dealer service - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

chrisg · 07-14-2005, 06:59 AM

I have done a lot of searches and have been lurking around here for a while now,but I would still appreciate some more insight. I am seriously considering getting a pre-owned boxster as an everyday driver but have concerns about needing to ever have it serviced by an authorized mechanic. My closest mechanic is 30+ miles away which makes it a hassle. Closest dealer is about 150 away, so no better. What I'm wondering is what might arise that actually needs dealer service other than the normal scheduled maintenance at the mileage intervals. Normal oil change and small stuff I have no problem doing my self. Mostly what I am looking at is 2000+ 2.7 models in the 35-45kmi. range. Base models without too many dodads and options. But earlier 2.5's, if they are a deal that can't be passed up, are still an option. So, I'm hoping that some of you have some insight as to how daily life will be (I already understand that ownership is going to be a little pricier, but I think it will be worth it). Dare I say that I am waiting for the arrival of the Pontiac Solstice as a second option but it is just not what I have desired for so many years.

RandallNeighbour · 07-14-2005, 03:12 PM

Buy a used boxster with some factory warranty or a CPO car. You'll pay more but everything that could go wrong will be taken care of then.

My 97 has needed lots of things fixed on it, but I didn't inspect it before I bought it. If you can't afford a box with a warranty, then find one with one owner who absolutely loved the car and can show you records of how the car was cared for.

If you find one like I am describing, basic oil changes, brakes, etc. are what you'll be doing to the car for the first two or three years. Now if you decide to mod it with new intake or exhaust, that's a different story.

Just say no to the Pontiac, by the way. It will be a secretary's car, fall apart like every other Pontiac made, have very little "check it out!" value from others after it's been out a year, and you'll be trading it off soon enough. Porsche. There is no substitute.

Rail26 · 07-14-2005, 03:41 PM

Pontiac Solstice? Pontiac Solstice? Wow...I just don't know what to say. YOU HAVE TO GO PORSCHE! If not, it is time to tuck the hangy things between the legs, put on a dress and go to the grocery store because that is what a solstice will do to you. You might as well buy a Volkwagen Cabrio!

Oh my heart...it's the big one...I'm goin' home Liza!

chrisg · 07-14-2005, 05:23 PM

Ouch! I knew if I mentioned the other "P" brand I was opening myself up to that. Can't say I've ever owned anything from them, but in my own defense I haven't heard much about them yet and I am just looking for a "no-frills" sports car. I know deep down that the box is the only thing I'm really going to be satisfied with, I've lusted over them ever since the prototype was shown. I must have had a weak moment. If I want something really no-frills to drive, at least I'll still have my 914 (is that safe to say here?) And thanks Randall, I've been learning alot from your threads. I'll probably take a different route in my purchase than what you did. I gotta go straighten my skirt now.

RandallNeighbour · 07-14-2005, 05:38 PM

Chris, we are kindred spirits. I saw the prototype and said, "that's the Porsche I must own" The wife rolled her eyes.

Then I saw one in traffic on interstate 10 in late 1997. Said to the wife, "that's the Porsche I must own." Now wife adds "you better start saving your pennies now buster because that's not gonna happen with MY savings account." By the way, she added this statement to the rolling of the eyes she had learned to do before.

Finally, I saved up 17k over an 8 year period above and beyond my salary and bought a beat up 97. Gotta say that even though I own the most beat up boxster I have ever seen on the public roadways, I always have a crap-eating grin on my face.

And what's more, I am learning so much about this car and I'm naturally so verbose that all you guys buying used ones can just read my threads of maintenance woe and learn before it happens to you.

BTW, check your private messages.

Rail26 · 07-14-2005, 06:06 PM

Chris, I was only joking. I have a harsh sense of humor sometimes...too many years flying for the military. Cars are like wine...you don't drink something because it is cool...you drink it because you like it. If that wine happens to be "Nighttrain" or "Boones Farm" than so be it if you like it. If you like the Solstice...by all means it is your car! However, I hate to see you settle...you want the Boxster, you need the Boxster, you gotta have the Boxster. I can feel it. Good luck on whatever you choose. Let me know how the sex change goes...Once again JUST KIDDING! Cheers Mate!

chrisg · 07-14-2005, 06:43 PM

........ I hate to see you settle...you want the Boxster, you need the Boxster, you gotta have the Boxster.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. With the number of times I've almost run into the back of someone in the last 8 years because I was rubbernecking a Boxster that just passed in the other direction, there probably is no substitute. Just didn't know if there were any little "issues" that pop up in the mileage range I'm shopping in or in the foreseeable future.

And no offence taken. I wouldn't make a very good lookin' secretary anyway.

Rail26 · 07-14-2005, 08:51 PM

With all the great information on this website and the experience these gals and gents have, I think you could build a boxster from the ground up. I hate reading things like owner manuals...I must have ADD or something...so I just hang out on this website and gleen (good SAT word) from everyone else who have read the manuals. Take the plunge and when something breaks, ask these guys!

Adam · 07-15-2005, 06:27 AM

Chris, I have had my 03 for 2 yrs now and have not taken the thing to the dealer once yet. Like you, I live about 2hrs away from my dealer. The car is easy to maintain except for the more major 60k+ service and so on. You should be fine. Dealer maintience is a small price to pay for such a great car.

Brucelee · 07-15-2005, 06:47 AM

With the roads out in the Paso Robles area (out of town of course) it would be a crime not to have a Boxster.

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

deliriousga · 07-15-2005, 07:46 AM

I have a '00 Boxster with 65K miles on it so far. It still runs very well and I just had my first "real" problem that I'm fixing right now.

This is the first car I have ever owned that after 2 1/2 years I am thrilled to get in it and drive. The Boxster is my wife's DD and she feels the same way. I've had it in the garage for 2 weeks doing our first real repair in the evenings and every day I hear "will my car be ready to drive tomorrow?"

The maintenance is not bad if you do the regular things like oil, filters, belts, brakes, etc. yourself. We put about 20K miles/year on it and over the past year since doing the maintenance/repairs myself the cost was about $1000. That includes maintenance of oil & filter, air, fuel & cabin filters, serpentine belt, brake pads, wear sensors and rotors front and back(about every 30K miles for pads, 60K for rotors on mine), brake fluid change, differential oil change. It also includes repairs of replacing the temp sensor in the engine compartment & currently replacing the coolant tank and all coolant hoses while I'm in there.

If you don't do those things yourself, the cost is about triple overall, depending on the item.

The most important thing to do before buying a used Boxster is to have a PPI done by a dealer if you can or at least by a "Porsche specialist" mechanic that works on Boxsters all the time. They should be able to tell you anything and everything about the condition of the car. That's probably about $200 at a dealer and $100-$150 at a specialist.

Get the Boxster so you can enjoy your drive to work every day, no matter what the weather or traffic is.

Adam · 07-15-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deliriousga

I

This is the first car I have ever owned that after 2 1/2 years I am thrilled to get in it and drive. The Boxster is my wife's DD and she feels the same way. I've had it in the garage for 2 weeks doing our first real repair in the evenings and every day I hear "will my car be ready to drive tomorrow?"

If a women can drive a car for 2.5 yrs without complaints...that is a damn reliable car!

chrisg · 07-15-2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

With the roads out in the Paso Robles area (out of town of course) it would be a crime not to have a Boxster.

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bruce, that's what I'm thinkin'. That's all I drive to and from work.

Brucelee · 07-15-2005, 05:26 PM

Lucky you! We just vacationed up there and fell in love with the whole area.

Best of Luck!