New and need help

[Geof3]

Well, one thing that is a not really an issue is the IMS, so thats a good thing. There are still many that like the 2.7 overall. @2k, that gives some pretty good headroom for $$ to put into it. As mentioned, I would at least get the suspension looked at. Big suspension work can get $$$. At 120k struts are probably a minimum, brakes as well unless you have documents they are new-ish. IF, overall, the basics look reasonable it might be worth a roll of the dice. Always a tough call though. In this case, go with the gut and at least a little knowledge.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Unholy986

... Tell me this, if I do sink $2K into it, worst case and it doesn't run as should, how hard would it be to get $2K back out of it? ...

It is often posted to expect $2k a year in maintenance to keep these cars in decent shape. Figure that a seller who is not an enthusiast has not kept up on that, and that $2k will become a deeper deficit to make EVERYTHING proper and fresh.
A non-running car (any model) is certainly a risky buy if you have high expectations, so as I stated earlier - price it as a parts car. Given the lower expectations, I would not recommend a PPI. That would be spending 1/4 of the 'value' of the car not to mention the time and inconvenience. Accept the risk, or don't buy these sorts of cars. I would do a very thorough inspection including checking the oil filter and diagnosing with an advanced OBD tool such as Autell MD802 or Durametric. At $2k, I'll buy complete Boxsters all day if I find them. My last one was $1,900 + towing and was lots of fun, granted me some good parts, and gave Rick a base to build a spec car:
http://986forum.com/forums/show-tell-gallery/62701-oh-no-another.html
Just the education of completely stripping my first parts car was worth (to me) way more than I paid.

Although I admit, what keeps me entertained may not satisfy everyone's taste.

[Geof3]

Originally Posted by 78F350

It is often posted to expect $2k a year in maintenance to keep these cars in decent shape. Figure a seller that is not an enthusiast has not kept up on that. A non-running car (any model) is certainly a risky buy if you have high expectations, so as I stated earlier - price it as a parts car. At $2k, I'll buy complete Boxsters all day if I find them. My last one was $1,900 + towing and was lots of fun, granted me some good parts, and gave Rick a base to build a spec car.
http://986forum.com/forums/show-tell-gallery/62701-oh-no-another.html
Just the education of completely stripping my first parts car was worth (to me) way more than I paid.

Although I admit, what keeps me entertained may not satisfy everyone's taste.

2k a year? On what? Just curious. If tracked often and counting tires maybe...

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Geof3

2k a year? On what? Just curious. If tracked often and counting tires maybe...

It's not my number, but I see it a lot and won't argue. Here's a quick search to see what people have said:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A986forum.com+%22%242k+a+year%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Edit: Expenses with independent shop labor for normal expendable items such as brake parts, tires, fluids and worn out parts such as water pump, AOS, suspension parts, window regulators... A lapse in care is cumulative. If a seller has not had to address any of these over the course of 4-5 years of ownership, the buyer probably will very soon.
When I bought my first Boxster for $5k, I thought it ran and drove fine and I was quite happy with it. As I learned more about these cars, it became a driveable rehab project. If I had taken it to a dealer and told them to make everything perfect, the bill could have easily topped $10k. I probably spent $1,500, did my own work and sold it for $6k a year later.

[Geof3]

Originally Posted by 78F350

It's not my number, but I see it a lot and won't argue. Here's a quick search to see what people have said:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A986forum.com+%22%242k+a+year%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Edit: Expenses with independent shop labor for normal expendable items such as brake parts, tires, fluids and worn out parts such as water pump, AOS, suspension parts, window regulators... A lapse in care is cumulative. If a seller has not had to address any of these over the course of 4-5 years of ownership, the buyer probably will very soon.
When I bought my first Boxster for $5k, I thought it ran and drove fine and I was quite happy with it. As I learned more about these cars, it became a driveable rehab project. If I had taken it to a dealer and told them to make everything perfect, the bill could have easily topped $10k. I probably spent $1,500, did my own work and sold it for $6k a year later.

Sure, there might be an upfront hit for a new buyer, but over the life of the car, 2k a year would be insane. I have on 02s that is 15yrs old. Not a chance it has had, or will ever have 30k plus done to it by now even if it needed every single issue resolved at top dollar.

My point is, a figure like this could scare off a potential buyer. If taken over the lifetime of the car a 1000+ per year might be a more accurate figure. I even believe that is high over the life of the vehicle. That is counting all maint, tires etc.

I had an 84 911 for 10 years. Cost of ownership for the time I had it, not counting fuel, was around 225.00 per year . That’s a daily driver with track days thrown in for fun. Car was immaculate and required no deferred maint when I sold with just under 100k.

Some of these cars can be money pits, but then, so can most every car, potentially. YMMV... ��