To buy a newer year or a lower mileage boxster: That is the question ;)

[renzop]

I'll add my 2 cents.

1) I don't think that it matters whether you get a Boxster or Boxster S. Two friends have had both and say that the fun factor is the same.

2) These cars cost money to maintain. Don't buy a car that doesn't have maintenance records.

3) I would not buy a used Porsche from a non-Porsche dealership unless it was being sold by the original owner.

4) There is a sizeable difference between the 986 and the 987 (the 987 is model year 2005 and newer in the US). Some people like the 987 and some like the 986. Decide which one you like and buy that model. If you are tall, you will find the 987 has more room which may be important.

5) Is this going to be your only car? If so then I would suggest skipping the purchase. A used Boxster is not the most reliable daily driver. Judging by your emphasis on price I would guess you are on a tight budget. This means that a major repair bill may sideline your car for a while or put you in debt. You do not want to scimp on repairs and maintenance on this car.

[GoddamSkippy]

Originally Posted by renzop

I'll add my 2 cents.

1) I don't think that it matters whether you get a Boxster or Boxster S. Two friends have had both and say that the fun factor is the same.

2) These cars cost money to maintain. Don't buy a car that doesn't have maintenance records.

3) I would not buy a used Porsche from a non-Porsche dealership unless it was being sold by the original owner.

4) There is a sizeable difference between the 986 and the 987 (the 987 is model year 2005 and newer in the US). Some people like the 987 and some like the 986. Decide which one you like and buy that model. If you are tall, you will find the 987 has more room which may be important.

5) Is this going to be your only car? If so then I would suggest skipping the purchase. A used Boxster is not the most reliable daily driver. Judging by your emphasis on price I would guess you are on a tight budget. This means that a major repair bill may sideline your car for a while or put you in debt. You do not want to scimp on repairs and maintenance on this car.

Thank you for the info guys - lots of good things to consider. I guess coming from the miata, where most parts are under $50 dollars (you can get a full jdm engine for 1k installed) to the porsche is pretty alarming. im going to take my time with this ans as people said its a buyers market so im hoping i can get something for a good price and have some money stuffed away for maintenance and repairs.

Jeph, Congrats as you havea beautiful boxster and it looks like its in exellent shape. i have a hardtop for the miata and i know how valuable one is in the winter months here in north jersey. unfortunately im lookin for a 2003 or 2005. Thank you for the info.

[Perfectlap]

I had a Miata with lots of mods. Sold it in less than a day. Buyer flew up from Florida. Black, BBS RK's, Racing Beat aero ki, low profile headlights, KYB shocks and FM rear mounts. I miss that car!!!

Get the Boxster S. Don't even think about it. And get a 2000 or newer with as low a mileage as you can find (but make sure its been driven at least 3K miles a year).
Try and get one with Litronics (HID), a few interior upgrades like the nicer shifter and brake lever. Upgrades for this car are crazy expensive. better to get them on the car already.

[GoddamSkippy]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I had a Miata with lots of mods. Sold it in less than a day. Buyer flew up from Florida. Black, BBS RK's, Racing Beat aero ki, low profile headlights, KYB shocks and FM rear mounts. I miss that car!!!

Get the Boxster S. Don't even think about it. And get a 2000 or newer with as low a mileage as you can find (but make sure its been driven at least 3K miles a year).
Try and get one with Litronics (HID), a few interior upgrades like the nicer shifter and brake lever. Upgrades for this car are crazy expensive. better to get them on the car already.

thats funny i see that your in the nj area and we have the same upgrade plan (were you part of any miata clucbs or do any autox while you had it?)
im in bergen county.

did you buy yours at a nearby dealer or private seller?
can you add a generic HID kit to the lights?

thanks

[Perfectlap]

I did Autocross that Miata with Porsche Club, BMW club, the former M Club and SCCA. I kinda stopped autocrossing because of the time committment for the limited running. But the Porsche Club was always the best in terms of low turn out (more runs).
I don't reall autocross with Boxster. I had Toyo RA-1's and some of the lots were so dang rough they just shreded the tires. I kinda wish I had held onto the Miata as an autocross only car but I don't have the space for that now.

As luck would have it i was in the market for a silver and red Boxster S with low miles and that's exactly what pop'd up on Ebay. I was watching Top Gear and they were doing a show on the Boxster and how it was the best sports car for the money just days before. The Ebay car was being sold as a trade in by an Acura dealer in Montclair with barely 10K. Car was mine a week later.
The HID or Litronics in Porsche speak, comes from the factory as one whole unit.
You just use a special tool found in the tool kit to loosen one bolt and out they come. Like changing tail lights. A few have experimented with replacing the bulbs with other High Intensity versions but it's not really the same. Also the Litronics units have no amber on them, completely clear. I picked up the Litronics in a group buy with Brandywine Porsche for $1,100, before the Euro took off. I don't think you can touch them for less than $2,000 now. pricey.