Boxster & extras & buying the right car

[srad34]

Yep, some including me (North Lincolnshire) but mostly american users. This site is better than UK offerings for sure.....

I like yours, Guards red (not that I am biased or owt as I have one the same!)

[husker boxster]

I agree with Coreseller on his questions about your regional requirements on AC and CC.

I have a couple of inter-related questions:

1. Are the options (or lack thereof) OK with you? Buying a used car is a compromise but you're the one who has to be satisfied.

2. How long do you plan to keep it?

If you're fine with the options and plan to keep it 5-10 yrs, options will be less important when it comes to resale time on a 15+ yr old car. Mileage and condition will be.

If you get "the itch" every 2-3 yrs, then resale issues should be considered.

Or you initiall plan to keep it 5-10 but it didn't have a "must have" option and you decide to look for another. This happens a lot, whether it's someone who thinks they can live with a base but then decide they have to have an S, or they think they can live without Sport Chrono or heated seats but later find out they can't, etc. Whatever the reason, regional values would be back in play if you're going to sell the car again in a couple of yrs.

You say you've been looking for a few wks. Hopefully you put the downpayment down because this one met your requirements vs you're getting tired of looking. Not sure how many Boxsters are available in your region, but there are plenty over here and people generally take their time finding the right one. Even though this one appears to be a base Base model, an 04 has nice options like a glass rear window and glove box. Take your time and you'll find the right one.

Good luck.

[brian325is]

I would not even consider a car with out air conditioning! I am canadian ( Toronto ) and find it very necessary during the summer. Even if I didn't care about resale, I would want it for myself. Not negotiable

[recycledsixtie]

Welcome to the forum. I have a 2001 base box with air cond. and heated seats.
I can relate to your situation as 2 years ago I had a barebones 99 Miata MX5 which had no heated seats and no air cond. I was okay with it for 4 years but the wife was not. Having lived in the UK(Yorkshire and Berkshire) I would think that air cond. is not really necessary but might be better for resale. I don't have cruise control on my Box and don't feel the need for it.

It gets hot here in summer so air cond. is necessary here. The red Box looks really nice but make sure you get a prepurchase inspection done on it by an independent garage. Look at other Boxsters before you decide on this one although u have put money down, you may feel committed. For sure get a ppi done and make sure it is what u want. It is easy to buy a Porsche but harder to sell. A ppi will give u idea if it is any good and if you decide on this one and has only minor defects, then deduct the cost of the repairs from the purchase price. Read up on ims failure on the internet. Consider getting the ims replaced, or install the ims guardian which I have done or else live with the 5% probability of failure. Also as mentioned above would u rather have a Box s? Do not be in a hurry. Let us know what u decide on.

[WhipE350]

Welcome! Husker and Core make good points. You bought the car and clearly where you live it didn't matter to you so it is likely there are others there too that would be interested in the same car.

I assume 1 - you got a good buy on the car, 2 - you didn't buy it as an investment, 3 - lack of AC/Radio won't impact your driving pleasure. Now enjoy Boxster ownership, drive it hard, and keep her clean and pretty. When you get the itch for another Boxster/Porsche (and you will ) part with it knowing any drop in value was worth the ride.

Keep the pics coming, we like pictures here

[mikefocke]

I think you'll find www.BoXa.net active and helpful and they know the UK market and models which are sometimes subtly different from those in the US.