Looking at 2000 Boxster - Need Opinions

[My_Name_is_Dan]

I looked at this one this morning. About 1.5 hrs away from me. 50K on the clock, always garaged, really looks good. Has new tires. Present owner's wife has had it for the past 2 years, which was 11K miles ago. I looked at the PPI they had done on it and for the most part, it checks out, other than needing brakes/rotors.

Looks and drives great. IMS has not been done, but owner has been diligent about inspecting the oil filter for debris (if that even matters). The AOS and the water pump have not been touched. Only one key fob (why do they do that?) and I wish the wheels were a different Porsche wheel...

Top is in great shape, there are some minor scratches on the plastic rear window, but nothing major. Car comes equipped with the following:

Heated seats, traction control, zenon headlights with washers, 8 way electrical seats, both driver and passenger (driver has memory), 17 inch cup 3 wheels, auto speed control, alarm, wind deflector, driver's side lumbar support, on board computer, CD changer, Stainless exhaust tip, Porsche door guards, Aluminum look instrument dials, aluminum gearshift knob, Porsche name on handbrake...

Owner advertised at $11.5K, said he would take $11K.

I'm thinking of offering $10.5K cash. What do you guys think?

Here are some pictures:

[KevinH1990]

I have a 2000 with just over 100k on it and the car you are considering is similar to mine.

I retrofitted the heated seats and litronic headlights to my car and I think they are desirable options. It appears that you have the memory seats as well.

I think the major drawback of the car is that it has a plastic rear window in the top. I have installed a top and frame from a 2004 Boxster and it makes a big difference.

Although no one can be certain, there is at least a strong likelihood that the engine has a dual row IMS. Those will fail, but they are less likely to do so than the later cars with the single-row bearing.

It sounds like a good car and if I was in the market I would pay $10,500 for it. I would plan on upgrading the top at some point and set aside some money for the water pump, clutch, flywheel and rear-wheel bearings. I have appended a list at the bottom of this post of the repairs and maintenance I have performed on my car which I purchased with 30k miles on it. I put the mileage and cost next to the item that needed to be done. I do some work myself, and saved some labor over the years. Based on my experience, you could have about 30k miles before you encounter major expenses.

Air Filter 31,120 $23.08
Cabin Filter 31,120 $13.72
Oil Change 34,188
Replace oil filler tube 39,006 $190.25
Replace hinge $25.31
Oil Change 43,392
4 Sumitomo HTR Z3 Tires 51,609 $377.80
Tire Installation 51,609 $114.70
Oil Change 49,360
Brake Flush 52,023 $135.91
Front trunk microswitch $47.63
Oil Change 55,795
Serpentine Belt 60,498
Air Filter 60,948
Spark plugs changed 61,726
Cabin Filter 62,200
Oil Change 65,317
Replaced spark plug tube 65,317
Front brake pads and sensors 65,436 $124.50
Oil Change 71,767
Oil Change 80,269
2 Sumitomo HTR Z III $232.60
Tire Installation 83,364 $45.00
Water pump and coolant 84,612 $406.45
Oil Change 87,546
Clutch kit and pilot bearing 91,404 $744.53
Dual mass flywheel with bolt kit 91,404 $1,036.03
Air Oil Separator with tube 91,404 $121.34
Oil line assembly 91,404 $68.14
Rear Main Seal 91,404 $26.50
PP Bolts 91,404 $5.52
Oil Change 91,404 $56.00
Transmission oil change 91,404 $21.32
Labor for 8 previous items 91,404 $1,089.00
Cabin Filter 91,470
Air Filter 91,743
Replace rear wheel bearings 94,364 $750.43
Battery 97,363 $140.00
Spark plugs changed 97,370
Spark plug tube - driver's side rear 97,370
Wiper Blades 97,800 $14.10
Oil Pressure Sensor 98,805 $62.77
Oil Leak Repair 100,079 $245.65
Oil Change 100,205

[My_Name_is_Dan]

Thanks Kevin for your insight and the detailed maintenance history on your car. Sounds like you have stayed on top of keeping your car in good shape. How are you protecting the engine from any future/possible IMS related issues (I didn't see it in your list).

[rexcramer]

For comparison, I just paid $11k for a 97 base/tip with with 16k miles on the odo in southern California. Options are upgraded paint, full leather, after market wheels, 6 CD changer on the stock stereo and factory hardtop. It is in really good condition. The only thing I have had to do to it is replace a window regulator. Fingers crossed.

I drove several that were better optioned and a few years newer for roughly the same asking price, but they all had 100k+ on the odo. I finally opted for mine because of the low mileage.

In my mind, I think the $11k is a fair price. Nicely optioned and the PPI gives you some peace of mind. Remember that parts and labor on these cars get pricey very quickly. I paid $130 for the window regulator and X/O myself. The dealer quoted $790 for the same repair.

[KevinH1990]

I am changing the oil at least once per year. However, I note that while I am changing the oil more frequently than the Porsche-recommended interval of 15k miles, I am above the recommendation of 5k from the IMS experts. I also drive the car as frequently as I can and make sure I keep the revs up.

I considered installing an LN ceramic bearing when I had the clutch and flywheel replaced. At the end of my analysis, I couldn't find enough evidence to convince me that I would have a lower risk of failure in my particular car. Unfortunately, no one can predict which bearings will fail.

My mechanic confirmed that I had a dual row IMSB when he removed the transmission for the clutch replacement. According to the data I saw here: IMS 101 that bearing has an estimated failure rate of less than 1%. The data is not complete, but I think that is the best estimate I have seen from a credible source.

Since there is a chance that the replacement bearing could be installed incorrectly or fail, it just didn't seem like I would be buying that much more peace of mind by replacing the bearing in my car. I believe the part alone costs about $800 so the entire job would probably have cost $900-$1000. There are no preferred installers in my area, so I would have been a test case for the mechanic.

Maybe I'm trying to rationalize a poor decision and will regret that I did not replace it at some time in the future. If I ever need to replace the clutch again, I will consider my options again.

[BruceH]

It looks and sounds to be well cared for. Personally, I would have my own PPI done but I guess it can depend on who performed the PPI. Maintenance is a crap shoot to some extent. You have to expect surprises on a 15 year old car, no matter the make. The top is a personal choice as far as the plastic window goes. You are in Alabama so you don't have to worry too much about cold weather so the plastic is fine. I replaced mine since I didn't like the gray top that came with it and the plastic was not in the greatest condition. Total cost for that was $1050. I would say $10.5 and even $11 is a fair price.

[My_Name_is_Dan]

Appreciate your input, gentlemen. Going to call him this afternoon and make the offer of $10.5K.

Will update on whether he accepts or not….

[Wallace River]

When I bought my 2000 in Florida in January of this year (about the exact same story, service, mileage, options, etc.) the seller was asking $12K and I paid $11K. I was and still am totally satisfied with that....and with the car

[My_Name_is_Dan]

I just ran a car fax report on the car before I called the owner as I was ready to buy the car. Autocheck indicated a collision damage on the right passenger side of the car.

When I was inspecting the car, I did notice the door skin was resprayed as I detected some overspray on the inside door jam, but it looked extremely good and I just figured someone may have had it repainted due to a minor ding or scratch.

Well, it turned out to be a 3 owner car with a reported accident. I would have been the 4th owner. I decided to back away from this one and notified the owner via phone and even sent him the car fax.

Too bad, I really liked the car. The good thing is there are alot of Boxsters out there for sale, I just have to be patient.