Prospective Buyer

[fotogeek]

Howdy folks! Well...one year ago, I got rid of the wife (divorce, not murder ) and my 40th b-day is the end of this month...so I figure it's time to buy a Porche. I'm looking at a 1999 Boxter up in Seattle (I'm in Portland, OR). It's listed for 12,800 at a dealership. From what I see, it's a couple thousand below most of the ones I see for sale.

The dealer said the only thing that he knew was wrong with it was some fuel overflow bag thingy that costs $230. Does anybody know about what this part is and how easy it may be or not be to install? I'm not enthused about buying a Porche with some work that already needs to be done on it, but I'm a cheapskate and always looking for a deal.

Any help on this would be great!

[Doug&Julie]

Welcome fotogeek!

First up...you're missing some "s"s in Porsche and Boxster. Picky, I know, but it'll make a difference.

I actually can't help with your direct question, but any Boxster that is only $12-$13k will eventually cost you some money. Perhaps not a lot, but for sure some. So if you're really a "cheapskate", be sure to put some serious thought into this purchase!

I would agree that I don't like to buy a car that I know "needs" something, especially if it's supposedly so simple as described. (If it's so simple, why hasn't the dealership done it already?) See if you can take this car to another dealership or independant Porsche specialist to look it over to make sure. (This is a good general rule for any Porsche...get a PPI - Pre Purchase Inspection - before buying!) The PNW board can probably best help direct you to a good place in Seattle for that.

Good luck!

[Brillo]

Welcome!

There's something to be said to the advice I often read about buying "the newest Porsche that you can afford". Second to that, get one that is well sorted. As Doug said have a PPI done, independent of where you purchase.

My experience is that it really is true pay now or pay later. The later can be very expensive.

I would say to look at 2000 or newer also.

Best of luck and keep us updated as to your progress.

[racer]

If a stealership has it for $12,8, then they likely paid 9-10 for it. Just keep that in mind. Realize that it likely "needs" $3-4K worth of stuff to make it "whole" again. Or, for $15-16, get a more sorted out example.