Will be buying my first car, a used boxster

[RandallNeighbour]

I own the sort of car you're looking to buy (see signature and web site for details on maintenance and repairs I've been forced to perform to keep my car in good running order). My big issue for you, Farmer, is the part of the country in which you live. FARGO?

Flat. The boxster is a car for twisty roads, found in hilly or mountainous areas.

Cold. There are owners here who live in Chicago, Minnesota, etc., but they own these convertibles as summer toys, not their main daily driver.

Rural. You won't find a lot of Porsche mechanics in Fargo, and the closest "stealership" loves guys like you and me... you know, guys who buy old Porsches that will enable them to put their kids through Harvard.

Seriously, just on ageographical basis, you should buy a 911 Turbo. MUCH more fun on flat rural roads where you live. Hard top for harsh winters. All wheel drive for snow. And if you get a newer one, it shouldn't need a lot of repairs.

Go back to the bank with this explanation and get a loan for at least $50k so you can get a nice pampered 2004 911 Turbo. I'm on your side here!

[haz]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Cold. There are owners here who live in Chicago, Minnesota, etc., but they own these convertibles as summer toys, not their main daily driver.

I´m in Norway, NORWAY! Snow from november to april. I´m driving this sucker all year round with studless winter tires and a hard top.

This is from when I captured the 90.000 km mark last winter in my BMW.. just so happend to be cold out:



But seriousy, get a VTEC....

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by haz

But seriousy, get a VTEC....

I wish those were around or cheap to buy second hand when I was shopping for my first car. I'm embarrased to admit that I had to borrow the $2K from my folks to buy my first car. But I quickly paid them back working as a ballroom waiter in a five star hotel. For my second car I blew out the budget and spent $4K. The third car I went nuts on and spent $6K but had no choice as it was being sold at 50% below market value. The local tax authorities sent me a letter saying that they didn't believe I bought for that little and wanted me to sign a sworn statement that I wasn't trying to evade taxes. I had fun in all those cars and I don't think I ever spent more than $500 fixing any single one of them. I used to be smart back then.....

Cars = money pits.

[black_falcon]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I own the sort of car you're looking to buy (see signature and web site for details on maintenance and repairs I've been forced to perform to keep my car in good running order). My big issue for you, Farmer, is the part of the country in which you live. FARGO?

Flat. The boxster is a car for twisty roads, found in hilly or mountainous areas.

Cold. There are owners here who live in Chicago, Minnesota, etc., but they own these convertibles as summer toys, not their main daily driver.

Rural. You won't find a lot of Porsche mechanics in Fargo, and the closest "stealership" loves guys like you and me... you know, guys who buy old Porsches that will enable them to put their kids through Harvard.

Seriously, just on ageographical basis, you should buy a 911 Turbo. MUCH more fun on flat rural roads where you live. Hard top for harsh winters. All wheel drive for snow. And if you get a newer one, it shouldn't need a lot of repairs.

Go back to the bank with this explanation and get a loan for at least $50k so you can get a nice pampered 2004 911 Turbo. I'm on your side here!

Yeah.. he beat me to it. I went to college in Grand Forks, and if this is going to be your only car, forget it. I know people use these in the winter.. but North Dakota is more like the North pole. I tried to use a 944 for a short time and it just wasn't realistic; the weather is HARSH on these or any cars, 8' foot snow drifts, highways closing, roads poorly plowed, nobody knows a damn thing about them, good luck trying to find parts locally, etc, etc. Wasn't long before I was back with a cheap used A4.

Since you're going to buy it regardless of what we say; there is nothing wrong with the 2.5 - find one with a recent clutch as that's probably the most expensive wear and tear item. Service records are very important - if you have to finance the car, then I promise you won't be able to afford to bring a neglected example around. Lastly, I'd recommend keeping it stock. These aren't Honda clown cars to trick out and buzz around in. They're precision machines with a lot of heritage and history behind the badge deserving of respect. I doubt many "mods" can improve upon Porsche factory know how.

Good luck on your search

[MoneyPit]

Farmboy,
Go for it but just understand the cost around this beast and that a good Porsche mechanic usually have worked on these cars for years.
Enough of that, My fist car was a 79 VW Diesel Rabbit a whole 58 hp and 48 mpg and was not able to buy another German car until I was 48 and love every minute behind the wheel of my Box.