Just bought my first Porsche...

[Hugh D]

I read the FAQs, dozens of posts here, and online reviews... etc etc list goes on and on and finally just took the plunge tonight.

I ran the Carfax... came back clean. Test drove it for a total of ... an hour maybe. Fell in love with it. It was on the preowned lot at a Mercedes dealer.

Anyway... before tax but after everything else... $16k got me out the door.

Here's the run-down:
- blue
- 1998
- 52k miles
- hard top
- nearly new tires
- only 1 key, but has all service records and manuals
- 3 exterior dings (small); 1 scratch (small)
- triptonic/automatic
- bose audio... 10 disc CD
- leather (duh)
- the interior is in outstanding conditio

So, how did I fare? Another input is welcome!

The shop has a 3 day/150 mile return policy.... so tomorrow morning I am taking it to a respected Porsche mechanic for inspection. Something I realize I shouldve done before, but bla bla ... guess I'm a moron. This will not be an everyday driver.

I am glad to finally be part of the Porsche scene.... I am 24 and dreamed of having one since I was 10. Can't believe it's mine.

Oh... at 50k miles... how worried should I be about this '98 falling victim to the 97-99 engine blow-out curse? I know the answer... but I just want to hear it again. :-)

Thanks guys!

[Grizzly]

Welcome aboard. If you've read our previous threads then you must know we will not answer any of your questions until you post the requisite photographs of your new car.

Kidding. Sounds like you got a pretty nice deal. Do make sure you get it right in for a thorough inspection before your return option is up. With 50k on the clock, you are probably beyond GES (grenading engine syndrome), but apparently you are never completely safe. Please, don't let worries of mechanical problems ruin your experience. Enjoy the hell out of the car. If it breaks...fix it.

Photos ASAP, please.

[djomlas]

welcome man, u will love it here
and do post a pic if u get a chance

[demonz]

can someone help me run one search. I had autocheck, but my account expired and would just like to know if I missed something. Thanks in advance.

[986 Girl]

Congrats on the buy, sounds a lot like my purchase

My biggest suggestion for a new owner is to go to www.scca.com, find your local chapter, and take her out to an autocross at least once (also called Solo). It's the best way, on a budget, to learn both the limits of the car and your driving. Good luck, and have fun!

[NickCats]

+ 1 on the autocross suggestion !

I had no idea how amazing this car was until I actually had a chance to push it to the limt...

Every Boxster owner should try it at least once

Nick

[Hugh D]

Thanks for all the input, guys....

I haven't taken my own pictures yet, just stole this off of the dealer's website before they took down their web listing for the car.... but this is my car:

[Perfectlap]

There is no 97-99 engine blow out curse. The vulnerability your engine has is the same one most 97-2004 Boxsters have and to a lesser extent the 2005-2006's.
Nothing more than a leaky rear main seal (RMS) that will probably run you about a grand to replace, if your'e lucky you'll only need to do it once if at all. From purely word of mouth reporting it seems to affect a 1/3 of all 911's and Boxsters.
however, A small batch of 2.5 '97-'99 engines were made with engine blocks that allowed water to seep inside. But most didn't have this porosity issue.
The first generation Boxsters had more mechanical problems in general than the later years but that's just to be expected with any new model.

p.s.
keep the 16" wheels for autocross. If you can swing it and the tires need replacing see if you can get some 18" Carrera replicas from wheel dynamics.
They sell for about half the price of Factory 18" wheels. Not sure if you can run 18" wheels on a 98 though...

[jmabasa]

Ya, I'd definitely change the rims to 18's at least if possible. Congrats man! That's a great buy!

[NickCats]

I'm running 18's on my 1999, I'm pretty sure you can run them on a 1998 as well.

Also, it looks like 18" wheels were an option for the 1998 MY :

http://www.epiqautosport.com/mode/content/page/37/1

Hope this helps...

Nick

[Perfectlap]

p.s.
Sell that hardtop and you've got cash for your wheels and tires. You should get at least $1000 for it on Ebay or the Porsche CLub of America Classifieds. Can't see much use for a hardtop in bloody hot Houston...

[Travis]

+1 on selling the hardtop, I think I may have drove with my top up once since I have owned mine.

Now you will have to go ride the twisties with us here in the Houston area.

Oh yeah......

WELCOME ABOARD!!

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

p.s.
Sell that hardtop and you've got cash for your wheels and tires. You should get at least $1000 for it on Ebay or the Porsche CLub of America Classifieds. Can't see much use for a hardtop in bloody hot Houston...

[jmabasa]

If your cars color is Lapis Blue and you want to sell your hardtop, I'll buy it.

Originally Posted by Travis

+1 on selling the hardtop, I think I may have drove with my top up once since I have owned mine.

Now you will have to go ride the twisties with us here in the Houston area.

Oh yeah......

WELCOME ABOARD!!

[victoreric]

Originally Posted by 986 Girl

Congrats on the buy, sounds a lot like my purchase

My biggest suggestion for a new owner is to go to www.scca.com, find your local chapter, and take her out to an autocross at least once (also called Solo). It's the best way, on a budget, to learn both the limits of the car and your driving. Good luck, and have fun!

Anyone know of any autocross weblinks for BC, Canada?

[bringer666]

Originally Posted by victoreric

Anyone know of any autocross weblinks for BC, Canada?

http://www.virpca.org/autocross.html