Help! Is this '03 for me and at what price?

[pgapromex]

thats way too much for a base 2003, there is a 2003 S for sale in another thread for $18,900, it has more miles but that can be a good thing, I've read that boxster 'garage queens" are more likely to have IMS issues. I've also seen base 2005 boxsters listed for $25,000 or so.

[twest]

Thanks for the thoughts, pgapromex. To come up with a number I've considered averaging the NADA, KBB and Edmunds pricing, and swallowing the cost of new tires & brakes. Maybe that's just throwing him money, though.

Is there a way to put a $ value on the warranty he's offering with 2 years to go? I do like the idea of being covered for something huge and unexpected.

[mikefocke]

pay $2400 more than what an average car of that year/mileage is worth to get the car on the road?

How are you sure the alignment need isn't the sign that something more serious is wrong?

Can you do the brake work yourself? There are some excellent do-it-yourself guides online for this car.

I see this car at ~$16k in it's current condition. It isn't an S, doesn't sound highly optioned. I based this on looking at a listing of the asking prices for 70+ '03 Boxsters knowing that they will sell for 5-10 less than asking.

Are you sure you haven't fallen in love with a specific car? The seller either has an inflated view of its value or the dealer has too much money invested into it if he is asking so much more than average.

As to an extended warranty...ask a Porsche mechanic what he thinks of dealing with the warranty company (don't ask the seller). And do some homework on what the contract covers and what it doesn't and the financial strength of the company behind the warranty. So many are shell companies...they sell for a while and then go out of business leaving the warranty purchaser with nothing for their money.

[twest]

Thank you Mike!

The private seller definitely has an inflated view at $23K, and this (potential) buyer was definitely getting enamored of such a low mileage cherry. Since the seller has indicated in emails that he strongly feels it's fairly priced, I have a feeling this is going to be a case of "never the twain shall meet."

I had planned to review the details of the extended warranty, but your additional suggestion of researching co. viability and talking to a mechanic is an excellent one that didn't occur to me.

And while I'm in thanks mode, you've probably heard it hundreds of times, but you've done a great service to consumers with your website. Quite an incredible compilation of info that would have taken any lay person weeks or months to assemble.

So... A pleasure to get your wise input, Mike. Thank you for taking the time and perhaps I'll drop you a line when I have a more promising and compelling Boxster story...

Side note -
I imagine most of you have already seen this, but an interesting article on VW and Porsche marriage in the NY Times...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/business/29porsche.html