Need Help in Grand Ledge MI
 

Anyone in Grand Ledge MI? There is a 2003 986 S locate at Sundance Chevrolet that I am interest in. Can someone drop by and take a look before I track up there?

How about the mileage and price? Fair or should I wait? Your input would be greatly appreciated. This will be my first Boxster and weekend toy.

Thank you all. Below is the link, hope it works...

http://www.1800sundance.com/Home/ViewVirtualTour.rails?id=WP0CB29823U663126

I haven't shopped in a while but that price seems kinda high for the age & mileage, depending on options. Don't get me wrong it looks like a sweet ride. however given the current economy I'd keep looking. Lastly, make sure you understand that borrowing money on older cars costs more, you might do better on a newer model in interest rates making it more efficacious to purchase newer. Good luck...

Do you
 

really want a 5 cylinder Boxster?

Condition, options, tires ($1k), has it had the 60k service ($1.5k).

I saw that but this is from a Chevy dealer so it must be a typo (hopefully)...Mike, very informative site you got, I keep going back there to read..Thank you! :cheers:

yes, but it is one of those rare 2 door boxsters so it's kind of a wash...

A Chevy Dealer isn't the first place I'd look to buy a Porsche.

They either took it in Trade, or they picked it up cheap at an auction in hopes of a quick turnaround, or as a 'sexy' stalking horse to attract buyers into the showroom. A 3rd possibility is that they have a leasing arm and this is a lease return, though the mileage looks a little high for that.

In either case, Boxsters are not their area of expertise. So, how did they prep/assess the car? Just a polish job and quick test drive?

That doesn't mean it may not be a good car. A quick run of the VIN in carfax shows 9 records (you have to pay to see what those records are). That doesn't seem to be a significant number of records, but the car has likely had multi-owners. Realize too that Carfax is not at all definitive, just another source and must not be taken as the sole source.

Price seems a little high in general. The cars for sale in this price range are typically in the 35k-45k mi. area, so they're not giving it away, though the ad isn't very specific on options (probably due to their unfamiliarity with the model), so no real way to assess the price.

But, at 60k mi., it's got a major service due and could be at the end of brakes and tires (probably 1st set of brakes and 2nd or 3rd set of tires for this mileage)

It's not the 1st car I would rundown because there are just too many of them on the market.

Have you check your area? There are a couple '04s in your price range:

• http://www.automotive.com/2004/65/porsche/boxster/base/ohio/findlay/217334799/113/index.html?filter=postalCode%7c43068%7c&index=4
  
  http://www.automotive.com/2004/65/porsche/boxster/base/ohio/dublin/214476784/113/index.html?filter=postalCode%7c43068%7c&index=5

And an '02:

http://www.automotive.com/2002/65/porsche/boxster/base/ohio/dayton/218140441/113/index.html?filter=postalCode%7c43068%7c&index=6

I saw 12 other Boxsters in the OH area as well. There really is no shortage of these. Realize too that you are buying just as the market for convertibles is starting upward, with Top Down weather not far away, so that will give you less negotiating room.

In any event, be sure to do a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) by a qualified Porsche mechanic or independent. Ask to see service records.

I just went through an exhaustive search for an ideal Boxster last year. I was lucky enough to do well on a deal without this site. Mikefocke's site is a wealth of information.

I do agree with Lil that you could do better on the price as well as mileage. My 2004 SE last year had 28,000 miles and I thought that was too much. I actively searched and drove many Boxsters for approximately 4 months before I found the perfect car. With the current economy as well as the number of available cars out there, I would not be too hasty. It is definitely in your best interest to make sure you have the right car before you pull the trigger. I was able to knock off about $4,000 off the asking price (a little above trade-in price according to the internet) for my 2004 SE. The negotiations took 2 days and I did walk out twice before they agreed to the price. I was not looking for a SE in particular and let them know that I was not willing to pay top dollar for a 2004 S with a few extra HP, lowered stance, better brakes and a pretty plaque.

One final note... as Mikefocke, Lil and others will tell you... get a PPI. I personally sold a vehicle that was severly rear-ended. My Insurance took care of everything and the vehicle looked liked new. After I sold the vehicle, I looked up the VIN on carfax while I was shopping around for my Porsche. No mention of the accident which cost the Insurance company about $6,000 to repair. (I did disclose the accident and gave the buyer the 100,000k warranty on the repairs) Carfax will not tell you everything about the car's history (as you likely know already) and PPI is a must.

Good luck and happy hunting.

its not always easy finding boxsters in mi oh area. When I was looking for mine there werent too many in the area and the people think that they are worth more than they really are.

Test drive this today.....they are asking $32,900.00. What do you guys/gals think?

http://www.magcars.com/Pages/Page.cfm?pageid=107675&pagetype=35&featureid=-1