Advice on buying my first boxster - 2001 for $19,500

[jwade]

Ice, "Also, how much realistically is it for a good PPI? - My answer, around 500 bucks and they will do everything....That was from Jim Ellis Porsche in Atlanta, GA done recently in early Feb '08. The Owner paid it which said alot....Ended up paying for a 15k service in the process for $650. 30k service runs about 1000.

I was searching like you, but spent almost 2 years looking for the one I wanted. Why, because I wanted one as close to perfection as I could get. Ended up getting an '01 S that was highly optioned and in the color combo I wanted (Red / Savannah beige full leather). I did pay for that ($27,000 by the way) this January, but the original owner had taken such good care of the car, I couldn't resist..figured what the hell, they hadn't even driven it in the rain and it spent 95% of it's life in southern california and never a night outside...you would really have to see it to believe it.

As far as mileage, mine came to me with just over 13,200 on the clock and it actually worried me a little being so low. Since the purchase, I have only driven back from Atlanta and riden around town / country here in TN, and I must say a Boxster is one of the most satisfying cars I have ever driven!!!Period.

If you like a little power, you may want the S version as it has more goodies, but definately do your options search through the front tag under the hood. It says alot. You can search Renntech.org for options codes. I actually have all the paperwork on mine and it was almost 62k new w/ out tax, title, and license fees that made her climb almost to 70k. The original owner almost cried handing me the keys and file folder for the car, but I assured him the car would be taken care of to the Nth degree and it will be.

Modding: I have found that mods are extremely expensive and from driving impressions of the stock vehicle, Porsche has done a great job engineering the car. I have been researching mods that affect performance, but do not taint the original OEM integrity of the car as I plan on keping it for a long time and maybe showing it eventually.

It appears that headers / exhaust systems make the best bang for the buck and I have a buddy out there that has just developed new headers w/ sport cats with all O2 sensors that will blow our minds. The O2 sensor deal is important...He owns a very reputable company and will be releasing them soon on the market.

In addition to that, if you are interested in mods, and I'm sure you will be, you need to read "Carefully" over the threads to weed out what is good and what is bunk. Other than headers, I will eventually "desnorkle" the car and add a nice exhaust system to compliment the new headers. The same guy that does the headers does the exhaust so they will be purchased together.

Might look at an intake eventually and GAIC ecu re-mapping, but that's it...Anything else and you will just need another car. About all you will gain with all these mods in place are approx. 25-30 hp, which is a good bump from the original S version's 250.

The S is very quick though without any modding. It drives very nice, even on the original oem tires, handles like it's literally on rails, and brakes like no other. You might get spanked by a muscle car off the line in a drag race, but that is NOT why you bought the Porsche. You have just bought a very classy auto and you will get all kinds of looks...It's actually pretty funny to see others look at the car as you drive down the road. It seems to also become a topic of conversation at the gas pump...

Good luck with your decision to purchase, but make sure you do the research and ask yourself if this is really the one?? As you can see, I went on with the S, but that's just me.

From the pictures you posted, you have the 18" Turbo wheels and it looks like interior is standard leather, but well kept and clean. Overall, good price considering the mileage, but definately have it inspected as maintenence costs are NOT cheap for these cars. Be careful of buddy deals too at the local import service shop. If you don't know them personally, I wouldn't trust them. Mine will always be dealer serviced other than tire change out.

[icedude]

Thanks for the feeback. How much can I expect to pay in costs per year of ownership?

[xxxalexxxx]

I think you can get a better deal if you keep looking ( maybe you'll have to look outside of your state) but I got my boxster for much cheaper then 19k. I think its not hard at all to find a good 2001 boxster for about 16k maybe even less if you can negotiate the price down...especially now i think its a buyers market at least where i'm located.

Also, if you're going to own a boxster you have to remember that maintenance is very important and if you have some knowledge about cars and are willing to fix things yourself its not expensive at all to own. On the other hand, if you decided to go to the dealer for everything, it would probably cost you a few thousand a year. Don't let that scare you into not buying it though because thats what this forum is for. There are many knowledgeable people here who can help you if anything goes wrong. Just remember it is a 7 yr old car so you might incur some problems along the way and be prepared for them.

good luck

[jwade]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks for the feeback. How much can I expect to pay in costs per year of ownership?

Hard to put a figure on it. Could be $500 or less or more as it really depends on the mechanical condition of the car. That's why the inspection is so important. It will reveal quite a bit so whether you purchase that one you show in the picts or not, make sure you do your investigations.

If you think about it though, like any car, oil changes and fluid changeouts would definately occur regardless of mileage every year. Might want to ensure the main seal is ok between the transmission and the engine. If you have seepage, you might be in for a hell of a cost, but you would need to catch it early.

My question for you would be do you plan on using it as a daily driver or is it a toy? I don't think I could ever see me using mine as a daily driver...that's what my Honda is for.

Tires are expensive, especially at 18". Best rated tire out there is the Michellin Pilot Sport PS2. I plan on purchasing soon and with shipping they are a little under $1200 from the tirerack.com.

Be advised of cheap Boxsters out there. They are cheap because someone wants to get rid of them due to the heavy maintenance costs of a non-cared for model.

Spend the time to find a great one and you will keep it for a long time. I did and I don't think twice for what I paid. Mine virtually smells new. If i could figure out how to post picts, I'd put some up for you.

[xxxalexxxx]

Originally Posted by jwade

Be advised of cheap Boxsters out there. They are cheap because someone wants to get rid of them due to the heavy maintenance costs of a non-cared for model.

I don't think that statement is completely true, at least in my opinion. Me and my two brothers all own or have owned boxsters at some point (totaling in 4 boxsters over the years) and no one has ever paid 20k for any of them and they all have been maintained well and have had no major problems. I'm just saying that there are good deals out there and I don't see why people should be paying large sums of money if you don't have to. Inspection is very important though, so hopefully you or someone you know who knows something about cars can inspect the car and hopefully you can get records on it. I'm not saying all boxsters out there are ideal but its not true that all cheap boxsters are going to break down on you. Use the same logic as you would in buying any other car. With some common sense you can save a few thousand dollars and still have a great car. A car that someone is selling for 20k can be bought for 16k if you know how to negotiate, so be patient and talk the price down as much as you can.

[icedude]

Thanks for the advice. I would not be using it as a daily driver. I too have a Honda Accord that I commute 50 miles to work with. I would drive my beloved Box on weekends and occassionally to work on a nice day. Would be garaged through the winter since I live in Northeast PA.

I really would love to buy one for $16k but every one I see in that price range (craigs list, ebay, dealers, private sellers) are all really high in mileage or are 97, 98, and 99 model years which I don't want.

I think I'll pass on this one then and keep looking. I don't want to settle but I don't want the summer to go by without one!

I certainly don't want to buy one sight unseen and that's why if it isn't relatively local to me, it would be a problem.

Any help in finding one would be so appreciated, you don't even know. I like the silver, dark blue and dark grey exterior colors.

Thanks again to all of the forum members for the continued guidance and support.

Ice

[jwade]

Originally Posted by icedude

Thanks for the advice. I would not be using it as a daily driver. I too have a Honda Accord that I commute 50 miles to work with. I would drive my beloved Box on weekends and occassionally to work on a nice day. Would be garaged through the winter since I live in Northeast PA.

I really would love to buy one for $16k but every one I see in that price range (craigs list, ebay, dealers, private sellers) are all really high in mileage or are 97, 98, and 99 model years which I don't want.

I think I'll pass on this one then and keep looking. I don't want to settle but I don't want the summer to go by without one!

I certainly don't want to buy one sight unseen and that's why if it isn't relatively local to me, it would be a problem.

Any help in finding one would be so appreciated, you don't even know. I like the silver, dark blue and dark grey exterior colors.

Thanks again to all of the forum members for the continued guidance and support.

Ice

I agree totally..You want 2000 and up.

try this link:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=0&address=37040&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=POR&model=BOXSTE&make2=&start_year=2000&end_year=2001&min_price=&max_price=&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=SILVER&color2=BLUE&color3=GRAY&keywordsrep=115&keywordsfyc=__cw%2C%2C__&keywords_display=s&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

[racer_d]

I bought my 2000 in fall of 2006. Buyer was asking 18K but settled for $16,5. It had 18's, 40K miles. Speed yellow over black. It had the options I wanted in a color I grew to like even more. Sold it one year later for $16.

I had seen an Arena Red 2001 boxster near me on Craigslist for at least 6-8 months. Started at $22, then dropped, then dropped again..When I last noticed it, she was down to 17 or so.. but this was in the fall.. so if motivated 16K would have done the deal. Also with 18s, and about 40K miles.

These cars (2000-2001) seem to "trade in" at a dealer for about $12-14. I wouldn't pay more than $16 nowadays with markets going in the tank. That said, in the spring I would expect a small rise in prices due to "spring desires".

Be patient.. Be willing to travel.. Keep enjoying your search. If you have to arrange financing, do so up front. Cash talks when buying a car.