Should I buy? Would you buy?

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by SJS

I don't mind taking a gamble as I know these cars can be one. It will be a third car. Good idea? Thanks again.

No.

Just sayin'..........

TO

[johnsimion]

I wouldn't pay for a PPI for this car either. In fact, the way you describe this car, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. You would need to set aside so much money for potential repairs that you would be doubling the price just to keep it running, and then you'd still have an old car. Nothing against Porsche, but any old car is going to be less than completely reliable. And this one has been rearended and includes (at no extra cost) foggy headlights and spiderweb paint. Sweeeeet! Can you find nothing better than this? I mean, why not just buy a rusted-out Fiat. Or, if you really must have this car, get it for hillbilly lawn sculpture. Get the seller to throw in four concrete blocks and there you go.

[billj18]

Have you driven any other Boxsters?

As one Pittsburgh guy to another, you need to try a few others first. Two years ago when I was in the market, I drove 2 1998s and a 1999. They weren't the best examples; higher mileage, no service records, cheap. I wondered what all of the fuss was over these cars. They were OK, but nothing special to drive. Performance did not impress.

Then I saw a 2001 base listed in Ohio, and on a whim, a buddy and I drove to see it on a Saturday morning. Holy Crap! This car was beautiful, polished and shiny. They say these cars handle like they are on rails, and I discovered what this meant. It opened my eyes. I bought the car on the spot.

The point is, if you drive a good one, you won't be satisfied with less. Obviously, mine is a 2.7 motor, so a little more kick than the 2.5. And the suspension was not worn and sloppy. In my opinion, you will be better served buying one in better condition rather than spending money to restore it to good condition. It will certainly be cheaper in the long run.


Bill

[southernstar]

Bubbles in the paint are typically due to improper repairs and rust underlying cheap body filler. I wouldn't touch it with a cattle prod.

[turbo23dog]

You can find better. Don't take the bait...

[steved0x]

PCarShops shows there are several indys in that area:

Porsche Repair Shops & Mechanics Near pittsburgh, pa | PCarShops.com

They might be a good lead on a well-cared for example. Plus you will want to find a good one anyway to help you once you have the car.

I was going to suggest Kevin at the Porsche Specialist in Broomhall, PA but when I looked on the map it was 4 hours away. However that is not too far to go get the right car. I flew in that morning, had Kevin do the PPI on mine and then drove it back to NC that night. Highly recommended. And a fun road trip too

Steve

[Jamesp]

I've been buying parts. They are three to six times the cost of parts for other brands. They are never cheaper. Buying a Boxster that does not need repairs is money well spent unless you intend to work on it yourself as a hobby.

[Grob1492]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Another bit of free advice:

Prioritize mileage over year.

1996-1999 Boxster is essentially the same car.
2000-2004 Boxster basically the same.
2005-2008 Boxster basically the same.
2009+ different altogether engine.

Point being don't fret over a 2001 vs. 2002.
You get more value from a Boxster with less mileage than one with less years.
So when they say buy the newest Porsche you can afford, take that to mean usage not vintage.
If mileage is high like this 99 you're looking at, it needs to come with a very long list of repairs to big ticket items like the shocks,
clutch/ims, coolant system, exhaust/cats and all the other stuff like AOS, starter, alternator, wheel bearings add up big.
If it dosen't come with these repairs already done, you're not getting a good deal like you may think you are.
If you're handy and have a lift, you can get a decent deal fixing it up yourself... but still very far from cheap.
Pay now or pay later but with Porsche you will pay.

I have been thinking about buying a older boxster. I found a 2000 with under 60,000.
Here's my issue.
Boxsters seem to have excellent ratings but also have some serious engine issues like the failure of the IMS.
It all sounds so unreliable and expensive.
Is the IMS issue just part of owning this car.
Is there continuous repairs ?
I want one but what do I look for
Thanks for any help

[1baldymech]

SJS if you are looking for a Porsche mechanic in Pittsburgh , Charlie Hsu at EUROSPEED MOTOR WERK at the corner of Rt 51 and Rt 88, 2510 Library RD. (412) 661 5398 or (412) 4405. Charlie worked for a Porsche dealership for 12 years and he knows the cars

[BIGJake111]

actually sounds a bit cheap, got my box for 6k. we were about to buy one for 10 a few days prior, but the seller stood us up last minuet. found my current car, and couldnt pass it up with the glass rear window and all... car is mechanically perfect. Airbag light on though but that was litterly present in every boxster we looked at purchasing, but main reason the price was cheap was they were going into winter, had already bought an 09 boxster, and had just spent 5k on a service, they simply wanted the money back out of the service, it sounds like a good car but id play it safe with one with less miles and better condiiton interior. look to pay about 8.5k which isnt bad at all considering what great value these cars are (before factoring in maintenance) Look for a car that has already had the water pump replaced as that is an issue with 75k to 115k boxsters, cheap fix but hey best to find a car where someone else has done it for you.

[Grob1492]

I'm in a similar situation.
I love the boxster, found a 2000 with under 60k at a good price.
This would be my first sports car. I'm handy with a wrench but all the repairs that these guys talk about is unbelievable. The money is out of site too.
Am I to assume that if you own a boxster that it's a money pit?
I'm having second thoughts about the whole thing.

[RandallNeighbour]

These cars don't have to be a money pit. There are posters here who buy Boxsters and don't put any more than $250 a year into them for oil changes the first two years. A lot if it has to do with how the car is used.

We just have to keep in mind that Porsches are boutique sports cars. The suspension parts don't last as long as a passenger car and some of the parts in the early 986 models were flimsy and made a cheap thin plastic.

One must have a strong stomach and a supportive wallet to own a Porsche for a long period of time.

The guys who just buy one because it's the next cool car in a line of brands they want to own usually buy new or lease new, or buy an older one and trade it after a couple of years because of the maintenance and repairs.