Buying Advice

[mike914]

Thanks Maytag

Sound advice regarding one needs to be comfortable DIY.

I have restored (Not complete) a few Porsche 914 but they were simple and straight forward cars.

The 986 are more modern but with that comes some complexity.

I look forward to the DIY part and appreciate the reply.

Mike914

[old911doc]

Think of that $8900 car as a $6900 car that comes with a $2000 hardtop, and it will be a better deal.
Yes, first and foremost it’s a 23-year-old used car, from a marque which motivates parts bandits, oops, aftermarket suppliers to demand far higher prices than they demand for similar parts for other Marques. Example: Boxster shocks, $900 ; Saturn SL2 shocks, same year, $115. Is there$785 difference in the parts?
So there is a ‘prestige tax’ applied to Porsche parts: also to Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc.

And if you think Porsche parts are overpriced, try Cessna, Beechcraft, Mooney, don’t even ask about Learjet, Boeing, Airbus, much less military stuff! I wonder what’s the price for a set of brake pads for an F35?

Life’s too short to be driving a Chevy, buy the Box!

[78F350]

Originally Posted by mike914

Thanks Maytag

Sound advice regarding one needs to be comfortable DIY.

I have restored (Not complete) a few Porsche 914 but they were simple and straight forward cars.

The 986 are more modern but with that comes some complexity.

I look forward to the DIY part and appreciate the reply.

Mike914

I have bought over a dozen 986s, taken all of them apart, and put more than half of them back together. I have three 914s and so far have only figured out the 'apart'. 986s aren't that hard to work on.

[itsnotanova]

With a hardtop and current pricing, I think that's a fair price. I'd ditch those 19's asap though. They might look nice but they're boat anchors

[mike914]

Thanks for all of the advice

Yes I was planning on selling the 19's and the hard top.

In further discussions with the owner he revealed it needs struts

I viewed some videos and in addition to 1000 dollars for parts there is quite a bit of labor.

I think I'm going to pass on this one as the owner will not go down on his price.

The hunt continues

Mike

[por356c]

Originally Posted by mike914

Thanks for all of the advice

Yes I was planning on selling the 19's and the hard top.

In further discussions with the owner he revealed it needs struts

I viewed some videos and in addition to 1000 dollars for parts there is quite a bit of labor.

I think I'm going to pass on this one as the owner will not go down on his price.

The hunt continues

Mike

Hello Mike - I live in Michigan - Rochester Hills. If I can help you, let me know! You can always use my email address: dmpreston356@gmail.com

[PLP]

Originally Posted by mike914

In further discussions with the owner he revealed it needs struts

I viewed some videos and in addition to 1000 dollars for parts there is quite a bit of labor.

Mike

Mike,
I got 2003 with 110k miles.

It needs to be repainted (too many "small things"), all suspension replaced (shocks and all the coffin arms, and so on), I just did sway bars. New tires. And a few small things, like microswitches, foam in ducts, deep cleaning.
Overall car that needs a lot of attention.

My budget was to get Boxster up to 10k.
I got this one for 5k.

But I am going to spend another 5-8k on repairs.
Now, it is more than I would be planning on spending on a car, but if you look on this from other perspective - at 100k miles the cars will need suspension. If it was done by the previous owner, it will be reflected in the purchase price.
Otherwise, you may need to do it.

Shocks - about 800-900 from B6's from "stone" auto, which is more of a rock (autocorrect does not allow for store names... interesting).
All suspension parts - from DR911 for another 1100. Small pieces to shocks - another 500 or so. Total 2500 for brand new suspension. Plus alignment.

How long are you going to keep the car? Two years? One? Drive it for a few thousand miles? Then do not bother investing. Enjoy and have fun. Of course limited fun due to the fact suspension is weak.

Mike, where are you located?

[mike914]

Thanks PLP for the perspective

Yes I would not be surprised that a 5000 dollar porsche needed major work.

Also you are correct any Boxster around 100K and up in miles will need suspension work.

Im located in Fenton

Not too far.

Mike