Help! I need advice on buying a Boxster!

bob rose · 10-13-2008, 11:11 PM

Hello. I'm a newbie looking for advice on buying a Boxster. I would really appreciate any tips you could give me. It's a 2008 base model, preferred package plus with Tiptronic, with an MSRP of $53,440. I have emailed a couple local dealers, and a few have located this car for me. How do I proceed?

What is a fair price to buy it? What price should I start to offer, considering it's the year end model and Porsche sales are suffering due to the economy?

Should I wait until the 2009s come out to get a better price, or will there be slim pickings by then?

Are there any dealer incentives?

Will buying at the end of the month actually get me a better deal due to sales quotas?

Should I work the dealers against each other, to underbid each other?

Will there be less of a discount because they have to get the car from another dealer?

How do I get them to take me seriously, and give me hard number quotes, instead of saying "come back with your numbers and I'll beat any offer you get"?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would be very grateful. Thanks in advance!

racer · 10-14-2008, 05:42 AM

NOt sure where you are located (ie, a climate that will be cold in another week or in warm sunny fla

) I don't think asking for 15-20% offf MSRP is a bad place. Its a model that has to be sold to make way for 09s. I've heard internet banter of that % off, especially for a motivated dealer who need to clear inventory and boost sales.

Sunroof · 10-15-2008, 07:24 AM

When I hear someone wants to drop 50K on a Boxster, I always wonder why you have not considered a 911 model or a used Boxster first. If you do a search on Autotrader.com on Boxsters within so many hundred miles of your location, you will see drastic discounts for used models. Boxsters are not well known for retaining value. You can pick up a nice 2002S with low mileage for 25K and under and still have a bundle in your pocket for a very nice older 911 (1983 - 1988). Overall the 911 will hold its value over the years, while the Boxster value will head south, fast!

Not to try to discourage you from your choice, in todays economy with Porsche sales going down like every other premium car manufacturer, I guess you can really name your price or terms these days. I would not just look at the local P-dealer, but all around the country for the best deal.

Your right to wheel and deal here because you have the advantage, especially if it is a cash sale. I would not be reluctant as a buyer to use every trick I can muster to get the car I want at a very fair if not deeply discounted price although Porsche will bend so far.

Take a look at the Boxster used market. You'll be surprised on what kind of fantastic buys are out there and cars still under warranty.

Good luck

Robert Rose (yes! ......are we related?)
1973.5T 911

GothingNC · 10-15-2008, 08:06 AM

I would go for this instead of paying $50k for a Boxster that will depreciate like a 944.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=435672

Low Mileage 993 C4s with only 35,000 miles.

5 years from now the Boxster will be worth $20-25k and the 993 might actually appreciate.

bob rose · 10-15-2008, 03:50 PM

Thanks for all the advice. Actually, I'm pretty set on driving a brand new, untouched, shiny Boxster. 8% off is the best offer I got. Is that good? I don't feel like it is, even though one dealer told me that there's only 9-10% total gross on the car. Somehow, I doubt that's true. Do you think there's a dealer incentive for the model year end already, before the 2009s hit the floor? How much better can I do if I locate the car myself and talk directly to the dealer who owns the car? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Christien · Christien's Garage

I couldn't agree more than buying a new 08 boxster isn't a great idea. Values sink like a stone and you can pick up one a few years old for 50%. Now is the best time of year to be buying one, because the market is soft in the fall, especially with the economy.

Sunroof · 10-16-2008, 05:26 AM

Well Bob since your dead set on a new Boxster, despite several suggestions for a "certified used" Boxster for far less $$$$$, I would think Porsche would bend over and give you the best deal possible to help clear the lot.

We have two large Porsche dealerships here in Atlanta, GA that you should call. Ellis has been around selling Porsches since the 70's and Henessey opened up their dealership a couple of years ago based on the success of their Cadillac dealership. Driving by Henessey and Ellis the other day, I would say Henessey has the largest new Boxster inventory on the lot.

Jim Ellis Porsche
Henessey Porsche

Based on the aforementioned "13% mark up", and that it is a buyers market, you might want to make an offer and see if they go for it. If you exhausted every attempt for alower price then at a minimum I would INSIST on incentives to be added as part of the purschase price: Free Extended Warranty, Free Upgrades (performance package, interior, etc), Free Oil and Fluid Changes Honored by every Porsche dealership, Free Hard Top, etc, etc.

Keep us posted on any successes.

Robert Rose