Your advice on a 2001 Boxster for $20k

[icedude]

Guys,

As you know with some of my other posts, I'm in the market and have been selectively looking for the right Boxster both in quality, price and not having the pit in my stomache.

This is what I have narrowed it down to and want any advice and brutal honesty please.

I am talking to a one owner private seller who is selling a 2001 Blue Boxster base with grey interior, blue top with 46,254 miles and is firm on $20k. Car Fax (for what it's worth) does show one owner as well. He said he has had all maintenance done on it when required by Porsche.

He put new Pirelli tires on it 7,000 miles ago, and he said Porsche honored full routine maintenance at 38,000 miles because even though he was over 4 years, he was at 38,000 miles. It was Paul Miller Porsche in NU. Thats the last Porsche dealer maintenance that was done. Since then, he has gotten another oil change, put a brand new clutch in, new front headlight bulb that went out, new ignition which went out, a new battery (he keeps it covered during the winter in NJ) so maybe it died and he had a local guy who refurbishes Porsche convertable tops only, put a new plastic window in the top. It looks perfect. He said the guy also replaced some cables or something inside the top that looked worn.

He said he's been fortunate to never have any leaks or anything and that all the above stuff seemed to be routing wear and tear (the old plastic window was fogged). He said it has always run great.

For options, it has the cd changer, 18" Turbo Rims, stability control.

I have not seen it in person yet. He sent me a bunch of pics which I will attempt to attach here and I am planning to drive the hour to NJ from PA to check it out within the next couple of days. He said I can feel free to take it to any mechanic of my choice. He and his wife just had there first baby 2 weeks ago, and he said he just doesn't drive it much. I'm saying this because I felt really comfortable with him. He spent 30 minutes on the phone answering my questions. He said he has all maintenance records and receipts.

He was honest to tell me the only thing it needs is a brake job. He hasn't done a break job at all and he gives it 3-6k miles left on it. He said it will need full front and rear brakes and would cost anywhere from $1200 -$1500 if it need rotars which he thinks it won't. Probably just pads and sensors (your thoughts?)

He said he also had it fully detailed and had the carpets cleaned as well. He said dealers have called him wanting to buy it and he said he won't sell it to them so they can turn around and sell it for $3k more. He wants to sell it to someone who truly wants a Porsche.

I have 2 other cars, a Pilot that my wife drives and a Hyundai Sonata that I use to commute to work. I was thinking of buying the Boxster as a 3rd car for me to drive sometimes to work on nice days and on the weekends and just take care of it and keep it for years to come. Is this a good plan?

Thanks,
Paul