Boxster or not to Boxster?That is the question!

[Motorhead]

Tom, I think that there are still some good, well cared-for early cars out there but you have to be very careful when purchasing. As with any old car, buy primarily on condition and service history (by Porsche or recognised Independents) with full documentation. Make sure that the owner hasn't skimped on such things as tyres, brakes and servicing; RMS/IMS replacement would definitely be a bonus. Peter Morgan's book Porsche Boxster and Cayman: All Models 1996 to 2007 is a useful reference. If you can afford it, it will be worth spending that little bit more to get the right car. Good luck. Jeff

 

[Dylan1]

ORIGINAL: Toffeetom I think some of the Neg's (Spyderman was right) need to read my post over again.I don't want a 'Bulletproof Car for £4k' (a bit patronising I felt),although there are a lot of Cars/Motorcycles that are,even at that price.I simply wanted to know the risk of Bearings/Seals being a problem(is it a major one or similar to the risk of a timing belt/chain going snap. Also,if I wanted a Honda,it would be a Bike,certainly not a Car & I would certainly not be on a Porsche forum if that were the case.

ORIGINAL: Toffeetom Hi all & thank you for allowing me into your fine forum. Now.Here is the dilemma.I was thinking of buying a early(969798) Boxster but,I have been hearing a lot of horror stories about gearbox bearings/seals etc. The think is,I have a theory.If something is going to happen,it's going to happen to me....& believe me.....it really does.This in mind,is buying a 2.5l Boxster really a good idea?My Clk Merc has just been written off(long story) & the last thing I need is another drama.I just want(& always have) a cheap Porsche for a while.Your experienced words of advice would be very welcome indeed.

sorry if you felt patronised TT and I did read post fine first time thanks. if you weren't risk averse then perhaps you shouldn't have started by saying any cars you buy seem to be jinxed [] if you don't mind taking a risk then of course there are potentially lots of fine cars (though not necessarily boxsters)out there.just got the impression you didn't want to risk your hard earned,which you WILL be doing at that price all the best with search

 

[MillerIanF]

I'm with Motorhead you just need to look at the car very carefully if there are no oil leaks then why should they suddenly appear when you buy it. Satisfy your self that it has been well looked after, doesn't really matter by who as long as you are satisfied they know what they were doing and used Mobil1 etc. It would be better if you could find a 2.7, which is a superior car and came out in 2000 I have had one of these for 14 years and while the mileage is low it had it's first service in OPC but hasn't been near a garage since, I have looked after it myself, these are a very well made cars. While you are looking underneath it have a look at the exhaust manifolds, these are bare metal and can get rusty in an old car if not looked after. I think the key thing with these cars is not to exceed 2500rpm until they are warm and they take twice as long to warm up as a 987.2 which I also have. I may be wrong but I suspect some cars have been over revved when cold. It may take time but you can get a good car if you look carefully, if you are not mechanically inclined take someone who is familiar with the 986 with you or take the car to them.

ORIGINAL: Toffeetom Hi all & thank you for allowing me into your fine forum. Now.Here is the dilemma.I was thinking of buying a early(969798) Boxster but,I have been hearing a lot of horror stories about gearbox bearings/seals etc. The think is,I have a theory.If something is going to happen,it's going to happen to me....& believe me.....it really does.This in mind,is buying a 2.5l Boxster really a good idea?My Clk Merc has just been written off(long story) & the last thing I need is another drama.I just want(& always have) a cheap Porsche for a while.Your experienced words of advice would be very welcome indeed.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

What's the scrap value on a Boxster? The £4K cars must be nearing the point where they are worth more in bits. I've seen immaculate, low miles, one-owner, full-history cars sell for such a small premium over more well-used ones, I can't see the point in not paying a little extra for the best.

 

[Clewsey]

When buying my Boxster 2002 S I used some reverse logic. I usually don't go for higher mileage cars but on this occasion I purposely looked for a car that had a FPSH whilst having a good deal of mileage (like 80k and above) on it. Whilst you can never say never, if the car has got this far there's a chance a) it's had it's engine replaced or b) never exhibited the IMS problem in the first place. I spent a relatively small sum on a warranty for 1 year covering the major mechanicals and then had it serviced to know it was done. Like others have said, it's worth spending a bit more if you can to find the 'right' car but there's no guarantee you'll escape these kind of problems unless you are buying the newer models. I have taken my now 115k model on track and it's brilliant. I do plan on changing the clutch very soon and will take the plunge and have the IMS inspected and more than likely replaced with the ceramic version to make it easier to sell going forward. Go for it I say and just use common sense! Good luck finding the car and don't rush in. Cheers, Simon

 

[Toffeetom]

Thanks for the advice everyone.The fact that the AA said that they will cover it on a warranty has me er'ing on the side of buying one.I will be checking if it has just been serviced plus history etc.I'm strictly stuck on around £4k for now so anything I get will more than likely be into 80k+ miles mark and should have 'proven' itself.

 

[Mayhem911]

I am reliably informed that breakers will pay up to £3for nonrunners ,depending on spec, so could make your search quite difficult. Any car at that age could have problems, so if you have a porsche itch , you need to scratch it?

 

[Toffeetom]

Well.I did it!I found a little whopper in Leeds.History,full mot,tax,spoiler,19" Porsche alloys,Hardtop,Private plate(selling!)serviced less than 750miles ago.Looks like it needs a battery & it's not without a few minors niggles(it is a 99 T reg,2.5l, 5 speed with 82k On the clock).It looks and moves too! I will enjoy this motor & have done for the last 2 weeks.Hpi before I viewed.Straight as a dye.......and it's Blue(which was a main contributory factor...I'm an Evertonian! )

 

[lindsay39]

Hi you have been talking about it for a month and it was about time you took the plunge. well done, the spring is upon us and the weather will only get better. I have just spent two glorious days driving my Porsche Boxster in Snowdonia, North Wales and the roof was down all the time. You should have some great times in your car. Enjoy it.

 

[Toffeetom]

cheers John.I will do.I just want to give it the once over before 'enjoying' it too much mate.Even though I can see it has had a Oil change,I'd rather check the likes of air filter's myself.Especially because they are relatively inexpensive and reasonably easy to access.The AA have covered the car with a warranty even though it is a 99 plate because it only has 81,000 miles on it,which is some peace of mind I suppose.It has had x4 disc's & pad's changed(receipted) so the stopper's are spot on.Here's to the Summer eh!!!!!

 

[David Marsh]

I know I'm a bit late in the day to be adding to this post but here's my two pennyworth.

I bought a 1999 2.5 tiptronic Boxster last year, 2015.

I didn't need it as I have an AMG Mercedes.

The reason for buying the car was I knew the chap who ordered and spec'd the car and he had owned it from day 1.

Jokingly, after hearing him go on and on and on about him now owning a Porsche, I said I'll take that car off you when you've done with it. As he's six feet six tall and as wide as the proverbial brick sh*t house I thought I'll have that within six months as he'd struggle getting in and struggle even more getting out of the car. Didn't hear a thing other than it's just been serviced at the main dealer or it's had a set of tyres etc year after year.

Now in recent years he found out what his wedding tackle was for due to the fact he met a lovely young lady, planted his seed and now has a beautiful daughter. I got the call last year 'Hi Dave, it's me, do you still want the Porsche?' and that was that. He told me what he wanted for the car and I wennt down to his home, paid him the money and drove it home. No problem at all.

I've spent a fair few quid on the car, circa six thousand pounds, things like a hard top, new discs and brake pads all round, New engine radiators, new air con condensors and the pipework, new sport exhaust system, Double Din SatNav head unit, new soft top, a minor and a major service ..........but it runs like a new car, is so much fun for an old coffin dodger like me and the best thing is it's so much fun.

I didn't need to spend the money that I have but I'm not in the frame of mind these days to get down and dirty and get hammer rash as I used to do fifty odd years ago.

The Boxster is a well screwed together little motor, puts a smile on my face and looking at the costs......well I lose more than I've spent on the car each year on depreciation alone on my 'normal' cars. It's a 'no brainer' as they say.

Go on, buy one, old or even older. Have some foot down top down fun.

 

[Garycrosbie]

On average my 2.5 boxter has cost around 1500/2000 per year over the last four years to maintain properly, far more than its wirth and averaging 3000 miles per year. RS6 only costs around a grand - tyres &services and averages 25000 miles per year, agree there's no such thing as a cheap Porsche, but boy dies it howl.

 

[dpoynton]

Sell it and get an Audi then. D

 

[markSTI]

It's a 4k Porsche for a reason; you pays your money you takes your chance. As has been pointed out, these are not cheap cars to run and a 4K car will be very very tired. On the other hand you may be very lucky.

 

[richardjjs1]

Don't know where you are all coming from Parts for Porsche are either silly cheap or Silly expensive Just bough BREMBO Disks AND pads for my 987 for 220.00 for all 4 wheels New Oil Cooler was 200.00 for 996 (or 986) It was the Indey who ripped me off -3 days had to hire a car and stay an extra day Porsche centre said its a FIXED price job - 450.00 FITTED Mornings work

NEW 3 part hand brake adjustor for Hand Brake 3.75 (THe decimal place is in the right position)

Gearbox bearings are not an issue

IMS can be EXPENSIVE but providing its had regular oil changes chance are if it was goin g to go it would have done by now

Have had 3 Porsches no more expensive than other cars like my son in law's Vauxhall - Things are always going wrong with that

If you like it buy it If you have run MERCS you will know what they CAN cost to run

Richard

 

[supersport]

It wasn’t that long ago that 924s were a few £100 and 944s were a few grand. This made them very cheap to buy and you could have a lot of fun for very little wedge.

Seems to me that the early Boxsters are in that boat and we should be encouraging people not telling them they can’t afford it. As long as we give them all the information and advice so they make an informed choice there is no reason why it can’t be a successful ownership experience.