So, buying a used Boxster is turning out to be way harder than I thought it would be! Maybe I was just naive coming in.
I started my search targeting late model 986s. I started locally and expanded my search statewide (see my other post "Inspect my Ride") when it seemed like all the cars nearby had one or more of the following issues:
1) too many miles
2) excessive paints/dings/interior issues
3) fishy backgrounds
4) weird owners
5) nice condition, low miles, but asking price in high teens or low 20s for a 986 (a little too much IMO since I want to drive it not collect it)
In short order, I decided I would spend a little more to get a 987 since I like the style more (the front...although not the back) as well as the interior. They also seemed to not command as much of a premium as the late-model 986s taking into account age/miles/condition/features.
Yesterday, I saw a '05 Boxster nearby that looked and drove perfect. The owner had stacks of records since the car was new, although he himself had only owned the car a year. I ordered a PPI at Michael Stead Porsche in Walnut Creek which was done this morning. They still haven't emailed me the report (wtf?) but the service manager called me and said the brakes needed doing, tires needed doing (I could see the rears were near gone so no surprise), the top had some issue, but most alarmingly, they detected some kind of paint repair on the front using their paint thickness gauge. He even used the word "substandard" to describe the paint. He summed it up by saying that he wasn't saying that I shouldn't buy the car, but only if I got a "smoking deal." I'm curious to see the report but still bummed as this probably isn't the car for me. The owner is convinced it is all original.
Going to look at a black 2005 S tomorrow. Could be nice (fingers crossed) although black is not my top choice in color.
Is it supposed to be this hard?
I know...whine.
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