1998 Boxster base should I buy this one
 

Found what seems like a very clean Boxster base from a dealer from a trade in. PPI at Porsche isn't an option based on location.
No oil or anything out of place
No carpet stains from coolant
78,000 miles
New tires
No records if IMS has been done. Comes with 60 day warranty
Everything seems great so far clean title
Top now won't come down and Windows won't go up but they said they will fix before sale.
They also agreed I could be there for oil change and to let me cut open filter before i drive off.
Asking 8 Have them at 6500$ Any suggestions?

My #1 suggestion is if you can't get to a dealer, then take it to an independent mechanic for the PPI. Otherwise, you have no idea what you're getting into and repairs can cost thousands very quickly and easily.

Sounds dicey without any service records or an independant PPI.

You have to assume worst case at that many miles without any other confirming info:

Clutch $2500
Brakes and rotors $800
Tires $800
Water Pump $300
AOS $400
Oil Change $200

Thats just normal wear stuff at ~80k miles so if it has issues, then add that on top.

History and or PPI is vital as without it your looking at almost $5,000 in repairs if they have not been done yet.

You could offer the seller $8K if he does those things on the list above before turning the car over to you, so you can enjoy the car for years without any worries.

It already has new tires according to the post.

Have the dealer throw in an oil change w/ recommended oil in that price.

If you do the clutch, you should do the IMS bearing too, although that car has the big bearing dual row bearing... the strongest.

PPI would be good...

Yes new tires and brakes and rotors look/feel very new
I can do oil changes myself.
clutch felt great to me but you never know.
They have a 60 day 2,000 miles warranty on any car they sell.

No Porsche dealer anywhere close, how would one take a car off a lot to be left at an independent mech (if I can even find a Porsche savy one)

Not sure how accurate you think blue book prices are but 6500 looks well below to do repairs if they did come up.

I'm glad they are allowing me to witness the oil change to check for particles. Don't feel like dealing with returning a car if I did it myself.

Anyone with a car fax account?? :) :)

If you are good wrenching, mention all of the above, offer them 6k and take the risk

I have no Porsche experience but I'm pretty good at doing things with tutorials or places with lots of info like this forum.

This would be used as a second car for fun.

It's not an impossible car to work on, but you need to know what you're getting into. Plan for about 2,000 in maintenance a year. Some years will be less, some years will be more. Porsches are luxury cars and they maintain as such.

Do it! I bought a no history car with a nice stiff clutch. It was clean and didn't look abused. Paid $7000 in 2014. Put about $2500 into it so far. New clutch, flywheel IMSB, brake pads, O2 sensors. It will be the most fun you can have in a car for less than $10,000.

Sounds reasonable. Have them run a diagnostic to see if there are any codes. You should probably consider buying a Durametric, especially if you want to do your own maintenance (highly recommended since this is half the fun). A 60 day warranty is good. Most of us bought cars with NO warranty!

I guess I'm new to all this but it will show codes even without a check engine light on?

yes, there are codes that don't set the CE light

Looks to be well below kbb and nada values. Or are those useless for 986s

The KBB and NADA is still useful as a baseline, but the value of these cars ranges pretty broadly. Local economics, season, and supply can play a big role. They are all over 10 years old and cars of an identical description can be very different when you examine them closely. I think that the dealer is fair asking 8 and with the warranty, you are doing fine at 6,5. Of course, the lower you can get it the better.

IMHO 70K to 100K miles on a 98 is probably going to be a better car than one with ~35k miles if it was maintained. Sitting for long periods can be harder on a car than being driven regularly. Especially these.

Just make sure that you keep in mind that this is a sports car and a Porsche. Like everyone has been saying, it will need maintenance over time even if it is good for the 60 days out of the dealer. Parts can be expensive and your average 'Import Mechanic' may do more harm than good. Expect a few micro-switches in the doors or for the top to fail. Expect a few bushings and suspension parts to start to rattle. Keep ahead on the serious things like the water pump and AOS. It could be a great driver for another 10+ years.

Mako1985,
I was in the same position as you. Found a 99 base for $5k. Not aware of any indy Porsche repair places in the area. Bought it, and no sooner did I get it home, the trouble started. In the shop now and so far I am up to $5200 in repairs. When it's all said and done, I will get my $10k worth of pleasure out of it.
This makes up for the 1966 912 I bought back in 1997 for $2500 from a pot-head. Invested <$2k in it and still driving it like I stole it!

New tires and the right new tires are two different values/costs. The average used car lot throws anything on that will fit, not tires which are compatible with the car's suspension.

Continental procontacts

Starting to shy away from the boxster. Seems like even if they gave me the car for free with all the doom and gloom on here I'm going to end up buying it 3x over in repairs/engine failures.

I think doom & gloom is the nature of most forums! On the other hand, ask any forum member here if they regret buying their 986. I'll wager you won't see many who have!
:) :dance:

I don't see it as doom and gloom I see it more as the reality of owning an 18 year old European sports car. That being said, my 1986 Mercedes Cosworth has about $40,000 worth of documented repairs, upgrades, maintenance, ect. That sounds doom & gloom when you think what else you could have done with that money. That is buying the car twice.

Are you going to post a link to the car for sale? What's your daily driver now?

I drive a truck to work about 100 miles round trip. Was planning on using the Boxster but now worried about getting stranded more than the poor mileage of the truck.

I understand it's an old European sports car but the way people list all these problems it seems more worth it to buy a new more expensive model (non box) Porsche since I'll be spending the money anyway on all these repairs