Hey guys, I'm very interested in getting a Porsche Boxster from 2002 because I'm moving to California and naturally I need a convertible. I'm looking at a few in my area, and I got a PPI on one. It's got 86,000 miles on it and they're listing it for 11,950. It's had 6 owners and there's consistent carfax up until 2015 with the last owner (put on 10,000 miles in those 7 years), who might have done his own maintenance or brought it somewhere that doesn't report to carfax? Or may have just let it sit. Cosmetically the car is in great shape.

The PPI revealed:

• Has a significant oil leak that left a spot on the ground of the service center
• Has cracked ignition coils--maybe related to oil leak?
• Tires need replacement, and there's a weird wobble that happens over 65 mph
• Water pump needs replacement
• Passenger side door window regulator needs replacement
• Right rear strut is leaking
• There's a loud creaking from the back of the vehicle over bumps--might be related to strut? Porsche dealer wasn't sure.
• Brake fluid needs replacement, accessory belt needs replacement
• It's got that foam in air vents from the heater (i probably would just ignore this)
• Needs alignment.

Here are the carfax (IDK if this link will work)

I can probably fix some of this stuff (water pump, brake fluid, accessory drive belt, ignition coils) but the oil leak and the wobble may be too much for me. The car DID have the RMS and IMS bearing fixed at 68,000 miles in 2014.

Is this a bad deal and I should go look for something cleaner? I haven't seen dealers with cheaper Boxsters around, and private sellers always seem to have a rebuilt title or "can't drive right now because of small transmission issue".

 

It seems to me the used car market is still nuts, but I feel like there's a better Boxster out there for you. Both the oil leak and the wobble are concerning, more so because they're both undiagnosed. Could be big bucks. Try the classifieds on PCA.org. Not sure where you are, but there's a decent yellow Boxster on there for $12K.

 

That's big money for a base Boxster that needs that much work done to it. For reference I just purchased a 2003 Guards Red Boxster S with complete and current dealer maintenance records since new and basically one owner (2nd owner only had it for 6 months before his wife made him sell it). New plugs, coils, clutch, shocks, control arms, top, Litronic headlights. Factory hard top, newish tires, paint and interior 8-9/10. It was daily driven since new, so 165,000 miles but the motor was replaced by Porsche at just under 30k miles. Still runs like a charm no smoke or soot on the tailpipes. I paid $9800 in the current crazy market. I would walk from that one and keep your eyes open for a more well-maintained car. (FYI my profile pic is my wife's 55k mile 01 Boxter S in Zanzibar Red).

 

I owned a 02 Boxster and I agree with the two comments above - walk away, there's much better out there.

 

I commend you for getting the PPI , it sure helps to know the issues found . So what does the seller have to say about the issues found ? Are they going to fix the issues ? Or are they willing to lower the price so you can fix them ? If they are not willing to fix the issues and won't lower the price then in my opinion it is overpriced .

 

I feel like whom ever did the PPI should have more info for you. Could they not identify the vacinity of the oil leak?

Oil leak could be as simple as leaking around the spark plug tubes.
if they’re the original coils it’s common for them to have cracked by now.
You know the tires are bad. Worn tires could be out if balancing causing the wobble at speed.

Most of these are fairly easy fixes. Location of the oil leak is really the biggest question.