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Is it sensible to buy a cheap Porsche Boxter from auction?

I am hoping to purchase a Porsche Boxster from auction in the hope of saving some money. Can you test-drive a car at auction, and do they come with any guarantee or warranty? Also which auctions would you suggest are a good place to start? I have up to £12,000 to spend and am hoping this will get me the 2004 model or newer as I understand many improvements took place from this year. Is this realistic?

Asked on 1 July 2012 by MW, Southampton

Answered by Honest John
Absolutely not. You are lucky even to gain access to the car, and you can only do that in between it being unlocked and driven into the auction hall, so you will be taking a chance, particularly with a water-cooled Boxer, the engine of which you will simply not be able to see anything of. Better to buy from a good independent dealer with a warranty such as Autofarm in Oxfordshire (www.autofarm.co.uk). You’ll be very pushed to get a 987 Boxster for £12,000.
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