US928

Hello All, I'm new to boxster, I'm purchasing a 99 automatic that was on eBay, asking price is $14500, Car is in Miami, and went for a test drive and car runs great, I'm used to a V8 cars, My first question is how is Boxster compare to MB CLK430? second question haw are this cars? are they reliable? the car has 47,500 miles, 1 lady owner, and looks excellent, I'm still thinking to go with CLk, what is your advise??? Thank You.

Here is the Ebay Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=016

dennisafrompa

I've owned both and they are totally different cars. Either can be an only vehicle but only one is a sports car.

I've never had a tiptronic Boxster, but folks swear by them, especially in high density areas.

What is the build date on this car?? if it is between 9/98 and 4/99 you could have a sleeved motor...that would be my only caution. The build date is inside the driver's door sill.

Sleeved motors can be VERY problematic.

US928

Date of production is 11/98, and has 47,500 miles

US928

What are the problems with sleeved motor ???

US928

I think i'm going to pass on this, any way i never find Porsche a reliable car, we just buy them for the name, i may check out Honda S2000 or Just get a CLK430,

apierce918

never found porsche reliable? ok....

"we" just buy them for the name? I thought you said you drove it

niche

I've had a totally different experience. My 993 has 155k miles on it and hasn't broken down once. No big repairs other than valve job. Other than that just maintenance.

US928

any of them i had they just sucked money out of my pocket, reading the posts from the owners of the Boxster, seems there is problem with the engine, 17K miles, 22k, 30K, 40K, these are very low mile engines, why they are blown? i was very excited to buy this car, Just don't need the hassle, cancelled it and i will definitely go with a CLK430 Convertible. I'm not sure why you get upset over my post, I'm actually one of the long time Porsche owner and fan. but I'm not ready to spend $10K on an engine for a $14,500 car,

niche

Ever owned a 911? I've noticed too on this forum that other models seem to have a much higher case of problems. One thing is for sure... they're all expensive.

US928

back in 83 for a short time, but owned many 928, 944, new and used.

bjzorn

Well you owned a 928, of course those well be unreilable However most Porsche's I have see have been really reilable. My 944 has 187,000 miles on it and hasn't had any major problems. Just like any manufactor they will have thee problems, you don't think Honda or Toyota have there share of problems huh?

US928

I like driving, i don't buy a car and park it, if i bought the car i would drive it everyday minimum 100 miles a day or more, all i wanted to know if the boxster is a reliable car, but there is a lot of scary stories, as for Honda's or Toyota's i never had one but have lots of friends and relatives and they are very reliable, please show me a Honda S2000 or 350Z that has a total engine failure in 20, 30, or 40K that needs replacement, the reply that i got from one of the members telling me about a ***Sleeved motors*** what ever it is really put me off, This 99 Boxster has 47K mile so i figured, it would last a while, So if you are Porsche Parts specialist and work in a dealership you must have a better inside info, what is your opinion on this 99 Boxster, one owner 47K miles, production date 11/98

bjzorn

well with it being an early 99 model, the block could be sleeved. The sleeved blocks had a fault where they sleeves could move in the block and cause an engine failure. The engine could be fine but on the other hand..

Overall the Boxster is a great daily driver, they get close to 30MPG on the highway and low to mid 20's in the city. I would avoid the 98-99's but look for a 00+ they have more power and bigger displacement(2.5l-2.7L) As for engine fires, they are a very rare case, I PERSONALLY, have NEVER seen a Boxster with engine fire damage.

Just remeber, like any car out there, If you buy one cheap, there is a reason behind it. There is no such thing as a cheap Porsche.

Good Luck

apierce918

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=7521

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=8869

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/S..._failure.shtml

http://www.350zmotoring.com/forums/3...000-miles.html

all cars can have issues, when you come on these dedicated forums, the percentage of posts are going to be skewed because people come here seeking questions to their problems, the people without problems are out enjoying their car, or sometimes posting pics here

here is some info for you on the sleeved engine issue, im not sure i would worry about it
http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_ques...B4F445F5A8F%7D

niche

I can understand your concern with some models of porsches. I grew up in a Toyota family so I'm used to realiable cars... I for one drive my porsches sometimes more than you. Then again I have 993's. They are bullet-proof. So are older 911s.