Considering a Boxster

[prospectivebuyer]

Hi folks - as you can see I am new to this forum. The reason I have joined is because I have £10k to spend on a 2 seater convertible and I am considering a Boxster. I am hoping that you lot can show me the path to owning the car that I hope to have next year - or maybe this winter.

The questions I have are:
- Can I really get a decent Box for £10k?
- What sort of spec will I be getting for my money?
- What should I look out for in cars of this value?
- Where is the best place to get something at this price? (I'm thinking direct from private sellers).

Your help is very much appreciated...

 

[Glyn]

ORIGINAL: prospectivebuyer

Hi folks - as you can see I am new to this forum. The reason I have joined is because I have £10k to spend on a 2 seater convertible and I am considering a Boxster. I am hoping that you lot can show me the path to owning the car that I hope to have next year - or maybe this winter.

The questions I have are:
- Can I really get a decent Box for £10k?
- What sort of spec will I be getting for my money?
- What should I look out for in cars of this value?
- Where is the best place to get something at this price? (I'm thinking direct from private sellers).

Your help is very much appreciated...

I guess you will be looking at a 97 2.5, you will have a choice and should be able to get leather, air con (climate) and most upgraded the wheels to 17s.
read through the forums and prioritise what you actually want - providing your realistic in your musts and optomistic in your wants i think you can get a good solid reliable car.
You will read so many horror stories but do consider most posts are when there is a problem.
I had a 97 2.5 for nearly 5 years and my total (had to) spends were around £800 over the 5 years (obviously excluding road tax, insurrance, petrol) The car was pretty bullit proof, never once let me down.
I spent quite a bit doing upgrades (but that was optional and my choice) but when i sold it it was pristine and sold without a single fault.
One thing for sure is, you will be pleased with the Boxster - you will read about permagrin - and you will understand after you get one- never has a car gave me so much pleasure and over the years i have had some beauties - but the Boxster tops them all.
Of course i now have another Boxster
At this price dont expect a full service history, but dont worry about that either, service (12000) is around £300 or so, if your handy with a spanner then just over £100 - and that includes changing the spark plugs (which you dont get on a 12000 service.
Choose wisely, test drive, then enjoy your purchase

 

[prospectivebuyer]

Thanks for the response - very helpful.

I am reasonably handy. I am an ex-Subaru owner and I did all the mods myself etc, so not afraid to get my hands dirty.

Being a MPV owner I fancied something a little different for the weekends with the missus! (mine as opposed to someone elses, but who knows!).

So...are all the major services every 12,000 miles? Isn't there a biggie at 48,000?

If I were to look for extras, which ones are the ones of value? My research shows me the glass rear window on the soft top and an upgraded sound system (thats not too important). Personally I think wheels and clear lights are a welcome mod - any idea how much these go for and how readily available if I buy second hand?

Also, in terms of owner culture, whats it like owning a boxster? I recall with the subaru it became quite intense - especially with boy racers and car jacker threats that eventually made me sell up - it just drew the wrong kind of attention.

Thanks again!

 

[gdavison]

ORIGINAL: prospectivebuyer
So...are all the major services every 12,000 miles? Isn't there a biggie at 48,000?

Here are the Reading (HQ) Fixed prices for the 986

http://opc.cmwinteractive.com/servicepricingboxter986.asp?opc=4

[note .. has any one noticed Porsche Spell boxSter wrong !!!]

ORIGINAL: prospectivebuyer
Also, in terms of owner culture, whats it like owning a boxster? I recall with the subaru it became quite intense - especially with boy racers and car jacker threats that eventually made me sell up - it just drew the wrong kind of attention.

Boxster owners are generally very friendly .. just remember flash (LIGHTS OF COURSE) and wave to us when you see us on the road .... otherwise we do come round and slash your tyres

Personally I dont car which Porsche I am in .. I wave to all aothe Porsche owners ... sadly these days few wave back

As to the "public" .. yeah you get some negative comments .. but on the whole .. most folks give a thumbs up and say "great car"

 

[bmurphy]

I got a brand new clear light set for £622 including VAT and a set of Carrera 18" wheels with Gold crest caps and Pirelli P Zeros fitted for £967

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Just a bit of advice - you should not fit 18" wheels to a pre- 1998 Model Year Boxster.
The chassis-suspension was modified on 98-on cars to allow 18" wheels.

 

[bmurphy]

From the Mike Focke Porsche page with regards to this subject;

"The suspension was strengthened on the '98 and later cars to allow for the additional strain that the larger wheels and their wider tires with additional grip imposed on the suspension parts. In theory, you aren't supposed to use other-than-stock 16" or 17" wheels on the '97 model. But the truth is the failures came under competition conditions so my feeling is if you just want the look and aren't going to track or Auto-X the car, you'll be fine. Many have done this"

 

[davej_anderson]

ORIGINAL: bmurphy


I got a brand new clear light set for £622 including VAT and a set of Carrera 18" wheels with Gold crest caps and Pirelli P Zeros fitted for £967

Where did you get the wheels from at that price?

 

[bmurphy]

I found the company on ebay - The name escapes me but they were based in Essex. I will dig out the invoice. It was a very special deal that was running and the guy told me that they were making absolutely nothing on the tyres....or so he said. At the time there were loads of Porsches in there taking full advantage.

 

[akwaugh]

Hi,
I got mine for two reasons, first my last car was doing my nut in and second my wife told me I had to get a "nice" car! So, did some research and ended up with a low miles 2.7. Pure luck but sometimes you need it.
You wanted advice on toys. It's useful to think about this as resale is affected by the lack of same. Mine has heated seats, a/c, computer and a single cd stereo plus litronics with wash. (Told you I got lucky)
I could have paid a lot more for less kit and believe me you will appreciate it. Spec is so important.

Condition - don't even think about not having it inspected by someone who knows. You will want to enjoy it properly which means giving it welly now and then, so there's no point in getting something dodgy, even on a modest budget.

I wouldn't recommend ebay unless the seller is close by and you can physically check condition.

As others have said, the Boxster has the grin factor - you just end up grinning to yourself for no apparent reason.
Of all the cars I have had, it qualifies as the best of its type.

Go for the best you can get - you won't be disappointed.

 

[prospectivebuyer]

Just to update you all...I ended up buying a 996.1 911 cab C2 Tip S in Ocean Blue a couple of weeks ago. I know it took some time but I ended up working overseas for a couple of years!

The great thing is I can get both kids in the back and therefore was a no brainer in terms of practicality!

V happy with it in general...just a few things to sort out...new tyres, replace sqeaky springs and figure out if I have a coolant leak!

 

[littledigger]

wow, you did leave it a while, but thanks for the update and remembering the forum.