$8000 Boxster S - Page 2 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

PorscheBound · 08-25-2013, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

Hmmmmm, even if the engine is rebuilt at 140k miles there's not much life left in it...

Can you expand? If the engine was rebuilt properly it should have a whole new life. Correct?

ChrisZang · 08-24-2013, 08:26 PM

One more thing: if I look at the "cars for sale" section on this forum I see several Boxsters in your price range....

j.fro · 08-25-2013, 04:19 AM

This car sounds like a great candidate for track/autocross and heavy modifications. You've got a good budget and great shop resources. Are you planning to spend your budget on upgrades, or is it there just in case? If you are not happy with a stock car, this sounds like the one for you...if you feel mere mortals have no business messing with Porsche's product, find a nicer car.

PorscheBound · 08-25-2013, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.fro

This car sounds like a great candidate for track/autocross and heavy modifications. You've got a good budget and great shop resources. Are you planning to spend your budget on upgrades, or is it there just in case? If you are not happy with a stock car, this sounds like the one for you...if you feel mere mortals have no business messing with Porsche's product, find a nicer car.

Budget is there just in case. No real desire to highly modify the car. Most upgrades would be slight cosmetic changes. Like clear tails and headlights, maybe a new set of wheels, things like that.

PorscheBound · 08-25-2013, 05:51 AM

New information discussed with owner: ALLEDGEDLY

Bought from 2nd owner with blown engine. 2nd owner couldn't afford to repair or replace engine. Current owners brother has been a Porsche mechanic for 30 years and he is the one who did the engine rebuild. When the engine was rebuilt, they put in the LN bearing as well as new clutch. They have invoices and receipts for all work done. Engine rebuild was done 3 months ago. Reason for selling is he needs money.

j.fro · 08-25-2013, 07:15 AM

Sounds like the engine is in order...if the receipts chek out. How's the suspension and transmission? 2nd gear pop-out tends to be a 6sp issue, rebuild = 4-5K. Struts, control arms, etc could also be wearing.

rp17 · 08-27-2013, 08:41 AM

....if you feel mere mortals have no business messing with Porsche's product, find a nicer car.[/QUOTE]

Well said.

PorscheBound · 08-25-2013, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

One more thing: if I look at the "cars for sale" section on this forum I see several Boxsters in your price range....

This is true. There are plenty of cars to START with in my range. But upon further inspection and PPI's I am finding these 14-18K cars need a few grand to really be "right" pushing the total investment into the low 20's

Jake Raby · 08-25-2013, 04:20 AM

Being able to afford to buy these cars is much different than being able to afford to own them. There is no cheap Porsche.

AndyA6 · 08-25-2013, 04:31 AM

Hard to find the right car! All candidates are old and high miles, generally speaking. I looked for a Boxster for a very long time, all the cars locally had issues, all of them! Finally got a CPO from the dealership, paid a bit more than "market" but it was the right decision. No issues and for 2 years they fixed everything, no questions asked, that alone more than made up for the initial higher price.

Above is just an example on how another approach might look like.

If the engine checks out and the rest of the car looks fixable and you have fun wrenching I'd say go for it!

BruceH · 08-25-2013, 09:01 AM

Sounds like you have the budget, mechanical help/ability and facilities to make a go of a project. Make the guy an offer, get an independent PPI with some emphasis on the engine rebuild. If it checks out, I say go for it! I spent about 4 months searching the country for mine before finding the right one. I don't have the space and abilities you have though so I wanted a well sorted vehicle and found it. A year later, no surprises. Good luck with your decision

Crono0001 · 08-25-2013, 09:06 AM

I'd say walk. With 18k, you could buy a 3.4 986

woodsman · 08-25-2013, 10:38 AM

so you clearly want the car- ok, now get a PPI. Even if that turns out well, I still think it'll nickel and dime you till you're sick of it. Do you want a 'project' or something you drive- these cars are not 'durable'- they're high maintenance. If you read between the lines of what people are saying here I'd say most wish they bought newer- me being one of them. Why is this thing so cheap? What was the $10 000 for if his brother did the job? I know that 'tired of looking feeling' but it's a sign that you're on the right track to a sound purchase instead of a gamble like most used-car purchases. Either way, good luck!
Ps. I'd say wait til next summer and get an '09

PorscheBound · 08-25-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsman

so you clearly want the car- ok, now get a PPI. Even if that turns out well, I still think it'll nickel and dime you till you're sick of it. Do you want a 'project' or something you drive- these cars are not 'durable'- they're high maintenance. If you read between the lines of what people are saying here I'd say most wish they bought newer- me being one of them. Why is this thing so cheap? What was the $10 000 for if his brother did the job? I know that 'tired of looking feeling' but it's a sign that you're on the right track to a sound purchase instead of a gamble like most used-car purchases. Either way, good luck!
Ps. I'd say wait til next summer and get an '09

Well my thought behind the whole thing is this guy probably bought the car for like 2 or 3k, had his brother do an engine rebuild that cost him 4k in parts and now is trying to flip it. Where I think he is saying its a 10k rebuild is if you don't have any connections and you were to sublet it out to a shop or dealer it would be a 10k rebuild. He probably came no where close to paying out 10k.

woodsman · 08-25-2013, 11:28 AM

is it just me or is it getting murkier around this one? Why not a PPI?

993innc · 08-26-2013, 04:19 AM

I'm new here and new to Boxsters, my Pcars only pump oil. After reading about the issues these cars have (bearing, electrical, etc....) and given they are a dime a dozen model (unlike earlier air cooled models), I say buy it. Why not. Sounds like you have connections, the motor (the big expense) has been handled already and you have a budget capable of allowing for future issues. Sounds like a win win to me.......

I just bought a project myself. PO said motor has to be replaced, but reading the computer says the cam position sensor needs replacement. Working on doing that this week. Hoping to have bought the steal of a century.

GL if you buy it, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Spyderman · 08-26-2013, 04:59 AM

I'd buy the black 2001 Boxster 'S' from the guy in Rockville...

trimer · 08-26-2013, 05:13 AM

If you want a project, go get a roller with much less mileage and put together a monster motor with the left over cash!

If it were me, I take the majority of the advice (if you are not just looking for a project car), get the best you can get, latest model you can get for the money. that 8 grand can quickly turn into 16 grand. start with something a little lower mileage...

BDBoxster · 08-26-2013, 06:10 AM

Offer the guy $5k--$6k.....if he really needs the cash, he'll take it.

Perfectlap · 08-26-2013, 06:27 AM

Follow these simple rules.

Rule #1-Find out what car is worth. The ONLY way to do this accurately is to pay $200-$400 for a top to bottom pre-purchase inspection. Even then once you factor in all the things that need $$$$ you next need to factor in all of things that usually go at this mileage but don't show symptoms until they let go. $$$$$. Once you have addded A+B+C = what the car will actually cost you to run, you'll then ask yourself if this car is worth it.

Rule #2- avoid car's with "stories". The best Boxster or Carrera is one that comes from an owner who knows it needs more than just one oil change a year. One that does not sit long periods, its run at least weekly. And one that lives in year round nice weather climate. Cold weather cars that are stored don't see this punishment but to do so they sit still and that's problematic. One forum member here has 330K miles on his Boxster, still has the original IMS, few major repairs, appears to follow strict maintenance schedule. Point being that Boxster checks all the boxes, good weather, clock work maintenance, and ideal driving practices.

Operating a Boxster is no less expensive than operating a Carrera or Cayman. In the end you'll end up spending just as much to maintain a Boxster as the others. So you should be asking yourself now do you really want a Boxster or are you just interested in this one because you think you might be ablet to get for cheap. If your budget is $18K there plenty of Carreras that can be had for that.
Everytime I log onto Autotrader, whose prices run on the high side because of middlemen, there are never less than 1,000 1999-2013 Carreras to choose from. The Porsche forums have the best deals since those are enthusiast-owned cars with proper maintenance and asking prices are much lower, win win. Earlier this year I saw a mint condition 2001 Cabriolet with about 70K miles go for $12K. And there will be more good deals this winter. The biggest mistake people make is buying a Boxster because they think its cheap to buy. First its not cheap to run. Second it may not be the car for you.