Purchase advice for used 986 boxter

[Porscheroger]

Hi , I am a new member and live in Australia.
I am a past porsche owner [930, 911T and 928S] and I now wish to purchase a 2.5 or 2.7 litre tiptronic as a runabout. As most examples have high kilometres [ 140K +] what issues are essential to check?
Are they reliable with these kilometres ?

[oldskool73]

G'day!

First off : http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/14685-thinking-buying-boxster-must-read.html

140km is only about 86k miles, there's several on here with over 250k miles, so for the age that's basically low mileage still! check out http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/67816-how-many-miles-your-986-987-a.html

It seems the issues most people see regularly are more age and/or lack of upkeep related than pure miles... clutch, suspension, water pump, AOS, various rubber parts etc are all going to be on their way out at 15-20 years if they've not been done already.

[78F350]

+1 to everything oldskool73 said.

I would expect good reliability well over 140k km as long as it has been cared for properly. Expect the typical 'wear' parts to be in need of replacement unless it has been done already.

It is typical for these cars to have minor issues come up such as the failure of a window regulator, or part of the top mechanism fail. Plan for that in your maintenance budget.

[Porscheroger]

Hi, Thankyou 78F350 and oldskool for your responses...much appreciated.
Where can I access a checklist for age related deteriorated issues as distinct from usual wear items such as brake pads,exhaust, belts etc? Is a service record not completed by a porsche dealer OK or are there critical checks, type of oil etc which can be an issue?
Kind regards, Ozzie Roger.

[oldskool73]

I'd personally not trust a service record by any non Porsche dealer or specialist here in Oz, normal mechanics are more used to working on Asian cars and 4x4's than our weird little German things.

Best bet if you're unsure is get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) from a dealer service centre or specialist indie (in Sydney region that's basically 'Carvaco motors' in Glebe that I use, or 'Auto H ause Hamilton' in Chatswood). They will be able to give you a checklist of what the car needs and how much it might cost to put right. May cost you a few hundred but could save you thousands in the long run.

[gabedrummin]

Purchase advise DON'T DO IT....Someone once told me don't buy a boat its a giant hole to throw your money in.. Well a Porsche is way worse.If you cant fix it your self don't buy one. Parts are expensive. Labor cost at a dealer will kill you. Cost me 2k to get a starter problem diagnosed and fixed. Oh yea then I get my car back from Porsche of
North Houston with a hole in my top.Thanks guys..!