Looking to get a >2003 Boxster S - Advice please

[Davion]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and looking to get a >2003 model Boxster S, though the base model could also be a consideration. The range in carsales seem to be quite huge, but what would one expect to pay for a decent one (i.e. not a write off, good condition both mechanically and physical condition)?

Also I'm based in Sydney and looking at one interstate. I'm definitely going for a PPI before I get one, however how does one get a feel whether its worth sending it for a PPI without having seen the car in the first place?

Thanks for the help guys!

[Niko]

Firstly welcome to the forum.

in my opinion

A good one.....25k   Cheaper ones around.

YOU MOSTLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

the old saying is normally worth thinking about

pay a cheap price for a Porsche at the start and it's going to cost you down the line.

pay a reasonable price hopefully for a better quality Porsche and it shouldn't cost you that much down the line (hopefully)

Tiptronic or manual?

PPI definitely

consider the IMS problem.   See the posts on this forum.

there is also a recent post on the differences and the opinions of the different characteristics of the earlier boxster 986 compared to the later 986, in this mid engine section of the forum

probably worth getting someone to look at the car to let you know if in their opinion it is worth getting a ppi done, or in their opinion abandon the possible sale.

if you trust the seller as to what he has told you, see if he will get a PPI done for you at your expense and your suggestion of dealership or workshop.   Check service history in the service book that may assist you deciding.   

Unless you know the car or the owner well, I would definitely recommend a PPI.

even then there may be problems unknown to the current owner,

so still worth doing for peace of mind (yours)

They are great choice of car, and if treated well re servicing, etc are a pleasure to own and drive.   Good luck with your hunt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[StevepGT3]

buy niko`s so he can get his bloody cayman 

[Niko]

Ha ha correct.   Don't like pushing my own barrow (Boxster S) on people.   But it is out there and I am very negotiable.

[Davion]

Thanks Niko. I actually did have a look at yours. However, I'm after a manual  When you say 25k, I'm guessing you mean for the base model right, what about the average price of a decent 2004-2005 S model? Even so, looking at carsales, they seem to start from 25k upwards (and the first 2 are writeoffs)  

I'm definitely factoring the cost of changing the IMS in my budget.

There is one which I'm interested in http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-Boxster-2004/SSE-AD-3394194/?Cr=5 and that doesn't look like a write-off(according to carfacts) Unfortunately, I dont know anyone in Queensland to have a glance over it. Are there any Boxster drivers in Qld to help me look around?  *hint hint

 

 

 

[Niko]

No worries re mine, thanks for looking and considering it anyway.

25k is reasonable for an Good S.   The one your looking at is certainly a higher price with the 80k's which is reasonable and it's a later 986.   Definitely worth a look, although the advert doesn't give much away.

then you probably have an IMS to be done, another 2.5k

i wouldn't go near a write off personally.

might be worth doing a Pm to Russ (our Qld moderator) and see if he knows any Qldrs that may be near enough to have a look.

but I would be having good dialogue with the owner first on all issues, then if you decide to go further see if anyone will have a look for you.   But do all your homework first before possibly wasting anyone's time in looking at it.

there was one on Autohous,s website recently for 25k can't remember if it was an S Though.

definitely hang out for an S if you can, in my opinion

[Davion]

Wow.. What about the other ones listed on carsales for 40k?

http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?q=((((Make%3D[Porsche]{%26}(Model%3D[Boxster]{%26}Badge%3D))%26(Odometer%3Drange[0..150000]%26Year%3Drange[2003..]))%26GenericGearType%3D[Manual])%26Service%3D[Carsales])&cpw=1&sortby=~Price&limit=12

Cool thanks for the tips Niko! Yup I checked out autohaus, it was a ~'95 model though.

I've been messaging the owner to get more information, like pictures of the logbook and service history. He mentioned about a airbag light being lit on the dashboard though. Is that something I should be worried?

[firstone]

31k for an 80klm 04s is about right IMO.

I'm on the nsw qld border and would be happy to look at it if not too far away. 

Airbag light 'could' cost a lot to remedy. 

Questions for owner...

Has the coolant recovery bottle, AOS, water pump, and thermostat been done?

Not a big deal but factor in cost.

Where has it been serviced, and talk to them.

Looks very nice.

Btw, it would easily insure for 31k most likely more.

 

[Niko]

Oh yes, sorry about the Autohaus one.

firstone's tips re the coolant bottle etc are spot on, they really are the main problems.all have happened with mine, so definitely worth asking,   My water pump went at 150k or thereabouts.  However apart from the water pump, where they will probably replace the drive belt as well, the other problems are reasonably priced to have done.

if your prepared to pay into the 30's you should get a great car.

Great to see forum members prepared to help others.

 

[Davion]

Thanks for the tips. 

Are there any issues around calling the mechanic and asking the work they've done on the car? It's serviced by Porsche apparently. Not sure what the rules are around privacy on that. 

Thanks Firestone, it's in Brisbane though lol.. Its a pretty long drive to go inspect a car, but Im happy to send some beer up your way.

How much would it cost to address the coolant recovery bottle, AOS, water pump, and thermo problems? 

And factoring the ims replacement, wow they stack up pretty quickly lol.

 

 

[firstone]

It depends if you love pulling your car to bits or you want a Technician to do it.

Bottle was $750  dealer + fit , $220 delivered from USA 

Waterpump $150 del

Thermostat and housing $120 del

AOS $180 del 

No idea how much a dealer wanted for the last 3.

You are looking at a nice car IMO at a reasonable price, especially if they are motivated but I would want a good historic record.

A dealer will never give you that info but they would do it for the owner. Then you really need to look at it.

Brisvegus is a long way for me ATM I'm still settling in to my new property.

It'd be handy if he would bring it my way.

I'm only willing to advise you wheather to bother to come look yourself hey.

 

 

[Davion]

I'm appreciative of the sentiment, don't worry about it  Only if you happen to head out that way and have time to kill.

Yea I asked the owner if he could take some pictures of the logbook + if I could contact the dealership to enquire about the car. But from what you're saying, looks like the owner would have to contact the dealership to get a report. Anyways he hasn't got back to me(as I emailed him)  , I might give him a call tomorrow. Will see how we go!

That's sufficient for me. Some form of advise is better than none IMO.

 

[Niko]

Before I purchased my Box it had been serviced by PCM up till that stage.

I rang the service dept, gave them the rego number and the owners name, told them I was possibly about to purchase the car.

i asked if they could tell me anything that I should know about the car.

they looked it up on their records, did a bit of humming and hurring.

then said they are not able to give any specific details...BUT...

As far as they knew their were no issues that they knew about That should concern me.

that was good enough for me.   Never know, might be worth a phone call or pop in.

being a Porsche dealership I trusted that brief report.   

[Davion]

Hmm.. So I called PCB this morning. Firstly, they didn't have records of the owner or the rego. However, they managed to retrieve the previous rego number from some *magic* system and told me they last seen it 6 years ago.  Doesn't quite add up to what the owner had told me before. As disappointing as it sounds, I think I'll have to trust my instincts and stay way from this. Sigh~ not alot of other options tbh out there atm. 

The next ones seem to be in the 40k bracket (2004-2007) ones which is a over my budget, unless I can somehow negotiate to mid 30's mark. 

*sad

[Niko]

Yep, if the owner is telling you B.S. about it's history, walk away.   I wasn't happy that he hadn't gotten back to you either.

 

Sad, but probably best option.

I would be definitely looking elsewhere.    Lots of good ones still out there for what your preparing to spend..

 

Don't get disheartened.

 

 

[qstoria]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/clayfield/cars-vans-utes/2006-porsche-boxster-/1080778151

 

From memory a PFA member knows this seller.  It's a UK import I know but PPI and condition condition are more important IMO.   My impression from the add is that it could be had for a decent price (the Darryl Kerrigan in me perhaps)

[Davion]

Yea I'll keep on looking. Maybe if the ones listed at 40k dont get sold, the owners might reduce the price  I did have a look at that and I was a little tempted to as I liked having 6 gears, but part of me wants to hold out for the S. Boxster S(pecial) 

How'd did you guys find dealing with the dealers? I saw one http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Porsche-Boxster-2005/OAG-AD-2057272/?Cr=7 which I thought I could maybe try and negotiate for mid 30's, thinking I might be able to leverage off the EOFY.

[Niko]

Looks like that is at one of the Vic Porsche Centres.   So it's going to be in pretty good condition.

i think if your prepared to pay in the 30k mark to buy a 986 then maybe you really should be looking at these 987S's

That one is going to cost you a bit more coming from a dealer, but you will get the warranty etc from Porsche.   Plus, that one also has the IMS upgrade......big plus.

I was at PC Brighton a couple of weeks back, and the salesman assured me that anything second hand that they sell really does get the going over, new rotors, pads, etc. etc before it goes on the lot.    Most trade ins go out to the trade, unless it is really good.

that applies to all Porsche Centres I would think.

they may very well move a bit on the price especially with the financial year very fast approaching.   Definitely worth a phone call.

Honestly....if your happy with the sound of the car and they give you a price that is in your budget.     Your going to get a good car (plus it's the 987) 

all...IMHO

 

[ADS911]

Yea I'll keep on looking. Maybe if the ones listed at 40k dont get sold, the owners might reduce the price  I did have a look at that and I was a little tempted to as I liked having 6 gears, but part of me wants to hold out for the S. Boxster S(pecial) 

How'd did you guys find dealing with the dealers? I saw one http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Porsche-Boxster-2005/OAG-AD-2057272/?Cr=7 which I thought I could maybe try and negotiate for mid 30's, thinking I might be able to leverage off the EOFY.T

This one is at Weltmeister, had a quick look while ine Melb a couple of weeks ago, very tidy looking car.

They also had a nice 2000 S Manual @ 23k that I should have bought, he who snoozes looses!

[Niko]

Oh, ok not sure how much WELTMEISTER do with their cars.    Yep I agree 23k for the one you left there may have been a good buy.

There'll be more...

 

[Davion]

Had a look at their website, independent Porsche specialist. Are they reputable? Anything wrong the car @ads911 when you had a look at iit?

[Niko]

Very reputable and respected as far as I know.

I purchased my hardtop from them some years back,.

They installed the fitting kit and I was happy with the job and price.

But thats the only dealings I've had with them .  

 

 

[ADS911]

Had a look at their website, independent Porsche specialist. Are they reputable? Anything wrong the car @ads911 when you had a look at iit?

Hi Davion, I was more focused on the 986 S they had but did spend a couple of minutes eyeballing and everything I saw looked good. Definitely worth investigation and well priced. 

[Davion]

Thanks, I'll give them a call Monday morning! Btw, would you still get a PPI done for a car sold by WELTMEISTER or by Porsche Center's?

And I understand dealerships typically come with warranty, however if I'm going to be driving this back to NSW, how will the warranty work then?

[Davion]

Right so called them in the morning and got some pictures of the logbooks and interior. I asked some questions relating to the car as I was concerned about the service history (or rather the lack of), the expiration of the rego and also it doesn't seem that Weltmeister services the car. This leads me to highly suspect it is a consignment car, and I did raise that question with them. Neither of my questions got answered though which I felt was pretty poor IMO.