A Few Questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rick3000 · 05-14-2007, 07:24 PM

Okay,
I am new to boxsters (one month owner), and I have a few questions. I have a used '99 Ocean Blue Boxster with almost 18k miles. My questions are:
Can you add Traction Control? (Maybe stupid but worth asking; isn't all a computer program)
Any tips for treating the top? How does Renovo cleaner, ultra proofer, and vinyl window cleaner work?
Is it normal to hear some movement when driving over bumps, like the convertible top shifting while closed?
Is the plate under the rear, supposed to be bent over the rear anti-swat bar? (mine is bent into a v-shape to go under the rear axle sway-bar?
How do I know if the previous owner installed a short shifter?
Any tips for a new owner?

Thanks!

blinkwatt · 05-14-2007, 08:16 PM

Any tips for treating the top?

Raggtop Top Cleaner for the top, followed w/ a lint roller to clean up after your done washing the car. Now as for the plastic window, find Plexus,I've used w/ great results everytime and I haven't seen it do anything I would warn others about.

Is the plate under the rear, supposed to be bent over the rear anti-swat bar? (mine is bent into a v-shape to go under the rear axle sway-bar?

This is what it's supposed to looks like;
http://www.renntech.org/forums/uploads/post-2-1116527104_thumb.jpg

How do I know if the previous owner installed a short shifter?

Are the shifts short & notchy or long & smooth?

Any tips for a new owner?

Have fun w/ your new toy!

rick3000 · 05-14-2007, 08:20 PM

The shifts are short and kind of knotchy, does that mean it has a short shifter.
The rear plate is not like that, I will get a pic soon. The guy at the Porsche dealer said that the older ones, it's a '99, come down like mine, but I am not sure about that.

blinkwatt · 05-14-2007, 08:32 PM

The shifts are short and kind of knotchy, does that mean it has a short shifter.

Hmm well it's hard to tell w/o feeling or seeing a pic of the shifter assembly. Is it possible for you to lift up the shift boot and take a pic for us? The one thing I noticed w/ the SSK is that you can almost hear the shifter 'hit a wall' when shifting from 2nd-3rd,which my OEM super long throw shifter never made.

The rear plate is not like that, I will get a pic soon. The guy at the Porsche dealer said that the older ones, it's a '99, come down like mine, but I am not sure about that.

Yeah you should probably take a pic,I have a 99' and mine looks like that. We will let you know if the dealer is pulling a quick one on you........cause if they are...... :troll:

rick3000 · 05-14-2007, 08:39 PM

I'll get a pic up tomorrow, also one more question. My radio on/off button is peeling, I have an after-market warranty. If it is not covered how can I fix it?

rick3000 · 05-16-2007, 01:03 PM

Just an update the warranty people are being really nice, and going to replace the plate. The mechanics agreed it was wrong and said they thought that it could have been bent from being towed improperly.

blinkwatt · 05-16-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

Just an update the warranty people are being really nice, and going to replace the plate.

It looked like more then just the plate was bent out of shape,is that all that they are replacing?

rick3000 · 05-14-2007, 08:46 PM

Here are the pic's of the rear plate. You can see the bar and the plate bent around it.

blinkwatt · 05-14-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

Here are the pic's of the rear plate. You can see the bar and the plate bent around it.

What in the world? I've been underneath a few Boxsters and have never seen a plate bent like that.

batmanboxster · 05-14-2007, 11:10 PM

By the looks of your pic, it seems as if your boxster is messed up. Possibly a serious accident or maybe the previous owner did some major modifications to the car. I'd look into the history if I were you.

rick3000 · 05-15-2007, 04:45 AM

That sucks, I got a free CarFax report with the car when I bought it, it didn't say anything, neither did the mechanic. I didn't notice this until a week ago. Any recommendations on where I can do a free vin report.

Franco · 05-15-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

That sucks, I got a free CarFax report with the car when I bought it, it didn't say anything, neither did the mechanic. I didn't notice this until a week ago. Any recommendations on where I can do a free vin report.

Hi, I think I have mentioned this before, CarFaxes can be downloaded onto a computer and edited very easily, especially coming from someone you don't know and for free

. Also not everyone declares an accident especially if it doesn't implicate another car so be wise and do your homework, buy an AutoCheck or CarFax yourself on the internet before buying a used car and please get the car inspected by a qualified mechanic.

GOOD LUCK

Adam · 05-21-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

Here are the pic's of the rear plate. You can see the bar and the plate bent around it.

Two words....pre-purchase inspection. You bought a jacked up car.

blinkwatt · 05-21-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

Two words....pre-purchase inspection. You bought a jacked up car.

I think he did get a PPI from the dealership.

rick3000 · 05-22-2007, 04:50 AM

The dealer claimed to have done an inspection, I noticed this before we bought it and the idiot salesman said it was normal. I just hope it hasn't been this way for to long causing premature wear.

Adam · 05-22-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

The dealer claimed to have done an inspection, I noticed this before we bought it and the idiot salesman said it was normal. I just hope it hasn't been this way for to long causing premature wear.

Your dealership sounds either crooked or incompetent. When buying a car like this you have to take it to an independent source for a PPI that doesn't have a conflict of interest. Some places obviously don't tell you the whole story so they can save a sale and sell some cars. I hope everything works out for you on this one. Keep us posted.

blinkwatt · 05-22-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

The dealer claimed to have done an inspection, I noticed this before we bought it and the idiot salesman said it was normal. I just hope it hasn't been this way for to long causing premature wear.

I would talk to the Sales Manager and let them know that a Salesman claimed that he car had an inspection,even though it looks as if it did not.

2000SoCalBoxsterS · 05-15-2007, 05:21 AM

From your pictures I can tell you with no doubt that your car is messed up. It was either in a serious accident or a major A-hole did work on that car.

That Triangular plate under the rear is an integral component of your rear suspension and acts to add rigidity to the rear of the car. It is not supposed to be bent around the sway bar. It does have a long channel opening for the sway bar to fit into and show through a little bit. The car must never be driven without this plate or with a damaged plate.

rick3000 · 05-15-2007, 05:23 AM

I already did, look a few post down.

2000SoCalBoxsterS · 05-15-2007, 05:30 AM

In the photos it looks like the plate is welded to that rear support brace. Is that true? The plate is supposed to be flat and attaches under the car by several stud bolts that come down from the bottom of the car into the plate and then nuts are screwed on and also by several bolts that screw up into the underside of the car. I just removed and replaced this plate on my friends '99 Boxster when we needed access to his auto trans to replace a defective switch. On your car it is just put on all wrong.