Used Boxster - buying hints?
Discussion
Hi Porsche folks,
I'm currently going through the 'I need a different car' phase that I have every so often, and I'm seriously thinking of a 2.5 Boxster.
Is there anything I should know about them? Are running costs going to bankrupt me? It the 16/17k price point, am I only going to be looking at stuff I shouldn't touch? Is a particular colour the kiss of death?
Oh - also, when (mileage/age) are the major services due?
Cheers for any advice you can give!
Dan
I'm currently going through the 'I need a different car' phase that I have every so often, and I'm seriously thinking of a 2.5 Boxster.
Is there anything I should know about them? Are running costs going to bankrupt me? It the 16/17k price point, am I only going to be looking at stuff I shouldn't touch? Is a particular colour the kiss of death?
Oh - also, when (mileage/age) are the major services due?
Cheers for any advice you can give!
Dan
Make sure you pay the extra for air-con. Not having leather isn't such an issue (you can always put leather seats in)
There are a handful of white ones out there that are dirt cheap. I agree that arena red (the dark metallic) and pastel yellow are not the ones to have. Metallic green has fallen from grace on all cars in the last few years- Strange- a little while back people were clamouring to have theie BMWs in Boston Green, their Range Rovers in Epsom green.
The big service is at 48k miles (or 4ish years) Make sure you get one that has had this done. They tend to need new discs around this time as the surface corrosion becomes too much.
Buy yourself a good one and you'll love it - Can't recommend them enough
There are a handful of white ones out there that are dirt cheap. I agree that arena red (the dark metallic) and pastel yellow are not the ones to have. Metallic green has fallen from grace on all cars in the last few years- Strange- a little while back people were clamouring to have theie BMWs in Boston Green, their Range Rovers in Epsom green.
The big service is at 48k miles (or 4ish years) Make sure you get one that has had this done. They tend to need new discs around this time as the surface corrosion becomes too much.
Buy yourself a good one and you'll love it - Can't recommend them enough
Services are annual or every 12,000 miles. Which for most cars means annual. Every two years or 24,000 miles you get the "big" service.
Edited to say (ah - and the "biggest" at 48K yep)
"Servicing" is somewhat basic and good owners will have specced other things to be done. For example, although the brake fluid is recommended to be changed every two years its an optional item at the two year service! BIZARRE!
To be honest - unless the SH says the brake fluid was changed recently I'd get it done immediately.
Pads and Discs are NOT service items - they are changed as necessary. It will definitely cost you less to get these done at an independent.
I bought mine new and it gets regular servicing at an OPC - but when discs/pads come up its very likely I'll have Northway Porsche in Reading do the work. To be honest I'd rather have Ninemeister do it but they're too far away.
JZ Machtech will be in your area and have an excellent reputation.
Get one - they're great cars. The 2.5 is a tad underpowered by repute, especially so if its a tiptronic, but this may suit London driving very well.
>> Edited by Don on Thursday 30th December 08:30
Edited to say (ah - and the "biggest" at 48K yep)
"Servicing" is somewhat basic and good owners will have specced other things to be done. For example, although the brake fluid is recommended to be changed every two years its an optional item at the two year service! BIZARRE!
To be honest - unless the SH says the brake fluid was changed recently I'd get it done immediately.
Pads and Discs are NOT service items - they are changed as necessary. It will definitely cost you less to get these done at an independent.
I bought mine new and it gets regular servicing at an OPC - but when discs/pads come up its very likely I'll have Northway Porsche in Reading do the work. To be honest I'd rather have Ninemeister do it but they're too far away.
JZ Machtech will be in your area and have an excellent reputation.
Get one - they're great cars. The 2.5 is a tad underpowered by repute, especially so if its a tiptronic, but this may suit London driving very well.
>> Edited by Don on Thursday 30th December 08:30
Dan
Excellent time to buy one (just don't speed too much in winter. I crashed mine recently doing about 35mph!!)
You should really get a decent-ish one for £18k - definatley get air-con and because of the time of the year you may be able to shop around for one that has a few extras PCSM (Traction control) 18" sport alloys,3-spoke sterring wheel, etc... Try & go for low mileage as possible (for re-sale value).
One thing u must do is have it inspected. I assume your buying private? (you'll get a newer car private) But do not use RAC - they are really really poor (I had RAC inspection on mine, ended up paying out £2k on repairs they didnt spot - and they wouldn't contribute. Either take the car to a porsche garage/independent porsche specialist or there are some porsche mechanics who will come to you (I'd guess about £150. Which is £100 less than RAC).
Any decent porsche owner would be happy for you to have the car inspected (at a porsche dealer if req'd). If not, walk away..something dodgy!
So long as full porsche service history, have it inspected, you should get a good one.
Good luck & have fun searching for one you like (you wont regret it!)
if you want any further advice, drop my an email davereynolds123@hotmail.com (I bought a 2.5 1999 about 4mths ago)
Excellent time to buy one (just don't speed too much in winter. I crashed mine recently doing about 35mph!!)
You should really get a decent-ish one for £18k - definatley get air-con and because of the time of the year you may be able to shop around for one that has a few extras PCSM (Traction control) 18" sport alloys,3-spoke sterring wheel, etc... Try & go for low mileage as possible (for re-sale value).
One thing u must do is have it inspected. I assume your buying private? (you'll get a newer car private) But do not use RAC - they are really really poor (I had RAC inspection on mine, ended up paying out £2k on repairs they didnt spot - and they wouldn't contribute. Either take the car to a porsche garage/independent porsche specialist or there are some porsche mechanics who will come to you (I'd guess about £150. Which is £100 less than RAC).
Any decent porsche owner would be happy for you to have the car inspected (at a porsche dealer if req'd). If not, walk away..something dodgy!
So long as full porsche service history, have it inspected, you should get a good one.
Good luck & have fun searching for one you like (you wont regret it!)
if you want any further advice, drop my an email davereynolds123@hotmail.com (I bought a 2.5 1999 about 4mths ago)
I understand that the Porsche extended warranty can now be added at up to 10 years (100k miles) old ?
The only caveat is that a full Porsche main dealer inspection must be done --- with any work also being completed before the warranty can be applied.
It's well worth the £145 odd for the inspection and you may well find that your seller will make an allowance on the price for any work that is required.
And if it's a bad one --- you'll be glad you didn't buy it.
There are plenty of good ones around, particularly now the new Boxster has arrived.
The only caveat is that a full Porsche main dealer inspection must be done --- with any work also being completed before the warranty can be applied.
It's well worth the £145 odd for the inspection and you may well find that your seller will make an allowance on the price for any work that is required.
And if it's a bad one --- you'll be glad you didn't buy it.
There are plenty of good ones around, particularly now the new Boxster has arrived.
i recently sold my silver 1998 2.5 boxster for only £16k. To concur with what other people have said, it was very hard to get rid of as i didnt have air con.
Dont worry about too many of the other extras as EBAY is a great source for bits (ie wheels and gear knobs etc). I found the standard stereo to be very average.
One last tip, get a full inspection. My 48k mile service was quoted as £250 from JZ Machtech, but i dropped £1200 on all sorts of bits that basically worn out after 6 years (ie engine mount, exhaust brackets).
Loved the car, but not a patch on the 2.7 that i borrowed for a month, try and stretch to it?!
Dont worry about too many of the other extras as EBAY is a great source for bits (ie wheels and gear knobs etc). I found the standard stereo to be very average.
One last tip, get a full inspection. My 48k mile service was quoted as £250 from JZ Machtech, but i dropped £1200 on all sorts of bits that basically worn out after 6 years (ie engine mount, exhaust brackets).
Loved the car, but not a patch on the 2.7 that i borrowed for a month, try and stretch to it?!
Thanks for the replies so far - good stuff to know! A few more questions, if I may?
How much are tyres?
What is considered average mileage for a Boxster?
Finally, what is 'standard' spec on a Boxster? Not what it comes with, but what everyone specs on them, or expects to find (like air con) - I don't want to be caught out by a 'bargain' that's extra hard to sell in a couple of years time...
Cheers,
Dan
How much are tyres?
What is considered average mileage for a Boxster?
Finally, what is 'standard' spec on a Boxster? Not what it comes with, but what everyone specs on them, or expects to find (like air con) - I don't want to be caught out by a 'bargain' that's extra hard to sell in a couple of years time...
Cheers,
Dan
986 guy said:Ouch. Is this to be expected on a six year old Boxster? (In which case I'll build it into my budget!)
One last tip, get a full inspection. My 48k mile service was quoted as £250 from JZ Machtech, but i dropped £1200 on all sorts of bits that basically worn out after 6 years (ie engine mount, exhaust brackets).
Who would be good to do the inspection? OPC, or would a specialist be fine?
Dan
Dan, imo its probably good to allow a contingency for the less obvious repairs (engine mounts!). Someone here might be able to recommend a specialist person to inspect a car.
The OPC have no interest in selling older boxsters, though they are happy to take your money for servicing! Try portiacraft, he has quite a few boxsters?
I'm no mechanic, but just turning my selling experience on its head
All 6 year old cars will start to wear out its rubber bits etc, it probably doesnt matter what make it is, but as it was a Porsche I tended to keep it as perfect as possible.
>> Edited by 986 guy on Friday 31st December 07:51
The OPC have no interest in selling older boxsters, though they are happy to take your money for servicing! Try portiacraft, he has quite a few boxsters?
I'm no mechanic, but just turning my selling experience on its head
All 6 year old cars will start to wear out its rubber bits etc, it probably doesnt matter what make it is, but as it was a Porsche I tended to keep it as perfect as possible.
>> Edited by 986 guy on Friday 31st December 07:51
You'll pay more like £600 for a 48K service from an OPC. Full set of SO2's, budget around £450-600. I would aim for one with a lux pack. It includes lots of leather including the seats. Climate control (Absolutely worth the money) the wind deflector (essential for buffet free ton plus motoring) 17" wheels etc. Tiptronic will be a little slow in a 2.5.
Brakes etc, I had mine changed in a specialists rather than an OPC. Totally happy and less money.
Had mine for eighteen months and love it to bits.
Yes, it's for sale, I want a Noble
Brakes etc, I had mine changed in a specialists rather than an OPC. Totally happy and less money.
Had mine for eighteen months and love it to bits.
Yes, it's for sale, I want a Noble
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