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Boxster for Newbie

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Drewsky

New member
Hi
I am new to this forum and have joined because I am thinking of taking the plunge and buying a Boxster. I have just sold a concours MGTF so I guess I am going up in the world. I have a budget of around £12-13K.

I intend to use the car sparingly (mostly weekends) and will therefore be doing relatively low mileage.

My main questions are probably the usual ones you see posted from newbies like myself
  • Do the advantages of owning a 3.2S over a 2.7 outweigh the disadvantages in terms of cost of ownership?
  • Manual or tiptronic. Which is really the best option?
  • Is it worth getting one with a hardtop?
  • Will it cost the earth to service and maintain?
  • Are there any colours to avoid in terms of resale down the line?
  • What are the main things to look at when buying?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks [:)][:)][:)]
 
I also have just joined the "boxster club".

Personally, I went for the 3.2S just to get a tad more oomph.

I also went for heated seats (leather), cruise control, and cd multichange - but the more extras you add to your wish list, the harder to find a good car at sensible money.

I went for manual having test driven both. I got the impression that tiptronics eat brakes, but I stand to be corrected on this.

I talked to Cliff at Project Nine (an independent porsche specialist - 01892 730997) for advice. It is best to get such a person to look over the car before buying - not the AA/RAC - I chose not to go this route however, because the cars were being snapped up pretty fast.

My view is avoid red and yellow exteriors, and buff interior (can't remember correct name).

Not that I'm advertising (and not knowing your location), but Woods of Sussex have got a couple around your budget.
 
There are plenty of discussion threads in this section of the forum - just extend the viewable date box to 90 days to catch more discussions. They all come to the same conclusion, some colours and specs are very much personal taste, be conscious of the costs of maintaining a 6-7yr old car (typically £40k + new), look at plenty below and above your budget to gauge condition, drive feel etc.
Try to buy one with good provenance, don't worry if its had a new engine (probably better for it), and most of all either buy from a reputable Porsche specialist or make sure any private purchase is thoroughly inspected either by an OPc or a recognised Porsche expert (Peter Morgan or independent Porsche specialist), and not the AA/RAC who will only cover the basics.
 
Comments as for most here, had a 2.7 manual 986, now got a 987 2.7 tip, I'm just lazy though. Want a 3.4S (See below)

The colour is personal, first one was green, second boring silver. Look around at what's selling and you will get the picture.

2.7 will get you more mpg but is that really the point? Most of the time you can't go too quick but it would be nice to do it sometimes. Not that the 2.7 is slow. Far from it.
(I'm saying that after having had a 3.4S PDK on loan today - now that is one FAST MF!)

With all the talk about RMS problems I reckon an auto won't be so problematic and so far, touchwood, this has been the case. Did I mention I was plain lazy?

Brakes? bdheng mentions heavy wear on tips but I've just had a painfully expensive service at 41k and am still on the original discs. Need new ones soon though, but they will see me through the summer. Pads were changed about a year and 10k ago, just after I bought it. I'm not kind to my brakes as my wife will testify!

Only serviced at OPC to get a stamp. You could do it lots cheaper and should. Plenty of recommendations on the forum for this.

Get yourself on to Eurocarparts or other parts suppliers to see prices for bit and pieces. (No, I'm not associated - their catalogue was in with Porsche Post, that's all)
 
Thanks for all the advice folks.

Have looked at a few Boxsters around price range and haven't been impressed by condition, however, I would be very fussy. Driven a couple of 3.2S and was pretty impressed by performance (both manual)

Looked at a 2004 2.7 Manual this evening and thought that the performance was fine. Much lighter clutch than the two older 3.2s models I have driven

The car only has 16K, full Main dealer service history and looks and drives pretty much like new. Only issue I have is a very basic spec. No Air con, 16 inch wheels and half leather / alacantra trim (in superb condition though). See link

http://www.usedcarsni.com/34884417?grtkey=1276197544_4dbd9fd372373c373fdf4114e4eaf601

Is it worth going over budget £14500 for this car?? Any thoughts.....[:)][:)][:)]
 
ORIGINAL: Drewsky

Have looked at a few Boxsters around price range and haven't been impressed by condition, however, I would be very fussy.
Click to expand...

your budget dictates 6-8yr old cars and whilst there is some variation in condition, you aren't going to find many concours cars for sale. If you find one without ships to the bonnet, wings and bumper then chances are its all been repainted.

Looked at a 2004 2.7 Manual this evening and thought that the performance was fine. Much lighter clutch than the two older 3.2s models I have driven
Click to expand...

stir the lever and the 2,7 is absolutely fine. The 3.2 has more torque and better gear ratios, so you can be a little lazier with the stick.

The car only has 16K, full Main dealer service history and looks and drives pretty much like new. Only issue I have is a very basic spec. No Air con, 16 inch wheels and half leather / alacantra trim (in superb condition though). See link

http://www.usedcarsni.com/34884417?grtkey=1276197544_4dbd9fd372373c373fdf4114e4eaf601

Is it worth going over budget £14500 for this car?? Any thoughts.....[:)][:)][:)]
Click to expand...

Personally i wouldn't even be interested in that car if it was £12k - the spec is absolute poverty spec, and those sorts of cars will only find buyers if really cheap. You could change the wheels and even find a set of seats to drop in, but why bother when there are loads of other cars around; and you'd still have a car with no air con which will turn 80%+ off buyers off.

I have a local garage with a 2003 3.2S manual - thats up for £13995, and i reckon there's a deal at nearer £13k. No idea of history or mileage , but the brakes look fine and the paintwork honest when i've walked past the lot. Its certainly no leggy example.
 
Finally bought a 2003 986 2.7 Manual today, in Seal Grey with factory fitted hardtop and decent spec including full leather, 18" wheels, air con. Buyer also included cherished plate which is also worth a few quid. Car has 35K miles and full opc service history.

Had the car inspected by an independent specialist as advised and well worth it. He found a few things that needed fixed and was able to negotiate this off the price of the car.

Thanks for all the advice[:D][:D][:D]
 
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