Hello folks, I'm sure this has been posted numerous times and as of now I have no excuse. I have been searching though!

Here's the deal, I have been searching for a car and started thinking about Boxsters (coming from Miata's) so I started checking them out online. I came across a cheap 97' with 64k miles for 12k here in California. Yes, I did say the first model year of a car (ouch!) but how bad can they be really?

This is the car in question:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/429425391.html


So the age old question, what do you guys think of it? Am I out of my mind for even considering it? I read somewhere that a guy had to replace a control arm, two struts, tires and some minor things and it cost him around 4k. I can do that kind of maintenance so that may bring cost down.

Here's the kicker and something I may get flamed for and regret saying but.. I'm 18 and this is RIGHT in my budget. As far as the car goes, I race Spec Miata so I'm no stranger to going fast (not that I ill drive fast on the street, that's what the track is for!) nor working on cars.

Help!

- Sean A.

 

Dude go for it! There isn't a better feeling then cruising in a Boxster being young! I bought my 99' the day I turned 18(two years ago) and haven't had any regrets.

Maintainence is easy. Be prepared to fork out big $$$ if something goes wrong though.

As far as the first year goes,there really isn't much to worry about.I know the suspension was kinda 'weak',not designed for anything bigger then 18"s but I've seen people put 19"s on them without an issue.

Go for it man. Get a PPI(Pre Purchase Inspection),if it passes and you like the car go for it.

Oh yeah,be prepared to fight with the insurance company if you get in an accident though. I'm currently doing this.

Good Luck!

 

Well what exactly can go wrong that would cost me big money? Something as serious as a transmission or motor blowing? Or something like replacing the shocks/brake pads/rotors? My main Budget here is going towards racing Spec Miata so I'm basically maxing out with the price of that Porsche which doesn't leave much room for big money problems.

 

I am also in the Bay Area. If this is your first Porsche, the first thing I would recommend is to have a detailed Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) done on this (and any) Porsche that you are trying to purchase.

If you don't yet know a Porsche shop for PPI, feel free to give Tony Heyer at Heyer Performance a call:

http://www.heyerperformance.com/index.php?dept=contact

Tony is the owner of the shop, and is located in Mountain View. Try to schedule a time to bring in the Boxster for him to PPI it. It will cost you may be (just a wild guess) a couple hundred dollars, but it might be the best money spent. Tony is very experienced and a straightforward guy, he will tell you more than you need to know about the car after the PPI.

With best regards,

- Alex (07 997S, 00 986S, 87 951)

 

Dude, Go for it Boxsters are great cars. And why do you think that buying a 12K car at 18 would get you flamed I know a few 18-20 years old middle class college kida that will go out and buy a new car with a 40/mo payment. 12K is an awesome price do it dude

 

That's a great price. I would have it checked out by a Porsche shop.

I would raise one issue though. It sounds like you may not be budgeting for maintenance costs because you can do most of it yourself. The only problem with that is that the parts can be pretty expensive. I've owned Porsches for many years now, and they're very reliable for a high end sports car. However, every once in a while, you're going to face a big repair bill for some type of maintenance or mechanical failure. It's typically not the engine or transmission that gets you - it's all of the ancillary stuff that can add up to $$$.

You're especially going to be in sticker shock compared to your Spec Miata (I also have one). It still amazes me that I can buy Brembo rotors for the Miata for $25.

Overally, I think you should be okay as long as you set aside some money for repairs. You're looking at a 10 year old car, so it's going to have issues arise from time to time.

 

I've also been looking at an 88' E30 m3 with double the miles (already has a rebuilt motor), and getting something like a 96' Miata and turboing it. The Miata would be a blast, but the interior sucks and I don't know if I could handle driving something like a Miata everyday. The Boxster, while still being a small car is much nicer. As it should be with the Porsche name and price tag

 

I'll let you know straight up,at that mileage your possibly looking at

o2 sensor change,4 on exhaust system $500/D.I.Y.

MAF change, $220/D.I.Y.

Wheel Bearing $300/Installed at a shop

One thing I didn't inform you of was insurance. It's $5k a year for me to drive my Box as my daily driver,not something to sneeze at. The 97' didn't have the side airbags so it may even be a little more then my 99'.

 

5K/year?
u have full coverage?

 

I bought my boxster just few months ago right after i turned 20....and im sure loving it, as far as repairs go i do everything my self so its not too expensive....SO any who if the car feels good when you test drive it go for it, its a fair price.

 

If you need any help there is a local informal Boxster group. We get together once in a while to work on cars and other things.

I have a January 1997 that I have owned for 8 years.

I do not recognize the car in the pictures, but there are a lot of Boxsters in the Bay Area.

 

Yep.

 

I had a 1997 and it was great, no problems, and best... it was German built!

 

i could buy a boxster in my early 20s, but i didn't
i finally brought a 996 in my late 20
man, i regret the whole time. i wish i had buy a boxster early on!
i am still lucking around here, i think i will buy a 986 later on, just need some extra bonu$

 

Believe me, you are much better off with a Boxster than an E30 M3 as a daily. Also, there's lots of ways to screw up an E30 M3 motor rebuild.......