Repairing a damaged Boxster?

Yan · 06:21 PM

Hi!

I know that my topic isn't directly related with the 911 but I'd really appreciate somebody to help me. I found a sweet damaged Porsche Boxster 1999 with 18 000 miles for sale and I'm interested in buying it. My question is: where can I find used parts for this Boxster at a great price? Is there any big Porsche scrap yard?

Here are the damaged parts that need to be changed: both front wings, the hood, the front bumper, both headlights, the radiator, the radiator support, the air conditioning rotor, "maybe" the left front door, the left mirror, the rear right braking light, both front suspensions assemblies, the rear left suspension assembly and both airbags.

The engine, the interior and the wheels aren't damaged at all, everything is ok. The guy is asking 17 500$ canadian (about 10 500$ US?). Can anybody help me? What do you think about the condition of the car?

Here is a picture of the car:

Thanks ALOT for your help!
Yan

Doug Zielke · 11-19-2001, 06:19 PM

The Troll-O-Meter is pegged!

Jim Sims · 11-19-2001, 06:21 PM

IMO the chassis (body) will never be right; it looks like a parts car to me. What a shame. Jim

Yan · 11-19-2001, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug Zielke
The Troll-O-Meter is pegged!

Heh... Heh... Heh... Hahahahaha!

You're a funny guy.

Bill Douglas · 11-19-2001, 07:09 PM

An option might be to get a repair shop to straighten out the chassis then contact aftermarket places like Better Bodies (they advertise in Excellence) for the body parts. Have fun, Bill.

orbmedia · 11-19-2001, 07:10 PM

Boxsters are relatively plentiful so you should not have too much difficulty finding parts. Be careful that you don't pay too much for used collision parts. The most difficult part is going to be finding a body shop who will work with you on this project, after all you're not going to be like an insurance company paying $15K or more to fix it, you're going to want to do it on the cheap I assume.

rcwaldo · 11-19-2001, 07:46 PM

Beware that this was probably a total. Make sure you are ok with a salvage title. Make sure it will be insurable.

Chris

jperry · 11-19-2001, 07:53 PM

Check out the prices on new airbags before you jump in.

feelyx · 11-19-2001, 07:55 PM

With the thin under metal you could beat that car back into shape the cost of the body panels will determine if its worth it. Also check the top... if it doesn't close right the car is most likely twisted.

Yan can do bodywork?

Tim in Sac

89911 · 08:54 PM

If this car was rare, maybe, but used Boxsters are a dime a dozen. Especially since the "S" came out and everyone ditched their leased vehicles. I would bet by the time you fix this right it would be about the same price as a used vehicle. I assume this vehicle was already totaled so that should give some indication of the cost of repairs. After adding in $20, you would be stuck with a car with no resale value at all. Boxters are selling for below $30,000 and dropping here in US. I would move on.

Yan · 11-20-2001, 04:33 AM

Thanks alot for your replies!

I considered your comments and finally, I won't buy the car. I'll wait for a less damaged one. I concluded that repairing a seriously damaged Porsche can get you into serious trouble.

Thanks again!

Yan

Oldporsche · 11-20-2001, 06:59 AM

My guess is ther is a lot of used "product" out there. All of the "gold chains" took a dive with the recent market fluctuations. There however are signs of it picking back up. The thing here is that the "S" now has their market. I think you can do better by gathering a little cash up and finding one. Cash will talk better than repair efforts.

Good luck,
David Duffield

kr911 · 11-20-2001, 08:07 AM

Low mileage Boxster for $10K sounds tempting but is also very risky
If the car has any damage to the floor pan you may not be able to align the wheels properly. Even if you find a good body shop where they can pull it strait to factory specs this can happen a day or a week or a year after the repair but sooner or later you may find that the car does not go strait any more. A straighten out chassis will never be as good as the original. Porsche has much tighter tolerances than most other cars so an average body shop may not be able to fix it at all. I’ve seen nicely repaired Audi A4 that looked like brand new car but then it literally folded down after hitting a curb. In fact I had owned a repaired car like this many years ago (Escort XR3i) and ended up on realigning rear wheels and buying new tires every 3 months.

And being aware of this how fast would you drive your “straighten out” Boxster on a twisty road or would you dare to hit 150 on a highway ?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Parts car.....

The engine can be used for a 914 conversion....

I know a few guys that are looking for one.

Pillow · 11-20-2001, 08:28 AM

Most definitely a parts car.

TimB · 11-20-2001, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yan
Thanks alot for your replies!

I considered your comments and finally, I won't buy the car. I'll wait for a less damaged one. I concluded that repairing a seriously damaged Porsche can get you into serious trouble.

Thanks again!
Yan

Good idea Yan. IMHO you just saved yourself a ot of time, $, and frustration. Looking at a car in the garage instead of driving it is a drag UNLESS you either have another cool car to drive AND/OR the car in the garage will be somthing special when you are done. Better to buy one that needs just a LITTLE TLC if you can.