Scared to Death of these cars !

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by Mr Snappy

Are yearly parts and maintenance really in the range of $1500 per year? Is this typical? I'm looking at 2003-2007 model year with as low miles as possible, so don't expect a factory fresh experience, but I don't want a money pit either.

Can you talk me off the ledge, or is this just par for the course?

Just curious, what do you think is a reasonable expectation for annual parts and maintenance for an 8 year old car? How about a 10 or12 year old car?

$1500 is low when you factor in oil changes, fluids, tires, etc.




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[ekam]

I forgot who wrote this (23109VC?) but I thought someone said he/she should have $5k in reserve annually for repair/maintenance and I think that's a safe number.

[Pat]

Step 1: Don't buy a car that you are scared of.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by Pat

Step 1: Don't buy a car that you are scared of.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit

so far, year and a half later i'm not sorry i bought the car. it's been fun. every once in a while some little bit of my brain will say "what about the IMS?" and then i just give the car a little more gas and go around a corner. that part of my brain shuts down and all is well again.

if you're scared, pass on it. it's not for you.

[stephen wilson]

I was worried also, so I bought an '06 CPO car last year, and I'm in love every time I drive it! ( well, except for the ticket I just got.... )

I will have to make a decision in 2 years though, when the warranty is up. I'd love to trade up to an '09-'10 S.

Steve

[Mark_T]

-new top $500, should be good for the life of the car now
-1 drop link, don't remember how much, but not that expensive
-a section of clutch line that was damaged by road conditions, not the car's fault, cost about $300 including the power bleeder
-new tires, about $1200 for Michelins cuz the tires on the car when I bought it were crap. Based on the wear I see so far they should last another couple of years
-regular maintenance, filters, fluids, plugs, a couple of hundred bucks per year
-upgrades, about $2800. Includes new seats, steering wheel, shifter, cupholders, all totally discretionary
-I need to do brakes next spring - that will be $800 or so.

So, actual required maintenance and repair costs the first year were a little over $2200, and I expect that to be a bit above average because it was the first year and I had to deal with the previous owner's neglect. This is better than any other car of this age that I have ever owned - American, ricer, whatever and certainly less than I expected to pay to keep an exotic on the road.

Hey, if they were cheap to run then everybody would have one. Any good hobby costs money and this is no exception. I am actually suprised that somone might balk at $1500 - $2000 a year operating costs for a vehicle of this type.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Hey, if they were cheap to run then everybody would have one. Any good hobby costs money and this is no exception. I am actually suprised that somone might balk at $1500 - $2000 a year operating costs for a vehicle of this type.

I guess most people just spend $500 a year on their regular Camry or Civic so that's already 3-4 times that amount so it's considered significant.

[john90290]

I purchased a nectar 2002 single owner metior gray with 90k and have 97k on it now with not a problem. If it blows up tomorrow? What if you have a heart attack? What if that weak blood vessel in you brain pops next week...the point is you never know. We don't have a warranty and we all have design flaws.

This car is like you, maintain it the best you can,everything in moderation and the remainder is up to the fickle finger of fate. If you spent your entire life wondering if you are going to be the 1 of every 2 males that gets cancer, what fun would life be?

Yes, your boxster will get something, just like you will, but it's the life in your years not the years in your life....or better said, the life in you mileage, not he mileage you've logged.

[Lucky]

My '00 S is up to 108K miles & it has been problem free during my 3.5 years of ownership. Only work has been maintenance, including a few major wear items at 103K -- clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, throwout bearing, and rear wheel bearings. All done by me for a total cost of about $950 in parts.

It is on engine #2 -- first one started leaking oil at 69K and PCNA offered to cover 75% of the replacement so previous owner went ahead. No clear indication of what necessitated the replacement -- but could have been a failing IMS or an unrepairable RMS.

I may be crazy, but this car is now my DD and I plan to run it into the ground. Should be a good reliability test over the next few years.

I find the Boxster to be extremely well built and easy to work on. The model does have a few problem areas -- some quite serious -- but I'm more than willing to roll the dice. If I find any evidence of a failing IMS (I cut open and inspect my oil filter at every change), in will go the Raby upgraded bearing.

As others have said on this thread, you won't enjoy a car if you are worried it could blow up at any moment. If that's your mindset, stay away. Me, I'm very comfortable rolling the dice given how little I paid for this very fun machine.

[Johnny Danger]

I have an '02 S, and with the exception of oil changes (usually only once a year), my annual maintenance costs have been zero . Granted my vehicle only has 17k original miles, and as of late is seldom driven. Nevertheless, I have had no issues with repairs. Mods are another is$$$$$$$$$ue !

[davemon]

Bought mine about 5-6 months ago. Very nicely modded, so those mod expenses have been eaten up by someone else. I have a few grand in the warchest just for the Boxster, would rather it was in the retirement fund, but it is part of the tradeoff of Porsche ownership.

I realized today I put 4k miles on it already. Wow. And I still get a crazy grin every time I'm behind the wheel, hell I get that grin every time I catch a glance of the car when it is just parked.

Here are my expenses:
1) $80 for oil change. Changed almost immediately after I drove it home just to be sure.
2) $40 to replace the locking lug nuts with regular lugs. Found out the car didn't come with the lock lug key, so I just went to Porsche dealership to have them swapped out.
3) $40 for wheel balancing. On the ride home it had jitters, nothing until you got up to 75+

Here are things I WANT to do:
1) The door lock button on the key was worn when I bought the car. Someone else knocked out the worn button, so now I want to buy a second key and get it programmed at dealership. ($~200) Used car tradeoff IMO.
2) My top is pinching itself on the driver's side when it closes. I have no idea what is wrong with it and need to seek out help for it. Caused small 1/2" worn spot on canvas. I think top needs greased or fiddled with, maybe both.
3) I'm scheduling the IMS replacement this month. I want the insurance this provides against catastrophic failure. This car was very well taken car of and modded, so I don't doubt that we may pull the tranny and find the IMS to have already been done, but I'm not risking it.
4) One of the Porsche wheel crests fell off the center cap, missing when I bought the car. $40 to have one delivered to me. Part of used car tradeoff.

The car runs flawlessly and is one hell of a car for the price I paid. I got the newest/nicest 986 I could find. I didn't want to get the early 987 and the later 987s were getting too pricey for my tastes, although in the fall some will be sold at great prices by people that don't want to or can't garage/insure over the winter.

Oh and I drive mine like it was stolen and I've been caught. No way I'm driving it like an Accord.

My advice. Buy one. Set aside $ for an IMS replacement and a small amount for miscellaneous items. Be prepared to tinker. Get the IMS done within a few months and don't think twice about the things that might happen.

Life is too short to drive slow or worry about such things.

[SeanZ4]

some good indies in the KCMO area. I got a quote for IMS replacement, new clutch etc. for around $2200. PM me and I'll give you the name of the company. Just find one you like, do a ppi, negotiate from there and don't look back. I had the same issues as you a couple of years ago. The more I drive the car the less I worry that it's going to hand-grenade on me. I put 300 miles on it last week and it ran flawlessly. Mine is a '00S purchased from Scholfield Porsche in Wichita and it is a third car for us so it doesn't see many miles. For sure get the S version though. I had a vette approx. 10 years ago and it's the reason I say I haven't owned a GM in 10 years! I've been kind of stalking Jag XKRs and have been lurking around the Jaguar sites.... Yikes! Read those for comparison.

sean

[pierre shags]

All of the usual problems are gone with the 987 rebuild - '05 & on. I've got 40,000 miles and, besides maintenance, have only replaced tires & a clutch.

Having had a Vet you will probably want an S.

[mikefocke]

you won't like the Porsche.

My '01S Boxster over the last 5 years has been more reliable measured in total cost of maintenance or replacement parts or trips to a mechanic than a Honda, Acura and Mazda I also maintain (aprox same years and miles on each).

[Mr Snappy]

Thanks guys...
Great points and advice. I'm going to let this sit for awhile and make a decision later. I went to the Chevy dealer today, they have new Vettes for 0% for 72 months...was very tempted, but not really wanting that much of an investment for a toy right now.

Someone asked me on this thread what I consider "normal" for maintenance. When I had my vette, which I bought new, it ate tires like a demon, so I am not unacusomed to sports car cost of ownership. I usually put a new set on every 18 months. I used tirerack.com and eventually figured out that expensive tires were foolish and started getting better value with the un-trendy brands. I always do my own oil changes not only to save money, but to make sure it is done right. Never had to do a transmission or radiator flush the entire 6 years I owned her, wasnt a required item per maintenance instructions. Swapped out the break pads to ceramics as well as the rotors, but they could have lasted longer. Never needed anything else....oops, it did burn out a tail light!

So, with 6 years of ownership, my maint. costs were probably about $600 per year, and most of that was the tires.

Sorry guys, motor mounts are NOT maintenance items, neither are RMS's. Clutch gear, yes...Convert. Top cables, no.

So my plan is to watch for awhile and see if I can find a 2004+ with low miles and a CPO warranty. If I find it, I will see if I want to roll the dice

[tnoice]

Honestly, if you do your homework, get a PPI done or buy a certified Porsche with an extended warranty, you can have a two seater roadster where the enjoyment overcomes any fear you might have. Yes, there are some fundamental issues that the Porsche Boxster could have, but there are repairs and fixes for those. I autocross with a friend of mine that has a Z06, and he has different niggles with his. (transmission, fuel pump, and something else) No car is perfect, but if you properly take care of it, and take some precautionary measures, you will have an absolutely amazing car.

I have never regretted my decision to buy my Boxster and if that faithful day comes that she wants to join the other Porsche's in the sky......I will yank her back down and put a 3.6 in her. I enjoy the experience THAT MUCH!

On a side note....almost 2 years, completely repair free. Used pretty much as a daily driver and an autocross car.

Happy Porsche Hunting!! :dance:

[Brucelee]

It is a shame (on Porsche) that your fears are well founded.

Between the RMS and IMS issues that Porsche left unresolved for 9 years of so, the concern you have is quite valid when it comes to used Porsches.

Moreover, Porsche is quite variable when it comes to their warranty policies, which I know from bitter experience.

Too bad, in that a used boxster can be a very affordable purchase. It is the concern over the engine etc. that keeps me from buying one right now.

I would have no such concern over a used C4 or C5, all things being equal.

Now, if engine replacement/repair were more affordable, I would change my mind.

[lowflyer60]

So, just bought a '01 S this week, looking for info on the IMS problem. What do you look for when you inspect the oil filter?

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by lowflyer60

So, just bought a '01 S this week, looking for info on the IMS problem. What do you look for when you inspect the oil filter?

Little silvery metal flakes and black plastic bits. The metal, no surprise, is from the balls and race disintegrating. The plastic is from the cage (which keeps the balls properly spaced).

I highly recommend replacing your stock oil drain plug with a magnetic one -- LN Engineering sells these. This is another way to capture metal bits ... at least the ferrous ones.