Advice on buying a boxster.

[dJango]

Hi all, new here.

I'm considering buying a Boxster and would really appreciate some advice!

The car I have in mind is an 03reg Boxster S with less than 20k on the clock and is in immaculate condition. It's got the right colour combination and alloys for me and is on offer at £17995.

I would be using the car maybe two/three times a week on short around town journeys and once/twice a fortnight on a 350 mile round trip.

At first i thought a low mileage porsche would be perfect.. reliable and great fun. But after reading various forums I'm now petrified about intermediate shaft failure!

I've read posts that state anywhere between 1% and 25% of Boxsters are likely to develope ISF.

What is the likelyhood of this car falling foul of the problem? Is there any way of checking for ISF before it happens and taking preventative measures?

Would you advise buying a 987 over a 986? (I really like the 986 shape!)

What is a rough estimate of general maintenance per year?

Anything else I'd need to be aware of?

Just to add that if i did plump for the Boxster I'd be all spent up! Nothing in reserve for any engine rebuilds etc!!

Thanks so much in advance.

Dom.

 

[akwaugh]

You haven't read about RMS failure then? Only joking, its just one of the problems afflicting some boxsters. It seems you're lucky or you're not. I have been lucky so far.

Moving on, get what you can afford, leave spare for a warranty, see elsewhere for a discount code from I think Warranty Direct, should cost around 500, or you could go the whole hog with porsche at 1000 plus.

The shape you like should be cheaper than what you describe, the newer car is much better in nearly every way. I had a 2000 model, brill car, but against the 2005 I now have, not a patch dynamically or equipment wise. Have to say it was probably better built though.
Up to you but look after your resale first.

All in all these cars are as cheap to run as you are careful to drive it, beast it and the costs may go up, tyres are expensive, (make sure you get a good set of rubber!, N rated) insurance not bad if you're an old F*** like me, I'd suggest if you're unsure, check out Peter Morgan and get a good report done on the car, worth the money for peace of mind.

Check your OPC for standard service costs and then look at a recommended independent from your area - plenty of folk from the forum can advise.

Above all look at all the relevant reports on the forum for service items, they never all happen at once, and if you have the reg. no. for the car you can try it out here too (though don't know if that would work or be helpful!)

hope all that helps! go for it!

 

[browser]

I agree with Akwaugh without part exch- you should be able to get a great 2004 S for around that price or wait another six weeks and get a mint 2004 for maybe less, which worth noting will only require by annual servicing instead of yearly.
Join the PCGB and read offical porsche dealer website on Models and servicing details for more info: You could consider seriously a 987 2.7 which is better on fuel and nice interior and for normal driving is a very good car, expect no more than 25mph on a 986s to around the 30 on 2.7 Look at Porsche Specialists in your area and this site and maybe a visit to see them, My late 2004 S has no Issues with RMS and late cars seem to be luckier,not the total disaster it sounds but lots of people get them done with the clutch change at low addtional cost..Have the car inspected by Porsche Specialist or Peter Morgan as stated for an accurate description,buying any car is always a bit of a gamble regardless but full history is essential as a starter point,All porsches tend to look good especially when you trying to buy one ,so take a few practical precautions before hand will help you get the right one for you,Get your personal insurance quotes done as well before you buy,so you know what your getting into..Buy a Battery Conditoner/Charger (£30/40) to keep you very important Battery tip top , Bloodx nuisance if car is left for more than five days Max ..remember they are still running security etc and of they go flat will give you a big problem possibly getting into the car.
Good luck I love mine !

 

[glewis]

I've had my '04 Boxster S 550 since it was 4 months old and five years later I still love it. Yes, I've had a few expensive bills, (over the last five years it's averaged out at about £800 per year for parts, servicing and tyres). I've had the RMS failure, a dead battery, wheel bearing gone, new brakes disks and pads etc - but everytime I drive it on a nice bit of road on a sunny day with the top down, it's worth every penny.

As "Akwaugh" said, you should definitley put some money aside for a warranty, (when my RMS went, the labour alone would have been over £700 if it hadn't been covered by the warranty), I used to have the Porsche one, but when they ramped the price up, I went with Tesco which cost me about £400 for the year and on vehicles less than 6 years old, it covers just about everything.

Spend some time picking a good one, then look after it. You'll love it.

 

[MHAK]

If you are intending to spend c.£18k I recommend that you go for a 987. The power output on a 2.7 987 is not that different from a 986 S. I used to own a 2003 (facelift) Boxster S which I liked alot. However, my 2006 987 S is significantly better. The build quality is much improved.

Also, worth bearing in mind that 2004 and later model year cars have two year service cycles so even if you decide to buy a 986 it's better to go for a 2004 model year car.

Porsche have a number of 986 S' below £20k which come with an approved used car warranty.

Good luck.

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: dJango
I would be using the car maybe two/three times a week on short around town journeys and once/twice a fortnight on a 350 mile round trip.

It won't like the short journeys at all - the engine won't have a chance to get warm and I think it likely you'll find it starts using (more) oil. If you do go for a 987, I would recommend an annual rather than 2-year oil change regime.

At first i thought a low mileage porsche would be perfect.. reliable and great fun. But after reading various forums I'm now petrified about intermediate shaft failure!

I did read about the RMS/IMS issues on the forums, but I'm more worried about them now than before I bought mine. I bought from an OPC with the intention of renewing the Porsche warranty, but since not being allowed to, I've bought the Tesco warranty instead. This becomes limited in what it will cover when the car is over 6 years old, so you might want to consider that.

I've read posts that state anywhere between 1% and 25% of Boxsters are likely to develope ISF.

I very much doubt its more than 2%. The chances of failure appear to diminish if the car's done at least 40k miles.

 

[dJango]

hi all!

thanks for all your replies/advice. i've had a good think and decided to put buying off for now. gonna keep an eye on the prices for 987 boxster s'. i've seen a couple so far for 19k! not bad!

it's funny 'cos i was adamant i wanted a red 986 with black insides.. didn't like the 987 shape so much! but now the more i look at the 987 the more i like them.. but not red ones!

i think black and black looks very sexy! so... will wait and watch for a couple of months and hopefully bag myself a lovely 05 black n black/red seats for under 20k!

will also fair better with a warranty that way by the sounds of things.

i'm already getting excited!! will keep you updated!

thanks again,
dom.