New member intro and a few ?s ..

[jreissenweber1]

As an introduction to the forum ..


I am 71 and have been an avid car enthusiast all of my life, growing up in Detroit and having worked for Ford Motor Company for 20 years.**** I have been lucky enough to have owned several classic Mustangs, 3 Corvettes including a '72 454, a 67 Alpha and a Fiat 124 and have driven McLaren Mustangs, Shelby Mustangs and a '64 Shelby Cobra.**** For the past 25 years my driving has been rather a mundane split between a jeep and a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid.

I am currently going thru some intense theropy for PTSD (Vietnam) and have decided to 'live' once more and want to buy Porsche Boxster and recapture the thrill and enjoyment of driving.

I have been researching for the past several months (including test driving) and am approaching actual purchase time.

I have a few questions I'd like to throw out to the forum to help point me in my final search.

Reliability IS an issue as although it will be a 2nd car, I plan on taking several extended road trips to include even California to the East Coast and back.

I started off looking at ~2000 986s and quickly found I preferred the S (3.2 litre) model (I am old - not dead).**** It seems to me that cost (including purchase price plus required repairs/upgrades including IMS) is roughly $15K depending upon miles.

I then drove a 2008 rs60 spyder for a couple of hours - what a beast! I would never have thought of buying anything but a manual .. but .. and the PASM and the Sport Exhaust were thrilling ... and I felt the car was abit (perhaps more than abit) too much for what I could handle at my now reduced reflexes and reactions. So I drove a 2010 2.9 litre with PDK .. and it has the overhead airbag ..

and now after some extensive research it seems if I look hard enough low $20K can fetch one although I probably will have to go out of California to get one - question is will it pass CA smog?

Two last comments. I do really want to try my hand at autocross .. just for fun. And as I am on a fixed income, I don't have money to just throw at this.


So that is where I find myself today ..****

only to add that I do live in San Francisco with no garage so it will have to be parked on the street - possible solutions a hard top and/or alarmed car cover.


Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.




Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[alm001]

Welcome and good luck!

I've got an S for sale, but its pretty far away from the SF area!

[jreissenweber1]

Originally Posted by alm001

Welcome and good luck!

I've got an S for sale, but its pretty far away from the SF area!

alm001

thanks ..

I saw yours .. looks very sweet .. and feel sure it would be a thrilling cross country ride ..

unfortunately I believe it will be 3-6 weeks before I do my due diligence and get $in a position to pull the trigger and don't think yours will last that long .. but I have it bookmarked just in case!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[BYprodriver]

jreissenweber1 Thank you for your service to our great country!

I have a 2000 'S' & love it, I have driven it from Oregon to So.CA, Monterey to So.CA via Hwy1, and So.CA to Louisiana & back, including 12 hrs straight from Dallas to So.CA. I was in my mid 40's then but if the seat fits you well they are very comfortable. I Have driven with the sport seats & they are noticeably more supportive & comfortable. The same goes for 987 & newer Boxsters.

Under the rear decklid there should be a emissions compliance sticker that shows what level of smog equipment is installed. I would guess at least 75% are CA compliant. 5% of Porsche cars ever sold were sold in CA. Given your usage goals I would buy the best one you can find & have a very through PPI done by the best Porsche mechanic you can find near the car & have the oil & filter changed during it. $20K should get you a great 986 S. Auto crossing in the future is no big deal as long as you are just there to have fun.

[jreissenweber1]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

jreissenweber1 Thank you for your service to our great country!



Given your usage goals I would buy the best one you can find & have a very through PPI done by the best Porsche mechanic you can find near the car & have the oil & filter changed during it. $20K should get you a great 986 S. Auto crossing in the future is no big deal as long as you are just there to have fun.

Pro driver ..

First off .. thank you (especially after 50 years .. heartwarming and almost a 1st)

PPI by the best near the car .. has been something I've learned over the past few months .. noted .. but again a ? if I may ..
anything special I should request? .. ie overrev's

20K is my target figure .. including any repairs/replacement items (suspension/tires etc.) so on that we agree as well ..

now for me the big question ..

would I be better off looking at a 2009/2010 ..
2.9 liter .. newer .. no IMS problem .. potentially more reliable ..

I have seen quite a few available at that price range (drove one with a PDK last week 60K miles asking $21.5) .. not overly equipped but ..
trading a few of my desired options for newer car/reliability .. ???

the driving thrill there .. she'd be well taken care of .. and used .. even if not a redhead .. or very noisy ..

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[BYprodriver]

Well the driving feel starts to fade after 2002 but comfort gets better & $20K will get you the best of the 986 S available. You really have to drive all the generations & see which you prefer. I don't follow the 987 up values but I have driven one & a 2015 model. They are more capable & comfortable but less fun to me, however on a long trip that may be more enjoyable.

[jreissenweber1]

It's been awhile and much has happened/progressed ..

1st and foremost, I've had my 2nd (of 3) chemical treatments for PTSD .. and all I can say is .. AMAZING**** .. a life changer ..

IF any of you are a vet battling with it .. or know of a loved one/ good friend who is .. my PM is open .. please**** ..

I sincerely wish to thank all who have responded to this thread (and so many more who have merely contributed to the discussions here that I have read) ..

two take-aways were key for me ..

1) focus on exactly the model and ALL the options you want****

2) no hurry**** .. THE car will find ~you~

so part of my daily routine was reviewing new**** boxster nationwide price/mileage/options .. over time questioning just how important each option was .. aware I was in the driver's seat and ready to wait .. patiently****


and then ~this~ appeared on local craigslist ..


'98 .. one owner .. 5 speed manual .. 70 K miles .. well maintained and that ocean jade metallic**** .. I just had to see it 'in the flesh' .. a 15 minute 'spin' turned into an hour and a half with top down and .. I was captivated ..

sad to say I ultimately passed .. benign neglect verified by the PPI .. but I did learn that it IS a '98/'99 I want .. and every last option I can find ..

the search continues .. next up a zenith blue this weekend ..

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by jreissenweber1

It's been awhile and much has happened/progressed ..

1st and foremost, I've had my 2nd (of 3) chemical treatments for PTSD .. and all I can say is .. AMAZING**** .. a life changer ..

IF any of you are a vet battling with it .. or know of a loved one/ good friend who is .. my PM is open .. please**** ..

I sincerely wish to thank all who have responded to this thread (and so many more who have merely contributed to the discussions here that I have read) ..

two take-aways were key for me ..

1) focus on exactly the model and ALL the options you want****

2) no hurry**** .. THE car will find ~you~

so part of my daily routine was reviewing new**** boxster nationwide price/mileage/options .. over time questioning just how important each option was .. aware I was in the driver's seat and ready to wait .. patiently****


and then ~this~ appeared on local craigslist ..


'98 .. one owner .. 5 speed manual .. 70 K miles .. well maintained and that ocean jade metallic**** .. I just had to see it 'in the flesh' .. a 15 minute 'spin' turned into an hour and a half with top down and .. I was captivated ..

sad to say I ultimately passed .. benign neglect verified by the PPI .. but I did learn that it IS a '98/'99 I want .. and every last option I can find ..

the search continues .. next up a zenith blue this weekend ..

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Glad to here the chemical treatments help, maybe that would help my new Step Dad.

[jreissenweber1]

so ...

I know it's all a trade-off .. mileage/maintenance/options/price ..

I have 2 '98/'99s on my radar

a) very basic model - 30K (zenith blue metallic)
asking $11k
b) rather well equipped (full traction control, sport technic package which I believe includes sport suspension) - 80K (guards red) asking $7K

neither has heated seats (which I will have to retrofit .. say between $1 and $2K depending on how) ..

assuming both in good mechanical condition .. anyone wish to help evaluate so I can learn?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Allegro]

A couple of things... first, although I'm only 10 years younger than you my Dad was in Vietnam twice. You guys got the short end of the stick in terms of being recognized for serving. So, thanks.

Second, a '98 or '99 is a great choice. I particularly think the '99s are a sweet spot. 2.5L got sorted and the IMS is dual row and as unlikely to fail as any of the possible replacements. I hope you find a well cared for example. Records more important than mileage, but lowish miles are, of course, a plus.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by jreissenweber1

so ...

I know it's all a trade-off .. mileage/maintenance/options/price ..

I have 2 '98/'99s on my radar

a) very basic model - 30K (zenith blue metallic)
asking $11k
b) rather well equipped (full traction control, sport technic package which I believe includes sport suspension) - 80K (guards red) asking $7K

neither has heated seats (which I will have to retrofit .. say between $1 and $2K depending on how) ..

assuming both in good mechanical condition .. anyone wish to help evaluate so I can learn?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

B. All day long, b.

You don't want any of the headaches that come with a 30k mile, 20 yr old Porsche.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Allegro]

Originally Posted by maytag

B. All day long, b.

You don't want any of the headaches that come with a 30k mile, 20 yr old Porsche.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Not sure I agree. My '02S had 24k miles on it when I bought it last year. I had all the fluids changed, replaced the rear axles and boots, and the AOS and it has been running like a top. Now at 28K. All in I'm still at less than $15k.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by Allegro

Not sure I agree. My '02S had 24k miles on it when I bought it last year. I had all the fluids changed, replaced the rear axles and boots, and the AOS and it has been running like a top. Now at 28K. All in I'm still at less than $15k.

Well of course ymmv. But conventional wisdom suggests that a Porsche of that age, with such few miles, is likely going to have many more issues. With IMS being right at the top of the list. Then rubber hoses after that.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by maytag

B. All day long, b.

You don't want any of the headaches that come with a 30k mile, 20 yr old Porsche.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

I would prefer to spend money on mechanical things to restore or possibly improve condition.

Cosmetically it's hard to improve original condition which most low mileage cars excel at

[jreissenweber1]

It's been a month .. and much has happened.


1st off went thru my 3rd and final chemical treatment**** - not pretty and quite devastating emotionally reliving but .. gave me an insight into why the fear so very strong ..


I had been daily reviewing Porsche porn, every new add to cars.com, carguru, pca, autotrader as well as craigslist and was ready to travel out of state to look at a '98 guard's red with 96K miles (owned by a Porsche mechanic) when I noticed one for sale 1/2 mile from my old house near Sacramento that checked all the boxes ..

- heated power seats (dual)

- PSM

- bi-xenon

- 45K

- all records since new (2 owner - same Porsche dealer - 2nd sale as a 'certified')

Drove up 100 miles to look at it Friday and it was immaculate! (little signs of wear) ..

Walked away during negotiation as I had a back-up but they blinked and I drove her home that night, top down under the stars ...

I never imagined buying a car from a dealer but got 7 day 100% return/45 day complete repair warranty.****

all I can say is .. why did I wait so long!



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by jreissenweber1

It's been a month .. and much has happened.


1st off went thru my 3rd and final chemical treatment**** - not pretty and quite devastating emotionally reliving but .. gave me an insight into why the fear so very strong ..


I had been daily reviewing Porsche porn, every new add to cars.com, carguru, pca, autotrader as well as craigslist and was ready to travel out of state to look at a '98 guard's red with 96K miles (owned by a Porsche mechanic) when I noticed one for sale 1/2 mile from my old house near Sacramento that checked all the boxes ..

- heated power seats (dual)

- PSM

- bi-xenon

- 45K

- all records since new (2 owner - same Porsche dealer - 2nd sale as a 'certified')

Drove up 100 miles to look at it Friday and it was immaculate! (little signs of wear) ..

Walked away during negotiation as I had a back-up but they blinked and I drove her home that night, top down under the stars ...

I never imagined buying a car from a dealer but got 7 day 100% return/45 day complete repair warranty.****

all I can say is .. why did I wait so long!



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Wow looks nice it's hard to beat driving a 986 on Hwy 1 thru Big Sur!

[jreissenweber1]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Wow looks nice it's hard to beat driving a 986 on Hwy 1 thru Big Sur!

I remember what you said months ago ..

never thought I'd end up with an S but so very glad I did .. put almost 900 miles on in .. 9 days now ..

happy .. happy .. happy

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk