Boxster S buying advise...which car...links and descriptions provide....00 S or 03 S?

[mile2424]

So I have basically narrowed down my choices to the following 2 cars. One is local, the other is about 5 hours away.

Choice A, is a 2003 Boxster S, triple black, the owner is the 2nd owner who bought it CPO'd. It has 65k miles. Bose, Xenons, windstop, full leather. Pretty basic on options, but in very nice shape, and it's the 03 so it has the newer glass window. No link or pictures for this one. $16.5k is what I have negotiated him down to from $19.9k

Choice B, is a 2000 Boxster S, loaded with tons of options. Polar Silver paint, boxster red full leather, aerokit, sports exhaust, full carbon package, speedster humps. Lots of nice options that I know if totally dependent on the buyer, but I myself do love these extra options. 77k miles on this car.

Here is the link...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=269922436&dealer_id=64704461&car_year=2000&engine=&fuel=&lastStartYear=1981&sort_type=priceDESC&systime=&default_sort=priceDESC&drive=&style_flag=1&body_code=0&seller_type=b&min_price=&color=&model=BOXSTE&keywords_display=gt3&advanced=y&distance=0&doors=&keywordsrep=103116051&highlightFirstMakeModel=&awsp=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&rdm=1262642546837&marketZipError=false&keywordsfyc=__Z3Qz__&search_type=both&transmission=&max_price=&max_mileage=&end_year=2011&make=POR&start_year=1981&certified=&num_records=25&make2=&address=95070&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&cardist=343&standard=false

So which would you choose and why?

[DamageINC123]

If I had to choose between the two I would go with the 03. Newer model less miles and not a bad price. However, I am not a fan of black on a Porsche. I think a Porsche should be silver or red.

[Steve Tinker]

You are paying for a lot of bling and higher miles on the silver 2000 model. I didn't know Polar Silver was a special order colour either. And the ad has a LOT of dealer speak too.

Everything being equal, I wouldn't hesitate - I would go for the black one, its cheaper, a later model, plus when you speak to the owner you should get an idea on how he appreciated his the car - just by talking to him.

But either way,
1) make sure either car has a log book service record.
2) if you are not Porsche savvy, pay for an indipendant inspection (could / will save you $$$$).
3) leave $2000 in the kitty for "just in case" items you can't see.
4) Read the above sticky - Thinking of buying a Boxster - MUST READ.

[eightsandaces]

03 glass top is a big draw, especially true if you intend on using the car in harsh weather. IMO, this is the BEST time of year to shop for a rag top. Along with the sage advise others have offered, I would add take your time. There are a lot of nice Boxsters out there and unfortunately many poor souls who may have to take a beating on their toys in a tough economy, good luck...

PS 16.5, I think is a reasonable price for an excellent sports car, of course that assumes the car has been well cared for.

[clickman]

Glass rear window all the way

[mile2424]

more pics of the polar silver....

http://miletichphotography.zenfolio.com/p330814539/h15bf1d5#h1c008912

[cas951]

I'd go with the 03.
1. Glass rear window
2. Exhaust sound is sportier
3. Glove box - minor but a plus
4. Lower miles

What's the price diff between the two?

[tnoice]

2003 Boxster S all the way. I really like the 2000 in the pictures, however I think the price is a little high. The 03 has a glass top, and there is no substitution to that.
Happy buying.

[gschotland]

Go for the '03 for all the reasons everyone else has mentioned.

I agree the '00 is way overpriced. The boy racer toys are cool, if that's your thing, but they don't add that much value - certainly not $5-$6k. A dealer might give him $1k more for all that stuff. When I see lots of bravado like that in an ad or hear it on the phone my antenna immediate goes up and I think to myself "Warning, warning, what's this knucklehead hiding?"

I'd much rather buy an unmolested car with service records that's been obviously well cared for by a straight talking, meticulous enthusiast than someone like that, even if it has more miles. Mileage isn't everything. Get the best car for the money then add your own bling later.