spk56

Hi all. First time posting here. I am in the market for a used Boxster. For about $30K I can get a super nice 2008 Boxster S, maybe an RS60, or another high option car with low miles. Or I could get a very basic 2013 car maybe with high mileage for it's age. The 2013 car would have less horsepower, but of course is the updated model. What do you guys think?
I have driven an 08 RS60, and have driven a newer GTS, but not a base 2013 car.

mikefocke

I'd suggest you add where you live, how/where/when you drive and what you expect the car to do.

Buying a car there are trade offs. My priority is bound to be different than yours. So help us understand what you want from the car and maybe we can help you fit those cars against your profile.

spk56

Thanks for your comments Mike, you are absolutely right.
So here is a little background on myself and cars. I have been infatuated with sports cars from an early age, and this will not be my first Porsche. I owned a 914-4 for 2 years, a 914-6 for 8 years (wish I kept that one!), a 1989 944 Turbo for 15 years...then I defected. I had a 2002 Corvette Z06 for 2 years, and a Lotus Elise for 10 years.
I have always been so **** about my cars....I am the best 1st owner a used car buyer could ever find! I don't want my new Boxster to be a garage queen. I want to drive it to work every day, only a 7 mile commute with lite traffic, oh and I live in Southern California, so always great weather! I would like to rejoin the local PCA, participate in their events, and use the car for an occasional track day. (Problem is that Buttonwillow, and Willow Springs are over 2 hours away, so the car has to be comfy enough for the trip there and back, but also fun on the track.) I want to keep the cost of the car reasonable, so that I am not so worried about where and when I drive it, where I will park it, and covering it with 10 pounds of protective tape when I go to the track.
Although the PDK would be faster on the track, the car will be predominantly street driven so the 6 speed is what I am looking for.

Macster

The RS60 is a nice Boxster. Had a chance to buy one back in early 2009 when they were discounted to near fire sale levels.

Caymans were heavily discounted too, and in fact before I was looking at the RS60 I picked up a new 2008 Cayman S for $12K off of sticker. 'course 4 weeks later another car ran into the Cayman's driver's side and that was that. Car totaled.

It was then, when looking for a replacement Cayman S I came across some RS60's and was tempted -- the silver with red interior is eye catching and the RS60 is optioned out the wazoo -- but I just didn't want another Boxster. (I had then and still have a 2002 base Boxster that I bought new in Jan. 2002.)

Anyhow, first I think you need to decide on an S or a base and if you want an older example with the old style engine or a newer example with the new style engine, the DFI engine.

Before you can decide you probably owe it to yourself to drive a 2013 base.

Once you have decided then all you have to concentrate on is buying the best example you can find and afford.

Mister Quickie

I wouldn't consider an 06-08 Porsche, the IMS was embedded in the engine block, imagine the cost of upgrading the bearing

paulofto

This is a good point. The 2009 - 2012 seem to be pretty trouble free from what I have been reading and the 2009 have depreciated to the point that they are close to 2006 to 2008 prices. Their are fewer of them since the sales dropped in 2009 because of the recession but they are out there.

spk56

Ah Mister Quickie, I didn't realize there were still problems with the IMS bearings on those. Sounds like the 06-08 cars didn't have as much problems as the bearing size was increased, but I see it cannot be replaced. Just the seal can be removed to allow oil access.

grrrmonster

I'd go with the newer one