True cost to own - used Boxster??

[JCL12]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

WHAT KIND OF ANNUAL BUDGET SHOULD I REALISTICALLY EXPECT FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND UNEXPECTED MAINTENANCE ON A 2000-2002 CAR WITH ASAY 75K MILES ON IT??

I plan to drive 10-12k / year. I'm thinking at least $1500-2000/year would cover me for the next three years or from 75000 - 110k range... or is that way high or way low?

I'm not a fan of the leasing idea unless you have the option to buy at a massive discount at the end of the lease. Considered looking at a used s2k as well?

For the Pcar option, my gut feeling tells me that from an expected value perspective, $2,000 should be sufficient for that mileage range even though many normal wear/tear components may come due. The problem for you is that we live in the real world and the real world has variance. If you get a boxster that is fully up to date on maintenance and just got things like a new clutch, water pump, brake job, etc in recent times you may come waaaaay under the 2K/yr average. If your engine blows up after 1000 miles you are totally SOL.

If you buy a boxster with many failing/old components then you'll be setting yourself up for trouble. Since you are going the route of PPI before any purchase, hopefully you can identify and potential trouble components that are near end of life and avoid a maintenance hog. That said, ever if you address the issues of identifiable potential hardware failures on the car you can't detect things like IMS failure. Read these forums and be aware of the risks.

[RandallNeighbour]

If you don't have enough saved for an 03+ Boxster S, wait and save up to get one.

The glass rear window and newer everything on our cars is important.

This comes from one who bought an old boxster with 84k on it and needed EVERYTHING replaced. :ah:

[23109VC]

thanks for the input.

I know the boxster is faster. the only boxster I've driven quite a bit is my dad's - a 2000 base - and even though it's rated at less hp than the s2k, I swear it feels faster than the s2ks i test drove. for real world driving, the higher torque makes it faster is normal driving.

i'll have to test an S and see how much more I like it vs the base. the base I've driven (dad's) has 18s, and the M030 suspension upgrade...thing is glued to the road - absolutely the best handling car I"ve ever driven, and I've driven some great handling cars...

life is short. that's why I'm looking at two seater roadsters. I have the family car, i have a good back/forth to work beater car - and the one thing I constantly wish for and miss is a two seat roadster. i had a miata in college and loved it. i want that "Fun" with more power. i'm 35, a professional - and while the s2k is a good bargain and reliable - and while I don't think it's nearly as fast 'n furious as something like an EVO or STi, it is kind of boy racerish.. the boxster would be perfect.

thanks again!

[Paul]

Most cars will incur higher than normal maintenance costs between 70,000 to 120,000 miles, I'd avoid cars in that range.

[fatmike]

If you work at it -- you can probably find a Boxster with much lower miles than that (75K) in your price range.

I bet you can find a garage queen base '02 with 20K miles for $20K or less.

Good luck.

[E Kaplan]

Bought a 2000 Boxster with 30,000 miles this year for $18,250. Car had the 30,000 mile check up at a local Porsche dealership done within the year. Found the owner on autotrader. So far, with over 4,000 additional miles, no problems. Chose to buy a lower mileage based car, instead of an S with 70+ thousand miles for the same money.

If you are very concerned about repair costs, I am considering an extended warranty. The best I found is a 48 K or 4 year bumper to bumper for $2,100.00. For an additional $200, they will pay for seal repairs. Not sure if I am going to purchase this, but not a bad price.

Eric

[ekam]

As Randall said, get at least an 03 MY.

Don't forget if you get an older S at 250hp is not that far off to a newer 03+ base model at 228hp. I doubt your butt dyno can really tell the difference.

I'd say get the base model but buy some really sticky tires for the twisties instead.

[pbanders]

Costs are variable, depends a lot on the car you buy. If you're lucky, you only will need regular maintenance, tires, and brakes. Not lucky, you'll need an RMS, your window motors will fail, O2's will go, MAF, etc. If you do your own work, and you're good, you'll save over 50% of the cost of repairs by avoiding paying for labor, assuming you already have the tools ($$) and access to facilities ($$).

In my experience, most people generally under-estimate the true cost of ownership of any car. My suggestion is that unless you can afford regular maintenance and the cost of likely repair (and on Boxsters, this has to include the possiblity of engine replacement), then buy a cheaper to own and maintain vehicle, and wait until you can afford what you really want.

RE: aftermarket warranties - I have one, but if you read postings here, getting them to pay for a major repair can be difficult. Caveat emptor.