Which year to buy?

[Perfectlap]

check consumer reports they track customer complaints for each model year.
I know my 2000 was a good vintage.
Also Finland assembled Boxsters seem to have fewer issues then German builds.

[Brucelee]

If you have the dough, I think the 2003 Boxster S is the best VALUE of the Boxster series.

Expect to pay mid 30s.

If you need to go lower, stay at 2000 or newer if you can.

Good luck!

[RandallNeighbour]

97's and some 98's had some small and big problems. Good owners of these cars have had them taken care of though.

03 and up had glass windows in the back... very nice to have if you can afford one this new.

[pbadss]

Hmm.. why '03? Would a CPO '03 Boxster S be better than a '05 Boxster?

Originally Posted by Brucelee

If you have the dough, I think the 2003 Boxster S is the best VALUE of the Boxster series.

Expect to pay mid 30s.

If you need to go lower, stay at 2000 or newer if you can.

Good luck!

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by pbadss

Hmm.. why '03? Would a CPO '03 Boxster S be better than a '05 Boxster?

I think the 03 pricing to value is good. If one thinks of an 05 and its price, why not a new one?

As to better, that is totally subjective. I really don't care for the cosmetic changes made to the Box in 05 but that is just me.

[pbadss]

I'm looking for the a good value Boxster (oxymoron?) so I was curious if there's anything obvious that I'm missing.

From what I've seen, a CPO '03 is about the same price as a used '05 Base. I'm new to Boxsters, and most everything I've learned is on these forums, but it looks like the '03 S has better about 20 more horses and a better suspension while the '05 base has an updated interior and exterior going for it. I guess I can see one picking an '03 S over an '05 Base. I'll have to consider that, thanks.

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I think the 03 pricing to value is good. If one thinks of an 05 and its price, why not a new one?

As to better, that is totally subjective. I really don't care for the cosmetic changes made to the Box in 05 but that is just me.

[Brucelee]

Keep in mind that the Porsche dealer ads THOUSANDS for the CPO brand. You can do much better if you avoid these guys.

[5thtonbench]

I love my 2000 S, and the six speed that comes with the S model I bought everything they could throw at me, which makes me an enthusiast or a sucker, you decide

One thing no one mentions is that somewhere around 2002 they went to some digital bus sound system, so it may be harder to play in the electronics arena. It does let you upgrade to porsche navi if you wanted though. I can say that the glass rear window of '03+ would have been desirable, considering even with heavy TLC my plastic one still recently developed a hole. I have a perfect top, bad window, and its going to run me a few $ to get myself to glass now.

I like to buy high-end within whatever Im purchasing, thats just me. I drove a standard boxster first, and thought it was great. Its a convertible porsche, cmon! But not until I drove the S was I completely sold. I have not driven the upgraded 986 or new 987 so I have no comparison.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

The '03 Models are the least produced of any Model Year - 13,452 Units produced Worldwide. Coincidentally, there seem to be fewer issues with the '03 Models, although to be fair it could be any number of Factors including the possibility that the '03 Fleet hasn't yet collectively accumulated as many miles.

I agree with Bruce re. the looks of the 987, I don't like it. I don't think it's better, nor do I think it's a very good update or interpretation of the Original but Personal Taste rules here.

It's generally accepted in Sports Cars that one should buy the newest model one can afford and there may be some truth to this, but you also have to consider that the newer Model will depreciate at a much faster rate as well. A sizable chunk of your investment will just evaporate in your first few years of ownership, whereas in an earlier model, this will be much less pronounced.

I drive a Boxster, yea it's a '99, but I only paid $17k for it a year ago with 17k mi. on the clock - today I could easily get $22k for it. A guy buying an '06 today will lose at least $17k to depreciation in 2 years. My Car is PERFECT in every way - a true 100 point Car, and just like the '06 guy, I drive a Boxster... you decide

My recommendation would be to keep an open mind and buy the Best Car you can find that meets, or comes close to meeting, your ideal. Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[pbadss]

I may be risk-adverse when it comes to cars, but after reading about replacing engines and RMS leaks it seems to me like some sort of warranty is important to have. Do you mean that CPO cars aren't worth it and a third-party warranty is a better value? or do you mean that a good PPI on a newer car with low miles is sufficent?

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Keep in mind that the Porsche dealer ads THOUSANDS for the CPO brand. You can do much better if you avoid these guys.