Opinion on 2003 S w 192k

[JohnH123]

Looking for a cheap Boxster, just to wrench on, and cruise around for the remainder of the warm weather.

My friends neighbor has 03 boxster s w close to 200k miles. Would you pay $4.5k for this car?

Its dirty in the pics, but drives pretty decent. It will need rear tires and pads soon.

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/norwalk-2003-porsche-boxster-6-speed/7165924343.html

Thanks

[78F350]

No way would I buy that one. The steering is upside down:


...but seriously, I don't see anything in that listing that would make me *not* buy it. As with all high mile used cars, I'd either look it over carefully or consider my price based on 'parts value' rather than as a 'car'.

Right now my 185k mile '97 is my favorite one to just take out and throw around the back roads. That reminds me... I need to get off the computer and put the new engine mount in.

[Goldenzrule]

It's local to me. But I already just got one. I like seeing local peeps though

[Luckyman01]

1) no such thing as a cheap Porsche

2) Great opportunity to love, repair and drive.

I favor #2 if you have tools, space, time and money

[mikefocke]

Seems to have a lot of potentially serious things wrong to have been cared for well by enthusiast owners. You are trusting a sellers diagnosis to be right to justify the total safe and driveable cost? Does CT have smog checks that will force repairs?

[78F350]

Mike's comment about state inspection is a good point. Not an issue where I'm at, so I often forget what some people go through.

If you do look at the car... Do check the fault codes AFTER driving it. Do pull the oil filter off to look at the oil for any debris. -You can pull the filter cup off the bottom of the engine and hardly any extra oil will drain out. The car will have to be jacked up or on ramps and you will need an appropriate filter wrench.
Push all the buttons, grab the tires at 6 and 12 and 3 and 9 and check for suspension play. Figure out how to remove the engine cover: Find out that the power steering fluid is below the dipstick, the engine is filthy, leaking oil, and the vacuum hoses are all broken. Along with everything else, it should probably have the water pump replaced, front bumper removed and radiators cleaned, a new engine mount, idler pulleys, DIY starter rebuild (cleaning), transmission oil change, brake flush, window regulators, and new struts.
I think its not worth paying to have a professional PPI done on a $4,500 car, but you could learn a lot if you do it.
Mike has a some good info about buying here: https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages

...but you could probably buy it for $4,500 and drive the poop out of it for the rest of the year without spending more than a few hundred (plus the cost of some awesome tires ...tires matter).

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by JohnH123

=My friends neighbor has 03 boxster s w close to 200k miles. Would you pay $4.5k for this car?
https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/d/norwalk-2003-porsche-boxster-6-speed/7165924343.html

Short answer: no.
Long answer: hell, no.
Would I care to elaborate? f*** no.

But hey......it's your dime.

Just sayin'.....

TO

[paulofto]

Why would anyone want to be seen driving this heap? Okay this ahole says it is in good shape and drives well? Does he know what a clean car looks like? He's selling a car and doesn't even bother to wash it before taking pictures? Wash your friggin car dumass.

I guarantee this is a POS. Not cause it is high mileage but because it has not been looked after. Ugly exterior and interior equates to really ugly inside the engine, tranny and suspension in my experience. Makes me sick to see a car in this condition. It's like an abused child.

Three words of advise. Pass, pass, pass. Or tell him you'll accept $5,000 to take it off his hands cause that is what you'll need to put into it to make it even remotely acceptable.


PS Nice wheels.

[78F350]

~200k mile beater that needed some work?
Ask Brian: http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/78356-first-year-report-cheap-boxster.htm

I suppose it's more a matter of who you are, what you want, and what you are capable of. I often see potential where others see junk.

[Newsguy]

Originally Posted by paulofto

Why would anyone want to be seen driving this heap? Okay this ahole says it is in good shape and drives well? Does he know what a clean car looks like? He's selling a car and doesn't even bother to wash it before taking pictures? Wash your friggin car dumass.

It's amazing how many cars for sale on Craigslist and Marketplace are dirty, or have old t-shirts and kids' cereal scattered all over.
They never realize it says so much about them and what they attempt selling!

[Rayrevolver]

This car is Jalponik famous:
https://jalopnik.com/at-5-500-will-this-2003-porsche-boxster-s-totally-cle-1844557055

[Rayrevolver]

This car is on Jalopnik!

I was trying to post a link from my phone, not sure if it went to moderator review or what.

Nice Price or Crack Pipe:
https://jalopnik.com/at-5-500-will-this-2003-porsche-boxster-s-totally-cle-1844557055

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by 78F350

I suppose it's more a matter of who you are, what you want, and what you are capable of. I often see potential where others see junk.

I agree the car in question is a great candidate for you since you are capable of transforming a heap of junk into a great car since you have done it many times. However for the average Joe who just wants to hop in and tool around this thing will be a disappointment. It will need a lot of work And $$$ to make it presentable And that isn’t even knowing what lurks within.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by Rayrevolver

This car is on Jalopnik!

I was trying to post a link from my phone, not sure if it went to moderator review or what.

Nice Price or Crack Pipe:
https://jalopnik.com/at-5-500-will-this-2003-porsche-boxster-s-totally-cle-1844557055

Hahahah! I voted crack pipe in there poll.

[dghii]

Not apples to apples comparison but...
I sold my garage kept and well cared for 2000S with 132K miles two years ago for $7,200. It didn't need anything and had 10 years worth of service records.
Again, not apples to apples but you could drop a few thousand into this car to get it trustworthy and still have it look like crap.
Now that I think about it...I passed on an 03S tip three years ago that was in similar condition to the car you posted, but with about 100K miles. It had sat for over a year as the original owner (PCA) member had passed and he had willed the car to a caretaker.
Price? $4,500.

[tonythetiger]

For all the grief the seller is taking on this and the various P-Car forums, remember there is no such thing as bad publicity. Unseen and without qualification, the car is worth about 2K to the larger market. Other examples pop up with a regularity that are as good or better buys. I'll bet this guy gets more then its worth if he is willing to hang it out there for a while. Washing it isn’t going to up the price.