Few Questions on a car I'm looking at
 

2002 Boxster S, 26k miles, Porsche dealership is asking $34900.

What I know:
*Exterior, interior, trunk space are all very clean and in excellent shape.
*On the test drive it seemed mechanically sound and had no extraneous rattles, etc.
*Has 2 sets of keys
*Couldn't find the manual. I'd insist on one.
*Has PSM
*Has heated seats but the only electronic seat control is for tilt
*Plastic window is in fairly good shape
*Has cruise control
*17" wheels
*Tires seem to be at about half life
*6 speed manual
*Color is silver with black interior
*Oh, and it was a blast to drive!

What I don't know:
*Dealer claims that the wheels with Porsche insignia is an upgrade. True?

*Dealer claims that the seats with Porsche insignia on headrest is an upgrade. True?

*Dealer claims it has the high end stereo available for that model. It has a CD player with the slot behind the face plate, speakers in dash and door (none rear), an amp in the front trunk. True?

*I've requested a vehicle history including service and ownership which they said they'd explore.

*How do I evaluate tire life with these tires?

*Being this close to the 30k service, I'd assume it would be smart to have them throw that in the deal. True?

*I was told it isn't being offered as a CPO. Is there a reason it couldn't be? What are Porsches standards for age/miles? How important is it?

Thanks!

Can you get the option codes fron under the trunk?
I cant imagine it would not be CPO for that price and miles, sounds odd.
Stereo sounds mid level... the high end has rear speakers and you can get the DSP.
Does it have Litronic lights?

Maybe on the wheels, I would have to see them.
Yes, on stereo upgrade
Yes on the seats.
Get a tire depth guage at Pepp Boys. 8MM is new, 2MM is junk.
Yes on the 30 K service.

The CPO issue is a concering one. Porsche dealers try to CPO every car that they can. To do so, they must inspect and bring the car up to spec AND pay $1500. This may indicate the car cannot pass spec or is too expensive to bring up to spec.

I would ask them point blank WHY the CPO is not offered.

The car within the range to be CPO'd.

You also need to have a PPI done by ANOTHER Porsche dealer before you buy.

Or that is at least what we advise.

Good luck

Sounds like a base S model to me with only a few upgrades.

Electonic tilt is standard. Options would be power everything else.

Seat insignia is an option.

Stereo sounds standard not an upgrade (or else it would have the rear kit)

The wheel insignia is only an upgrade if it's colored. Otherwise, it's standard.

Is the plastic window in "fairly good shape" or "good shape"? If it goes, you're looking at a couple grand to replace. If it's so-so, I'd check the top around the sides to ensure it's actually in good shape. Look for indentations or "scuffing" which can occur from dropping the top when it's wet.

I wouldn't buy this vehicle without a CPO. At the very least without a PPI. I'd be a bit curious why it's not a CPO with those miles. Probably due to the lack of maintenance history (which I doubt they will be able to find).

Honestly, you can pick up a 2003 S for around that or just a bit more. It's probably the best overall model for the 986. Plus it has a glass window.

Finally - do a search on this board. There have been TONS of people looking to buy with excellent comments following. You may not get as much advice as you'd like since it can get a bit old restating the same advice over-and-over-and-over.

If the car has the speakers in the doors, it actually is an upgrade, albiet not much of one. Believe it or not, the standard sounds system in the S that year actually had only dash speakers.

The doors are an upgrade!

Porsche sound systems are junk!

Too bad, such a fine car deserves more than a $200 stereo.

before i bought my 987 from hoehn in carlsbad, i was looking at various 986's and because Walter's was right down the street and walked their lot and chatted a few times with their sales staff. Walter's didn't offer CPO on any of their Porsches - no matter age or miles. when i inquired, this is the bullsh$% story i got from the salesperson - it's too expensive for us to do that on every car, which if we do it on one we have to do it on every car on the lot. so to have the best prices we don't do it, but you can pay the extra to have it done when you buy the car.

seriously, unless you've shopped yourself crazy - a porsche that is 2002 or newer should be cpo if at a porsche dealership - actually, the way you should look at it, any porsche that you would want to buy from a dealer that is 02 or newer should be cpo - it makes your investment more prudent. now on the other hand, if you're looking at a 95 993, well, no matter where you buy it, it wont be cpo, but you can still have it ppi.

furthermore, even though i have a 987, i would recommend to all my friends looking for used boxsters in the 986 model to look at 03 and above (glass window!) - actually, i'd sway back and forth heavily between a 04 986S and an 05 987 non S - just the ravings though of the crazy voice in my head

Hi,

Yep, I agree. It may seem redundant to PPI a CPO'd Car, but you're spending a lot of $$.

Also, the Service Mgr. at one of our 2 Dealerships told me that there's great variation between Dealers on the work done in the CPO Inspection. If the general appearance and mileage look good, the Car does not get as thoroughly inspected as another might, it is assumed to be in good shape.

The Dealers manage the CPO Program as a Profit Center. Not only does it increase the Purchase Price, but by reducing the costs associated with it, the Dealer Profit increases as well. He said that this was relayed to him by the Area PCNA Rep who was cautioning against cutting corners.

A CPO may cover many repairs if the Car experiences issues after you buy it, but may not cover them all. Then there's still the inconvenience of bringing it in and the loss of enthusiasm you may experience from buying a Troubled Car. Still money well spent...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

PS I was at the other Dealer today and mentioned this practice to their Service Manager. He told me that if they get a Car in trade which they originally sold and maintained, they just review the Service Records and slap the CPO on it, because they already know the Car. In other words, the next guy pays an additional $5k for no inspection + coverage. He went on to say that the order came from Upstairs...

Well, it is an interesting question as to whether a CPO car is money well spent. The fact is, the markup that the Porsche dealer expects to get on a CPO car is quite rich; I estimate around $5K.

Now, I like the idea of a CPO car, nice warranty indeed.

However, that is a lot of cash for the warranty and MAYBE a more rigorous inspection.

However, everyone looks at the value of their money differently.

The issue I was addressing above is WHY would a dealer pass the opp on CPOing a car? Around here, if they CAN, they WILL.

Walter's is a different story I think, they are different in many ways.

I hope Porsche does a better job than Audi on CPO's, I had an awful experiance with my CPO Audi S4

Thanks for the replies so far. I found out that they did do the 30k service so I'm set there. Regarding the CPO, to do it would increase the cost and give me a 2yr/100k warranty. For a little more money I can get a platinum plan extended warranty for 4yr/60k (I'd be surprised if I hit 60k in 4 years) that covers everything but the expected tires, hoses, belts, etc. Thoughts?

I read what a PPI was somewhere else in the forum. Can someone refresh my memory and give some info on it? I did a search on PPI and got no hits.

I took a brand new s2k for a drive this morning and the another drive of the Boxster this afternoon. While they both have their positives I'm still leaning toward a Boxster.

Thanks again.

is this extended coverage through Porsche or a third party?

It is a third party. Of course, they make it sound like it will cover everything I need. I assume you're going to reply to some things I should look out for?

I would suggest an '03
 

I recently bought a CPO '03 with 13.5K miles from a dealer for
about $3K more with 4 new Pirellis after a little negotiation.

For the price you are considering I would suggest you go for an
'03 car. It has several upgrades that are important. Glove compartment,
bigger (911) brakes, glass rear window, new front bumper and redesigned rear.

I went back and forth between an 02/03/04 S and a new or non S 987.
Ended up picking performance and low mileage with the safety of CPO
instead of new car smell.

I have already used CPO once. The car had a minor leak.

There is something to be said for having your car serviced at a dealer
for a major repair, pay $0 and get it detailed before they deliver the car to you.
I liked my first Porsche CPO experience and I would recommend it.

PPI stands for Pre Purchase Inspection.

Sort on that, you should find tons of posts.

Ditto on an 03 vs. an 02. You will like the upgrades.