About to buy a 1999 Boxster! Help!

[redman12]

Check the VIN if it has been any car accident. Thats all I have to say.

Get them down to 18-17 and get it. With a low milage engine you really really have to be carefull, mines got almost 80 thousand so I know it was made right. My advice, wait, get a 2000S. It should only cost about 4 grand more on average than a base model (what I read, dont know for fact).

[SpeedDemon]

Originally Posted by boggtown

Get them down to 18-17 and get it. With a low milage engine you really really have to be carefull, mines got almost 80 thousand so I know it was made right. My advice, wait, get a 2000S. It should only cost about 4 grand more on average than a base model (what I read, dont know for fact).

Are you saying that mostly just because of the horsepower? What else do S models offer over the base model?

I almost think that if I could consider a 2000 S that I would rather try to go for a 2003 base model. Isn't it a huge upgrade along going from the 200hp '99 motor to the '00 motor with 20 more horsepower? What are the 0-60's on a 99 base, 00 base and then a 00 S?

Yes, the horsepower mainly. Not much changed over the years. Only notable exceptions are 3 spoke wheel, glass rear window, and the clear tailights and headlights of the 03 model. Other than that, the body is the same (except 987), seats, interior, and all that jazz.

No, its a 199 horse power motor to the 217 motor, and the S has the 240 motor. I am just saying, if you can find a 2000S with around 50,000 miles, Id get that one. And Id say the 99 is good (I have one), I love it, I just want a little more exclusivity, more power, the third oil cooler, lol, and the red brakes.

[David_J]

In this area (Seattle) that is a fair price if all is in good shape. I spent a lot of time looking before I bought mine and found none under $20k in the Seattle area. I eventually went with a S and spent a little over $30k for a 2001. I just picked up a color matched hardtop about a month ago for $1700. I have been looking for a hardtop locally since the day I got it. They are not real common in this area as people know they help out in the winter.

During the summer, I rarely had my top up. You know as well as I do that springtime and summertime in Seattle are great. If it was sunny, the top was down.

I would definately have that car checked out. Anything around here for that price may be to good to be true.

-David

[MikenOH]

The price sounds like it's in the ballpark if eveything checks out; a PPI is important to get.

Also, look at the sticker at the underside of the drivers door and find out the build date (ie.. 01/99). If it has been built between--roughly--10/1/98 and 3/31/99, it will be important to know if the engine has been replaced since that is the range of the "sleeved engine" fiasco.
Some think this is no big deal and all of the bad engines from this group have gone bang by now, but I continue to see reports of guys with '99's in this range that have engine failures.

Regarding the '00' S, I would think an S of that year would run at least +$5K more than the car you're considering.

BTW, I think Arena red is a great color.

Good luck with it.