Off to see this later, any advice?

[jchallis]

I am off to see this car later today:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Any advice on inspecting a low mileage Boxster? It has a full service history, but not all with Porsche, and has a stainless steel central console ( that was a factory extra at the point of sale). Only done a couple of thousand miles each year and one lady owner.

Does the price seem about right if condition is good?

[xftdr]

If I were paying a premium for an early Boxster - and I think this is too expensive - I would do so only from a good independent offering a years warranty in case of engine / RMS failure. If I were buying privately I would be looking for mileage above 80k to give me 'some' piece of mind over engine failure. Or see if it has had a new one.

[BAKS42]

I would be worried about the mileage and lack of use personally, mine was running like a dream at around 80,000. I would be looking for a full Porsche main dealer service history with a higher mileage.

Good luck and keep us posted

[jchallis]

Ok, thanks for the advice. I was aware of the IMS issue and it is worry. Do other feel that I would be better advised to look for a car with a few more miles and a warranty? Or should I revert to plan A, and look for a S2000 instead?

[xftdr]

jchallis said:

Ok, thanks for the advice. I was aware of the IMS issue and it is worry. Do other feel that I would be better advised to look for a car with a few more miles and a warranty? Or should I revert to plan A, and look for a S2000 instead?

Dont know first thing about S2000 but know a lot about Porsches - buy a Porsche! I would pay less for larger mileage or this price for a good independent porsche dealer car with warranty. This car is not an attractive option to my mind. An older but really fun alternative is to buy a 968 Cabriolet for about this money; they are pretty bullet proof if well maintained.

[jimmy p]

Go and see it, if its excellent then it may be worth the extra, don't be put off by doom merchants, you will enjoy far more than an s2000. If everyone listened to all the negatives no Porsche would ever sell registered 98-2008 and every single engine would of gone pop. If its what you want buy it, you only regret things you don't do, i.e own a Porsche!!!

[khushy]

looks nice and a good price - life is short - have fun!

[craigturbo2]

Things I would check, make sure you can get it up on a lift:-

• Rear Main Seal
• Inside of Brake Disc's
• Bottom Arms
• Make sure Alarm and Key Remotes work

[jchallis]

Went to see it this morning. Looked very nice and drove well. Good story behind it, all legitimate. However, no main dealer services beyond 2002 and paperwork missing since 2005. However, can had definitely been serviced since then at local garage. In the end, I offered £8k but the owner wasn't budging off the asking price of £8250. So, walked away and will continue the search. Thanks for the advice.

If anyone knows of a sorted 3.2 or 2.7 boxster around £7-8k do let me know. I am based in south Cheshire. Thanks.

[all2ofme]

It's amazing what hassle the current owner will go through for that extra £250. Hopefully you left them your number.

Mind you, bodes well for the patchier history if they're willing to let you (or any other person who was about to buy it) walk if there's more to hide, given that you must have been convinced enough to go for it.

Think of it this way (not that the seller is on here, probably):
£250 for the hassle of explaining it all again?
£250 for the faff of showing it to others?
£250 for the time spent NOT earning £250 some other way?

Hmmm. I know what I'd do. As I've said in another thread recently, though - we're all different.

Good luck in getting the car you're after!

[EVOeng]

jchallis said:

Went to see it this morning. Looked very nice and drove well. Good story behind it, all legitimate. However, no main dealer services beyond 2002 and paperwork missing since 2005. However, can had definitely been serviced since then at local garage. In the end, I offered £8k but the owner wasn't budging off the asking price of £8250. So, walked away and will continue the search. Thanks for the advice.

If anyone knows of a sorted 3.2 or 2.7 boxster around £7-8k do let me know. I am based in south Cheshire. Thanks.

What about these?

If you do not mind a Tiptronic...

This at £7950

Or find a few extra £s in the back of the sofa and get this...
3.2 S Manual

Also, if you are interested in a 996 3.4 C4 for similar money to the second Boxster then PM me.
Hope this helps, and good luck with the search.

[jchallis]

Thanks for that. Car will be a present for my wife and she really likes yellow cars, so if anyone has seen a good yellow one for sale let me know! Cheers

[Barry Ashcroft]

Can't believe the seller, From what you have said I would of offered 7k

[xftdr]

Barry Ashcroft said:

Can't believe the seller, From what you have said I would of offered 7k

i think 7k is about right too. Obviously he thinks low miles = premium price. If I were the buyer (I like yellow too!) I would be looking at this quite seriously:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3114718.htm

and although not yellow this one from Cridfords with a good warranty - maybe extend it by a year for a bit extra of cash.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3327621.htm

Anyway, best of luck to the OP

[jchallis]

Thanks. I saw the car at Sarah Cox and was thinking of going over to have a look at it. It seems quite well priced but perhaps I should be looking for a car with slightly less miles, and a better spec? Or am I just being too fussy?

I suppose that a key thing would be what, if any, additional work has been done on that car (in line with the suggestions already made on this thread)?

[Barry Ashcroft]

Second one looks v nice for an early box plus has climate and 3 spoke wheel and interior alloy pack makes it a good buy

[jchallis]

I agree. If only the wife hadn't ruled out a silver car! Could have got away with blue or black, but not silver.

[Barry Ashcroft]

I also discounted silver when I was looking but now own a silver 996 the colour works really well on the shape and I have no regrets.

And yes your getting to hung up on the mileage thing I would much prefare a well maintained higher mileage with lots of spec, Spec sells these cars imho I would never buy a billy base (the yellow one)

[xftdr]

jchallis said:

Thanks. I saw the car at Sarah Cox and was thinking of going over to have a look at it. It seems quite well priced but perhaps I should be looking for a car with slightly less miles, and a better spec? Or am I just being too fussy?

I suppose that a key thing would be what, if any, additional work has been done on that car (in line with the suggestions already made on this thread)?

Yes...... to be honest.

What better spec do you need. All the key stuff is there for open top fun. A/c would be nice but it is not essential by any means. And i think Alcantera seats are really nice DONT WORRY ABOUT MILEAGE provided it has a good strong service history from proper places and the key things have been changed as they have have worn. I say again, higher miles on the early cars should mean the engine will be ok. A Zentrum service allows you to ring them and ask them about the car. Get a proper inspection (Peter Morgan is always well regarded) done.

[jchallis]

Cheers guys. I'm getting the message re the mileage! Given that I have 6 - 8 weeks to find something, I don't think I will be rushing ahead with any of the options suggested so far. I will keep searching on Pistonheads, Autotrader, boxa.net and 911uk and see what comes up.

But i think today has told me that this is definitely the route to go. The 2.7 boxster I drove today was so much more planted and sophisticated compared to the s2000 cars I have test driven recently. I hope that it will pay to wait for th right car to come along.

But thank you all for your help and advice today.