Boxster S with a Salvage Title - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

vinas1970 · 04-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Hello,

I am new to the Porsche world, looking to buy my first Porsche.
I found a 2001 Boxster S with 75k miles that I like with a salvage title. The owner is asking 11.5k. I probably can get him down another 1k. The car was salvaged because of theft. Apparently, the top was cut into, and they had to replace the whole top.

Just wanted to get an opinion on what you guys think of buying a car with a salvaged title. The car seems to be in very good condition, obviously i would have a ppi done on the car. Do you think this car is priced right? Ive seen Boxster S here in Cali listed for $15k-20k.

Would I have a problems registering this car, or putting full insurance coverage on the car.?
Thanks.

mylamb · 04-09-2009, 01:09 PM

I think you are answering your own questions...

jmatta · 04-09-2009, 01:12 PM

I can't imagine a damaged top would cause the car to have a salvage title (less than 6% of the vehicle value?); must be more to the story.

Dave S. · 04-09-2009, 01:36 PM

Kind of reminds me of one of those carfax ads where the car was underwater in a flood and the ad reads "new interior".

There's going to be more to that story than you are hearing today. I wouldn't touch it.

SeanZ4 · 04-09-2009, 01:39 PM

The rule of thumb here in KS is a car with a salvage title usually brings about 1/2 normal value. If you could get it for under 10k, you'd probably be doing ok. Keep in mind though, you WILL have a hard time selling it and forget about ever being able to trade it in. Also, I don't know the Cali laws or insurance policies. I have a friend with a salvage titled car that they use as a beater. His insurance company would not put full coverage ins. on it. Have you done a carfax on it? Sometimes they'll give details of an accident or damage.

good luck
sean

husker boxster · 04-09-2009, 01:47 PM

If you do your due diligence and it checks out to your satisfaction, you better then consider how long you plan to keep this particular car. If you can't keep it for 4 yrs, for whatever reason, you better pass. Trying to resell a salvage title car shortly after you purchase it will be impossible unless you want to take a huge bath. Prospective buyers will wonder why you're selling it so soon and will probably shy away figuring there's something wrong with it (even if there's nothing wrong). If you plan to keep it for a while and it checks out OK, then there's no reason not to buy it.

However, it's still a buyer's mkt and you should be able to find some lower mileage, clean titled cars for an additional $5-6K. You don't have to buy the first one you see. Boxsters aren't rare.

Good luck with your pursuit.

stephen wilson · 04-09-2009, 03:07 PM

Is Tennessee an area to beware of "flood" cars? I saw an '06S, 30K miles, adv. for $32.500. That seem a bit too low to be true.

CJ_Boxster · 04-09-2009, 03:23 PM

If you decide to go with the S, ask the dealership that performs the PPI to check for signs of accident damage. If there are signs of an accident and you see a batch of new suspension parts on one side of the car, dont buy it.

t2-bxtrs · 07-20-2009, 06:31 PM

folks,
don't mean to be rude or anything, just want to be straightforward and honest. when it comes to cars especially higher end cars. there is no such thing as a good deal especially if it has been deemed "salvage". although it's still a buyers market there are always people trying to pass on this cars as worthwhile investments..
the honest truth is you will only get a good deal if you find the best example of a car that you can afford.. do yourself a favor and save your $10g's or so and buy one when you can afford.. that $10'gs Boxster can turn into a $20 thousand dollar car in no time when you factor in repairs/part/replacements etc... aside from the inconvenience, your safety, and countless sleepless nights !
thank u,

mptoledo · 07-20-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t2-bxtrs

folks,
don't mean to be rude or anything, just want to be straightforward and honest. when it comes to cars especially higher end cars. there is no such thing as a good deal especially if it has been deemed "salvage". although it's still a buyers market there are always people trying to pass on this cars as worthwhile investments..
the honest truth is you will only get a good deal if you find the best example of a car that you can afford.. do yourself a favor and save your $10g's or so and buy one when you can afford.. that $10'gs Boxster can turn into a $20 thousand dollar car in no time when you factor in repairs/part/replacements etc... aside from the inconvenience, your safety, and countless sleepless nights !
thank u,

That wasn't rude, on the contrary it was informative and very correct about possibly turning into a money pit. Unfortunately you almost never know the whole truth about a salvaged car. I myself would be very leary and most likely wouldn't buy one, unless it was damn cheap, like over 50% off, and I had a ppi(inspection) from a reputable mechanic. Now if your a mechanic yourself you can really find some steals out there.

I figured for 13k on a 22k booked second car(clean title), I am willing to take a chance as its my weekend driver. My worst fear is the "ims" failure. I just cant see putting 14k in a new engine. I have already done the ignition switch myself, and will be doing the plugs, belt, fuel filter thursday and getting the oil done. By doing this myself It really saves time, money and you really bond with your car. I also know it will be done right, as I am anal about that kind of stuff. I know it sounds wierd but hey a mans second best friend is his Boxster

spine911 · 04-12-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinas1970

Hello,

I am new to the Porsche world, looking to buy my first Porsche.
I found a 2001 Boxster S with 75k miles that I like with a salvage title. The owner is asking 11.5k. .

In this economy, you can find a NON Salvaged 01 S around the same price, mileage. This is too steep of a price. It is a buyers market out there, take time and research

jcb986 · 07-14-2009, 03:56 PM

Salvage general means that this was rebuilt from a major hit. It cost to much to repair compared to the wholesale cost the insurance company is going to pay. Plus a little extra for low miles, how clean it is, etc. A fix it guy buys it a special auction for parts or rebuilders. Basically you just don't know how it is going to do over time after the repair. Bought cars like this and rebuilt them and sold em at auction or private owners who wanted a low mileage car at very good price.

Brucelee · 07-14-2009, 04:52 PM

The unibody design of the Box seems to disinvite a damage based rebuild.

Paul · 07-14-2009, 07:12 PM

I have bought salvage vehicles and have reconstructed them, but I usually bought cars that were totaled due to engine or interior fires.

I have done a couple of flood cars one of which I drove for years.

Stay away from cars with unibody damage. Fenders and bumper skins are no big deal.

Viper5 · 07-14-2009, 09:25 PM

I picked up my 2000 boxster s for 12k. Clean title and runs great except grinding in 2nd gear occasionally. You can find a better deal. I wouldn't go for salvage. It will most likely cause big hassles down the road.

Lordblood · 07-14-2009, 10:04 PM

In my opinion, if you are under a budget I suggest getting a regular Boxster (not an S) with a good clean title. You will get 95% of the fun, and without all the worry of having a car that might have a million things wrong with it.

Do that PPI and check if there are major issues, my dad got a salvaged Nissan Altima years back, and it's had so many problems with it I could almost call it a Mini Cooper.

Frodo · 07-15-2009, 05:09 AM

Caveat emptor !!!

mptoledo · 07-15-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo

Caveat emptor !!!

Bump on Carfax report. I picked up an 01 "s" with 58k miles in prestine shape for $12750 on ebay(clean title). If you are going to get it, definatley get an inspection from a certified dealer. I would go over this with a fine tooth comb and especially see how it drives. first sign of damage is how does it drive. you should find a straight road and make sure it doesn't pull left or right.

call your insurance company and explain the salvaged title and ask if that makes a difference in their coverages and payouts. I have never heard salvaging a car over a top, unless the car was stolen and the Insurance company paid it off.

You have limited your buyers if you ever decided to sell it. Check ebay completed auctions to get an idea what these have been sold for.

reddog · 07-20-2009, 09:48 AM

Just bought a 99 Boxster 95k, with a blown engine for $4700 (no salvage title)
haven't pull it apart yet...(hoping the heads are OK)...but expect to pay for a flat 6 short block, billet IMS and chain tensioners yada min...no re-mfg engine for me...

I was afraid of zero reliabilty if I bought a running one....so.....I'll do it right, now, with known problems, rather then worry... :ah:

mptoledo · 07-20-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddog

Just bought a 99 Boxster 95k, with a blown engine for $4700 (no salvage title)
haven't pull it apart yet...(hoping the heads are OK)...but expect to pay for a flat 6 short block, billet IMS and chain tensioners yada min...no re-mfg engine for me...

I was afraid of zero reliabilty if I bought a running one....so.....I'll do it right, now, with known problems, rather then worry... :ah:

Thats the way I would go if i was planning on keeping it. at least you know the history of the motor.

what size motor are you getting? 3.2, 3.4, a 3.6?

might as well do it right