stew-gart44

why are the 97-99 boxsters dropping in price so fast...32,000 miles 99 for under 7 grand.. new ones allmost 80grand thats 70,000 grand drop in ten years...im gona spend more then that when im done with my 83 944....i envy you boxster lovers i think after i fix my 944 ill sell it for a 2000 boxster....

Macster

Well, various factors.

Early Boxster on going on 15 years old.

I question your $70K to $80K price for early Boxsters. Only the very heavily optioned (everything but the kitchen sink cars and even then...) would approach that much money. (My 02 listed for around $47K in 02 and I bought it for $5K under list.)

Earlier models were priced a bit lower, but some buyers, early buyers anyhow probably paid a premium.

Still the depreciation has been severe.

Boxsters in general are getting a rep for serious engine troubles. We can argue about the chances of this happening but used car shoppers are more likely to visit forums to learn about the cars and what they learn puts them off the cars some. Has to.

The economy is in a downturn and 2 seat roadsters as nice of cars as these cars are are they not very practical cars. They are a 2nd or even a 3rd car for most of us.

This downturn has seen some used cars go up in value but they are models that can serve various functions from single occupant commuter car to a family hauler on weekends and so on. The Boxster is at the other end of the spectrum.

But for some shoppers there are some pretty good deals to be had.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Dale_K

Why - the cars have a reputation for being a money pit. And there's a certain amount of truth in it based on my experience with my 2000 S I bought a year ago. Plus there are a lot of nice used Miatas out there.

cretinx

probably because the average minivan is faster than a 2.5L boxster, most douchebags only care about straight line power so the market for a slow, 2 seat, foreign (german = expensive parts, right?) convertible car is limited to people who understand that their handling prowess is phenomenal and that they may have more maintenance issues than a Honda Civic.

Macster

Well, my experience with my 02 Boxster over the last 9+ years and 247K+ miles is different. Best car I've ever owned.

A Miata might be a fine car but I do not want a Miata.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Plyman438

I don't know where you live, but a 97-99 Boxster in Midwest area in real nice shape and the miles you quote would go for a lot more money than "under" $7,000. Even one with very few options. And most of the Boxsters from those years were way under $50,000 even with a few options. The base price for that year was about $37,000 and most I would supect would retail for $45,000 or thereabouts. The base price of my 2001 Boxster was $38,000 and after checking off option list stickered for about $48,000. Also remember, before 2000MY, there were no Boxster S's and they cost about $10,000 more when new. Around here, the only Boxsters barely under $10,000 have over 100,000 miles, worn tires, and leaks on pavement plus lots of exterior and interior abuse. The early 986 Boxsters in nice shape with moderate miles and well maintained will run you at least $12,000 and up.

2001 Orient Red Metallic Boxster

racer

Also recall that the 944 was a $20-50K car over its lifetime and is now a $2-5K car "all day long"

Early boxsters were also built in very large numbers (some 100K or more) in just a few years which also hurts value. Age, Mileage.. are other killers. No factory racing program.. they aren't 911's.. take your pick of reasons. Early engine issues (slipped sleeves, porus blocks, IMS and RMS issues too) don't help much.

I do say, near me, most "early boxsters" are offered more in the $9-14K range than the $7K range.

Lots of salvage and flood damaged boxsters out there too.

stew-gart44

i was thinking of buying one only for the reason it was 6,800 neg with 32k miles and mint inside and out..just on looks alone ud think no lower then 20grand for a car like this i think there shape is the same as the 80k 911 and other higher priced porsches....whats the engine specs if anyone knows on a 97 and 99? the 2.5lt i think and i just saw 201 h/p which in my saab turbo 80-140 i never had a car catch up with me..it had 180 stock i added maybe 30h/p...so these 97-99 are money pits ..all the ones i see are Convertible..i cant see going wrong for 6,800 with 32k miles just on looks?you cant even get a 2000 ford taurus for that price..where they really that bad?what engine or problems did they have if you dont mind?
thanks soo much

stew-gart44

your right its a buyers market for these used porsche's..5 miles from me a guy was selling a 88 944 turbo for1,200 never gave me hes address and emails me back a guy showed up w a paper clip..dme 87a 87 30 trick n drove it off my lawn for 900 bucks ahh

racer

Porsche's are owned by the 1%... maybe no one wants them anymore

Do a search for M96 motors. Lots on the subject.

RMS
IMS
Coolant tank
Computer failures if under drivers seat gets wet
motor mounts
2.5s had issues with "slipped sleeves" and "porous blocks". By now they have likely been addressed.

Many seem to suggest a version with miles/frequent use might be better than one that sits a lot.

Macster seems to have enjoyed quite a bit of use/success with his. Some, less so.

They are all fun to drive. Great handling. Convenient to use top. Great sound about 4K rpm. Nice high (but not honda high) redline.

Then usual "used car" items to consider. Clean title? Accident damage? Torn tops, cracked rear window? A PPI would be encouraged no mater the price.

'97-99 = first gen 986. 2.5L 201hp. About 2800lb.
'00-02 = 2nd gen 986 2.7 217 hp
'03-04 = 3rd gen 986 2.7 228hp

In '00 there were a host of interior upgrades and options. In '03, more changes (bumpers) as well as introduction of a glass rear window

'00 also saw the intro of the "S" - 3.2L 250hp, 6speed

They are ONLY made as convertible. There was a factory removeable hard top available. A Boxster "coupe" is a Cayman

stew-gart44

i also see a 84 944base with same miles for 20grand dosent makes sence lol 99 boxster with 32k 6,800 1984 944 base 32k 19,900?

Plyman438

I would be suspicious of the super low price on the '99 Boxster with "only" 32,000 miles. A PPI may point to a long list of problems. If the owner had been really keeping up with maintenance on the '99, he would be asking more than $6,800. Before I bought mine, I checked out another 2001 Boxster with 75,000 miles where they wanted $12,500, and during PPI, we got up to $7,500 in repair bills in about 5 minutes time. I paid $15,400 for the Boxster I finally bought and so far no problems whatsoever. Oil change and new wipers, that's it after 7 months of ownership. Owners put on new top and water pump before selling it to me. For a really good '99 Boxster with new tires and all its maintenance issues taken care of, I would suspect you are looking at at least $12,000 for one you can drive cost free for a year or so. For $6,800, you may be looking at a money pit unless the owner is getting back at a spouse he or she is divorcing or very desperate financially.

2001 Orient Red Metallic Boxster

perfectlap

I would buy a $7K Boxster just to part it out.

The 97-99 engine issues really don't help matters when you're already dealing with a shrinking buyer pool of well informed buyers.

Last I checked 996 resale values were nothing to write home about either. Particularly the Turbos, which were certainly regarded as being in the highest echelon of sports car and have taken a severe pounding.