Still good?

we can't see from your pictures!!!
but if the gear box which is at the back is also damage maybe even the engine could have a knock it is going to cost you too much to fix even if done yourself, maybe a nice 964 could be the answer to porsche ownership, you probably have special insurace for vintage cars too or low mileage usage?
anyway keep your dream alive YOU will get a porsche one day!

[Ronzi]

Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear is almost always a losing proposition. The only way this deal could be anything but a massive disappointment is if you OWNED a body shop.
You already know the answer. Follow your gut.

[FasCar]

Thank you for the comments guys...so I guess I'm in over my head for the Boxster...considering the fact that I do not own a bodyshop nor do I plan on spending 25K to restore the car...

So back to the drawing board...

I guess if I want to buy a Porsche at my age, I have to consider older models...

But I'm afraid that the car won't be as reliable and that I'll have to spend a lot on it for repairs etc, etc...

What do you think? Is it a money pit to go for 944's, 928's, 964's, etc.??

[RandallNeighbour]

My mechanic says 944's are making him rich and the owners poor.

Porsches as daily drivers become fairly expensive rides. When they're a fun weekend car and they need repair, you just don't take them out of the garage until you have the cash saved up. But if you have to repair it to drive to work, it can become the worst buying decision you've ever made if you're broke.

I say save up and buy a real dependable boxster from someone who's babied it. If that takes a few years, sobeit. If you buy a beat up old one you'll put all difference in the price into it and still have an old beat up Porsche that runs. Sadly, that's what I did and now I'm faced with needing a paint job, etc. Ugh.

[Brucelee]

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Or,

"I see dead people"

[tqtran]

I'd say if you are looking for around 10K then go for a 968. I've seen some really good ones for sale lately(if your in the east coast). Say a 70K 1994 968 for around $13.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=190405461&dealer_id=57006249&car_year=1994&search_type=both&make=POR&transmission=Manual&distance=0&model=968&address=46825&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=13000&bkms=1131076236775&min_price=1&end_year=2006&color=&start_year=1987&drive=&isp=y&engine=&doors=&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=622
If you are going to spend 10 on a 944, your better off with a 968. its newer, has a 6 speed, and has simular hp and speed as a 986.
But if you are in the 5-10K range I would suggest a 944s2 or 944N/A, stay away from the turbos. They like to drink $$$$$$$$$$.

edit: a good 964 will still run you close to boxster money

[FasCar]

Wow, the 968 is really nice!! But I still love turbo 944's..why do you say they like to drink money?...Insurance wise? Repair wise?...

I know a couple of people that have 944 turbo's and never had any serious problems with them...is it just luck?

I don't really like the non turbo front of 944 with the bumper guards...i dunno why...i'm just not really a big fan...so I wouldn't go for that car...

Are 968 expensive to maintain?

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by FasCar

So I took a look at smaller models (and more affordable ones) like the 944 and 928 (even the 912)

Hey now, what's up with the "smaller" models. I resemble that comment. The 928 was the most expensive Porsche of its' time (eq to about $120K in today's dollars).

Originally Posted by FasCar

What do you think? Is it a money pit to go for 944's, 928's, 964's, etc.??

Here's my 2 cents on the older models. The 944 was the least expensive model available when they were new, so a lot of people who could just afford to "own a Porsche" could not afford to maintain it properly. The 928 has, on average, been maintained better because it was very expensive to start with, but they were usually neglected by their 3rd anad 4th owners since they didn't pay the new price for them. The 964 was between them sales price wise, but more rare so you have to take that into account when thinking about parts availability.

As a rule of thumb on the 928 forum, they recommend anybody looking at them to expect to pay about $5K (if you can DIY it) in addition to the purchase price to get them back into good condition. I'm sure it would be the same for the 944 or 964. The things that usually have to be done with an older model are timing belt, fuel lines, gaskets and basically everything rubber since it's over 10 years old.

If you can do a good bit of maintenance yourself, find a good model with records showing the maintenance was kept up and get a good PPI done it can be great. My neighbor recently bought a '84 928 for $3K and drove it home from New Jersey loving every minute of it. Mine was in great shape when I got it a year ago and has cost me a total of $14K after replacing the clutch, timing belt, fuel lines, leather re-dye and giving it a complete tune-up. Not bad for the only V8 Porsche (car) out there.