I think I'm ready to sell my Boxster..

[thstone]

My list was very similar! I bought my car 10 months ago with 86K miles for $10K. Knowing that there are no cheap Porsche's, I knew that I'd likely spend $2,000+ in the first year. Here's what I've done:

•Replace the clutch
•Replace the flywheel
•Replaced the RMS (while doing clutch)
•Replaced the tires

•Replaced both the handbrake switch (so top will work) and the clutch switch (so car will start)
•Replaced the top microswitch in the windshield header (so top will work)
•The alarm didn't work because the front bumper was installed incorrectly. Removed and reinstalled correctly and got the alarm working.
•Had alignment done because the car was shaking quite a bit over 70mph
•Ignored the IMS when I replaced the clutch. Its worked fine for 92K miles, so it will likely last a few more.
•Replaced brake pads and rotors
•Replaced fuel filter
•Replaced spark plugs
•Replaced spark plug tubes
•Changed oil
•Replaced brake fluid
•Replaced engine air filter
•Replaced cabin air filter
•Replaced windshield wiper blades

•Had to buy floor mats (none in car)
•Installed iPod cable
•Installed rear speaker kit
•Wheels aren't in very good condition. Drive as-is.
•Centre ashtray lid was broken, replaced

Overall, this is pretty typical for an affordable 10-year old Porsche with nearly 90K miles. This is why many people on this forum recommend a PPI so you know what you're getting into and the ongoing costs associated with keeping it running and fixing all of the little stuff.

I've been MORE than happy with my car. I mostly expected everything that I've had to do based on my PPI. The clutch/flywheel was the only real surprise (but an expensive one).

In summary, I'd buy the car again in a microsecond!

Now, I need to get out to the garage and check my front brake pads because I have a pad sensor lit up on the dash!

[blue2000s]

No such thing as a cheap Porsche. Consider that this car will need things replaced that most cars don't all it's life. It will never be inexpensive, even when you've got all of these issues cleared up. This is Porsche ownership.

[Mark_T]

Actually, I'll be selling off my old grey floor mats when the new black ones arrive in a few days. I'll give you a "sympathy price" - it'll be less than half of what new mats would cost, including shipping. Let me know if you're interested.

This is my third summer of Porsche ownership. I started off with a big list too, and all I have left to do now is the water pump and thermostat, which I'll do in the next couple of weeks. Of course there's a bunch more optional stuff that I will want to do over the next few years. Rather than fret about the cost (who cares - it's only money!) I focused instead on how much fun I'm having learning how to do all this stuff myself. It's also an excuse to buy a bunch of cool new tools!

This isn't a cheap hobby, but dude... you own a Porsche! You're living the dream!

[thstone]

+1 "you own a Porsche! You're living the dream!"

Exactly!

[Lil bastard]

Clearly you're not happy.

Dreaming the dream and owning the dream aren't always the same thing.

Think seriously about cutting your losses.

As others have mentioned, owning a Porsche is EXPENSIVE in the long run (and the short run in your case).

Plan on at least $1200/yr. in ownership costs and save for it. Some years it will be less than $1200, others will be more. Tires alone are an every 2-3 yr. expenditure for a 'driven' car and this will run you between $650 and $1400 (all-in - alignment, balancing, mounting, etc.)

Driving a car held together on the cheap will not be a satisfying experience. And these cars have yet to bottom out on the depreciation scale, meaning you're likely to put more into it than it's worth and won't recover the costs when it's sold. That's OK if you LOVE the car, but there's still no fiscal sense to it.

So, if you don't love it that much, wash/wax it and take 50 pics of you next to the car for your photo album showing the Porsche you once owned and sell it. Then get something that's more in tune with your cost expectations and your wallet.

In the end, you'll be much happier.

Cheers!

[Perfectlap]

in the last year:

IMS, RMS, clutch, Flywheel, starter, alternator, AOS, MAF, expansion tank, shocks, brake pads, rear axle boots, wheel straightening/refinish. I upgraded the exhaust (full Fabspeed) and put on new rubber (Bridgstone Potenza RE-11).

Total damage so far $10,000.


Will need to do control arms, coil packs and the rear plastic window has a nickel size gash. .....yep.


p.s.
If I sell the car I will: A) have to spend more, or A LOT more to get something as good or better (I am skeptical) or B) buy something brand new and have a monthly payment. I opted to keep the car.
Looking at used car prices for Porsches is deceiving. Unless the mileage is very low or the previous owner did extensive maintance, you've got some expensive upkeep to factor into the price.

[RandallNeighbour]

rdougan, you basically bought what I bought. A black hole for dead presidents. You're not going to find a carefree Porsche ownership experience that doesn't come with a huge price tag up front or nice big payments every month.

So, if you are still thoroughly disgusted with the prospect of fixing up your car and enjoying it for enough years to make the fixing-up worthwhile, do what LB above suggested. Wash it, wax it, and trade it on something else.

I really wish I had done just that. I bought my '97 in 2004 for $15k, which at the time was $3k under wholesale blue book. I should have put it in an auction, broke even or even made a couple hundred bucks out of the deal, and saved up for a much newer S with far fewer miles on it owned by someone who didn't treat the car like they stole it.