bdiamond

Hi folks,

I have lusted after a Porsche since I was 16 years old. I finally decided it was time to take the plunge and buy one. I found a Porsche Certified 1997 Boxster Tip with 35K miles on it for 21K. Sound like a good deal? Dealer has all the service records and the car has a new conv top motor and the rear seal fix? I'm guesing these are issues with the 97?

Any advice is appreciated.

cliang

Not a bad price but might be a little high. If the car is in good shape then it may be worth it. If you can afford it, but a 2000 or later.

bdiamond

Thanks for the reply... Not sure I can afford a 2000. Just looking for something to enjoy on the weekends and realize a boyhood dream.

Will I regret a 97? Is it a mechanical issue? Dealer claims the RSM and conv top motor have been fixed. What should I be paying for a 97 certified Porsche Boxster?

Thanks!

Charlie C

According to the latest issue of Excellence, the price for a 97 Boxster should run from $16,162 [poor condition] to $24,600 [excellent condition].
Based on that, your price doesn't sound bad. Good luck!
Charlie

Tool Pants

I have had a 1997 for 5 years as a daily driver.

The top drive on 1997-1999 can have problems. If the top drive transmissions have been replaced with the new style then there should be no issue.

The RMS can affect all years. It can also repeat itself even if the seal has been replaced.

If it is important to you, Porsche says you cannot use 18" wheels on a 1997, but owners do it anyway. Side airbags started in 1998. The window one touch up does not work on the passenger side in a 1997. Very early 1997s did not have the outside temp sensor unless it had the OBC option.

Make sure it has the radio code. If it has the windstop, then the storage bag. The wheel key. Jack and tool kit. Owners and other manuals. Sometimes these things are missing from a used car.

Doug&Julie

If you're buying a '97, then the Porsche certification would be a good thing. (I'm assuming it's a dealer certification that comes with extended warranty?) This car still has young mileage which may not show all of the potential problems some of the early Boxsters have had...the worst being the ones with bad motors. And as noted, the RMS issues can resurface in the future. But if it's under warranty for a couple of years, then you should be safe.

I don't think $21k is bad at all...especially for a certified car. They're a tremendous joy to drive and live with. If you're worried about the $21k, then try to bargain for below $20k. But you get a lot of car for your $20k either way you look at it.

Good luck!

pologuy

I am also looking at a 97, but heard that they "eat tires" like crazy? Someone said you have to change ALL 4 tires every 12,000 - 15,000 miles!!!

Charlie C

I don't think that it's the 97's that eat tires. I think any Boxster will eat tires depending on the tire compound and how you drive it. Fast cornering will obviously wear out tires faster.

Sean

With regard to "eating tires," a lot depends on how you drive and what kind of tires you're using.

My Boxster came with Pirelli P-Zeros. They may be a great soft compound tire, but they didn't last. After 15k miles the rears were shot.

I switched to Kumho Ecsta 712s. Not only are they a lot cheaper, they've lasted a longer too. I've put 20k miles on 'em and there's plenty of treadlife left. And their performance is excellent.