Boxster Suggestions

[RandallNeighbour]

RA1 - high mileage, older boxsters are going to cost you a wad of money to keep running, especially if you need it to be your daily driver.

The difference between an old boxster and your current G6 is that parts for the G6 are easy to find and cheap.

I have a 1997 with 60k on the second motor and just had $1000 of routine maintenance done on it: replacing the spark plugs and 6 coil packs. OUCH!

They're cheap cars right now for a reason. They need a lot of stuff replaced on them.

Plus, unlike a Cayman, if the convertible top transmission slips up and you aren't very watchful, it can twist up everything and cost you more than replacing the motor on your G6 with a rebuilt unit.

[itsnotanova]

..........

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

RA1 - high mileage, older boxsters are going to cost you a wad of money to keep running, especially if you need it to be your daily driver.

The difference between an old boxster and your current G6 is that parts for the G6 are easy to find and cheap.

I have a 1997 with 60k on the second motor and just had $1000 of routine maintenance done on it: replacing the spark plugs and 6 coil packs. OUCH!

They're cheap cars right now for a reason. They need a lot of stuff replaced on them.

Plus, unlike a Cayman, if the convertible top transmission slips up and you aren't very watchful, it can twist up everything and cost you more than replacing the motor on your G6 with a rebuilt unit.

Welcome back! Question...

How do 6 spark plugs and 6 coil packs run ~$1K. I'm thinking parts ~$300, no?

[Nine8Six]

The Boxster is not a car, its a toy. A roadster, a fun drive with your second-half roof down, or track, or twisties, or wrench-in mods candidate. "A toy!" Can't see any other use for this toy car other than that. Can't even fit a decent size luggage or half groceries in that thing so...

That to say, if you can't keep the Pontiac and add-up the toy on top (and afford both), give up the idea. (ps. my opinion may differ greatly from others who've used this car as daily driver, 'when it was much younger' mind you).

[husker boxster]

If you are mechanically inclined, Boxsters are relatively easy to work on. Parts, however, can be expensive.

While you like the yellow car, it is a tough sell as most people don't care for the color. That's in your favor when you want to buy but will be an issue when you go to sell in 2 yrs. I buy & sell Boxsters & Caymans as a hobby and won't buy a yellow car b/c it's tough to resell. Yellow cars are always priced lower than the safe colored cars (silver, black, white). With the high miles and color, the dealer with the yellow will certainly deal. But you will have the same hurdles when it's time for you to sell and color is an important part of selling a car. If they buyer doesn't like the color, it's very hard to convince them to buy it, regardless of price or condition. Also, wives really dislike yellow and they can influence a purchase even if they don't plan to drive a car. Reds and blues have as much wow appeal as yellow but are easier to sell. You need to keep the 2nd part of the equation (reselling) in mind since you plan to sell not too far down the road.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not against bright colors - I own an orange Boxster and green Cayman. I'm just passing along some of my knowledge for you to take or leave. I think yellow is a striking color and there are people who love it, but they're not in the majority. Porsche owners tend to want to 'blend in', so they like the safe colors.

Good luck with your decision. You are wise to ask for advice.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

"A toy!" Can't see any other use for this toy car other than that. Can't even fit a decent size luggage or half groceries in that thing so...

Oh boy, you must be a sloppy packer big guy (Welcome Back! BTW). Have you not read The Groceries in your Trunk thread?? SIX PAGES of innovative packing!

The rest of what people are saying seems pretty on the mark. I've had my Boxster for going on 13 years now, having amassed ~80k miles (on top of the ~20k that was already there). She's been pretty darned reliable, never (knock on wood) stranded me anywhere but home (water pump). That said, at 18 years, she's getting up there...I'm glad I have a back-up/winter DD.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

The Boxster is not a car, its a toy. A roadster, a fun drive with your second-half roof down, or track, or twisties, or wrench-in mods candidate. "A toy!" Can't see any other use for this toy car other than that. Can't even fit a decent size luggage or half groceries in that thing so...

That to say, if you can't keep the Pontiac and add-up the toy on top (and afford both), give up the idea. (ps. my opinion may differ greatly from others who've used this car as daily driver, 'when it was much younger' mind you).

I'd agree completely. But I wouldn't have when I was 18. Hehe
The things I'd put up with in my D.D. now, don't even resemble the things I'd have put up with when I was 18. Somehow I convinced myself as a kid that a motorcycle was a good D.D..... in Utah..... in winter. Yeah.

So appealing to my 18yr old self, I'd day go for it. But that same 18yr old kid would also tell you that you'll probably spend as much time working on it as you do driving it.
That wouldn't have changed my mind then.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[78F350]

My daughter, in her mid 20s, has been using one of my '99s as her daily for a few years. It's a Tiptronic nearing 150k miles. It's been a good reliable car for her and if I wasn't maintaining it, it would probably average about $1,000 a year for maintenance - tires, starter, and a few misc minor repairs.

There have been some others, but when I think of 16 - 18 year old 986 owners, the experience of these two comes to mind. Read some of their threads.

986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Profile: BIGJake111

986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Profile: cornontherob