Thinking of....

[Kevin Welch]

Hi there, Looks good to me. definitely worth a good poke around.

 

[Motorhead]

On paper it looks really good Simon, with a very comprehensive spec. Apart from the usual mechical issues - IMS/RMS, leaking rads/condensers, rusty brake discs, etc., you need to make sure that the hood and all the electrical options functions properly though. Certainly worth a look and, perhaps, an inspection if you're unhappy about anything. Good luck! Jeff

 

[Clewsey]

Hi all,

I'm going to replace the Clio 200 Cup as I'm not doing so many track-days in it. It's fantastic on the track but a bit tiresome on the road.

I don't want to spend a lot of a third car and I've been looking at 986 Boxsters but of course there's a lot of tat out there. I've done my research and I came across this example which looks on paper to be an excellent example. I'm aware of the usual IMS/RMS type issues etc.

I think the price is pretty good personally for the spec, age, mileage, condition. What do people think? Anyone else seen this car physically? It's still there but I doubt it will be much longer if it's as good as it looks on paper.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/boxster-986-96-04/porsche-boxster-3-2-s-2002/1482873

Cheers

 

[Clewsey]

Thanks guys and appreciate the pointers. I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers, Simon

 

[Gordon Attar]

Due to some recent investigative work and an enquiry to Northways the Boxster IMS issue makes up less than 5% of there engine rebuilds, so no where near the number of 996 or 997 IMS issues or 997 bore scoring.

 

[Clewsey]

Went to have a good look at the car earlier and a drive. The car itself is very nice looking, very straight. I did make an offer but he didn't want to budge because some other folk were seeing it today (saw one couple as we were leaving). The car has been serviced by OPC's in it's early life but has been serviced by independents for the most part. Generally speaking the mileage per year is very low over the term (68k miles) but they had incomplete paperwork other than for the first few Chiswick/Reading stamps and a 48k service done at Northway back in 2011. The last service was 2012, again done by a garage (no name, stamp saying serviced to manufacturer standard). Again, no paperwork. I did wonder why they've been selective with what paperwork they have kept over the years (call me cynical). The MOT that has just been carried out did have some advisories (minor oil leak), minor brake pitting ( they looked fine and worked well and didn't look rusty. The rads looked good, no signs of obvious leaks. Oil level was good on cold checking. All electrics worked, lights, roof mechanism etc so no worries there. Concerns? The varying level of documentation, three budget tyres (Primewell PZ900?) with a vredestein was disappointing to see especially with the mix on the rear axle. It will need a major service in less than 4k miles and only has one month of tax remaining. The fob would unlock the car by remote but not lock it without using the key - any ideas?) and one of the jets for the headlight washer was missing. On the whole the car did drive really well, and I have to say looked and sounded great in the flesh. It's just the fact that it will need it's tyres changing and a 24k service/tax fairly soon and the key sorting. The car is up for 8k and I offered him £7500 which I think is reasonable but he of course will probably wait for people who don't know much at all about Porsche's to come along and pay full price. He didn't want to negotiate so I think we'll just have to see what happens. In the meantime, I'll be trawling other adverts in my quest. [] Cheers

 

[Clewsey]

Ok, found another example that looks good on paper. Its higher mileage but I'm not too worried. As long as it's been looked after. Whilst I'd prefer the original wheels, these don't look bad and lift it especially with the car exterior colour. http://www.ianfoxautomobiles.co.uk/used-car-porsche-boxster-convertible-128 Thoughts? Cheers

 

[Clewsey]

ORIGINAL: Clewsey Ok, found another example that looks good on paper. Its higher mileage but I'm not too worried. As long as it's been looked after. Whilst I'd prefer the original wheels, these don't look bad and lift it especially with the car exterior colour. http://www.ianfoxautomobiles.co.uk/used-car-porsche-boxster-convertible-128 Thoughts? Cheers

So after a lot of classifieds searching I've ended up making a purchase of the car in the link above. It's a nice car overall, 10 OPC stamps (Guildford and mostly Bournemouth) since new appearing nice and straight. The paint is very good with the odd scratch here and there but nothing that can't be polished out.easily. Everything works as expected and the car whilst not the first choice of Seal Grey looked very nice in the sunshine, the alloys certainly lifting it. It's spec if high other than not having Sat Nav and reversing sensors which don't worry me. It has the nice memory sports seats, litronic lights, heated seats,Bose, dipping mirrors etc. Only three owners, the last keeping it for 9 so a good ownership. The car ran very well, no oil leaks and just the usual advisory on minor brake disk pitting but nothing bad visually and it broke well. It has new pads but are not bedded in totally. The rads appeared to be good and the AC was working well with the roof up. Faults - A "rubbing" sound coming from the N/S/R area, it's either the brake pad rubbing or a possible wheel bearing issue. It was there the whole time once moving, not just on making turns etc. The seller is getting it fixed so hopefully not a problem. Other than that, it felt solid and drove excellently. I should get it this coming week and so will get some better pics once I have it home. Couple of questions. The clutch on the all the Boxsters I've driven generally feel pretty heavy, normal I'm assuming? No slippage etc. drive a PDK so forgotten what a clutch feels like [] Also, on both the litronic equipped cars I've seen, there appears to be what I can only describe as a "missing" jet on the right hand side. There is one, but there's a gap where one looks like it should be there? Any ideas? Cheers

 

[kitchens]

The one you bought looks a better car tbo even with the higher mileage.The wheels not sure but a dam site better than the split rims although they had been refurbed are difficult to keep looking good, i know had them .As to the rear parking sensors they are hideous looking how do i know once had them on a 996 and looked terrible almost like a Halfords kit.Enjoy the car and the colour is smart looking Brian

 

[PKE]

Nice car, Seal grey is lovely! My concern is the 20k+ gaps in the service history between 16k and 39k and then later at 82k and 103k......unless the owner changed the oil himself (or herself) or via kwik fit etc.