Looking to buy a 2000 Boxster
 

I am looking at a 2000 Boxster with only 32k miles. The owner, a lady has all the service records from the Porsche dealer. The car has been garage kept and looks and drives great. However never owning a Porsche, but own a VW Jetta TDI and I have the Ross Tech software and the VAG Com cable for running diagnostics to list any fault codes. I do the maintenance on my vehicle. and can do somethings I am sure to the Boxster. My question is, what is the main things I should look for on this year model? Thank for everyones input.

Welcome.
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/14685-thinking-buying-boxster-must-read.html

All the service records? So she has records of 15 yearly oil changes at least? The 30k service was done when? The tires are what date of manufacture? When was the last brake fluid change done?

They are wonderful cars (owned 2) but this one is also ~16 years old. Some things age, other wear out. Don't fall in love with the low mileage.

Make sure you have some cash after the buy even though you can do lots of the routine maintenance.

Mike is spot on, low miles can get one to overlook the fact, hoses, relays, micro switches, vacuum hoses, mounts and a mayrid of stuff is 16 close to 17 years old. PPI from a local Porsche indie with a good Rep. A good one will pull oil pan and cut open oil filter. It may very well be a great fine.

If you go on the Porsche Clubs of America PCA web sitie, find your region, look at their news letter and get names & numbers of local owners who can let you know of a good shop(s) in the area, good palce to start.

Wish you the best.

This Boxster will be a very different experience to a Jetta TDI !
Cryptically, I suggest you keep the Jetta if you buy the Boxster. Is it an "S" ? I ask because there is a significant difference in value between a base and a fully optioned S

Gelbster,
It is not the "S" model. As for my Jetta TDI, I will be letting it go back to VW of America this month. It's absolutely ashame about the VW diesels. It's all political in my opinion. As for the Boxster I am interested in, I remember the owner mentioned new tires were installed last year. The first thing I thought about was the age of the car. I know hoses and other mentions from FANGUY are very important. This lady owner has taken very good care of the vehicle as one can see. However the heart of the vehicle is the engine and transmission. One of my concerns is the IMS bearing I read about. I have a Nissan Truck and it has 318k miles on it, and the reason it has not give up the engine is because of good oil and timely filter changes. We all want a good paint job and their is only one thing about the paint on this car. It has spider webbing from improper washing, most likely from the car wash. There are no dings in the bosy or rock chips in the paint. I am reading all the information DGHIL posted and plan on talking to the Dealer about the vehicle and what they can tell me about her vehicle. Again thanks to all for helping.

as the others mentioned - be prepared for some repairs / replacements - it's 16 yrs old .

I just bought an '02 from the original owner - I'm loving the car ! so well engineered & beautiful lines - it just sticks to the road and begs to be driven

That being said - I had to tune up plugs , tubes & filters . front brakes rotors & pads
no big deal changed the oil & gear oil - flushed brake lines as well just maintenance
stuff that does get neglected - it all adds up

Tires , all the 986 's I looked at [ 7or 8 ] needed tires ! not always due to wear mostly due to age - looked at one car that had 13 year old tires .
the one I bought had one pair that was 10 yr old the other was 6 yr old - good tread left

the IMS issue is out there as well - I'm not sure when / if I'll have it done - it's become a "cottage ' industry so to speak . the manufacturers of the bearings and the shops doing install - pretty profitable overall

Bottom line - buy with your head not your heart !
Price ,price ,price do not overpay

My advice;

Get a professional pre-purchase inspection (PPI).
Get a professional pre-purchase inspection (PPI).
Get a professional pre-purchase inspection (PPI).

Yes, I said it three times just in case you considered ignoring it. It will be the best $300 you ever spend.

After looking for a 987 for six months I stumbled on a 2000 "S" that came home with me. Second owner was selling after two years to buy a 944 turbo to race. Original owner drove 27k in 12 years. 2nd owner drove 8k in two years; and replaced IMS, RMS, plugs, tubes, oil, brake fluid, tires, AOS, and more - maybe $6k in all. During my two years it has a new motor mount and xmission mounts, water pump, trunk and frunk struts and speakers all around, along with other little things I can't not do. My contribution has been about $4k. I have all receipts (I think, based on mileage and date intervals from service records) from day 1, including window sticker, all manuals, radio code card (and both radio code stickers), and the Porsche sunglasses case that came in the owners manual binder. Documented, low mileage cars do exist. That said, the past four years - from 27k miles to 42k miles - has included over$10k in maintenance.

And I'll say this once:
Ask here for a recommendation for a competent Indie to do the PPI. The Dealer is not really interested in a PPI on a 20 year old car.

Write a cheque and enjoy.... 32K miles is about the time a lot of things start to need replacing and changing. Regardless, check the PPI see what it says and make sure no MAJOR issues. Just like any used car really - How much is she asking for it?

I absolutely agree the PPI is the thing to do. I live in SE Georgia and looked for a Independent Shop in nearby in Jacksonville FL. I see two in the Jacksonville area, and the one I called first was "Technical Dimensions. I talked to Seth and he was very informative on what they do at the shop. I was very impressed to hear what all they do in the three hour PPI. He mentioned first they look over the body for any paint repairs, and if any wreckage that may have occurred. I am familiar with changing the brake fluid on my Jetta every two years, and he mentioned part of the PPI is they use the hydrometer to check the brake fluid for water, etc. He went on for at least 10 min on what all they cover for $350. The reviews I read looked good. Seth said you will not find a better PPI in the country. Seth wanted to know the mileage, which is 32k, and he said most likely the car would need a clutch around 45K. I certainly agree a good and complete PPI like this shop does is money well spent. I know they want to do a good job on the PPI, because future service is what they really want.

Lew

Here is their Web Site: Technical Dimensions
Sent from my Desktop

Let's hear the price before we give more "advice" ?

The Lady is wanting 15k for the vehicle, which I think is to much.

Lew,
You are correct. But forget Blue book,Nada, and opinions. Just check EBay "Sold Listings".
Use the year range 1999-2002.
If it is a Base 2.7L it is way,way overpriced.
This will give you an idea for year 2000 for all Boxster flavors
2000 Porsche Boxster in Boxster | eBay

There is a big difference in price of 15k the lady is asking. Most on Ebay under "sold listings" are under 10k, and some under 5k.

I might make a 10k offer. If my offer is accepted, it will only stand if a PPI is good and nothing major is found.

Just remind the Seller(gently) that it is a 17 year old version of a not-very-sought-after model Porsche. If it had been an air-cooled Porsche it would be a different story.

I totally agree with Gel on this one, that price is absolutely too high and not just by a little but ALOT... I would even offer under 10K because you know she will come back higher... by the time that process is done you will still be over paying PLUS I just noticed that's American Dollars so even worse on price point. You will end up paying the price of what a 2001-2002 Model S car should really cost. It really sounds like you WANT a car real bad and may regret paying what you are later on.... trust me, I learned the hard way myself. However, fast forward 10 years now and I am still enjoying every speeding ticket I get.... hahaha Good Luck !

Welcome Lew!
Just as a point of reference for price, I purchased my 2000 base 986 back in January for $10k. It had 67,000 miles. It was in excellent condition, always garaged, California car with all service records. I had been shopping for quite some time and had looked at a total of 3 cars: a 2002 S for $12.8k, a 1998 for $9K, and a 1997 for $14K. That last one was hugely overpriced. I offered him $12K since it had a new top, but he declined. I just helped a buddy buy a 2000 S model for $12K.
As others have pointed out, prices are all over the place on these cars. Emotions play a big role. Keep in mind that when these cars show up for auction here in New England, they generally go for $6-8k, depending on condition.
Since I bought the car, I have put around $8k into her: IMS, clutch/RMS, plugs and tubes, AOS, wheel bearings (the rears were shot), water pump, idler pulley, fuel filter, chain tensioners, drive belt, and just about anything else that was rubber or plastic. I would expect your potential purchase will need the same.
These are wonderful cars and exert a mystical hold on you once you drive them. Good luck!

There is one thing I am not going to do is be in a rush to buy. In a earlier message I mentioned my Jetta VW TDI is being returned to a Dealer because it's in the Buyback program because of their emission cheat. I could buy a new Boxster with a down payment for what I am getting for my VW Jetta. That's 20k VW is to pay me, but I just don't want to spend that much money at this time. I have been looking at some other Boxsters at Porsche Dealers via the net, and on Ebay, etc. There is a Boxster out there for me, and since I will not have my Jetta, I will be driving my little truck until I find one. If anyone that has offered up advise, I would appreciate showing me a Boxster ad that interest you, just list the internet URL address to the car and I will take a look. Thanks again for everyone's replies.

Lew

Good luck, I hope you buy one and join the brotherhood!

My experience was so different from morgal's.

I had a great PPI on a two owner 42K miles '01S. On purchase, it immediately got a 60k service just so I could be sure of where services stood. It also got a complete brake job. And an alignment. Bought a set of take-off wheels with almost new Michelins from a very-posh-neighborhood dealer, sold mine for $100 less than I paid. So my ownership began.

Once into the shop at my expense for the seat belt grounding issue at $150 labor. One O2 sensor at $120 and $25 labor at a muffler shop. One CEL that pointed to a possible air leak in the intake and an hour labor at $175 securing all hose ends cured the CEL. One battery just because it was getting old. One set of tires again just because they were old. Not sure most people would have done the last 2 and, if you eliminate them, my 5 year expense (omitting oil changes, registration, insurance, etc ) was less than $500! 3% of the depreciation expense.

6 years and ~20k later sold it.In 6 years it never absolutely had to go to the shop, get towed or anything like that. Very daily driver. A few 250 mile trips. It drove me 15 miles to work in all but the worst snow, and volunteered to get pizzas, etc. (I'll bet few of you know how well a super size Pizza box wedges in the rear trunk and how warm it keeps for a 15 mile dash to home.) That car is at 93k last I heard from its 5th owner.

Note this well.
He bought a "good" low miles ,Boxster Base and has almost doubled down on the initial purchase price .He is over $18k ! And that is presumably with a lot of diy. If he had been paying an Indie ,it would have more than doubled the total to over $20K.
Not a criticism, just a financial reality check. Now THIS is the car to buy, not one that needs all the work. Trouble is that if this Poster tried to sell now to recoup his investment($18K) ,he would probably fail because people buy on price.
So buy from a wealthy OCD enthusiast !

Very true. And the best OCD enthusiasts you could ever find will sell their loved one via the PCA. If I had it to do all over again, that's where I would go to find a used P-car.

When I was researching, I looked at either a 986 with an IMS I could replace, or a 2009 or later model with no IMS to worry about. Unfortunately, the later models are still selling in the mid 30s...well above my budget.

We followed exactly the same path to M96 ownership !
With hindsight I made many shameful & expensive errors:
1. Using the word "budget" and Porsche in the same sentence is nonsense. I had no clue !
2. Buying a car with 'fresh LN IMS" -disaster because I did not learn about the gotcha phrase "Prequalification Inspection" until after the engine died - a few weeks after purchase!
3.Until you have read all 25+ "Modes of Failure" from Jake Raby , you are clueless
4.Until you have listed all the special tools,equipment and procedures required to rebuild an M96 you do not understand why a rebuild cost well over $8K.
5. Do you have FAA standard of mechanic skills ? -you will need them- read how to check cylinder bores as an example. And if you don't do this all your 8k is wasted.
6.Have you found some competent, honest M96 Indies who you will enjoy working with? You will be seeing them often !! And one of them should do a PPI on a car the other one suggest for you.
People sleepwalk into Porsche ownership blinded by the "Deutchland uber alles mechanical" nonsense.Think Ferrari and you will be closer to reality. Yes, I work on both !
And this afternoon I am re-installing an M96 .Yes, I rebuilt it and it cost way more than $8k diy.

I have been reading about a problem with some Porsches. The dreaded IMS! I understand what can happen if it fails, I am interested to know what IMS bearing is in this 2000 I have been interested in. It may have a double row IMS bearing. Not sure where the engine numbers are on the engines. So, I will have to find out. The lower chart will tell me if it has the double row bearing.

Engine Number Model Bearing Type
Up to engine # M 651 12851 Boxster 2.7L M96.22 Double Row Bearing
Up to engine # M 671 11237 Boxster S 3.2L M96.21 Double Row Bearing
Up to engine # M 661 14164 Carrera 996 3.4L Double Row Bearing
From engine # M 651 12852 Boxster 2.7L M96.22 Single Row Bearing
From engine # M 671 11238 Boxster S 3.2L M96.21 Single Row Bearing
From engine # M 661 14165 Carrera 996 3.4L Single Row Bearing
All 2005 Boxster 987 (maybe some 2006 models) Single Row Bearing
All 2005 Carrera 997 (maybe some 2006 models) Single Row Bearing
Maybe some 2006 Cayman models Single Row Bearing

If it helps, my 2000S was built 02/00 (look on the driver's door tag) and had a single row IMS.

Gelbster,

Can you post a link to Jack Raby's 25+ modes of failure? I did a search for it but got no hits.

Thanks/Anker

Be prepared to spend about $3000 on it after you purchase this car.


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Well I found out talking to the owner this 2000 Porsche I am looking at was built in 99 but called a 2000. Don't know what month in 99. Anyway, this changes my thoughts about this car again. I think the price she is asking and my 10k offer I was thinking about making could be a mistake. Even at 10k some are saying it's still over priced.
There is a Porsche dealer with a Silver 07 with black interior, and with 45k showing on a picture of the odometer. I have not talked to the dealer about this car, but the price they are advertising it for is $19775. Which states "REDUCED" I don't know if the Porsche dealers do a thorough inspection before putting cars up for sale. I might add, a sale with the dealer, you have add on's, taxes, etc., then if you get the car for less than advertised, you might have close to 20K in the 07. Can you lease a Porsche Boxster. LOL!

Lew,
For the 2000MY both single and double were fitted.Until you separate the transmission from the engine, you can't be sure which you have.You need to measure the 'dish' in the IMSB flange.
If it is an OEM flange, the depth will be 19.27mm if it is a 6204 single row. A 5204 double row flange has almost no dish - almost flat.The LN flanges and other aftermarket(like DOF) have different 'dish' depths.
There are many other things to be concerned about.
Did you see the car I PM'd you about ?

Got it Gel, watching it. Thanks!

I would stay away from that 2007...
 

The engine experts here will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong, but that model year has an IMS that cannot be replaced without splitting the engine case.

Incorrect -suggest -read up on the 2005 "large diameter IMSB" engines

Looks like the focus on this IMS bearing is big concern, and a worry for some owners. Who knows when it's going to happen. I don't want to drive a Boxster and worry or wonder when the IMS is going to cause a major problem.
I believe Porsche changed the design in 09 to avoid the failure of the bearing. So I will now be looking for a 09 or a later model to buy.

The 9A1 engine is not the perfect engine we all hoped for - just visit Jake Raby's site for some specifics.
And they are 3 times the price of a 986.
If you want ultimate reliability,reasonable service cots and have the budget ,buy anything that Raby built.
Or Japanese.

Looking for the site to ID this VIN # WP0CB29856U730760

Hope this helps you out...

Scouser's Porsche VIN Decoder

:)