Advice on purchasing a used Boxster, please!

[boxster562]

Hey all, first time posting here. I recently came across what seems to be a really good deal on a 1999 Boxster. I'm 20 and never really imagined driving a Porsche anytime soon but I can't seem to pass this up! Its a silver 99 Boxster, only 6800 miles, triptronic, for 15k.. The only thing is, it holds a salvaged title. Now, I'd usually steer clear of anything salvaged.. but like I said, I'd hate to pass up such a good deal. I Carfaxed the VIN but it didnt pull up any details except for the fact that it was totaled, and granted a salvaged title in 2000. The mileage stayed consistent on all of the records Carfax provided so I'm pretty sure it's legit. I thought about taking the car into a nearby Porsche dealer for an inspection to see what they come up with but, I'd hate to spend $300 on a car that I'm not even positive about purchasing. Any recommended Porsche specialists around Long Beach, CA?

I have no experience with salvaged cars or even Porsches for that matter. If any of you can share some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. What questions should I ask and what signs should I be looking for. I test drove the car already but I don't really know what I should be looking for.

Thank you in advance!

[Finallygottaporsche]

sounds scary. run.

[mach schnell]

bro - first, welcome!

second - unless $15k is your ceiling, you can definitely find some early model 986's with fair mileage and maybe even certified extended porsche warranty for low to mid $20's.

it's very cool to be thinking about a porsche so early in life (a porsche you bought! not one that your mommy or daddy bought for you!), so don't taint it with a salvaged title.

i've heard from other soCal dealers, that Walter's in Riverside is usually their stiffest competition on price. Anway, good luck

[986Jim]

Dude, there is an old saying with cars. The cheapest one never is. If you buy that car you will run into so many problems down the road and have to spend so much money keeping it running that it will end up being way more expensive than paying 20k for a normal higher mileage one.

Plus you run into the problem of never being able to sell the car either. Nobody in their right mind would buy a salvage porsche. If you do and enjoy it great, but you'll be hard pressed to find another guy like you who would buy it. Thats why the car has had the same mileage since 2000. They fixed it and couldn't find anybody to buy it.


The problem with salvage is they inspect the car etc, but they don't ensure that it will last for any period of time, only that it's OK now. But even with things are off a bit, it causes rubbing here and creeking there, and eventually these problems show up as busted motor mounts, and worn tires, and worn out shocks, door rubbing etc.. ONce a car is smashed up it's never the same.

[dkriebel]

I looked at an 04 with salvaged title, and was advised on this forum to run. I went to junk dealer who name was on title and he showed me pictures before the repair...I RAN!

[Brucelee]

As a dealer, I will just say,



"Be afraid, be very afraid!"

[denverpete]

I know how it is - here's this great "deal" and it looks good and you'd have a PORSCHE! But this is seriously a BAD idea. There are only so many things that a mechanic can check. Don't be the sucker the seller is looking for.

More than that, I've discovered that it's not a good idea to try to get in "cheap" into a sportscar. The old saying is, "If you have to ask - you can't afford it". Well, the Porsche saying should be, "If it's all you can afford - you can't afford it". These are expensive vehicles to maintain and insure. A rip in your top and you'll be out $2,000. Blow the engine? That will be a cool $13,000.

Now, if you can afford to maintain it - then you can afford to buy something that isn't a Salvage POS. You can get into a Boxster with decent mileage (less than 50,000) for under $20,000. If you can go mid twenties, you can even pick one up with a warranty.

Don't buy that POS. Don't do it. Move along - nothing to see here.