About to buy a 1999 Boxster! Help! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

SpeedDemon · 12-01-2006, 06:17 PM

Hello everyone! I'm seriously considering purchasing a 1999 Boxster today with 31,000 miles, and I'm hoping to get your educated oppinions. Do you guys think that this is a good deal?

Here are the specs on the car:

1999 Boxster
Removable Hardtop
Black Leather interior
5-speed manual
Comes with both keys
Isn't leaking any fluids and looks and drives like its in perfect condition
Has the upgraded stereo with CD player
Has the 17" upgraded wheels
Comes with the Windscreen window thing
Everything works
Clear title
One owner
Has all the service records and it's a local car

What does everyone think, they are asking $19k for the car and I don't think that I can get them to budge on price at all. My biggest concern is that the car is Maroon in color, and I'm not too crazy about the color. Do you guys know what reselling a Porsche this color is like? Thanks for any help or advice!

12-01-2006, 06:37 PM

My biggest concern is that the car is Maroon in color, and I'm not too crazy about the color. Do you guys know what reselling a Porsche this color is like? Thanks for any help or advice![/QUOTE]

if you dont like the color dont get it,dont rush take your time till a color you like comes along.or save up and get a S

deliriousga · 12-01-2006, 06:47 PM

It's Arena Red, my personal favorite color. The only thing I would be concerned with is the '99 MY. Find out if it was manufactured between Oct 1, '98 and March 31, '99. If not, I'd buy it, if so I'd leave it alone due to the bad blocks manufactured between those dates.

dharrisonwu · 12-01-2006, 07:04 PM

Only thing I'd be concerned about are the engine blocks and the catastrophic engine failures which appeared to be quite prevalent during that model year. If it happens, you're looking at around 9,000 to 11,000 for a new engine and install. There are plenty of other boxsters out there - - take your time. I almost purchased a '99 with 34K miles in Artic Silver for 17K but decided not to take it due to what I learned from this and other forums...

unklekraker · 12-01-2006, 07:18 PM

I have exactly the same year and color...except the hardtop, can't justify getting one here for NorCal....and I love it! I haven't seen one here in my area that has the same color (Arena Red)..if you get it, just make sure you get extended warranty from warranty direct.com. IMHO, thats a very good deal in my area but if the color is in the way...just wait it out!

SpeedDemon · 12-01-2006, 07:25 PM

What do you guys think of the price though? Is that a rip-off, okay, good, or great?

unklekraker · 12-01-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedDemon

What do you guys think of the price though? Is that a rip-off, okay, good, or great?

well, it depends on whats the market in your area. Here in bay area, I still see same MY 99 that's selling for $17.9K w/ 62k mi. or $24.8 w/ 22k mi.

SpeedDemon · 12-01-2006, 07:18 PM

What do you guys think the success rates are in selling an Arena Red Boxster? The more I look at the color, the more it grows on me, but my biggest concern is that I won't be able to resell an Arena Red car.

I'll email the person selling the car and ask them the manufacturing date right now. Probably won't hear back to the middle of the day tomorrow though.

redman12 · 12-01-2006, 08:52 PM

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

12-01-2006, 09:01 PM

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 · 12-01-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

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?

12-01-2006, 09:12 PM

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.

12-01-2006, 09:20 PM

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.

Arona · 12-02-2006, 10:45 AM

I agree that it should go for 17,000 to 18,000. Check the tires which will cost another 1,000 to replace and make sure it has had it's 30k inspection which will also cost another 500 to 1,000. I am sure someone has said this, but make sure to get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) also.

Topless · 12-02-2006, 01:17 PM

One owner, low miles, perfect dealer service history, good PPI, good carfax (no wrecks, thefts), hardtop and you like the color and options... sounds like a winner.

Here in LA you can find lots of early S models for a similar price but they have been driven into the ground, have sketchy histories or turned into ghetto sleds with too many cheap bolt ons. As a confirmed 2.5er I don't think you will miss the extra 40 ponies.

SpeedDemon · 12-02-2006, 07:42 PM

I got the build date back from them and they said that it is a 02/99 car, so now I'm just waiting to find out if the engine has been replaced yet. If not, I guess I'll have to keep looking

blinkwatt · 12-02-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedDemon

I got the build date back from them and they said that it is a 02/99 car, so now I'm just waiting to find out if the engine has been replaced yet. If not, I guess I'll have to keep looking

Oh man not this again......

I would think that if there was/is a problem with the engine it would have surfaced by 30k? I have a Boxster from the "bad" build date w/ 55k on it w/o an issue.

ohioboxster · 12-02-2006, 08:53 PM

Here we go again, just buy the car.