I've recently seen a 1997 Boxster 2.5 advertised for o.i.r.o £8500. It's done 43k miles, had a full Porsche service history from the main dealer since new, and has been checked out in the Porsche database as having had all its recall etc work done.
I'm 25, and am keenly considering buying this car, as I've always wanted one, and before responsibility takes its toll on me am best of having a 2 seater now!
I can afford the purchase, and the insurance, but am concerned about any issues I may encounter if I buy which will cause me major difficulties. I've tried to get quotes for after-market warranties, but thus far it seems to be impossible for this car. Porsche main dealers quote £400 for annual servicing on the current Boxster, so I assume that a specialist would be cheaper. Parts also look fairly reasonable on general items like brake pads etc.
What should I be aware of and wary of? Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
Spottsy
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These are not cheap cars to run.
A friend has a Boxster S as a fun car (doing about 6k a year) which he absolutely adores, and which he always tells me he would recommend to anyone, on the proviso they allow a grand a year to keep it up to scratch. That's what he reckons his has averaged in terms of servicing and repairs in the 3 yrs he's owned it.
Edited by DP on 09/06/2009 at 12:10
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Thanks DP.
What kind of repairs has his car required? What model year is it?
Rather more than my old diesel VW I currently run, but that was to be expected!
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What kind of repairs has his car required? What model year is it?
Tyres (as you would expect on a car like this), plus his needed new shocks all round, new front discs, new front wishbones and a couple of wheel bearings between 30k and 50k.
He is fastidious about his cars, and he does tend to use the Porsche dealer. It's quite possible that someone who was prepared to let the odd niggling fault go, and who used a cheaper maintenance source could save a bit on this.
I can find out more information next time I see him if you like.
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That sounds ideal. Thanks for your help!
I've heard about the brakes being quite a well known issue. I'd have to ensure I check out what has been done on the car if/when I go and view it.
I'd imagine with the age of the car that there is no specific benefit from using a main dealer over a specialist, so hopefully that would save a little bit.
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I ran a new 2.7 Boxster in 2000/2001. Porsche servicing prices were very reasonable but bear in mind tyres are very pricey and you'll go through them. You really need to keep the body in good nick as well, the nosecones really pick up chips and scratches.
Make sure you get a good one, I recently drove a higher mileage 3.2S and it was a dog, the brake discs were worn out and that was an expensive job. Fantastic car if you get a good one though, either 2.7 or 3.2.
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I looked at buying a Boxster some years ago. They are surprisingly practical and in my opinion better to drive than the 996. A mate of mine has invested in a set of winter tyres and drives his Boxster all year round though he does cop out and use a hardtop in the winter.
You need to check it very thoroughly as these things hide abuse well and I saw a number which had been clearly thrashed which takes its toll, especially on the suspension and brakes. I wouldn't rule one out just because it's been thrashed or driven on a racetrack, that's what Porsche make them for, just make sure whoever has thrashed it has been able to afford the corresponding maintenance and replacement.
I would avoid anything that's been modified and would recommend the S rather than the standard one, the extra power makes a great car even better.
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Buy it and enjoy it - you only live once!
I ran a 986S from new and subsequently a used 996, and I much prefered the Boxster. I didn't do many miles in mine so can't say about long-life items, although a low mileage car isn't necessarily a better buy if it has done lots of cold runs to, say, the station. Before I bought my 996 I looked into having a 'specialist' pre-purchase inspection but came to the conclusion that there were so many get-out clauses it wouldn't be worth the paper it was written on.
There must be plenty of other sources of info around with points to look out for. Do you have a friendly mechanic who might be able to help?
Don't rule out cars that have been on a track - just check they are straight. And if you get one, you MUST take it on a track - Bedford was a favourite of mine. You can't get anywhere near the handling limits of these superb cars on public roads, and the lower power of the 2.5 is less of an issue on the track - they all handle the same. I guarantee a smile on your face!
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Were there HGF issues with some of these ?
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There's very little problems with the 2.5 engine. Very very rarely they'll throw an IMS bearing, which effectively writes off the car, though you'll still get several thousand for it from a specialist breakers. Clutches do wear out, allow £500 to change one.
Suspension and brakes do wear, but any garage can sort those out.. Probably worth using a Porsche indy for servicing though.
I love my 986S, though I'll sell it soon, want something quicker.
Before you buy one, get it inspected unless you're very mechanically minded or its got a recent service along with the report that mentions what's worn and could do with monitoring or changing.
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Didnt someone here buy one recently and get disenchanted quite quickly?
I cant remember but name was something like pendelton/pembury or something?
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I bought one in 2007 & had a panic when it needed a few jobs doing early on, different league of expense to the previous car, a mk 4 Golf GTi. You can not, and will not, run one of these for under £2000 a year with any sort of regular use. Even on 17" wheels, 'N' rated tires are £600 a set, brakes are £700 a set (discs & pads) and a major service will be £500+. The clutch is about £600 (good for about 60k), radiators can rust & are about £400 due to time, and suspension is expensive too. No regrets whatsoever though, I had mine for about 18 months then traded it for another 3 year old one, lost 6k in depreciation too! Never mind, it's a nice motor, nothing really as nice as it for the price.
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Yep, they are not cheap but not outragously expensive either if you can find a good one. Had a Boxster 2.7 for 8 years now and agree with DP generally will cost about £1k a year to run based on about 6k miles. The brake discs corrode, normally due to them not being used. If you wash it take it out and dry the brakes. Look for pitted brake discs, also an MOT failure and allow £600 DIY or £800-1000 for dealer. They can blow the rear main oil seal whch is another £1k. Great fun to drive, and very rewarding. I'd go for it
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I suspect you have your heart set on a Boxster and nothing else will do.
I thought about one when looking for a fun car (max. £8,000) last year, but at that price they were well-worn and would probably have needed, as others have said, four-figure amounts spent on them each year.
A BMW Z3 may not be in the same league in terms of driveability, but mine has been great fun and in the year I've had it has had a service (£200) and minor repairs totally about £500, most of which were covered by the 2-year warranty which I bought with the car.
You can certainly get a decent one, or even an early Z4, for your £8,500.
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Wow this car is just perfect isn't it!?
Less than 5000 miles per year!
Full Service History with the same main dealer since new
Personally I would be very concerned. Look at it very carefully and assure yourself it has indeed done the mileage stated. The front of the car should have only the stone chip damage appropriate for that mileage, as should wear within the interior.
Scrutinize all available paperwork very carefully, and look for anything that's missing. Check those service stamps and all the invoices that should go with them. Look for any accident damage.
This is a 12 year old car.....perhaps all is Kosher, perhaps not. Definitely get a full RAC or AA check on the car, also HPI check it (e.g. accident damage insurance write off etc..) if that is not already included as part of the RAC/AA check.
You could be buying something that is not what it seems and even if it is: something that is likely to be a very expensive and possibly not rewarding ownership proposition.
Edited by davecuk on 26/08/2009 at 00:08
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price looks right for age ,mileage,year
definately needs a full independant inspection even down to looking for wear on the speedo screws on this kind of year
edit,sorry didnt see your post davecuk
Edited by bell boy on 26/08/2009 at 00:20
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It's very normal to have this kind of milage, my 1998 car had 36,000 on when I bought in 2007. It was only in the last 18 months that the prices of a early car became reasonable (£13k) and then they became a realistic ownership proposition for all. Most 1st owners are very rich & use them as weekend toys. These low millage cars aren't necessarily better than a well used one that has been treated with respect
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"These low mileage cars aren't necessarily better than a well used one that has been treated with respect."
A very valid point - even worse, they could have been driven 5 days a week, at high speed on a cold engine, 2 or 3 miles to and from the station.
My Z3 was seven years old when I bought it, with 70,000 miles - just right. The engine is in fine health (touching wood) and used very little oil.
Unfortunately the OP is one of those who visits us once and never comes back, so we shall never know what he did with his money.
Edited by Avant on 14/12/2009 at 22:33
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