1997 Boxster - Trans Failed - black w/red interior.

[AquaBoxster]

I bought this in late 2022 and in 2023-2024 I tackled a good bit of work with an emphasis on the making it reliable and drivable.

• Cooling system redo (water pump, thermostat, hoses, radiators).
• Suspension system (all 4 corners with new Koni Special Active shocks).
• Ignition system (spark plugs, coils, fuel injectors).
• Repaired the secondary air injection system, repaired all vacuum lines and replaced AOS.
• Power steering pump replaced with used one and system flushed.
• New AC condensers and recharged system.
• Interior - dyed carpet and seats - relamped interior with white LEDs
• Alpine radio with Apple Carplay.
• New Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 tires.

And about a month ago, the auto trans failed. I'm just not sure that I've got it in me to keep this project going facing a big bill to replace the trans (and while it's out I would do the IMS and RMS).

I'm looking at just moving this project to someone else. Here's how I came up with my valuation.

• 2.5 engine - $2000
• Interior (carpet/seats/dash) - $1000
• Suspension components, wheels & tires - $2000
• Everything else (electronics, exhaust, lights, cooling system) - FREE

I don't want to tear this thing apart and it's too nice to scrap it. But I don't want to drop another $5-7k and be in nearly $20k total. I'd rather cut my losses. Asking $5000 as-is.

Located in Suburban Philadelphia. I'll help coordinate shipping but not paying for it.

[Starter986]

You're too far in to let it go for $5K.

Drop another $5K into the tip rebuild... IMS... and seal. Then go enjoy the car. Serious. Finance it... whatever. You sell that thing for $5K, and it's going to leave a sour taste in your mouth for a long time.

Naysayers telling you it won't be a $20K car? If you aren't planning on selling it... then the number doesn't matter.

Fix it and drive the **************** out of it.

[CharlesE]

Whats the mileage on it? If its low mileage (under 70k) it would be worth your asking price, but not a higher mileage non running car.

[AquaBoxster]

Originally Posted by CharlesE

Whats the mileage on it? If its low mileage (under 70k) it would be worth your asking price, but not a higher mileage non running car.

It’s 114k miles.

Curious - what difference does mileage make? On the moving parts, mileage = wear. On the non-moving parts, age = wear. So would you discount the engine because of mileage? I can agree to that kind of logic. How do you see it differently than that? If you think I’m overshooting, happy to hear your thoughts.

[CharlesE]

Originally Posted by AquaBoxster

It’s 114k miles.

Curious - what difference does mileage make? On the moving parts, mileage = wear. On the non-moving parts, age = wear. So would you discount the engine because of mileage? I can agree to that kind of logic. How do you see it differently than that? If you think I’m overshooting, happy to hear your thoughts.

Mileage determines the value of the car. A 97 boxster with 20k miles would probably sell for $15k while the same exact condition car with 114k miles would be worth $7k on the used market. Why would someone spend $5k then spend another $5k getting the car working to have a car worth $7k?

So realistically a boxster with a blown engine or transmission is worth i would say about $2k, since after $5k of repairs it would be about even with its market value. I've actually bought one from this forum before for $2000 that needed an engine, that car was a manual (slightly more desirable).

Edit: It was actually $1200 Here's the thread

[mikefocke]

A rebuilt trans can be had for $2750 plus core exchange, shippings and such. google rebuilt boxster tiptronic.

Even getting a professional to swap you'd be in reasonable cost territory all in.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by CharlesE

Mileage determines the value of the car. A 97 boxster with 20k miles would probably sell for $15k while the same exact condition car with 114k miles would be worth $7k on the used market. Why would someone spend $5k then spend another $5k getting the car working to have a car worth $7k?

So realistically a boxster with a blown engine or transmission is worth i would say about $2k, since after $5k of repairs it would be about even with its market value. I've actually bought one from this forum before for $2000 that needed an engine, that car was a manual (slightly more desirable).

Edit: It was actually $1200 Here's the thread

$2K if the car looks like a piece of ****************. OP's car will sell for more than $2K as it stands.

Otherwise, a bunch of drivel.

[CharlesE]

Originally Posted by Starter986

$2K if the car looks like a piece of ****************. OP's car will sell for more than $2K as it stands.

Otherwise, a bunch of drivel.

I could see 2-3K but not more. I saw on your post you paid $6k for your boxster so you should know these cars are pretty cheap. $5K for one with a blown transmission is too high.
GLWS

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by CharlesE

I could see 2-3K but not more. I saw on your post you paid $6k for your boxster so you should know these cars are pretty cheap. $5K for one with a blown transmission is too high.
GLWS

That's fair.

$6K car

Not including the rebuilt transmission repair a couple/few years ago ($4K)

Another $XX for stuff I did to it so I could be confident driving it a dcade or better without having to worry about repairs. All in... I've ~$not saying. It's mildly embarrasing... but I sleep well at night.

With new cars (junk) costing $40...50...60K... dropping cash into a car you have no immediate plans to sell isn't a dumb move.

OP has some money in his car. Another $5K isn't terribly going to hurt. Not everyone drives around thinking, "Im driving a $10,000 $5,000 car."

OP... finish the car and drive it.

[78F350]

One more unsolicited opinion. I have bought plenty of cars like this for up to $2,500, then decided if I wanted to part them out of fix them. It may eventually get an offer acceptable to the seller, but the pool of buyers for a car like this is small even with all of the work that has been done.
The seller's valuation, by parts is only relevant if he breaks it down and parts it out. That would be sad, but more likely to move the car for the desired return (minus all of the labor and time that goes into parting out a car.
I agree with the others that the best option is to fix it. A suitable used Tiptronic can be purchased for about $2,500. If you plan to keep and enjoy the car long term, a quality rebuild may be a better option - as Starter and Adrian have done.

Car-Part.com:


If I was local, I may have offered a bit over $2.5K because I really like the black with a good red interior, but I'm full up on projects and have no time to catch up on them.

[AquaBoxster]

Thanks for all the helpful posts and comments. I found a used trans for a decent price. Getting to work to get the car back on the road again and will take it from there.