I am 17... Should I consider buying a Boxster? (Yes I have my license)

[maytag]

Originally Posted by Jonathan A

I love the design that Porsche cars have, the attention to detail is just phenomenal. I was wondering if it was a good idea to buy a Porsche at age 17, perferably a Boxster. What is your opinion on this? And, if your wondering who brought me onto the Porsche world, it was Steve Jobs. I was reading his biography, and it seemed that one of the best innovators loved Porsche, therefore I gave the car a go. I rented one for a few days, and instantly fell in love.

Jonathan: I'm a car guy, as most here are. Car guys will always advocate to get the car that you love... regardless of what opinion anybody else may have about it.

I'd suggest that with ANY 20 yr old car, be sure you have a modicum of time, money, mechanical ability. How much you need of each of those, depends on how much you have of the others, haha.

Some have suggested that working on the boxster is no more difficult than working on any other car: oud suggest that it's been too long since they worked on other cars. The boxster is a little bit of a pita to work on. Not inordinately so, but the first time you hear a squeaky belt, you'll understand.

Porsche parts are more expensive than those for, say, a Honda or a jeep. A thermostat, for instance: $7 for my '15 jeep, $54 for the boxster.

So far, the only specialty tool I've had to purchase was a $300 durametric "scanner" (it's more than a scanner). But MOST specialty vehicles will require something similar. (I have a shelf full, for bmw, Benz, landrover, jaguar, etc etc)

Knowledge - base. Be aware, that while there are some INCREDIBLY knowledgeable people who frequent and support these forums, who are very, very helpful and generous with what they know, the reality is that there are fewer owners who work on these themselves than most other cars. This means that a Google of symptoms provides fewer results, and quite obviously: fewer solutions. But, this is much MORE true of my wife's jeep renegade.... ain't NOBODY working on those themselves, hahaha.

You can minimize the importance of all of this above, by buying the right car.... But you won't eliminate it.

So... in short?
Buy it.
But be prepared.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[kk2002s]

Unless you have extra $$$ laying around, Steve Jobs is a bit of a bad example of justifying a Porsche.
They simply are not cheap cars to keep running reliably
Everything that makes them go tends to be more expensive than the more typical car a 17 year old would own.
Also there is no going to Pep Boys to pick up parts. Most every part I have needed I had to order online and wait. So If something goes wrong it may be several days/weeks before you get it back on the road

Most 17 year olds (myself included) their first car is their learning car. So sometimes that learning curve means doing things a couple times. Some of the fixes on my Boxster pushed me to the limit after one time (AOS, Expansion tank).

These are old cars, old cars need upkeep. Boxsters selling price is very attractive.
BUT - Old German Sports cars and their up keep is not cheap. If you can handle the financial part then go for it

[Cunningr]

I will follow the theme already mentioned. These cars are cheap to purchase but even the low mileage cars are still old. Things dry out and deteriorate, tires can be costly, you really have to be ready for the upkeep cost.

Also at age 17 you need to factor in your insurance cost, my 22 year old son is paying $2300 a year full coverage on a Toyota Corolla, so who knows what a Porsche would cost you at age 17.

I refrain from telling you what to do, as you are the only one who knows your finances. It Could come down to do I take my girlfriend to the movies or buy an air filter.

Some realistic advice I would suggest wait, but being a car guy maybe go for it. Just know what you are getting into and if you do buy make sure you have good advice, knowledge, and a Porsche Pre Inspection accomplished to not get a problem.