'99 Boxter - Purchasing - Would like some advice

[Brucelee]

In my opinion, you need something not quoted.

The pre-cert inspection is overkill.

The visual check is not enough.

My dealer does the visual, a road test, and puts the car on the computer, runs it through a diagnostic. They also do a print out of all warranty work done on the car since day 1.

They charge $230 and this takes them about 2 hours.

BTW-this is Hoen Porsche, here in Carlsbad. The contact is Mike Cooper at 760-438-4434 if you want to speak with him.

Hope that helps.

Good luck!

[idjiot]

I spoke to the guy at McKenna about the diagnostic but he said that running the computer wouldn't show anything unless there was some sort of "light" that appeared in the car. Is there something more specific that I can use to ask them at McKenna?

I can probably request a test drive so that should be okay. The diagnostic and the other warranty information appears to be the only thing different - I'll call to see if McKenna can do the warranty.

I would just go to Carlsbad but I'm in LA and Laguna Niguel is already 65 miles away...

[Perfectlap]

my advice:
Look for at least a 2000 Boxster. I was just reading Excellence and they spelled out some significant changes between 1999 and 2000.
The price in the used car market is probably negligible btween these two years better to go with the one with problems worked out.
kinda like deciding between an 86 and an 87 911. You want the new tranny.

[Brucelee]

Well, there actually are things the computer can tell you about the car, such as how it has been driven. For example, if the car has been over reved, if the car has ever been air borne, etc.

Having said that, if you can add the test drive and get the warranty summary (which is in the computer at McKenna, that would be pretty good I think.

And yes, 65 miles one way is a bit of a haul at $3.29 per gallon.

Originally Posted by idjiot

I spoke to the guy at McKenna about the diagnostic but he said that running the computer wouldn't show anything unless there was some sort of "light" that appeared in the car. Is there something more specific that I can use to ask them at McKenna?

I can probably request a test drive so that should be okay. The diagnostic and the other warranty information appears to be the only thing different - I'll call to see if McKenna can do the warranty.

I would just go to Carlsbad but I'm in LA and Laguna Niguel is already 65 miles away...

[Ronzi]

I am coming late to the party, but my $.02 on the manual/Tipper issue, anyway...
I bet more guys on this forum have replaced clutches in their stick shifters than Tipper owners have had to monkey with their autos. In other words, I don't think the reliability thing holds much water.
A clutch is a "consumable", and it WILL have to be replaced, and at 60K miles I would expect it is at least half used up. I understand that a new clutch is about a $2,500 date. So if your intended use for the car is as a daily driver in city traffic, there is that to think about.

[idjiot]

Thanks to the everyone who provided their comments (nautiquelfe, zagit, larez2, krztaco, perfectlap, ronzi) and especially Brucelee for coaching me thorugh the PPI. I just needed more feedback before I closed the deal...which I did!!!

So I finally closed the deal on my 2001 Boxter - Yellow, Manual with 33k miles.

Two interesting things came up during the PPI:
1. Apparently there was a rat's nest in the air filter - estimated cost for A/C service and new filter: $500

2. The engine was replaced at the 17k mark. The guy at the dealership said that this was actually a good thing since it meant the engine only had 16k miles on it. It didn't factor into the buying decision.

I wasn't able to negotiate my price down with the seller - he was pretty hardcore about it. However, the dealer mentioned that any damage caused by the rat should be covered under homeowner's insurance (anyone have experience with this?) I figured what the heck - although the guy at the dealership cautioned me on this.

I've got to get a wheel alignment done for the car as well as replace the front tires in the near future. Anyone know of a good place offering a good deal? I'm torn between just taking the car to the dealer or trying to get things done at a cheaper place. Doesn't it affect resale value a lot if you're not doing all of your maintenance at a dealership?

Either way, that's that. I'm very pleased - definitely glad that I didn't get an A4.

Once again, thanks for all of your help!

[Brucelee]

You are very welcome. The guys on this forum are great and always willing to help.

I think that using a dealer can makes sense at times. I DO NOT use my local dealer for the simplier things, such as oil changes, filters and even plugs. I have a very good mechanic and of course, keep copies of all invoices etc.

For things that do need a greater level of expertise, I DO use the local dealer. This certainly includes things that involve having to diagnose electrical issues, RMS, trans and engine maladies.

They DO cost more per hour but often they can spend less hours since they really know these cars.

I DON'T think resale value is impacted by using non-dealer services, as long as you keep all of your records.

Best of luck on your new car and please post pix as soon as you can.

Good stuff!