a few other things I'm forgetting.
That's a pile of stuff, but I realize it's on a 16 year old car that was pressed into heavy service, so I'm not surprised by it. At the end of the day I've driven a seriously fun Porsche daily for the cost of used domestic economy car.
The question is, will it continue to have a lot of needs or will it level off as it has for the past several months? Time will tell.
It started as a crap shoot from a we-tote-the-note lot, and ended up providing me with dependability and a LOT of fun.
Man! Have we been a lot of places together too! In all conditions.

[Retroman1969]

[Chuck W.]

That is so cool. Great post and photos. Drive on!

[aczyzewski]

When you wear it out buy a new one.

[rexcramer]

Good job sir. Congrats and many more carefree miles in your future. Although the snow picture scares me to death.

[thstone]

Excellent! Drive it like it was meant to be driven!

And great update on miles and costs.

My personal theory is that most of the mileage limited parts need replacement between 120K and 150K miles. My belief is that you are now in the sweet spot where most of the worn stuff has been replaced - only to await the day when (and I am sorry to say this) something really big fails. I'd say that you have 20K-40K miles.

But to be honest, I hope that I am completely and totally wrong and you get another 100K miles out of her.

[sandia]

If you put more typical annual miles on the car, say 6000, then your maintenance and repair costs would be only a little over $1000 per year. Pretty good.

There seem to be many beautiful and interesting places to drive a Boxster in Oklahoma. Thanks for the tour.

[78F350]

Thanks for sharing the journey.

[BIGJake111]

It's been a year already. Way to make me feel old.

I've always had a soft spot for the daily mint interior boxster of yours. Thanks for sharing

[Gilles]

Thanks for sharing these great pictures, with beautiful places!

A year from now, I would really like to see how much more money you have to put on the car, (only for the second year) and honestly would not be surprised if the amount is very low since you already took care of all the deferred maintenance from the previous owners.

I strongly believe that the more you drive a car the more reliable it becomes, and please note that this comment comes from a crazy Mexican that took and drove a 1986 Bertone (Fiat) X1/9 in Mexico for ten years, in a place where the car was not even sold..

Thereafter been driving an 1988 Alfa Romero Milano for almost 15 years (in the USA)

Keep piling on the miles and I would bet that we will find out how reliable these cars can really be with the proper maintenance, again Congratulations!

[Retroman1969]

Thanks guys!
I know hard to believe the year has passed so fast. I was surprised to see how well it handled the snow when I got caught out in it last winter. Had to drive 60 miles to get back to civilization with the blowing snow piling up the whole way. It was very stable and predictable with good traction.
I'm crossing my fingers on how long the engine will last as I figure that will be the first major thing to go. Then I'll have to decide, sell... Scrap... Rebuild... Or replace.
For now I'm also curious to see what second-year operating costs are going to be now that I've floated through most of the car maintenance-wise.

PS: I also love Alphas, and would like one in the stable someday!

[silver-S]

987.2 prices are down in the $25k-$30k range now, so by the time you wear this one out, you can probably pick one up for today's 986.2 prices.

You photos, as you are no doubt aware, are gorgeous and should make anyone with a pulse want a 986!

[Retroman1969]

Thank you silver-S!
That's what I was thinking.... When the time comes to replace, look around for a 2009 model with the new engine design.

[Santafe]

What great photographs, beautiful!, please keep them coming in 2016 & a Happy New Year to you & your family.

[Retroman1969]

Much appreciated Santafe, thank you!
Have a great new year!

[JayG]

Wow, what a year and great pics!
Happy New Year Retro

[Retroman1969]

Thank you Jay!
Happy new year to you!

[timlawton]

good story and some nice photography (canon?).
I too have a '99 base which is my DD.
it's silver like yours with guards red interior, custom pioneer stereo, electric seats, 19"wheels, massive brembos, racing headers, straight pipes to rear cats (rear only), stock muffler, eibach coil overs.new top too. fairly new tires (285/30 in the back, 245\35 front).
I bought it with 82000 miles a year and a half ago and am 600 miles short of 100,000.
I bought the car very cheap as the owner was going through a cr*ppy divorce ($6,000).

I replaced the IMS because the clutch was going bad and it was all open, so why not. the old bearing looked like new and spun freely. I also had to replace the water pump at 94,000. I also had to replace the ignition module behind the key. all told, I have about $3,500 in it.

I drive it the way the good Doctor wanted it to be driven...with gusto...
my Porsche indie said drive it, maintain it, and 250,000 miles is reasonable. he said he's seen one with a little over 300,000 on it. it was also a '99 2.5L.

good luck with yours and keep us posted...

tim

[Retroman1969]

Many thanks Tim! I hope you continue to enjoy yours for many years as well.

[BruceH]

It's hard to believe it has already been a year. I always love your updates and pictures, keep them coming