'99 Boxter - Purchasing - Would like some advice

[nautiquelfe]

This seems like a simple answer to me. No doubt B. The dealer service alone is worth peace of mind. Also the addition of a hardtop. That would run you approx. $1500 from used source(good luck finding your color when you are ready to purchase one). Also the 18" rims are a very expensive upgrade. Car A will be needing a 60K service soon, that will cost you +/- $1200. With the uncertainty of maintenance on car A it may not be a bad idea to go ahead w/ the 60K work after purchase. Also it would be very wise to have a porsche dealership run a PPI on whichever your looking at it'll cost around $200 but it is worth way more. I own a 99 artic silver boxster and am spending much more than i thought on the minor details. Mine was a "base model" lease. I cant tell you how much i regret not holding out for a better optioned 99. Seems we'll have another happy member soon either way. Once you get the porsche itch there's only one way to scratch it. Use the fact that there's another car near that your looking at to negotiate a little off the top of either one. There seems to be an abundance of used boxsters for sell right now. I guess summer is really over. Good luck. Return often and use the knowledge of the board for any questions or concerns. You'll learn more on here in an hour than in a week talking to porsche salesmen. BTW any amount of warranty would be invaluable.

[Brucelee]

I will be contrarian here for a minute and point out issues with both cars:

The white car will need the service as pointed out. Also, white Boxes are worth AT LEAST two to three thousand less than a color such as silver. Ditto, the larger wheels on the silver car are worth serious money over the smaller.

Upon resale of the white Box, you will have very few calls indeed.

The silver 99 will be very slow with the tiptronic. Have you driven this car to see how you feel about the speed and handling issues?

Lastly, if you are already stretched financially and this is your one car to drive, I would suggest that you do need a car with an extended warranty. On a seven year old Box, something WILL break or need to be replaced and these cars are NOT CHEAP to repair.

You might want to rethink the Audi!

Good luck with your decision.

[zagit]

1. Listen to Brucelee, PORSCHE ARE EXPENSIVE.
2. Do you have another car, in case if you will not afford the repair expences? if not go with AUDI.
3. I think your primary attention will be on the engine and transmission, not on the hardtop and other secondary details.
4. Manuals are less complicated than auto-tiptronic transmissions, and this make a lots of sense then you buying a used 7 YEARS OLD porsche.
Good luck

[larez2]

Car B if it's your daily driver - the stop and go traffic in LA is a pain with a Manual.

Car A if it's your second or weekend car. Do the work regular maintenance yourself.

Car C - my car. It's a 99' Ocean Blue or Midnight Blue (not sure) tan interior with only 30k miles on it - just under actually. Hey if you're going to pay that much, I'll sell you mine!

Seriously though, those prices sound kind of high to me. Whatever car you pick, get it checked out by Porsche that includes a multi-pint check and compression test. If the top hasn't been replaced yet, it will probably be due in the next little bit here (check the convertible to window condition too). oh yeah and check out the tire tread, 18's don't come cheap. In either case keep in mind that it is a 7 year old car. What was the last 7 year old car you had. Even Hondas and Toyotas sometimes start to have minor problems after that long.

Good luck!
Larez

[zagit]

Price-I hope you will negotiate with them after PPI.You know you will feel yourself more confident if you will have around 5 to 8k at your bank account for any major problem case. So try decrease price by 3k and save 2 more. I know it pretty hard, and we are in same age category, but this will be very smart. If you have a warranty (i mean a true original warranty, not a third party warranties) that will be very nice.
About manual and tiptrionic, this is how i was thinking. Tiptronics are probably more complex creatures than a manuals, that means i have a higher chance that something will broke.

[Brucelee]

If you drive in LA, you may very well want the Tip. The traffic is aweful for a manual trans.

Having said that, I still feel that the 99 with Tip is a dog with fleas, performance wise and that White is considered a chick color. And I do like white personally but that is what I hear.



Just my two cents.