New car opinions

[grimesb]

Hello everyone,

I've been researching Boxters rather heavily and it's quickly becoming more difficult to find that "perfect" used Boxter. One out of five on autotrader has an accident reported!

My budget allows for a maximum 24k and by my research the best options are a 2003-2004 Boxter S that has not had a replacement bearing-difficult engine so I can look into replacement bearings down the road.

Most come with 2 - 4 owners and one car in particular is being sold by a non-porsche dealership and its only service history is a VIN report and Carfax. They both show mild care to the car but they seriously lack knowledge about the boxter as Honda dealers I suppose. I'm concerned with the remote purchase but optimistic because they offer a 5-day return policy that would allow me to have my mechanic at home check it out. I'd prefer this over paying someone I cannot go to in person for a PPI.

Any recommendations on remote buying and the above scenario are most appreciated!

Thank you,

Bennett

[recycled sixtie]

I am not sure what u mean by remote buying but I would certainly take your time looking. I would never buy a vehicle unless I met the seller and see the car, would like to see the receipts for work done. Prefer no accidents except minor bumper accidents. Of course a PPI is a must and if they find anything wrong then negotiate it as a deduction from the selling price.
Don't be in a hurry to buy and do lots of research on these Porsche forums.Cheers

[techweenie]

I was able to buy an '06 three months ago for $20.7K. The '06 has the improved IMS bearing.

Any time you buy remotely, you need "feet on the street" and eyeballs on the car. I do that for a lot of distant (and out of country) buyers. You also need a PPI on any complex modern car. In my case, I believed my chosen car was good, but had a mechanic go with a service computer and confirm the engine history as well as give an unemotional opinion about the car's condition.

[BYprodriver]

If you post your location & Boxster location maybe someone can refer you to a good mechanic that knows these cars. If your current mechanic does not you will need someone that does.

[mikefocke]

Identify the car and see if someone local will give it the once over. Maybe find someone who owns one to test drive it. Ask on the forums.

Don't be in a hurry. There are good cars out there. And there are better times to be buying than spring (my best Boxster buy was with snow on the ground/car)...consider waiting maybe 60 days till people start trading up to the new Boxster. Should be many more cars available.

Remember the posted price is the asking price, not the selling price. There is room to negotiate.

And if you are so worried about the IMS, why not either budget the money initially and have it done or buy a car that has had it.

The third version of the IMS is not immune to failures. Maybe not as frequent or maybe not as well publicized. But they are out there.

[MnW's 987S]

Your car is out there you just have to take your time and you will find it. It took 3 months of looking to find our car and it was 200 miles away. But we wanted an 06 or newer "S" model with full one owner history, power seats, in blue and fairly low miles. Our budget for this was 30K (back in early 2011). As I said it took a while to find the right car but it did finally turn up. Yours will to. I am sure.

[grimesb]

Thanks everyone, I nixed my plans with the Boxter I only sorta liked and continue the search. I was feeling a touch rushed as my beater college car that I've had for ten years is hurting mechanically and cost-wise a bad repair investment.

Question: When you say the 3rd IMS bearing do you mean the 2004-2008 Model cars with the larger IMS bearing that cannot be replaced without engine disassembly?

Current potential in Long Beach so we'll see what some research uncovers.

Thanks again,

Bennett

[mikefocke]

There were three bearing designs and the third came in around mid-2005 but could also be in any car that has a replacement engine. As of now, the third version is the best of the three if you listen to the experts. Unfortunately, there is no way of telling for sure if a 2005 model has the newest design without taking the transmission off. Much more detail at the lnengineering.com web site.

[l3m]

Check this one out. 2003 S. Low miles, loaded.

2003 Porsche Boxster S - 16,700 miles - $77K Original Sticker

[l3m]

Op, I sent you a pm.