I'm taking the plunge-01 Boxster- need advice

[Bobiam]

You certainly could have paid more for it. Good deal. Better than I did on my '01 a year and 1/2 ago at $24K with a bad leaking radiator (%**$# deceptive private seller moved away!).
Best of luck.

[Paul]

The 45K is mostly an oil and filter change, do it yourself.

[husker boxster]

Hi Paul,

Sounds like a good deal. Hopefully congrats will be in order soon.

If you're going to drive it that much, I'd suggest getting a clear bra to protect the front end. Without it the front will be peppered with stones.

Take the plunge and enjoy it. Drive it to work on summer mornings with the top down and those 80 miles will seem like a 10 min drive.

[tholyoak]

Mileage is no marker of potential engine problems if that is what you are referring to. I've done engine swaps on cars with 30k miles and ones with 90k miles that all had their engines go boom. The 2001 I recently put the 3.8 in has 50k miles. If you like the car, buy it. When you buy it, drive it. Like any car, infrequent use takes a toll.

-Todd

[Perfectlap]

That's one of the best dealerships in the country. Did they conduct their own inspection? Ask to see documentation if they did. You want to make sure someone has checked out the tranny and engine before you pull the trigger. As them if there was any RMS leakage.
How many miles are left on the tires? They aren't cheap for this car (Goodyear Eagle F1 are the best bang for the buck) and you will need a set of snow tires for use between November and April. I have Pirelli Snows.

Man I can't believe my car isn't even worth $15K now. Oh well I'm keeping it for good.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

How many miles are left on the tires? They aren't cheap for this car (Goodyear Eagle F1 are the best bang for the buck)

Just so you know, they don't make the F1 GS D3s in our sizes anymore. I'm pretty bummed about this actually because my set is pretty new. Problem is, if I need to source another tire due to an unrepairable flat, there are none to be found.

@Icedude: I have an 01 too, and the only problems I've had were a cracked coolant tank, a peeling radio knob, and most recently at 58k miles, had to replace a worn engine mount which caused some drivetrain vibration due to the engine shifting a bit on hard cornering.

I still love the car, and bet you will too. I say go for it!

[icedude]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

Just so you know, they don't make the F1 GS D3s in our sizes anymore. I'm pretty bummed about this actually because my set is pretty new. Problem is, if I need to source another tire due to an unrepairable flat, there are none to be found.

@Icedude: I have an 01 too, and the only problems I've had were a cracked coolant tank, a peeling radio knob, and most recently at 58k miles, had to replace a worn engine mount which caused some drivetrain vibration due to the engine shifting a bit on hard cornering.

I still love the car, and bet you will too. I say go for it!

Ok, I gotta ask you, where do I get those wheels? That is one hot set of tires you have on there. I am planning on replacing the rims when I put new tires on it which when I buy it will be about 10k miles later. Are they Porsche rims and if so, where would you recommend I get them and also what is a good tire reasonably priced? I'm not going to drive it crazy so I figure to go easy on tires but I don't need track hugging Z rated type tires. I'm not saying I want cheapies and replace them twice as frequently but I don't feel I need the big daddys. Also, how much would it cost me to put a new exhaust like yours on? I don't want it too loud or unnatural. Again, great looking car Boxtaboy.

Paul

[23109VC]

it looks good!! if you like it, and it has a clean bill of health / PPI - there's not much more you can do to protect yourself and make sure you get a good one.

it looks very clean from the photos.

I have a 2.7 and it's plenty fun. I would have probably liked to get the 3.2, but like you, I was on a budget, and my dad put his up for sale, and made me a deal of a lifetime. I got his heavily optioned 2000 (M030, full leather, 18s, hi fi, headrest speakers, heated seats) for $13k. his had 73k miles...but it was dealer maintained, all records, passed PPI..and so far, several months into ownership, nothing bad has happened.... like you, this is a "spare" car, not a DD.

you will love it. put the top down, and just llisten to the sounds it makes as the engine wails toward redline.... the sound of the boxster is just flat out intoxicating.

get some good tires, maybe upgrade your suspension at some point - i love M030, the car defies the laws of physics it handles so well.

bang for the buck - that is a hard deal to beat. yeah, you can get a faster, newer, lower mileage car - but it will cost you more. as you get closer to the 10k mark, most of the boxsters i've seen are high miles, not in great condition, and older htan yours... 2.5s....

buy it, enjoy it!!!

[tboyer]

Looks like a nice ride....one thing to consider is an extended warranty. Add it at time of purchase, you'll pay double afterwards. Good luck and have fun!

[icedude]

Originally Posted by tboyer

Looks like a nice ride....one thing to consider is an extended warranty. Add it at time of purchase, you'll pay double afterwards. Good luck and have fun!

I'm buying it from a private party so I don't have the option of a warranty. I am actually starting to get cold feet because of the IMS failures I keep reading about on numerous forums. I saved up for this car and since I'm a responsible husband and father, would not have the money to put a new engine in it or take it as a loss of $14,500k.