JoeFromPA

Decide what is most important to you and then pursue that....don't pursue everything.

Obviously, they all handle beautifully. Do you want the extra edge in handling, or comfort? The base model will probably give a touch more ride comfort.

Is acceleration and "punch" important to you? A tighter-ratio'd 6 speed connected to the 3.2 liter is going to do that moreso. If you need that, go for it.

total cost of ownership? Find a car with someone who just sunk a bunch of money getting all the little things right, and buy it. And buy the base model

Having "the S"? Kinda obvious. Go for the S.

....

You won't find 2005 models drop to your price range for years. Some Porsches take a bath, absolutely, but you'll need 7-8 years of age on the base model Boxsters before they are routinely in the mid-teens.

You can wait 2 years, or you can buy a more fully depreciated model, drive it for 2 years, and then re-assess your situation.

Joe

racer

Wait 3 more years and get a 987 instead of a 986 - did you consider that?

Seriously.. stop the OCD. If you want one, go get one.. If you are paralyzed by making a decision, then no decision can be made and no enjoyment, for you or us, can be had...

Andy Kay

actionfab,
I am not a Boxster guy but what about this one? Go to www.phxcars.com to see a 2002 Silver/Black Boxster w/ 72,913 miles for $12,500. I believe its a two owner car from CA. Plenty of pics. I've bought 4 cars from these guys. I bought both Jags, the Mercedes and the Porsches from PHX. Ed, Cliff and Carl are all great guys. Give them a call at 480.245.7450.

nick49

All of the cars I've seen at your price point look very well used, abused, worn, dirty, etc. Frankly, I'd rather pay a bit more and get something very nice. My wife has a '99 Boxster with 24k miles and it still looks new inside and out. They are out there, but you may have to up the antie a couple of thousand. I've noticed, when I buy a car, the first impression lingers with me throughout the duration of ownership. A new or near new car will always seem as such even when several years old. A lumpy, moldy one will most always remain as such, unless you restore it and on these cars it's better to just buy a better example.

THXBABE

I think we scared him

action fab

No, I'm just sitting back reading. We just bought an M3 yesterday so I'm going to drive it for a little while. My wife can't drive a manual so I will use the M3 to teach her. Then in a year or so I'll get the Boxster S. by then I should be able to find a nice 03 in my price range.

Oh and I bought the 01 M3 for $5500!!!!! It is high milage (145k), and was a theaft recovey... but still a good deal IMO.

nick49

To some the "deal" is more important than the "car". If you're happy, we're happy.

action fab

I will probably be keeping it, and can easly get my money back out of it. Yes I looked but I have found cars for the same price closer and were just as nice or nicer. But thanks.

FilthyF14

Sure you can wait a couple of years and get an '03 for the same price you can get an '01 today. And if you wait two more years maybe an '05. But then you've wasted those years of enjoyment. If you want one, get one now. I don't think 986/987's will ever go up in value - too many of them made. That's why I just drive mine!

judd944

great deal on the M3, if it ran well I would have bought one for that as well!

sjfehr

Our cars did take a rather steep tanking in value in 2008, to a price point well below what market price should have been in a normal economy. I don't think the economy will recover so quickly that value will go back up, but I do expect it to stabilize and our cars to hold their value pretty well for the next few years.

Landseer

How widespread is the IMS bearing issue on the earlier boxsters? Is there a way to check for condition prior to purchase?

RDS928S

As a fact of life the boxster ( within the P-car world is stigmitized). The only other model you cant gine away is the Ill-fated 924 disaster.
Several months ago Excellence ran a article stating Box cars from 97-2001 can be had for 9-12k!!!!!!!!!!!.
A super steel compared to a US beater-right?

So that's what I did. Bought my daughter a 01 S for 13k with many mods. Could not be happier with this low budget purchase.

Regards Rich