Used Boxter Purchase Questions
09-23-2002 | 10:43 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Windsor/Detroit
Used Boxter Purchase Questions
ok guys, long time Air Cooler here looking for a all around business use car. I have an 87 911 and currently pack the miles on an 87 924S however she is getting tired and now that the prices are dropping on our Convertible friends I am thinking about replacing the 924S with a Boxster.
Questions:
1. What are the big maintenance items?
2. Any premature wear or durability concerns?
3. Anyone have a pre-purchase inspection list specific to 986?
4. Should I be concerned with a certain year? What was the engine/tranny progression? Any problems with any certain year?
Excuse my questions if they are repeats, however for the dollar to fun/practicality ratio I am having a had time replacing the 924S...
Currently my other options are the following, and opinions on them are welcome as well:
Used 2002 Subaru WRX
Used Mercedes SLK 5 spd Auto
Used Honda S2000
Right now my budget is $25000-$35000 in Which a boxster just squeeks into the top of.
Aaron
Questions:
1. What are the big maintenance items?
2. Any premature wear or durability concerns?
3. Anyone have a pre-purchase inspection list specific to 986?
4. Should I be concerned with a certain year? What was the engine/tranny progression? Any problems with any certain year?
Excuse my questions if they are repeats, however for the dollar to fun/practicality ratio I am having a had time replacing the 924S...
Currently my other options are the following, and opinions on them are welcome as well:
Used 2002 Subaru WRX
Used Mercedes SLK 5 spd Auto
Used Honda S2000
Right now my budget is $25000-$35000 in Which a boxster just squeeks into the top of.
Aaron
09-24-2002 | 05:07 PM
#4
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
As a former MY00 Boxster owner I will say they are great cars. I loved the sound of the engine a full scream (kudos to Porsche for putting the intake right behind the driver) and the whine while driving around town. Personally I would go with a MY00 or newer because of the upgraded interior materials. Additionally, you get extra HP and more importantly for in town driving more low end torque. There were also some issues with engine blow ups for the early years. In MY01a cup holder was included, that for a daily driver my be important to you. Also, a head liner for all the models was added.
As for maintenance that depends on your perspective. If you are a DIY guy the Boxster can be somewhat of a pain to mess with because of the non-ease of accessibility to the engine. However, the scheduled maintenance from Porsche is quit long in between stops (although personally I wouldn’t drive 15,000 miles between oil changes).
My last thought is the plastic rear window can be a royal PITA. It scratches easily and doesn’t always fold correctly when putting the top down. It also fogs up with a haze and requires periodic cleaning with special plastic cleaners. That and always have a spare top relay with you (they are know to go out which will result in the top stuck in some position.
I really enjoyed my Boxster, but I got the bug for a 911 (actually I had it before but tried to repress it). The Boxster is a much more civil car and offers more comfort than the 911 (not necessarily the 996) will have a better climate control system than your 924. The Boxster was fun to drive and put a smile on my face all the time and there are definitely things I miss about the Boxster. When funds allow I will probably get another as my daily driver.
As for maintenance that depends on your perspective. If you are a DIY guy the Boxster can be somewhat of a pain to mess with because of the non-ease of accessibility to the engine. However, the scheduled maintenance from Porsche is quit long in between stops (although personally I wouldn’t drive 15,000 miles between oil changes).
My last thought is the plastic rear window can be a royal PITA. It scratches easily and doesn’t always fold correctly when putting the top down. It also fogs up with a haze and requires periodic cleaning with special plastic cleaners. That and always have a spare top relay with you (they are know to go out which will result in the top stuck in some position.
I really enjoyed my Boxster, but I got the bug for a 911 (actually I had it before but tried to repress it). The Boxster is a much more civil car and offers more comfort than the 911 (not necessarily the 996) will have a better climate control system than your 924. The Boxster was fun to drive and put a smile on my face all the time and there are definitely things I miss about the Boxster. When funds allow I will probably get another as my daily driver.
09-25-2002 | 12:36 AM
#5
Banned
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 0
It means I replied via the Boxster mailing list here at Rennlist.com, you just need to sign up for that list. I can copy in my response here though:
Used Boxster Questions
In addition to the good information already supplied by Chad, let me throw
in a couple of things:
1) RMS - Rear Main Seal - Boxsters have been known to have these leak, and
Porsche knows it, so check this item carefully.
2) Other than tires, Boxster seems pretty solid, some people have had
tonneau cover cable ends snap, but I've never seen it in person just pics.
3) Sorry don't have one, check with local Porsche mechanic, maybe they do.
4) Skip the '97's get at least a 98, and if you can swing it a 2000 or newer
that would feature the 2.7L or 3.2L with the 911 tranny.
5) As for your price range, have you checked Ebay lately? You can get base
Boxsters for just over 20K, and sometimes a 2000 "S" in the high 30's, my
recommendation would be to go for the 2000 S if you can swing it, you'll
probably be happier overall, especially if the car is optioned well.
WRX - A tricked out one at the track was pretty much my equal, but I have to
believe his day to day driving suffered given his set up. Looks like you
could do a lot to these cars to make them fast, just never much of a fan of
them myself.
SLK - skip it, unless it was an AMG I wouldn't even look at it, in no way
compares to the Boxster
S2000 - A friend of mine has one, a good car, especially for the money, but
you've got to drive it like you stole it and keep the engine revved beyond 6
grand if you want any HP, otherwise it drives like any other commuter car
Honda. I would miss the low end torque of the Boxster for daily driving.
Hope that helps.
He had also posed this question on the list so I am assuming he got my answer there... if not it is here now too...
Used Boxster Questions
In addition to the good information already supplied by Chad, let me throw
in a couple of things:
1) RMS - Rear Main Seal - Boxsters have been known to have these leak, and
Porsche knows it, so check this item carefully.
2) Other than tires, Boxster seems pretty solid, some people have had
tonneau cover cable ends snap, but I've never seen it in person just pics.
3) Sorry don't have one, check with local Porsche mechanic, maybe they do.
4) Skip the '97's get at least a 98, and if you can swing it a 2000 or newer
that would feature the 2.7L or 3.2L with the 911 tranny.
5) As for your price range, have you checked Ebay lately? You can get base
Boxsters for just over 20K, and sometimes a 2000 "S" in the high 30's, my
recommendation would be to go for the 2000 S if you can swing it, you'll
probably be happier overall, especially if the car is optioned well.
WRX - A tricked out one at the track was pretty much my equal, but I have to
believe his day to day driving suffered given his set up. Looks like you
could do a lot to these cars to make them fast, just never much of a fan of
them myself.
SLK - skip it, unless it was an AMG I wouldn't even look at it, in no way
compares to the Boxster
S2000 - A friend of mine has one, a good car, especially for the money, but
you've got to drive it like you stole it and keep the engine revved beyond 6
grand if you want any HP, otherwise it drives like any other commuter car
Honda. I would miss the low end torque of the Boxster for daily driving.
Hope that helps.
He had also posed this question on the list so I am assuming he got my answer there... if not it is here now too...