CHEAPEST boxster ive ever seen

[Marc Gelefsky]

Originally Posted by Paul

Did you baby your 951 or did you drive it with some gusto?

heh... I tracked it, autox'ed it and drove it evey winter for 7 years or so, it was no garage queen.

I did however maintain it very well.

[Paul]

I believe that is the secret of having a long lasting and happy Porsche....

[Bob O]

A tenant's boyfriend owns an independent non-porsche shop. We were talking in the parking lot the other day when he saw my Boxster (yeah yeah,, i know, I shouldn't drive the box to rental property, but this was an exception) Some guy had taken in a 98 boxster to the bf's shop for an ignition miss. It was diagnosed as a broken valve spring, by some other mechanic. bf took off the valve cover and loosened the head but didn't remove it or replace the spring, since the owner said to wait. But, sure enough, a valve spring was broken. This was 18 months ago. The owner won't pick up the car or pay his bill to date. So, the mechanic has placed a lien on the car, and is getting the title from the state.

We've talked about it and he's willing to sell it to me for $1500 - $2000!!!!!. It has around 76,000 miles on it, excellent body, new clutch, new top, fair tires, 18" turbo look wheels, silver/red leather, heated seats. IF ( a big if) it's just the valve spring, I'm out another $1000 or so to get that fixed. Plus a new battery, change all fluids, new rear tires, brake pads, complete paint detail, leather renewal (all of which I will do) and we've got a, what, 14 - 15000 car for something like 4K max? hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Even if the engine is shot, a used one can be had for 6 - 8 k and I'm STILL in the money. My 18 year old son is absolutely drooling about this. And my wife is actually thinking we should go for it.

I thought about droping a bigger engine in it, r compound tires, row suspension, some sort of header/muffler mods, etc, etc, and using it strictly for track. BUT.... the more I thought about it, why not get it back to relatively good shape for not much money, and let my son drive it?? I've still got my 01, which, for the moment is plenty of car, for the track. I think he'd have as much fun with it driving it daily, as I would taking it to the track occasionally. AND, we can still track them... but now we can do it together! (Arent' these cars great!!) not a bad choice i think

Bob

[C5150]

I've always thought..... If it's too good to be true - it probably is.

Why would anyone that could pick up more cash not do it?! Makes no sense to me..... Especially on a sure deal - such as a Porsche.

- C5150

[Thumper]

I'm taking my '01 in to RUF for it's 60k service tomorrow. The way I look at it, as long as I maintain it properly, 200k doesn't seem out of the question. These are really durable cars and will always turn heads, much like thier Porsche bretheren from many years ago.

I've met quite a few Porsche owners with over 200k on their cars and the majority of their cars look as good if not better than they did 20 years ago. I think that it looks pretty good for the life it's led. Some new carpet, seat covers and a fair amount of armorall and she's still a great driver.

I've averaged 10k miles a year for the two years I've owned mine and it looks better than it did before I bought it. With the GT3 aerokit that I'm installing next week (sans the rear spoiler) It will look even better. I just bought a new GMC Sierra Denali pickup, so the annual miles on the Boxster should drop off a bit, but probably not much. When the motor finally wears out, I do plan on transplanting a 996 engine in it.

I just hope who bought it shows it some love and enjoys it for years to come.

[Bob O]

"I've always thought..... If it's too good to be true - it probably is.

Why would anyone that could pick up more cash not do it?! Makes no sense to me..... Especially on a sure deal - such as a Porsche."

Why? Just what I asked. He just wants his money out of it, needs the space, and doesn't want to fool with it. He knows nothing about Porsches and isn't inclined to do anything on it or with it except get rid of it. Besides, don't you think it's going to be a little more difficult than not to sell a non- running, somewhat basket case example. And its getting to be winter, which is fine for a project car but not good for prices.

Could he part it out and make more? Sure. But, like I said, he's not wanting to fool with it, just get out of it what he's owed and go on.

Could there be other things wrong with it? Sure. But my independent will look at it, and give me an estimate on needed repairs. If it adds up to too much, I'll part it out. I don't have any problem doing that, even if the seller does.

Bob

[C5150]

If that's the case, I wouldn't wait a minute - catch him before he realizes what he has - you won't find a deal like this again.

I would surely have it looked at first by the independent, though.

Best of luck!

[Bob O]

Exactly what I planned on doing!!


Bob

[Brucelee]

"The way I look at it, as long as I maintain it properly, 200k doesn't seem out of the question. These are really durable cars and will always turn heads, much like thier Porsche bretheren from many years ago'

I don't see any data that would suggest that the 986/996 meet anyone's defiition of "really durable cars."

If you have such data, please cite, as we would all be glad to hear this.

Fact is, Porshces may still be around after 200K miles but that does not make them durable at all. It DOES make them cars that people tend to keep around, due to their allure and marque prestige.

What this does not account for is how much it COSTS to maintain a Porshce for 200K miles. Ask most owners of 986/996s, 944s and the like what they have replaced on their cars and the costs therein.

I love the Box but it ain't no Miata or Lexus on the durability front.