Pander, I guess you didn't drive the car, did you?

I know after I drove mine, it was all over. I was hooked - line and sinker! I couldn't walk away at that point.

I did drive it and was very impressed with it. That being said the cost of ownership was also impressive, lol. They are cool cars that is for sure.

I bought my car with 38,000 km I am now just under 100,000 km ( 60,000 miles )

I have not spent much on maintaining her, two rear cv boots are the only things beside oil / tires that had to be done. I am doing the clutch ims next month and that will cost me $3500 cnd. Not bad for nearly four years of spirited driving.

If you haven't driven a miata, definitely do. I have both (00 S and 01 SE) and one has to go. I am afraid which way I am leaning. Feels so wrong. The miata just reminds me of what Porsche once was. The boxster is likely superior for track, wow factor and long distant driving. The miata has a lot more go cart feeling which I believe is why it is a more fun car for weekend short distant driving. I hate saying it but the boxster feels so less exciting to drive for everyday street driving. Heavy! Pretend both are Porsches and see what one you like better. You may be surprised.

You can't go wrong with either. Great cars, different strong points.

Bought my 986 S about a year ago. Car had a PPI done by previous owner about a year before I bought it so judging by many of the Boxsters out there that were beat up I just bought my first Porsche. I did about 3-5 months of research and searching before hand. bought mine with 58k miles in NY for $12k. I have invested about $7-8 grand in the car as of now. I do 90% of the work on the car and that has saved me big $$. Only thing I had done by a professional Porsche shop was clutch/IMS/RMS/flywheel and new convertible glass top. Those were big money repairs. Just did coolant tank (real ******************** of a job) and I'm sure the ignition switch will go soon. I enjoy the car and I expect things to go as its a 15 year old high performance sports car. Porsche cars are awesome but they are expensive to own. Many on here turn wrenched regularly on their cars to save money and to better understand them mechanically. I have done about 8 out 10 of the usual repairs these cars need. Get a PPI, be prepared for costly repairs, fix it yourself to save money, and get the cleanest most well maintain example you can find. They drive so well for "old" cars:) on a side note I have done a set of 18" Porsche twists and various small odds and ends in the interior/exterior so that has raised the cost.

So, here's my $.02...

I recently bought a '99 Boxster with 172k on the clock. I only paid a few thousand for it. IMS and clutch done, I spent $300 for a PPI and they gave me mostly good news. I spent about $1,200 at my indy getting little crap taken care of to pass inspection (horn ring, e-brake cable, tires, etc.).

This Boxster is my 5th Porsche, and none of them were new. The '78 928 and '87 944 turbo are gone, but I still have an '82 928 with around 100k (I think) and a 2005 Cayenne with 145k.

I do a lot of the wrenching myself, and I'm not a very good wrench. But, with the helpful folks on forums like this, web sites, and youtube channels, I find that I can do most of the work myself with a pretty good set of hand tools.

The point being: If you want a Porsche, get a Porsche. They're great fun and they mostly want to be driven; the harder and more often, the better. And I can't think of a better 'starter' Porsche than a 1st gen Boxster. They're rock bottom in price, pretty much bullet proof, and there's a ton of knowledge and parts to be had.

If you're concerned about getting a pig in a poke, then shop on these forums and on Rennlist. The folks in these forums are - in my experience - very open and helpful.

Good luck with the search!

I would agree...but not if he is on so tight a budget that he has to finance a 20 year old car. You need to have a healthy maintenance budget for driving a Porsche...especially if you are going to be taking it to someone else for service.

That's a good point; I didn't notice the ask on the car. While $11k might be a bargain, I don't know that it's enough of a bargain. There are plenty of 100k cars for half that much money and, really, not any more problems.

I would say that if you can't pay cash for a Porsche you can't afford to maintain it. Especially a cheap Porsche.

+1 I agree with Anker. If you are worrying/anticipating catastrophe every time you turn the key, it will take all the fun out of an amazing little car. It took me 50 years to get ahead enough to buy this car. Eyes wide open, if/when it comes unglued, I will be at revs with a big smile on my face. Safe travels.:D

and +2 from me.