Considering buying a s/h Boxster, - advice please
Discussion
I am considering buying a s/h Boxster with a budget of approx. 20k, so looking at R reg 2.5 or there abouts.
I currently drive a Saab 9-3 Aero Conv (205bhp) which is great but not the real sports car experience. Have previously owned a Fiat Coupe - great fun, and a TVR Chimera, which I loved but scared me and was unreliable. I need a car which is fun, cool and very reliable. I don't do much commuting, but do undertake long runs for holidays and visiting family.... and last but not least, the wife, not a car enthusiast, needs to able to drive it.
Any advice would be very welcome
Thanks
Stig
I currently drive a Saab 9-3 Aero Conv (205bhp) which is great but not the real sports car experience. Have previously owned a Fiat Coupe - great fun, and a TVR Chimera, which I loved but scared me and was unreliable. I need a car which is fun, cool and very reliable. I don't do much commuting, but do undertake long runs for holidays and visiting family.... and last but not least, the wife, not a car enthusiast, needs to able to drive it.
Any advice would be very welcome
Thanks
Stig
All your requirements will be met by a Boxster. For the wife - all the controls are in the usual places and in a 2.5 the power levels are not going to scare her witless either. Having said that there's enough poke to put a smile on your face.
An older car such as you describe will require significantly more maintenance than a new one, of course. I won't patronise you by spelling out the obvious service history and other checks...but I would find out where a reputable independent is in your area.
OPCs do now offer reduced labour rates for the Boxster - but a good independent is likely to be cheaper again.
Go on- you'll love it.
An older car such as you describe will require significantly more maintenance than a new one, of course. I won't patronise you by spelling out the obvious service history and other checks...but I would find out where a reputable independent is in your area.
OPCs do now offer reduced labour rates for the Boxster - but a good independent is likely to be cheaper again.
Go on- you'll love it.
stig2082 said: Don,
Thanks for the advice. Your mention of maintenance concerns me. Will it cost a lot to run a Boxster?
- Stig
To be honest, Stig, I don't have much personal experience of the older cars. Certainly the maintenance on my two Boxsters, first 6 months old, second from new has been servicing and that's it - as it should be under warranty and so on.
However - any five year old car will require additional maintenance - our Chimaera proves that! Some items will have worn out - clutch etc and need replacing.
Get an inspection done of any car you intend to purchase and you should be OK. I certainly don't want to put you off - and a Boxster should be a perfectly reliable proposition.
I would advise joining the PCGB and getting in touch with the Boxster Register (Nic Doczi runs that) who will have owners who can advise you precisely on what to expect.
Whatever car you get - enjoy!
Stig....if you do buy privately make sure you have the car fully checked over at an OPC first, they only charge around £120 & this is money well spent.
Also look out for direct imports, there was a lot of "non-Uk " spec cars sold here & these can be a minefield as nobody is clear on their exact spec. Make sure the car was either sold new by the OPC network or is C16 (this is displayed under the boot lid along with the chassis number). If the car isn't Uk or C16 walk away. A FULL service history is also a MUST on
the older cars. I am told that aircon is also a must (it was an expensive extra new) on 2.5's for re-sale.
Also be aware that the standard stereo is crap, look for one with a sound pack if possible. The interior's also vary, full leather was expensive new, but greatly lifts the cabin & shouldn't break the bank S/H. As always it is a slippery slope & you start looking at £20k only to find out you can get an early "S" for around £28/29k etc etc. Personally if you can afford the extra the S is the one !! Best of luck
Also look out for direct imports, there was a lot of "non-Uk " spec cars sold here & these can be a minefield as nobody is clear on their exact spec. Make sure the car was either sold new by the OPC network or is C16 (this is displayed under the boot lid along with the chassis number). If the car isn't Uk or C16 walk away. A FULL service history is also a MUST on
the older cars. I am told that aircon is also a must (it was an expensive extra new) on 2.5's for re-sale.
Also be aware that the standard stereo is crap, look for one with a sound pack if possible. The interior's also vary, full leather was expensive new, but greatly lifts the cabin & shouldn't break the bank S/H. As always it is a slippery slope & you start looking at £20k only to find out you can get an early "S" for around £28/29k etc etc. Personally if you can afford the extra the S is the one !! Best of luck
Thanks Guys,
That is top advice, is much appreciated before I make any mistakes! Was looking at a couple today at dealers to get a feel and is easy to get carried away. In order to get a test drive to help make my mind up, have gone to a main dealer as well, boy are they expensive!
I still hope to buy privately due to the savings, though your words of caution make me think I may wish to try a good value dealer. By the way, what does C16 mean?
You mention getting the car inspected at an OPC - what is that? Official Porsche .....?
Is there a name you can recommend ( I live in South West London)
Thanks again
Stig
>> Edited by stig2082 on Tuesday 22 April 16:58
That is top advice, is much appreciated before I make any mistakes! Was looking at a couple today at dealers to get a feel and is easy to get carried away. In order to get a test drive to help make my mind up, have gone to a main dealer as well, boy are they expensive!
I still hope to buy privately due to the savings, though your words of caution make me think I may wish to try a good value dealer. By the way, what does C16 mean?
You mention getting the car inspected at an OPC - what is that? Official Porsche .....?
Is there a name you can recommend ( I live in South West London)
Thanks again
Stig
>> Edited by stig2082 on Tuesday 22 April 16:58
Grant3 said: Stig....As always it is a slippery slope & you start looking at £20k only to find out you can get an early "S" for around £28/29k etc etc. Personally if you can afford the extra the S is the one !! Best of luck
Yep. The S is the one to have all-right - but it IS quite a lot more. I've had two and they are wonderful.
I'll get me coat....
Stig, the Porsche factory gives each car a build spec
according to it's country of destination.Each country has a different level of standard spec. for example a German built 911 (996 series) doesn't come with full leather & aircon as standard, but a UK car does.Porsches build spec/code for UK cars is C16, this means that the car was built at the factory to full standard Uk specification.If it hasn't got this code it is minefield to establish what the car has or hasn't got as a standard spec....minefield.
Buying private isn't a problem as long as you take the car for a check over, I would always use an official centre as the price is ok & they have access to factory build specs, accidents as well as the correct diagnostics (that's not to knock the specialists, some are great) your nearest may be Dick Lovett, you can get a list on www.porsche.com hope this help's....as Dom say's the "S" is the one to go for, if you can afford it, if not the 2.5 is still a great car.
according to it's country of destination.Each country has a different level of standard spec. for example a German built 911 (996 series) doesn't come with full leather & aircon as standard, but a UK car does.Porsches build spec/code for UK cars is C16, this means that the car was built at the factory to full standard Uk specification.If it hasn't got this code it is minefield to establish what the car has or hasn't got as a standard spec....minefield.
Buying private isn't a problem as long as you take the car for a check over, I would always use an official centre as the price is ok & they have access to factory build specs, accidents as well as the correct diagnostics (that's not to knock the specialists, some are great) your nearest may be Dick Lovett, you can get a list on www.porsche.com hope this help's....as Dom say's the "S" is the one to go for, if you can afford it, if not the 2.5 is still a great car.
Porsches build spec/code for UK cars is C16, this means that the car was built at the factory to full standard Uk specification.If it hasn't got this code it is minefield to establish what the car has or hasn't got as a standard spec....
Don the flame prrof, but ...you could always just use your eyes to see what it's got - pretty obvious really IMO! Mechanicals will be the same.
Thanks for your help again guys.
My budget is drifting upwards so can hoepfully afford a 2.7, as they have a little more umph and better standard kit inside. Have managed to sell my Saab at a good price privately so don't have to trade in and can haggle a bit more if I go with a dealer.
Hoping to get one over the weekend - or least get the process underway.
Will let you know what I get!
your help is much appreciated
Stig
My budget is drifting upwards so can hoepfully afford a 2.7, as they have a little more umph and better standard kit inside. Have managed to sell my Saab at a good price privately so don't have to trade in and can haggle a bit more if I go with a dealer.
Hoping to get one over the weekend - or least get the process underway.
Will let you know what I get!
your help is much appreciated
Stig
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