result of PPI FOR BUYING 1997 WITH 30K MILES PART 2 please help!

[Mike_Yi]

$400? Are you kidding me? That's about the price of two new tires. Use each an every thing on the PPI to negotiate the price downward. Get a quote on repair each item, then tell the seller that he can fix 'em and you'll buy it for his price, or reduce the price by that cost to do all the repairs and you'll buy it for that.

BTW, if you want your Boxster to handle right (especially important if you ever track or auto-x you car), you will want to replace all 4 tires at the same time to ensure consistent grip front to back.

Listen to Lil bastard. Be ready to walk away unless the guy makes the car right, or makes it affordable for you to do so.

Think of it this way. You think $10,500 is a good price for a '97 in good condition with low miles. Do you think $12,500 is a good price for that same car? That's what you are likely to spend by the time you fix all of those "minor" problems. Maybe more.

The problem I found in shopping for Boxsters from dealers is they never have any maintenance records. The auctions don't keep those with the car. I'd try to buy from a private individual.

[CJ_Boxster]

You guys are forgetting one thing, sure he paid alittle more than most would for his boxster but damn it, everyone here knows that once you take her through some hard curves on a mountain side road, any trouble or costs seem to slip your mind.

In my opinion the boxster should have never dropped past 15k but hey, the economy probably had alot of to with the difference between what you can pay for a boxster and what your willing to pay for a boxster in this economy.

trust me, after afew spirited drives witht he top down, you'll probably think to yourself "I'd of paid 15k for my baby." Enjoy it, keep up the maintaince. Use 9 quarts of 0w-40 Mobile or Royal Purple (my pref.) every oil change between 10k - 15k miles and you'll be set. if you have any technical questions, you know where to ask.

Also, my 2 cents, If you do all that money vs miles stuff, you'll probably take the fun out of owning which ever boxster you end up buying, likely you might start to drive slower and turn at beyond slow speeds cause you'll be worried about wearing down your tires and brakes and you'll constantly end up working out numbers in your head,
"How often should I drive it cause more mileage will ruin my resale value and blah blah blah car becomes a garage queen and is only takin out of the garage for "special occasions" and you end up looking like a jerk among your neighbors who watch you wash her every weekend but never drive it"

Besides, you'll be helping the economy, the seller could buy alot of xmas gifts with that money

[Gougoushu]

Carlos is right about the emotional aspect, and the dangers of counting too much. I studied the market for months, looked a quite a few cars, then [exactly one year ago] wound up bidding on an ebay Boxster in the last minute of the auction because I liked the color! No regrets. Lots of little problems but it has given me a year and 10,000 miles of fun, and a fun new hobby of fixing it. Just look at how attached we are these cars, dressing them up, giving them nicknames, etc. ... explains why so few will sell their little babies for under $10k. And why we are so keen to see if/when you buy one too!

[ART07154]

I just found 99 boxster with 55k miles from a dealer here in Virginia.They asking $13.9 but I talked them down to $11.9 and they will do extended powertrain warranty (engines,transmission and axel)for 2 years/24k miles at thier cost $500.The car has 2remotes keys and brand new tires.I think this a better deal?

[gschotland]

Originally Posted by ART07154

I just found 99 boxster with 55k miles from a dealer here in Virginia.They asking $13.9 but I talked them down to $11.9 and they will do extended powertrain warranty (engines,transmission and axel)for 2 years/24k miles at thier cost $500.The car has 2remotes keys and brand new tires.I think this a better deal?

The dealer probably picked it up for $8k at (kbb.com exc/good trade in value) auction. Not surprising that he'd readily come down $2k and offer a warranty that probably costs him $200 and likely doesn't cover much. Presumably it has no service recs., which isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Does it have any options?

Figuring you'd have to immediately spend ~$0.8-$1k for new tires and an alignment on the '97, the warranty has some value, and it's 2 yrs newer, this seems like a somewhat better deal - assuming it drives well and there are no condition or mechanical issues. Post PPI maybe you can shave some more off depending on what you find.

[ART07154]

Originally Posted by gschotland

The dealer probably picked it up for $8k at (kbb.com exc/good trade in value) auction. Not surprising that he'd readily come down $2k and offer a warranty that probably costs him $200 and likely doesn't cover much. Presumably it has no service recs., which isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Does it have any options?

Figuring you'd have to immediately spend ~$0.8-$1k for new tires and an alignment on the '97, the warranty has some value, and it's 2 yrs newer, this seems like a somewhat better deal - assuming it drives well and there are no condition or mechanical issues. Post PPI maybe you can shave some more off depending on what you find.

My reason is 2 yrs warranty even is just powertrain but at least is cover 100%engine and tranmission with $0 deductible.The vehicle come with 55k miles but it's 2 yr newer with side airbags.I am going back tomorrow to offer $11.5 with warranty.I agree they probably picked it up around 8k but I like that it have brand new 17" Michelin brand new tires,brand new break pads, 2 remotes keys.I will ask them for me to take it for PPIO If they accept my offer.

[brp987]

I totally agree with CJ (good to see you back, btw). Some people like shopping and haggling. I hate that stuff. A guy at work brags about the great deals he gets on things. He does pay low prices, but takes forever to get that deal. If you factor in the wasted time, as far as I'm concerned, it wasn't a great deal. Also, most of us here have probably seen multiple $100k's of net worth evaporate in the recession. Are you gonna sweat a possible couple $k more this way or that? On a $10k car? Buy a freekin' camry. I bought my '01S off ebay. I met the seller. Drove it. Looked it over/under. Negotiated. He paid reg and smog. Done in one weekend. No regrets.

[ART07154]

Originally Posted by brp987

I totally agree with CJ (good to see you back, btw). Some people like shopping and haggling. I hate that stuff. A guy at work brags about the great deals he gets on things. He does pay low prices, but takes forever to get that deal. If you factor in the wasted time, as far as I'm concerned, it wasn't a great deal. Also, most of us here have probably seen multiple $100k's of net worth evaporate in the recession. Are you gonna sweat a possible couple $k more this way or that? On a $10k car? Buy a freekin' camry. I bought my '01S off ebay. I met the seller. Drove it. Looked it over/under. Negotiated. He paid reg and smog. Done in one weekend. No regrets.

I agree with you I am at the end of my searching I have until Monday to pay for the 97 but I will go back to look at the 99 tomorrow.It's between these 2 cars I dont want to spend more than $12k for a fun vehicle and I don't want to spend 4 monthes looking for one.I am ready to join you guys as the owner soon.Btw speaking of Camry my daily driver is Lexus ES330(Suited up Camry

[hatch1517]

The dealer will go right threw a car and will even tell you that a hundred and twenty point check has been done (In Australia any how ) but dont be fooled into thinking all is right with the car.Most things are left to point of sale if you dont pick the problems and ask for them to be fixed they have made a profit because the price has those repairs added already.Some times buying an early modle with just a few miles on the clock can be less reliable than one with 15,000ml per year average but proven well maintained. Have someone else check it over for you could save you a lot in the long run. If the interior is red you wanted black but you will live with it for a price. Good luck

[HDManny]

Years ago I bought a used vehicle from a dealer that advertised a 115 point inspection on all of their vehicles and included the check list in the glovebox. When I started driving it on the highway It didn't feel right so I took it to a wheel & tire place where I knew the owner and mechanics. All four wheels and tires were bad, you couldn't tell by looking but the wheels were slightly bent and the tires were damaged internally. I went to the mechanic that had signed the 115 point check list and asked about the wheels and tires being bad. He told me he had told the manager but was instructed to check them off as good. The worse part is I was an employee of the dealer at the time this occurred.

[DamageINC123]

I just Purchased 97 with 30,000 miles.
The original owner was the owner of the Porsche dealership in Atlanta, GA. According to the history it was one of the first boxers on the east coast. It was sold and brought to S.C. in 2004 with 17,000 miles.

All papaer work and receipts were included from day one. Including the most recent 30,000 mile tune up.

I had the local dealership go through the car and the only two things they found was moisture in the trunk from a bad radiator cap and front pads with about 40% life left on them.

As far tire condition I have 95% left on front and about 50% on rear

225/45/17 Micheline Pilots
265/40/17 Micheline Pilots

TechArt 3-piece formula rims

I paid $10,500

Hopefully this gives you something to compare to

[Pinarelloman]

The cheapest early model on an Aussie website is $32K.
Try looking at Carsales.com.au.
I think $10K for a driveable vehicle is a bargain. Repairable write offs pull more than that at auctions over here.
The Boxsters fetch much higher prices here than in the USA.
If you buy the vehicle, as long as you are happy with what you pay, then that is all that matters.