Keybored

My situation:

I love Porsches.
I live in San Diego, CA.
I want a Boxster.
I have $10K cash.
I am 25.
I can get an interest free $10K-$15K loan.
I have researched Boxsters and have found some for between $20K and $23K.
The have between 30K and 50K miles.
They are model years 98,99,2000.

My questions:

What can I expect in monthly/annual maintenance bills?
What typically fails in these cars?
When should I expect to replace the engine/transmission?
I had my last car for 6 years until it was stolen.
I would like to keep my next car for at least 5 years.
Is the Boxster resale value good?
I would be driving the car pretty hard. Not redlining every shift, but not grandmothering it either. Is the car reliable? Even with 150K miles?
What is the reserve I should have for unexpected expenses?
I know how to change brakes, oil, shocks, alternators, etc. How difficult is it to do these things on a Boxster?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Keybored.

PaulStewart

Stay away from low mileage 1999 Boxsters, there were some engine manufacturing problems.

Buy the newest one you can afford. 2000 and up have a larger motor than prior years.

Oil changes are once per year or 15,000 miles (10 quarts Mobil 1).

Spark plugs and the serpentine belt are changed at 60,000 on most years.

Rear tires last 20,000 to 25,000 miles

Front tires last about 30,000 miles.

IMO, 5 year old or older Boxsters have leveled off in value and should not see any significant decrease in the next few years

dennis a from pa

i'd like my rear tires to last 20-25K. I'm a spirited driver and do not get more than 15K from my rear tires....so front to rear is a 2 to 1 ration for me.

Drvn2fst

I bought my 2000 S for 25k and the only thing I have had to do to it was clean the air mass sensor. It is by far the best car maintenance wise I have ever owned.

Ray S

Paul's post is dead on.

I would be driving the car pretty hard. Not redlining every shift, but not grandmothering it either. Is the car reliable? Even with 150K miles?

I track my 2000 and I have never had any problems

What is the reserve I should have for unexpected expenses?

If your Rear Main Seal starts to leak it will cost around $800.00 to replace. During your PPI see if this has been replaced or ask a dealer to check the VIN. Unfortunately, they do leak in some cars but the new redisigned seal is much improved.

I know how to change brakes, oil, shocks, alternators, etc. How difficult is it to do these things on a Boxster?

With the exception of the alternator, it is no more difficult to do the things you mentioned in a Boxster. The alternator in the Boxster is a little harder to get to than other cars (mid vs front).

Good luck!

dennis a from pa

...IF rear main seal leaks...you don't have to fix/replace it...There is no problem with some oil dripping on the floor.

Only if the leak becomes profuse...which I doubt it would, would I spend money out of warranty to fix it.