Advice on selling a clean Boxster S

[Shred]

Hi,
Unfortunately, it looks like I have to sell my Boxster S to make room for a 911. I don't have enough garage room for 3 cars. Absolutely love the 986 S, never thought I would sell it. Wondering if anyone with experience with 'For Sale by Owner' have any advice for me?

I've only put the ad on Craigslist for now.
Porsche Boxster S 2003 (986 model)

Am I putting too much info there and scares people away?
Would you say the price is fair?
I have a feeling only another Porsche Enthusiast would understand about the car's condition. I don't want to trade it in and let dealers auction a great car into just another car with its service history wiped out.

Thanks so much for your input.

[kenbefound]

Any bites yet? I have a 2002 that is nearly identical to yours that I was thinking of listing. BTW; how did you arrive upon that asking price?

[Need_for_speed]

Excellent ad, I think. And a beautiful car. I would be flying out right now to write you a check if I were in the market. Not sure your average Craig's list shopper will appreciate the work you've put into this car unless they know what they're looking for. Are you a PCA member? If yes, you might consider placing an ad in your regional magazine/website.

Again, gorgeous, superbly maintained car.

[paulofto]

I think it is a great ad.

+1 for the suggestion of putting it in the PCA regional or national ads.

[rdonahe]

Having recently bought a 986 S off CL myself I think it's a great ad and I'd have contacted you straight away if I were still on the market and local to you. Pictures could be nicer but the content is there and that matters most.

That being said, I do think it might scare away the casual shopper but your rig rightly should be at the high end of the price range so that person probably isn't your customer anyway.

-Roger

[jedblanks]

Having sold multiple cars on craigslist, my recommendation would be more pictures. Buyers like to see the car in detail before contacting you.
A partial reason for this is the sheer number of bad cars and scams on craigslist.
Craigslist allows 16+ pictures I think? More pics make your ad stand out.

Look at some of the dealer ads for relevant shots /angles of photos.

At a minimum, all 4 sides, plus a shot down each side for showing dents/lack thereof is preferred.
Interior shots, both seats, console, dash, odometer
Engine shots,
Shot of each wheel, tire for tread and curb rash
shots under the car if you can get them.
Exhaust shot
Truck Interior, Frunk Interior

etc


You can never have too many pictures. Especially with high mileage car. Show the wear on the seats etc. Most people expect it to be in much worse condition than you describe

And most people don't read, they just look at pictures.

[PaulE]

If you have a subscription to Excellence Magazine I think you can have an ad on their online site for free - Excellence | The Magazine About Porsche, at least that's how it used to be with them.

[Shred]

Thank you so much for everyone's input.

Great tips on the photos. I will definitely take more photos and max out the allowance I can, along with different angles plus the inside showing the perfect leather. Probably add a link to Dropbox with even more photos and show any imperfection with rock chips and little dings. I don't want to waste anyone's time, I know Porsche owners like us love their cars.

I will also post on Autotrader.com, PCA.org, rennlist and Carguru.
I know about Excellence mag but never subscribed to it.

@Kenbefound - To come to this price conclusion, I have searched all over the net for prices of 03-04 Boxster S nationwide. I can't find a single one with full history and all the preventative maintenances done right. Looks like people who love their cars that much don't usually sell them. I priced it based on the current asking market.

To be honest, at the current market if I have the garage space no way I would sell it. A 911 is great but it's no Boxster when it comes to handling and fun.
We all know it's really hard to find a good 986S, especially with all those owners who bought a Boxster and then neglected it due to the costs of the up keeping. It has really hit our well maintained car's value hard.

[Shred]

I was first thinking of posting the ad after I have the 911 but I heard it can take quite a long time to sell a used Porsche of this age? I am hoping its full documented records and all the work put in would give me an edge over the ones sitting around for months at dealers.

Should I post this now because it might take months?

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by jedblanks

Having sold multiple cars on craigslist, my recommendation would be more pictures.

GREAT narrative. Very well done.

I would add the cost of the recent service you had done in the listing. The 94K and 105K services had to be very expensive.

I have to agree with jedblanks. More and better quality photos. Take the car to a park or some place near your home with a green background just after sundown. Then take the photos of the exterior of the car from the cars level; low to the ground. And show off the interior and the sport seats.

You can put up to 24 photos in your Craigslist ad, use them all! Show the instrument cluster lit up, the white tag under the hood with the option codes, the paperwork fanned out, the books & manuals for the car, the keys. Photos, photos and more photos.

If you're not a member of Rennlist or Pelican Parts forums, join them and list it in their classified. Porsche Cars For Sale - Pelican Parts Technical BBS is a very good place to list. Very active classified section that you can list but no comments can be made.

IMHO, I would list it now. It may take a day or three months to sell. I would much rather have it gone now than have it sitting outside with the 911 in the garage and be pressured to sell it.

GLWS! Which 911 did you buy?

[Shred]

@Chuck W. I am looking for a 997.1 or .2 C2S Cab, still looking for 'the one' at the moment. Finding that unicorn haha!

I think I've met you before? I remember this amazing red Boxster S in Agoura. Didn't I buy a 4 stalk unit from you to do cruise control retrofit?

Thanks for the tip on Pelican, forgot about that.

[grc0456]

Fantastic ad and all good suggestions above. I definitely agree with more pics, especially including the interior. I hate ads that have 27 views of the outside of the car and none of the inside - where you'll be spending most of your time. I think you may be selling yourself a little short at $14,500. Someone is going to get a great deal!


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[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by Shred

@Chuck W. I am looking for a 997.1 or .2 C2S Cab, still looking for 'the one' at the moment. Finding that unicorn haha!

I think I've met you before? I remember this amazing red Boxster S in Agoura. Didn't I buy a 4 stalk unit from you to do cruise control retrofit?

Thanks for the tip on Pelican, forgot about that.

I am and we did! I came sooo close to selling the Boxster a couple years ago and didn't. Worked out well.

Look at the 2009 to 2011 997.2. Better engine and some nice upgrades. Prices are dropping on those 911s too.

[CoBeerToad]

Best Barns Sierra 12 ft. x 24 ft. Wood Garage Kit without Floor-sierra_1224 - The Home Depot

Have you considered this?

[Smallblock454]

Hello,

your ad needs more and better pictures. Don't shoot against the sun. Take pictures where you can see the car from all sides and where you can see all details.

Regards, Markus

[cornholington]

I'll re-iterate that you need more pictures, better pictures.

I recently sold a car on Bring-A-Trailer. I think there's no better enthusiast marketplace, and these cars deserve enthusiast owners.

To get shots like the ones you see on BaT, detail the car, drive to a pretty place (like a park), and wait until the "golden hour". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(photography)

Take lots and lots of shots.

Yours looks like a really well cared for example, GLWS.

[Finnegan]

Just to pile on: More, better pictures! Take her out for a real photo shoot. Choose a nice location, and the right light. (golden hour) That will get an emotional response. Then your fantastic ad copy will do the rest. GLWS!

[Shred]

@grc0456 Thanks, price adjusted. I hope it is still a fair deal at 15500?
I guess I have to leave some room for bargaining lol.

[BruceH]

I think your price is good, everyone wants to negotiate. Same advice on the pictures, more and with better lighting. Great deal for someone. Make sure you post it here on 986 forum as well! Good luck on the sale and finding your 911 Oh and keep us posted as to both outcomes

[grc0456]

Depending on how fast you want to sell, I'd stick to your guns on price if it was me. Your target buyer is someone who is an enthusiast or wants to be, who has done their research, and does not want to buy a cheap Box, unloved, undocumented Box - having to spend a lot to bring it up to par. You've loved the car, spent the money on nearly everything anyone could ask, and want to pass it along "turn key" to someone that doesn't want to deal with those things right off - they want to drive the car. Maybe I'm biased, but I was such a buyer and paid a reasonable premium for such a car. Good luck with whatever happens (and post pics of the 997)!

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