Boxster purchase questions

[Steve 82SC]

I posted this on the 911 and Boxster board, but not receiving alot of responses, so I'll try here. My wife loves the SC, but does not enjoy driving it...a little too "beasty" for her, as she describes it. I want to find her a nice, clean, low-mileage, non-S Boxster, probably 2000-2002. The car will be used year-round, other than in deep snow that would compromise low-hanging bodywork. My friend is the senior tech at a nearby Porsche dealer, so my thought was to buy the car from this dealer, have my friend rip into the car, assuming I could get the particular four or five year old car to be certified. My wife was pretty intent on a Tiptronic, but Tips seem to be extremely rare at dealerships. The other night, I told her that we are somewhat limiting our options concerning the trans choice because if the dealer calls us that they have one in, they're going to name their price and we'll have little choice in the matter. Does this reasoning sound valid? She now agrees to look at a manual trans. My other question concerns dealer purchases vs. private party purchases. What has been your experience? I know that there must be private owners who have kept a car for 4 or 5 years, treated it right, and just have an itch for a new one. I sometimes see cars that were returned to a dealer after a lease and they did not receive the same care as a private owner might apply. Comments?

Thanks,
Steve

[aigel]

Steve:

If your wife wants a tiptronic and it will be her primary car, get a tiptronic.

I doubt a tiptronic will be a premium. I would say that they tend to be consideralby less than the stick version.

Unless your friend has a special arrangement with the dealer where he can buy cars at a discount for friends, I would never buy from a dealership. Often dealerships have such purchase programs for their workers. E.g. I have a buddy at a MB dealership and he can buy any car on the lot for $600 over trade in. This deal is also good for his closest friends. I doubt he can bring a "close friend" to the lot every month, but one or two such purchases a year are not a problem at this high volume dealership.

Since you did not mention such a deal, I doubt it exists. Then you are paying dealer price. That's a lot more than trade in and private party for the same car. What's the value added? A 30 day warranty and a bunch of silicone in the engine compartment and wheel shine? You get my drift.

Just go to autotrader.com, cars.com your local craigslist.org and the local porsche club and panorama. I would be surprised if you can not find a vehicle that is clos to what you want - with a tiptronic.

Just my two cents. Good luck!

George

[aigel]

There are several within a 200 mile radius from chicago IL. A handful from private sellers. There are also some non porsche dealers selling them. That would be the next best option. A bentley dealer will want to move that boxter more so than a porsche dealer.

I hope this link works.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1146118438489&ce rtified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=&search_type=used&mak e=POR&model=BOXSTE&make2=sel_one&start_year=2000&e nd_year=2003&min_price=&max_price=&max_mileage=&di stance=200&address=60606&engine=&fuel=&drive=&tran smission=Automatic&doors=&color=&x=142&y=9

Good Luck,

George

[Bez]

Still seems to be a buyers market for Boxsters, especially with a tip. If you broaden your search to outside of Chi, I'd think you'll have a lot of choices.

[Sunroof]

Steve.
If you want a Boxster at a great price, check out the Atlanta market. Their are a zillion of them down here that are available. Most come off-lease programs. Check the Atlanta Journal Constitution (sunday only want ads for Porsche), check autotrader (European Car version) for Atlanta and the PCA Peachstate Region marketplace. If its dealers your seeking check: Ellis Porsche and Hennesey Porsche. No salt or snow to speak of down here! Great prices and many choices. If you need a PPI contact Atlanta P-heads on the general board and we can direct you to great shops here. Buy one here, fly down cheap on Air-Tran from Midway and drive it home!

Bob