Opinion on 1998 Boxster?

[986barnum]

i'd first make sure you can trace some history of the car, the pepboys $19.99 pedal set doesn't make me think a 60 yr old porsche lover cared for it diligently. getting a ppi will help. 13,965 is optimistic of the dealer. in my mind i'm thinking it was 14,500 or 15k or something when i saw it on autotrader 5 months ago so they're holding out against all odds. if all checks out mechanically i'd lowball (<$12) them and be firm and patient. guaranteed it'll be sitting on that lot next time you drive by. stop in, make the same offer they likely initially rejected. it took me two weeks but i got mine from a sticker of 15,800 to 13,600 and i think i could've gotten them lower still. and don't underestimate the value of a 30 or 60 day warranty. i got 200 miles before the first problem popped up and made it another 600 before another one... they'll likely clear the CEL on the lot and things like failing cats, o2s, MAF, etc won't pop up on test drive many times. good luck, personally i ran the other way when i saw it online, but if the wing suits your tastes then the most important thing is getting a ppi and a good price. just use rational judgement, which is hard once you drive it, i bought my first one after 1 mile behind the wheel when i wasn't even shopping for a car. the second one i put considerably more effort and thought into.

[YellowJacket]

As others have said, I would be very very very uncomfortable buying that car with the cheap mods and add-ons. Not only because it'll be a pain to undo all that stuff, but also because it is indicative of the type of person who owned the car before. The quality of the mods are directly proportional to the quality of maintenance the car received normally. These cars are fairly expensive to maintain, so I can only assume that thing has probably NOT been taken care of.

If you absolutely MUST have this exact car (and I can't imagine why that would be given how many early Boxsters are out there in great condition at good prices), I'd get a PPI from a mechanic that has a LOT of experience in Porsches -- either a dealer or a local who's been around a while. I'm sure people on this board can give you shop recommendations.

If you get a good Boxster, they're quite a bargain, but if you get one that needs work, they can easily run half your purchase price in repairs in the first 6 months or year.

[NickCats]

Keep in mind guys, the OP is under 21, so what we may find as hideous he might think is pretty cool

Nick

[rick3000]

^ I'm under 21, and I think it is hideous.
Just my $0.02!

[Denied™]

This would be a car i'm pushing around for highschool, and maybe into college. I dont necessarily like the spoiler, but its something I can stand until I can change the trunklid if I can get a lower price. =]

[rick3000]

That is understandable.
And just to clarify I only think the spoiler and exhaust are hideous. The car itself is beautiful, it just has a few anti-Porsche mods.

[CJ_Boxster]

Dont buy it, You'll be embarrassed why the other porsche drivers and if you ever have to drive into a porsche dealership. That wing doesnt make sence on a porsche that has perfect 50/50 weight distribution... If anything that wing will give you so much rear downforce that you'll have to install on on the front hood to eliminate the understeer you'd suffer.

I hate that it has a dual exhuast out the back, looks like a mustang now.

Look for another boxster, you'll soon find that this boxster you found isnt worth it and wasnt tastefully modded... Hang around this forum for a week or two before make a choice on a certain Boxster and you'll learn enough to make a wise educated purchase.