Opinions Please

[Sam77]

I have narrowed my search down to two cars and would appreciate any help making my decision. The cars are,

3.2 S 2000 W, 60,000 miles, Lapis with Grey leather. £18,500

2.7 2002, 51, 40,000, Lapis with Savanah leather, £19.999

Both are well specced with climate, wind deflector, upgraded alloys. If both were the same price it would be easy decision and I would not even contemplate the S. Both dealers have offered me same px and finance deals. My head says the 2.7 is more than enough and is the more sensible choice as it is newer with less miles and in ever so slightly better condition, plus running costs will be a little less.

Need to make a decision fairly quickly, your thoughts would be most welcome.

 

[Dapster]

If the 2.7 is a facelift, go for that. No question.

 

[thboxster]

A 51 plate won't be a facelift unfortunately.

My reaction would be to go 2.7 aswell.

You might just want to double check the tyres, brakes and disks though. It's possibly in that zone when they either need doing or they've been done not too long ago.

 

[Sam77]

Unfortunately it is not a face lift. The 2.7 was serviced 2,000 miles ago which I believe is the big one so hopefully they will have been done. The company will also put a new MOT on it so tyres should also be done.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Sam77

Unfortunately it is not a face lift.  The 2.7 was serviced 2,000 miles ago which I believe is the big one so hopefully they will have been done.  The company will also put a new MOT on it so tyres should also be done.

Only if the service book has a tick in the "Major" service box.
Don't forget these cars can have an "Annual Check" if they do below 9,000 miles a year (or since the last service). It may have only had this visual check, or just the "Minor" service.
The Big Big one is at 48K miles - so if it had that then it was early...

 

[Sam77]

Oh, only noted that it had 4 OPC stamps. Did not check if they were major or minor, will have a more detailed look when I go back this week. Apart from that and the RMS oil leak thing is there anything else to be aware of.

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: Sam77

Oh, only noted that it had 4 OPC stamps. Did not check if they were major or minor, will have a more detailed look when I go back this week. Apart from that and the RMS oil leak thing is there anything else to be aware of.

Well, hopefully you are getting an year warranty from them, aren't you? This should cover any surprises during your first year... Is it an Original Porsche Centre or a private company? If private, make sure it is fairly comprehensive and covers you fully.

RE: Service stamps: the low mileage "annual check" service is ticked as minor service in the log book; you will have to check the receipts to see if it was a full service. Last one should have been a major service and brake fluid should have been changed too (needs changing every 2 years).

 

[David Hooper]

Seems a bit dear for those milages. Item number: 4629286550 on ebay if still showing - sorry I still have it as on myebay but not clever enough to send on here - 03/53 2.7 19k miles with 17", silver with blue leather, wind deflector, 6cd, last owner had from OPC, UK car at a garage - winning bid £22011.

I know it's more than £19999 but not a lot. Don't be in hurry - plenty out there.

Cheers
DPH

 

[Sam77]

I have seeem some with less miles for a similar age car but not in as good condition also I do need to go to a dealer to be able to part ex mine so I cant buy privately and not sure I would want to as there would be no come back at all. What do you think the price of the 2.7 should be if not £19,999?

 

[Dapster]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4629286550&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D4629286550%26fvi%3D1

Here's the one David mentions - looks like a nice car. Modest spec but you don't need more than the 17" alloys, metallic, wind deflector, computer and leather that it does have. Major advantage is that it's barely run in and the face lift model. I agree with David - hold out for a facelift that falls closer to your budget.

The non facelift is a great car and you won't regret buying one, but with an even better one within your grasp, it would be a shame to miss out.

 

[Dapster]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-PORSCHE-BOXSTER-GREY-FACELIFT-MODEL_W0QQitemZ4631874674QQcategoryZ9860QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's one to chew over.....

 

[Sam77]

I appreciate the advice but I started at 15 -17 and am now at 20K which really is my limit. My thoughts are that as a first Boxster a pre face lift should be OK (will have to get used to the chop thingy but hey I can live with that). If I really like it I can upgrade in say 12 -18 months to a facelift car and then I will notice all the improvements they have made plus more will be available at good prices.

I guess my real issue is do I spend my full budget of 20K on say the 2.7 I have found or get an older car with more miles for about 16/17K, ie will the newer car but less of a risk and worth the extra 3K. Sorry for the deliberation but I will get there eventually just need reassuring before parting with that amount of cash on something I have very little knowledge of.

 

[thboxster]

In answer to your query of cost.

The fact that you are unfortunately restricted to using a dealer of some description means that you will of course not get as much for your money. If you were to buy private then I would expect you to get somewhere close to a facelift 2.7 for your 20k.

As you will be using a trade outlet then I would say that a '51 2.7 in good condition is not such a bad deal.

There are plenty of cars out there but a good deal of them are private sales.

 

[Sam77]

Thanks, that the conclusion I had come to from scouring Autotrader etc for the last few weeks.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

also I do need to go to a dealer to be able to part ex mine so I cant buy privately and not sure I would want to as there would be no come back at all.

Why not sell privately and then buy privately with a Porsche warranty? Selling privately means you should get at least a few thousand more, buying privately likewise, and with a warranty (which includes Porsche assist) you don't need any comeback (which isn't good for a year anyway).

I know I got at least 3.5k more for my Boxster selling privately (even at a low price) and I got an even bigger discount buying privately with a warranty......

Every child wins a prize!

 

[Andrew Killington]

I have been fortunate enough to have had a 2.7 and a S; I much preferred the added horses of the S - in the end it depends on what YOU want
Andrew