On eBay:
Porsche : Boxster : eBay Motors (item 300410504883 end time Apr-02-10 19:51:59 PDT)
This 2000 model fits a lot of my criteria but there are some questions I want to throw it here about how I can properly evaluate it since the seller seems, mmmm, a little touchy about a real PPI. Here's a list of my pro's and con's:
Pro's:
1. It's cheap--below $10K.
2. It's a 2000 with the 2.7 engine and the updated steering wheel shifters (I think).
3. It's a Tip, which I am starting to consider a plus for my needs.
4. Not a BAD color, although wouldn't be my first choice.
5. I kind of like the "wood" touches--although I suspect they may not be real wood ;-).
6. It's semi-local--within driving distance for an inspection.
7. IT'S GOT THE HARDTOP!
Con's:
1. Mileage is a little higher--over 100K.
2. No records of maintenance.
3. The only reason I haven't gone down to OC to take a look was that when I contacted the seller on eBay and told him that I was a cash buyer and interested in the car, but that if it passed my visual inspection I would want to have a real PPI done, at my expense. His response was that if I wanted to bring a mechanic to look at the car, OK; if I wanted to take the car somewhere, not OK. Quote: "I don't like mechanics. They always want to find things wrong with a car." That kind of rubbed me the wrong way and I smart-assed him back with "Well, that's all I need to know--good luck with the sale."
Now that I've backed out of smart-ass mode, I'm wondering if there might be another way to skin this cat, by finding a really good mechanic and taking him down there and checking out the car at the seller's place.
What think ye? Anybody know whether it's possible to do a decent PPI without getting the car on the rack, doing a compression test, etc., etc.? Anyone local anybody can recommend?
Or, am I just getting carried away by the chance to get a hardtop-equipped car at decent price? Actually, if you read his ad, there are quite a few add-ons including the full 9.5% CA sales tax, so it's really about an $11K car. One major problem, or even a lot of deferred maintenance and it's bad buy.
Also complicating things is that our LA house just sold and it looks like we're moving to New Mexico in the next couple of months--maybe not the best time to pull the trigger.