General consensus is that 00+ are the years you want to target for better piece of mind for reliability. That said, they cost a lot to maintain even if NOTHING goes wrong. Your 30k, 45k, 60k, etc services cost a fortune - $500+. Getting an oil change costs between $160-250. A set of tires - which will go fast, often costs 1K+ with installation and taxes. I doubt anybody in high school can afford maintenance bills even if the car stays in perfect shape. Furthermore, you insurance costs will be through the roof. 2D sports convertible for a young kid will have insane insurance perimiums.

If you have wealthy parents then I guess this isn't an issue, but it is still silly for somebody to get a 986 at 16. Heck, I am a few years out of college, have a very good job, can pay all my bills, etc, and I am still too young for a Pcar.

And lastly, while I am sure you will disagree with this statement you will almost certainly be a horrible driver when you get your license. Almost ever single male I know has been in some form of accident with another car that THEY caused since they start up to age 25 - even some of the most catious drivers I know. My first car was a beater civic (which I still have) and I was terrible at driving until I matured and gain a lot more driving experience. Heck, sometimes I still stink at driving, but for different reasons (NOT booze...fatigue) so it is better to wait

i say wait and get a better deal... over 90,000 miles is a lot and a 97 is an old car...and porsche parts aren't cheap...u get the idea. Dont get me wrong if you want the car get it but you'll have to make some repairs on it in the next few months thats a guarantee. something will go wrong most likely, when i first got my boxster the top stopped working within a week but i know enough about cars for it not to be a big deal to me. If you know about cars and have worked on them before then get it and do your own repairs, it'll be a lot cheaper. But im not sure that an old boxster is for you since u said u dont have a lot of time... thats just my 2cents.

cbenitah, very cool 914! wow u did a complete makeover...u have more pix? it looks great...theyre fun little cars haha

As an owner of a 160,000 mile Boxster I will agree with everyone that says stay away from this car.

My son is 14, there is no way he is owning a 2 seat convertible for his 1st car, no Miata either. I think 1st cars should be SAFER than average.

I feel as if a Boxster can be a very reliable car if its taken care of very well.
A car with 90k miles on it....what is the service history? What kind of shape is the car in, and I agree 15k is too much for a 97.

Go buy a less expensive car, keep some cash.

Gary,

Very few boxster owners have even cracked the 100K mark, let alone 160K. Granted, boxsters are often not DDs and they have only been around in the USA since 97. What have your experiences been with maintenance of the ol beast?

There are a few other Boxster owners who are on the forum who have more mileage than my car. I think one of them is approaching 190k.

I change the oil every 10,000 miles. Air filter every 20k
Spark plugs, every time I change my means of forced induction ;)

The car is on its second water pump, alternator, air oil separator, passenger side window regulator, water reservoir, and clutch.
I changed the RMS when the clutch was changed.

The drivers seat had a hole in it, so it was changed last Christmas.

My lifters lost fluid at one time and I had to replace an entire bank of them, that was at 90k miles. The Porsche mechanic said the engine was so clean he could not believe the miliage.

I always use Chevron/Texaco or Shell 93octane gas.
Mobil 1 oil.

One of the picky things I di that I think has kept my engine healthy is I NEVER rev over 4k rpms until it is fully warmed up, I avoid short trips. If I need to go to the corner store and the engine is cold I get to take the long way, this has 2 benefits. the car gets to stretch its legs and if my wife is in a hurry she goes herself :D

Common sense goes a long way, pay attension to the car. If something seems odd check it on it.

Good luck and go for a drive!!

Man... so many Red Flags here I hardly know where to begin.

Your profile - 16-18 yrs., limited funds, living in the snowbelt, etc. just screams that, at this time in your life, a Boxster is the wrong car for you .

Insurance - you're going to pay through the proverbial nose to insure it.

Fuel Costs - Compared to most cars out there, the Boxster gets lousy mileage. I imagine that a young person is probaby looking at 20 MPG Max. due to driving style, etc. If the experts are correct and Gas hits $5/gal., what are you willing to give up to keep driving the car?

Maintenance costs - As mentioned, this car needs, or is soon to need, lots of $$ for upcoming or possibly overdue maintenance. Boxsters, unlike a Toyota or Honda don't react well to putting off scheduled maintenance - the car will bite you, possibly leaving you stranded and incurring tow charges. There are few generic parts available for these cars which means that you're going to pay high prices for parts and consumables. Also, living in the snowbelt, you're really gonna need a 2nd set of wheels w/ snow tires - these cars don't do well in snow/ice w/o them, figure another $2k just for this.

An early Boxster - Lots of unresolved issues in the '97s. Add to that the depreciation which is gonna steadily reduce your investment. I'm assuming that you are including the value of your current Audi in the mix - either by selling it or trading it in on the Boxster. In a very short time, you could find yourself with a car you cannot afford to keep, but which you can't sell for enough $ to get another decent ride.

Best advice is to invest the money you have, keep the Audi, study hard and buy yourself a new, or near-new, Boxster in a few years to reward yourself for all your hard work. In the end, that'd be the smartest thing to do.

But, I was your age once too, and I realize how strong the allure can be, and that this advice is the least attractive option and that little, if any, of this is sinking in. Good Luck!

Lots of good info. Thanks.

Lil Bastards advice is right on........not what you want to hear or probably want to do.....but most of us as kids had to learn the hard way...........if you have the 2 seater convertible bug.............get a used older Miata in the best condition and maintenance record that your budget will support.....guage if you can support the maintenance costs on that car..............if you can then multiply it by 4 and that's what the Boxster will run you.....then assess whether or not at this particular point in your life if it makes sense........ Believe me, the girls that want to go out with you because you have a "cool" car will not the the women that will make you happy over the long haul. I own a number of "toy" cars (older Ferriaris, Corvettes, etc.) in addition to a Boxster. I've learned over the years that there is ALWAYS another great car and they will always be available either by private sale or classic/special interest car auctions. A lot of guys my age are buying the cars they lusted after in the sixties and seventies because they can afford them now.....

Hey, there is nothing wrong with shallow or immature girls. Just don't take them too seriously! :D

You can probably get this one for $8500
 

Primary Information about this vehicle:
AT Car ID: AT-D7316EC
Close

AT Car ID
Return to this vehicle quickly by searching with its AutoTrader.com Car ID (or, "AT Car ID").
Price $9,999
Mileage 85,231
Body Style Convertible
Exterior Color Silver
Interior Color Black
Engine 6 Cylinder Gasoline
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 2 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Stereo AM/FM Compact Disc Playr
Doors Two Door
Stock No. 22185
VIN WP0CA2989VS622185
Top Get pre-qualified
for low rates today!
Get a Free CARFAX Record Check for this Porsche.
Get a free insurance quote for this Porsche

Vehicle Description
Installed Options
Anti-Lock Brakes
Air Conditioning
Alloy Wheels
Cruise Control
Passenger Air Bag
Leather Seats
Power Door Locks
Power Mirrors
Power Windows
Power Steering
Tinted Glass

Seller's Description and Comments
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SALVAGED TITLE..Call John For This Special Internet Price!!!

Seller's Disclaimer
Unless vehicle has remaining factory warranty , all vehicles are sold "as-is".However,we may give in house warranties on a case by case basis.Extented warranties are available through us at additional costs.

Top

Honestly its probably luck of the draw and how well the car was maintained. Owner's could have deferred maintenance longer on the higher mileage. Of course, maybe they did it, and the 50k is due for service. I bought a high performance car in high school, on my own dime, and yes almost killed myself multiple times. Take some drivers schools and don't think you're invincible (tough to do I realize). If you learn how to do basic maintenance yourself, the costs to maintain will likely be significantly less. I say do it and just get a PPI on the 90k car to find out where you're at.

1. Sell the Audi.
2. Don't buy a Boxster
3. Get an inexpensive, reliable car that is good on gas until you finish college unless you have very nice, rich parents. (if you did, you wouldn't be looking at a high mileage Boxster)
4. I just paid $15,000 for a 2000 Boxster with 50,000 miles, so if you don't listen to anything on this board and buy the car anyway, know that there are better deals out there.

The 914 is a great idea. The 912 is another inexpensive option. Cheap Porsche fun!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/black912.jpg

Good advice. A college buddy of mine can back up #4 as well. He bought a 97 base last year with 15k miles..... for $17k

I love the old 912s. Great fun and so unique.

Everyone has a 911.

Kid,

Don't do it. You can't afford it. I speak from experience.

In 1978 I was 22 and just out of college. I had a little money in my pocket and got an ok starter job. I bought a used Porsche 914. It took every cent I had to buy the car. The clutch went out 1000 miles later. The car sat for two months and I took the bus to work while I earned the money for the clutch job.

About 2 months after the clutch was repaired, the heat exchangers rusted out. Every time I turned on the heat the cockpit filled with exhaust fumes. I spent the winter driving with no heat and the windows open.

In June of that year State inspection was due. It failed because of a blown shock, a bad foglight, the heat exchangers and no broken windshield washers. This time the car sat for 4 months while I earned the money for repairs.

After missing the summer, I got the car back on the road but I realized that it was not reliable enough for a daily driver. I bought a used Impala for $500 and it ran without repairs for 5 years.

Rust finally got the better of the 914. In 1983 it started eating halfshafts. Turns out the upper rear mounts were completely rusted out. Repairs would have cost way more than I paid for the car originally. I gave up.

I had fun with the 914, but If I had waited a few years I could have saved the money to buy a nice one.

Learn form my mistake. If you only have enough money to just afford the purchase price of a car then it must be totally reliable. A '97 Boxster with high mileage is not that kind of car.

REgards,
Alan

Don't buy pre-2003 because of the plastic...trust me on this. Not that my rearview is clouded but go for either 2003 or 04...my sense is that you will be happier because not only will you get glass, you will also have power window control on the console, where it should be :)