Which Boxster? Budget = $13000

[cowfly911]

The wife has given me the go ahead on a used Boxster purchase. I thought I would start with a budget of $13000 and go shopping. I have driven the 2.5 L base models but felt like I needed more. I then drove a 2000 Boxster S and it felt like a car I would enjoy driving.

I began my search on Autotrader/Cars.com and discovered several Boxster Ss within my budget with about 100,000 miles on them. So my questions are how reliable is the high mileage Boxster S? Should I consider a 2.7L base, also within my budget? Or should I increase my budget to purchase a lower mileage S? And, I noticed that many Boxsters are advertised for much more than the prices listed on Edmunds or KBB. Are the prices on these sites too low?

Thanks in advance! I look forward to any comments.

[racer]

Does your 13K budget include about 15% "extra" that the car will need or you will spend once bought? 13K car.. plus local takes and registration.. maybe it needs some new tires.. or you want to upgrade something? see where I am heading?

Buy the "best, newest" example you can afford.

Spend some time reading up on the issues that Boxsters experience.

I had a 2.7, year 2000 and it was fine. I regularly was quicker at AX events than the 250hp boxster S's.. just saying.. you don't "need" an S, but the price delta between the two makes getting the S the likely wiser choice.

Get out and test drive some, even those you might not buy, simply to see how they can vary. Many boxsters are multi-owner cars with various levels of maintenance performed. Some are 1-2 owner cars. Some have full leather.. others have ripped worn out seats or tops.

[Alphaboy1]

I agree with Racer. I just bought a 2002 Boxster S with 45000 miles on it and the car was in excellent condition. I could have spent less but decided to go with lower miles newer vehicle.
I paid $20,000 and went with the "S" for resale value and performance. Beware that many higher mileage Boxsters I had seen have had main seal leaks and a car with that many miles odds are pretty good unless they were replaced. I would suggest you have it inspected by a mechanic who knows Porsche's. I spent $300.00 to have one looked at with 26,000 miles and had Main Seal leaks along with many other issues. I walked away per my mechanic and felt ok afterwards.

[cowfly911]

The 13k will be the purchase price, taxes, reg fees, and consumables not included. Since this will be a forth vehicle, I do not want want to invest a large amount of money but looking for the best bang for the buck in a weekend Boxster. Thanks

[Alphaboy1]

Originally Posted by cowfly911

The 13k will be the purchase price, taxes, reg fees, and consumables not included. Since this will be a forth vehicle, I do not want want to invest a large amount of money but looking for the best bang for the buck in a weekend Boxster. Thanks

Thats fine. You should be able to find a non S with 70,000 for that price if you look hard. Mine is also a 4th vehicle. But do yourself a favor. Take the car to a mechanic even if you are looking at dealers. The one I mentioned I did not buy was coming from a Large dealership in Stamford CT. Itlooked ok but is was a train wreck.

[BerneseMtnDog]

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of stuff on the car is reaching the end of its service life at around 100k. Clutch, shocks, motor mount, control arms, etc... If you want to keep the car in top shape and reliable you'd be spending quite a chunk of $$ at about this mileage. If it were me I'd be looking at a car in the 60k miles or so range and then budget for these things and replace them on a more relaxed schedule. Having service records is a must. It could be that a lot of these things were previously done. The difference between the 2.7 and the "S" isn't huge so I'd look for the best example of either and see what you find. I'd look at 2000 or newer cars. Some cars had repeated RMS leaks no matter what so I'd want to get a car that had a clear history of not leaking out the RMS. I replaced the original RMS on my 2000 and it was just barely seeping so it is possible to find dry seals on these cars. Have fun!

Steve

[Alphaboy1]

Cowfly... Take a look at this Boxster. It is sitting at a dealer in Milford CT and has 62,000 miles for $12,900. This dealer if you look only sells classic cars so pretty good reputation. I found this in my search a month ago. It even comes with the Wind Guards if you look in the trunk picture. Mine did not. Had to buy them ;-(
For Sale Now on Bargain News - 1998 Porsche Boxster

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Alphaboy1

Cowfly... Take a look at this Boxster. It is sitting at a dealer in Milford CT and has 62,000 miles for $12,900. This dealer if you look only sells classic cars so pretty good reputation. I found this in my search a month ago. It even comes with the Wind Guards if you look in the trunk picture. Mine did not. Had to buy them ;-(
For Sale Now on Bargain News - 1998 Porsche Boxster

Thanks for posting, but similar cars seemingly can be had around here for about $3K less. You can probably pick up a 75K 2000 S for about $14K, with occasionally one coming in at $13K or so with a bit higher miles. But, as was mentioned previously, higher mileage means that stuff will need to be replaced semi-soon.

-Wayne

[mikefocke]

I live in NC too and have owned a '99 and a '01S. The fun factor was the same and I'd even go so far as to save the 201HP '99 was more fun because I could put my foot further down without getting into legal trouble. I made a mistake and totaled the '99 and with the insurance proceeds, bought an '01S in the dead of winter from a motivated seller. Both have been very good cars.

I'd say the market in NC is a bit inflated based on the Raleigh N&O ads. Craigslist ads vary. If I wanted to buy at the lowest price, I'd wait till January and find that motivated seller who'd have no other expressions of interest because who would want a convertible in the dead of winter.

I value my 56K '01S with new PS2 tires and needing nothing at around $16k so I don't see expecting to buy about the same at $12k. For $12k I'd expect a car that needs brakes, tires and a major service...about $3k at a dealers... and maybe something else.


And, for your own protection, do get a PrePurchaseInspection (budget $250 for that) from a mechanic who really knows Porsches.

[Wayne 962]

I'll sortof agree with Mike - all Boxsters are pretty good cars. My wife's 99 Tip was great on the track when we took it out there (none of my other cars were running at the time). But the 2000 with the 3.4 is just a rocket and a completely different animal. I do find my foot going to the floor in my wife's car all the time and it feels sluggish to me. The 3.4 is almost *too* much power (is there such a thing?). Either way, all the Boxsters are very awesome.

-Wayne

[Alphaboy1]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

I'll sortof agree with Mike - all Boxsters are pretty good cars. My wife's 99 Tip was great on the track when we took it out there (none of my other cars were running at the time). But the 2000 with the 3.4 is just a rocket and a completely different animal. I do find my foot going to the floor in my wife's car all the time and it feels sluggish to me. The 3.4 is almost *too* much power (is there such a thing?). Either way, all the Boxsters are very awesome.

-Wayne

Wayne

I agree.. As for myself who's other car is a Ford Taurus and everyone including my wife says "speed up" I think a non S would have been more then fine for myself. But had to have those Red Calipers!

[Germaneighter]

cowfly911,

Went thru a similar process recently. Settled on a '02 2.7 with about 58K miles for $14K. I had to rebuild the alternator almost before I got it home but other than that it has been great. I could have got an "S" for the same money but it would have been a couple years older and at least 10K more miles.

Attached is a link to a local "S" but it is a Tip. (That was not an option for me.)

2000 Porsche Boxster S - RED

I was close to buying a '01 2.7 with 60K for $15.5....glad I held out. I'm very pleased with the power but I've got to get some sticky rubber on it. The all seasons that came on it are near new....trying to ware them out as quickly as possible.

[cowfly911]

Thanks for the great advice guys! I spent most of my labor day weekend test driving Boxsters and must agree with Mike that the Boxster market here in NC is elevated. I believe on order of $2000 greater than Edmunds, KBB, or NADA.

I took Racer's advice and drove any and all Boxsters near me and was impressed by the power of the 2.7L Boxster. I still prefer the S but if I came upon a nice 2.7L I would now consider it.

I did drive a nice 2.7L Boxster (see link) with odd wheels and sport seats(?). The dealer dropped the price to $15,500 but I believe this is a bit more than I want to spend on a non S Boxster. Are the wheels and seats part of a special package? Thanks again...

Details of Used 2002 Porsche Boxster, Denver, NC - Yahoo! Autos

[cowfly911]

Originally Posted by Germaneighter

cowfly911,

Went thru a similar process recently. Settled on a '02 2.7 with about 58K miles for $14K. I had to rebuild the alternator almost before I got it home but other than that it has been great. I could have got an "S" for the same money but it would have been a couple years older and at least 10K more miles.

Attached is a link to a local "S" but it is a Tip. (That was not an option for me.)

2000 Porsche Boxster S - RED

I was close to buying a '01 2.7 with 60K for $15.5....glad I held out. I'm very pleased with the power but I've got to get some sticky rubber on it. The all seasons that came on it are near new....trying to ware them out as quickly as possible.

Thanks for the tip, I too prefer the manual transmission....

[BerneseMtnDog]

My 2000 2.7 came with 18" turbo twist wheels which I didn't really think much about at the time I bought it. After driving another Boxster with the smaller stock wheels I felt a huge difference in the way the car felt and handled. For me the difference between the 18" and stock wheels was bigger than the difference between the "S" and non "S" car. Just my 2 cents but I'm now very happy the I ended up with a car that had 18's on it.

Steve

[racer]

My 2000, non s had a "sport design" package that included 18s, Sport seats (like the one cowfly mentioned above) and some other features. Nice package overall imho. When I bought it used in 2006 it had 41K miles and I paid $16,5 (the owner needed to unload due to growing family). Sold it for $16 and saw it for sale, last year, with an upgraded top for $13,5

Be sure to check under the front trunk lid and make note of the option codes on the sticker.

[cowfly911]

So this 2.7L Base Boxster may have the "Sport Design" package?

Turbo Twist wheels?



Sport Seats?

[orcadigital]

Sport seats yes. The wheels look aftermarket to me. All the twists I have seen are much more rounded that Porsche makes. Not saying it's bad, as I like those wheels.

[harryrcb]

Hi Cowfly, I had the same dilemma as you and "settled" for and inexpensive 99 2.5 liter leaving me wanting ! within 6 months, I could not take it anymore ponied up for a 04 S ... Never looked back - reread you first post here- the S is something you could enjoy... that is the bottom line - good luck

[orcadigital]

I also "settled" for a 97 2.5, and while it has only been 4 months, absolutely love it. It serves as a daily driver, weekend cruiser, and have even gotten it out to the track. The lacks I have in it relate to handling, not hp. Of course I came from a 914 race car, so the hp and acceleration feels fine to me. The best part, is I can have my boxster, do all the upgrades I want (suspension, exhaust, zeintop, wheels, aero kit) and fix the little issues I have found with it, and still be in it less then the S's that I was looking at.

I guess it is all perspective, and coming from a 914 for so many years, I find fun factor and hp need not be related. I am also in the slow process of building a club racer, so the Boxster is my in-between fix for track and PCA events.

Grant