Want Boxster - $25k to spend

[thompson1020]

looking for some help/suggestions.... I've got a budget of about $25k to work with - looking for a pre-owned Boxster in the DC area. Ideally at this point a blue/tan color combo and a 5 speed, 2.7l std Boxster. Is there much sense fussing over model year, i.e. waiting on a 2000 and above?

Also - it'll be my primary transportation, so I need to winterize it (whether I get it this winter or for next winter). So looking for suggestions on snow wheel/tire setup, getting a hardtop - is it worth it - are there used ones around?

Looking at extended warranties too, might go with Warranty-Direct, heard some good reports about using them...

Toss me your ideas!

Thanks.

Dave

[jfmillr]

Hi Dave. I live in Alexandria.
Other then the paper I would suggest speaking to Select Auto Imports in Alexandria. You might have some luck there. Also talk to someone at Arlington Porsche. They might be another good resourse. Also check some Porsche magazines like Excellence, and der Vorganger(the PCA Potomac mothly publication).
Your 25 k might be a little tough to work with though. I beleive you might have to look to go close to 30 k for a 2000 2.7 thats in good shape.

[CharlesGordon]

Well, from an owner's perspective, I have an '01 2.7 with 20K miles and I think I will be lucky to get $30K for it. I'm selling it this spring, probably in May in the "prime" season.

Isn't it interesting how the odds seems to stack against you either way in a car transaction?

[Larry Goldston]

You will indeed be lucky to find a 2000 2.7 for 25K, however call Phill at the Porsche Market newsletter in NM and subscribe, it has a vast array of nothing but porsches for sale all over the US, or check ebay, don't hem yourself in to the DC area, get a plane ticket, fly out pick up your car and drive it home, or hire a carriage delivery service to deliver it for you, coast to coast is only about 700-800, less if it is closer. Good luck, phils # is 505-838-1222, he publishes about 1012 times a year, I just got my current issue, and have been a subscriber for a long, long time.
Larry in Lubbock, Tx

[Adam]

thompson, at the very least get a 2000 or up. The 2.7L was introduced then. 2.5L from 97-99 which = 201hp. Thats not much power(sorry but I'm a power guy) the 2.7L has 217hp from 00-02 and 228hp form 03-04. Newer the better but it will cost you. Just in case a S is a possiblity the 00-02 have 250hp and the 03-04 have 258hp. The one vicelike wants has 264hp. It comes out in March of this year.

[jfmillr]

Personally for the price difference I think he would be better off with the 2.7. With the price difference you can spend half the money on Mods, if your into power and come out with a 2.7 that is faster then any of the 986 models around that are stock. My 2.7 Dyno'd at about 232 Hp at the wheels and about 280 at the crank. So for a litte price you take on the new models and walk them

[acf53]

thompson,

I had recently bought a 98 Boxster with 9200 miles on it, certified and warrantied for 2 years by Porsche for 25900. I too was looking at a later model one (2000 and up so I get the bigger engine). It was pretty difficult to find any 2000 and up with relatively low miles to be anywhere close to 30k. Most were in the mid 30s. I was going to wait until but then I found the 98 with the low mileage and color combo that I want so I went for it. It doesn't have a whole lot of power but I still love it for the open top motoring and the handling.

[thompson1020]

thanks for the responses... it seems that there are a few 2000 2.7's around for $28-30, with milages varying from 30k-50k. But with the spring rolling around the corner, I'm sure those prices be harder to get.

It also seems you all are right and that you have to find a '90's car to break the $25k barrier right now. acf53 - sounds like a good deal you got.

I'm going to follow some of the suggestions above for increased listings - ebay has a ton but I would have a hard time committing to a car I haven't been able to look over personally - even though I could have it inspected by somebody.

With what I've found so far - it looks like I'm debating between spending more money ($28-30k, which would be a tight budget) and getting a 2.7 2000 with 30-40k miles, or taking a 97-99 Boxster 2.5 for my target price, or even low $20's from what I've seen.

Hmm......

[satlanny]

thompson1020- I am probably going to sell my 2000 2.7 this spring because I just had a new baby. I have been looking and am seeing the same prices. I am looking at trying to get 28-29k for a quick sale. I have a triple black with a sport package ,15k miles,and 18in sport classic's. Most I have seen dont have the low miles or the wheels for the same $ so I think it will sell. Good luck on your hunt-

[ED3777]

I had been looking for a Boxster for over a year at the "right price" and just 2 days ago found a 2000 Arena Red 2.7l in Seattle for exactly $25K, $27.5K with taxes. I'd looked a long time because I wanted a clean car in what IMHO was a good color, i.e. not black, not white, not biege, not silver, or not bright red. Ended up with an arena red car with 39K on the clock. Will post pics soon.

Keep looking, you'll find that car at the price you've quoted.

[Stryke]

Originally posted by ED3777
good color, i.e. not black, not white, not biege, not silver, or not bright red.

Not Silver? Arctic Silver is THE best color hands down!

[Adam]

Well, I don't know about the best, but it's definately the most popular color. Lots of people here have a silver one it seems. Everyone knows guards red is the best though :dance:

[bodacious]

Guys, I don't know if this helps, but there is a '99 Silver with black interior here in Nashville,TN the driver wants 23,500 for it. It has 18,xxxx miles. I went and drove it before I bought my S. It is a nice car, but it does have the RMS leak. I think someone could get it for 22,500. The ad is in Autotrader.com. I hope this helps.

[QporscheQ]

I bought mine at HBL in Tyson's Corner VA. That was at Thanksgiving. They had a few pre-owned at the time, but they wanted about $40K for each of them. Most of them were S's. The DC area is not the worst place to buy a Boxster. At least you have a nice selection there. I live in St. Louis and bought the car when I was visiting my parents for the Holiday.

Have you tried that new Ferrari / Maserati dealer near Dulles Airport? Last time I was there, they had and awesome Black Boxster with the full carbon package interior.



BTW -- basalt black metallic all the way !!!!

[mjbliemel]

Bodacious, even $22.5K seems too much for a '99. Yeah it has low miles, but with the RMS leak added to it, I'd suspect more like in the close to 21K range for the price. Maybe 21.5K.

I don't think you should have a problem finding a 2000 for 25K though with relatively low mileage.

BTW, nice to have low mileage, but don't overlook the ones going for less with more mileage on them. My '99 just turned 71,000 miles yesterday, and it runs like a champ. No problems.

[thompson1020]

well, a few weeks later still on the hunt as the weather around here (DC) finally comes around...

still looking for a 2000, not just to get the 2.7, but b/c I will be logging serious miles and want to get an extended bumper-bumper wrty. although if I found a 97-99 with low miles for a lot less, I might go that way.

what are the key fixes to look for a non-warrantied car to have?

thanks again guys.... I know my car's out there somewhere....

[xavier405]

Hi guys -
I've been checking autotrader every few days in the southern CA area and every now and in the past 2 months I have seen two or three gems pop up: year 2000 under 50k mi and under $25k, but these are private owners who probably just want to sell fast. They come aronud every now and then. From what I've seen, good things come to those who wait

The big question is an extended warrantee. How does one go about getting an ext warr on a car from a private owner? I imagine if you go certified pre-owned then Porsche will offer one... but private?

[tlc356sc]

Put an ad in the Wash Post Porsche for sale section "Wanted, Boxster, stick shift, Blue or ......."

Make sure the person taking the ad does not put it a car wanted section if they have one since I doubt many people read it. I think you'll find that somebody who has gotten a trade-in offer from a dealer will be willing to look at a private party price from kbb.com. Good luck. Tom

[thompson1020]

well... after several months - I got one! Spent a little over 25k... 27 to be exact, but got the perfect match car for me, one owner-private sale-all records-clean as a whistle 2000 Boxster Ocean Blue Metallic, Camel Interior, 29k miles.

Guy lived down the road from me, sweet deal.

Runs strong, fairly fresh Potenza S-02's. Best part is it has the Sport Classic wheels that I like...

Gotta love it!

[satlanny]

congrats! you are going to love the car even more this summer. I have the 18" sport classic wheels and I think they are my favorite part also- enjoy