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Local 1999 Boxster for sale, steal of a deal or run away?
I am looking to get a 997 later this year, but came across this 1999 Boxster on my local Craigslist. I actually know where the car is, and have seen it before, and recall thinking it looked like a pretty clean little car. Any idea on here on his supposed "minor" AC problem? Anything on these cars to be concerned about besides the famous IMS bearing, which given the miles and price of the car I think isn't worth addressing. I mainly know about the 997 market, but this seems like a good deal for a little top down fun this summer if the car isn't a basket case, or no? If anyone else is in S FLA and is interested, feel free to buy it and save me from myself!
Seems like you were looking for a reason not to buy the car. Do a little research: Boxsters are cheap, plentiful, reliable, and among the easiest Porsches to wrench yourself. There's a deep well of knowledge on the internet about them. A thorough PPI is $300-$400. If this car checks out without any major problems, it's an absolute steal. If it was near me, I'd buy it myself.
Seems like you were looking for a reason not to buy the car. Do a little research: Boxsters are cheap, plentiful, reliable, and among the easiest Porsches to wrench yourself. There's a deep well of knowledge on the internet about them. A thorough PPI is $300-$400. If this car checks out without any major problems, it's an absolute steal. If it was near me, I'd buy it myself.
Not everyone can wrench for themselves & Boxsters can be an adventure to try to fix. Otoh, a little trip out to Key West would certainly appeal to me and the price is worthy of consideration.
If all the electronics work, windows, alarm, locks etc. and a PPI checks out, I think it would be worth doing. The IMS on that year is not much of an issue, but would be a consideration at some point, but maybe not. Suspension, brakes, all the usual stuff would need some checking and possible updating. Potentially make a good driver or moderate project job to have some fun with.
I see yellowed headlights. That means it probably sat outside which also probably means a top replacement is not out of the question as the window will probably be yellowed and brittle. At least inspect the oil filter.
It's worth a shot to get it checked out, but I'd bet that there's plenty of issues. I'm amazed when people put something for sale, and say "it only needs a $65 part". If it's such an easy fix and costs $65, why don't you fix it before you sell it? If that's the only problem that the car has, then I'd be all for it. Also, he's liquidating to buy a yacht.....$3K for a Boxster is not going to make much of a dent for a yacht purchase. The person does not sound like an enthusiast and doesn't mention the normal things that we'd care to know about. Sounds like a big issue popped up and he's trying to dump it.
It's worth a shot to get it checked out, but I'd bet that there's plenty of issues. I'm amazed when people put something for sale, and say "it only needs a $65 part". If it's such an easy fix and costs $65, why don't you fix it before you sell it? If that's the only problem that the car has, then I'd be all for it. Also, he's liquidating to buy a yacht.....$3K for a Boxster is not going to make much of a dent for a yacht purchase. The person does not sound like an enthusiast and doesn't mention the normal things that we'd care to know about. Sounds like a big issue popped up and he's trying to dump it.
agreed. tread carefully. Not to mention, 4k for a 110k mile tiptronic boxster is not dirt cheap. Finally, with the 2.5L, a tiptronic car is gonna be slug.
Seems like you were looking for a reason not to buy the car. Do a little research: Boxsters are cheap, plentiful, reliable, and among the easiest Porsches to wrench yourself. There's a deep well of knowledge on the internet about them. A thorough PPI is $300-$400. If this car checks out without any major problems, it's an absolute steal. If it was near me, I'd buy it myself.
Well it is more that I was hoping people would say. "No doubt, these cars are bulletproof." Getting a PPI in Key West (almost 100 miles away from the closest shop that even claims to specialize in european cars), is a tall task. I don't think the owner is going to drive it hours to sell it at that price.
Originally Posted by Jaycote
It's worth a shot to get it checked out, but I'd bet that there's plenty of issues. I'm amazed when people put something for sale, and say "it only needs a $65 part". If it's such an easy fix and costs $65, why don't you fix it before you sell it? If that's the only problem that the car has, then I'd be all for it. Also, he's liquidating to buy a yacht.....$3K for a Boxster is not going to make much of a dent for a yacht purchase. The person does not sound like an enthusiast and doesn't mention the normal things that we'd care to know about. Sounds like a big issue popped up and he's trying to dump it.
To be clear the type of "yacht" this gentleman is probably looking at wouldn't be very glamorous. The area certainly has its share of multi-million dollar beauties, he is likely more in the "how to live on $20 a week is my favorite book" category of yachting.
He reposted it on Craiglist yesterday. I have to go to Key West next week so I will take a look at it if it is still there and see if it is worth trying to get it checked out. Frankly the only thing I think I could take it to in Key West is a NAPA garage.
Well it is more that I was hoping people would say. "No doubt, these cars are bulletproof." Getting a PPI in Key West (almost 100 miles away from the closest shop that even claims to specialize in european cars), is a tall task. I don't think the owner is going to drive it hours to sell it at that price.
They're as close to bulletproof as you can get in a 20 year-old sports car.
agreed. tread carefully. Not to mention, 4k for a 110k mile tiptronic boxster is not dirt cheap. Finally, with the 2.5L, a tiptronic car is gonna be slug.
I have a 2001 Boxster base w ith Tiptronic. It's a fun little car for running around on urban streets (Tucson has effectively no freeways that go anywhere.) We have lots of traffic and lights, and the lights always seem to be red. A little correction, the car in question doesn't have 110K, it has 97K. Not that it makes a lot of difference.
A '99 isn't going to be bulletproof. My 01 has been a money pit. For a sports car, the 2.5 liter engine is gonna be a bit of a slug. If I had a do over, I'd probably be looking for an 03 or 04 Boxster S, tiptronic okay, but with the 3.2 engine and the glass rear window. And, you are looking at the least, the most plain jane version. I think I'd look for something closer to home & look at more than one Boxster. No PPI would be a deal breaker, and don't overlook the cosmetics of the cars. Upholstery, seats, carpeting and tops are readily available on the used market, but they aren't free and all take a bit of work to change. The sun in S. Florida is probably as brutal to cars as the sun here in SE Arizona--paint, upholstery, carpeting, and the plastic window all take a hit. My money pit 01 required all of them (plus an engine.) I didn't get a ppi, I regret that.
My favorite cheap Boxster is a 2000 S. Although it’s not really that cheap, chances are, it has a double row IMS, has a lot more power, has 911 brakes, but still a Boxster and still simple. I had one for 3 years and loved it.
03-14-2018, 11:01 AM
Local 1999 Boxster for sale, steal of a deal or run away?
