Tell me this wasn't a stupid idea....
Discussion
I've bought the first Boxster I've seen or driven having done only the faintest research into what to look for. It's a 2001 2.7 with a full service history albeit the majority of it at non specialist dealers. The clutch felt a little heavy but definitely wasn't slipping and it has a good MOT history. Everything appeared to work with the exception of the bonnet release cable which the dealer agreed to fix.
I'm paying under £4k and i have around a grand to insure it, tax it and sort any other issues. Insurance will be around £300 for me.
At the time it felt like a great decision but I'm now thinking I may have made a huge error. It's not like me to rush into this kind of thing.
Any advice on what I should do would be appreciated.
I'm paying under £4k and i have around a grand to insure it, tax it and sort any other issues. Insurance will be around £300 for me.
At the time it felt like a great decision but I'm now thinking I may have made a huge error. It's not like me to rush into this kind of thing.
Any advice on what I should do would be appreciated.
Twinfan said:
Have you budgeted for any unforeseen issues and running costs? Repairs can be costly, so make sure you're handy with a spanner or can pay someone who is.
I'm fine on the running costs and anything non catastrophic in terms of issues. It's just the possibility of something horribly expensive going wrong that is worrying me! If £4k was your budget then my saying "At least if it goes horribly wrong you can throw it away" will be no help at all!
Have you bought used cars before, and do you have a "nose" for what to look for? If so, you'll have spotted the obvious but there may be some issues which this model keeps hidden. Someone who knows will be along in a minute to tell you what to have another look at in order to give you peace of mind (or not!).
Meanwhile, let's see some piccies, eh?
Have you bought used cars before, and do you have a "nose" for what to look for? If so, you'll have spotted the obvious but there may be some issues which this model keeps hidden. Someone who knows will be along in a minute to tell you what to have another look at in order to give you peace of mind (or not!).
Meanwhile, let's see some piccies, eh?
DJMC said:
If £4k was your budget then my saying "At least if it goes horribly wrong you can throw it away" will be no help at all!
Have you bought used cars before, and do you have a "nose" for what to look for? If so, you'll have spotted the obvious but there may be some issues which this model keeps hidden. Someone who knows will be along in a minute to tell you what to have another look at in order to give you peace of mind (or not!).
Meanwhile, let's see some piccies, eh?
Thanks for the reply. My budget to purchase a Boxster was 5k so I've a bit left over and a couple of grand in the bank to cover any issues. Have you bought used cars before, and do you have a "nose" for what to look for? If so, you'll have spotted the obvious but there may be some issues which this model keeps hidden. Someone who knows will be along in a minute to tell you what to have another look at in order to give you peace of mind (or not!).
Meanwhile, let's see some piccies, eh?
I've bought a good few used cars including Golf GTIs, an Integra Type R, VX220, Alfa 147 GTA,205 GTI and some classics and they've all been ok. I've just never bought the first one I've seen before and it's unnerved me a bit, mainly I guess from reading about IMS and EMS issues. I gave it a good check over bit just s general check of the suspension, hood, bodywork and paperwork and all seemed fine but I do feel I might have jumped the gun.
I think you'll be alright with that, it's thought to be one of the more reliable engines, so it'll be things like suspension components and brakes that may need money spent. Not too big a deal generally. As said, enjoy it, doesn't sound like you've overpaid. Possibly, quite the opposite.
So, day one, the day of reckoning. The day of destiny. The day of disappointment?
Tbh i was expecting a damp squib. The dealer was supposed to be replacing the front pads and the bonnet cable and appeared to have ducked my calls yesterday and today only to call me back and tell me the car was ready. Excellent news!
The drive home was great. The wolfy exhaust note, the sheer musical range of the flat six. The heft of the controls. The feeling of there being only what you need, the driving position, all great.
Then, later, the coolant warning light. Oh no.
Looks like it needs a new expansion bottle cap as steam was escaping when I pulled over and there was condensation on the bootlid.
Still, it's an excuse to have a nosey round Revolution in Brighouse tomorrow.
In all other respects the car seems in pretty good shape.
Onwards and upwards!
Ian
Tbh i was expecting a damp squib. The dealer was supposed to be replacing the front pads and the bonnet cable and appeared to have ducked my calls yesterday and today only to call me back and tell me the car was ready. Excellent news!
The drive home was great. The wolfy exhaust note, the sheer musical range of the flat six. The heft of the controls. The feeling of there being only what you need, the driving position, all great.
Then, later, the coolant warning light. Oh no.
Looks like it needs a new expansion bottle cap as steam was escaping when I pulled over and there was condensation on the bootlid.
Still, it's an excuse to have a nosey round Revolution in Brighouse tomorrow.
In all other respects the car seems in pretty good shape.
Onwards and upwards!
Ian
The original caps are common failures, but if it’s on the original coolant tank and enough has leaked to trigger the warning light then the tank itself will probably have cracked slightly. Mine did this.
Lift up the boot carpet and the foam and check for liquid there. It only escapes when under pressure.
Not a cheap way to fix this so if possible ask the selling garage to step in?
I have a 2.7 on 130k+ and do love it, yours looks great and I hope you keep enjoying it.
Lift up the boot carpet and the foam and check for liquid there. It only escapes when under pressure.
Not a cheap way to fix this so if possible ask the selling garage to step in?
I have a 2.7 on 130k+ and do love it, yours looks great and I hope you keep enjoying it.
The cheapest is tank, cap, water pump and etc...But the 2000-2001 year models for both 996 and 986 really suffer from this cracked head issue. It does need an engine rebuild, and the symptoms are the same.
Good luck, hopefully it's the cheapest. If you think it is latter, just give it back, look for another loads of around!
Good luck, hopefully it's the cheapest. If you think it is latter, just give it back, look for another loads of around!
That's a shame - I'd let the dealer know and see if there is anything they can do?
As for the engine condition if it'll put your mind at rest, do an oil and filter change, submit the oil for a metals analysis or inspect the filter for metallic debris. It'll probably be fine, a very small number actually fail. Its just that they cost a lot when they do which is why they get so much negative press.
I bought the first (996) I saw - no inspection or anything. 3 years so far of trouble free motoring
As for the engine condition if it'll put your mind at rest, do an oil and filter change, submit the oil for a metals analysis or inspect the filter for metallic debris. It'll probably be fine, a very small number actually fail. Its just that they cost a lot when they do which is why they get so much negative press.
I bought the first (996) I saw - no inspection or anything. 3 years so far of trouble free motoring
Cheers for the replies guys. I've topped up the coolant and stuck a new expansion tank cap on. Seems like it may have resolved the issue or at least stopped the steam escaping. I put about 2l of coolant in. Could that much escape via steam through a leaky cap?
The boot floor and the foam around the tank are completely dry so it doesn't seem like the tank was leaking or split. Haven't found any other obvious leaks under the car either.
Think I'm going to get it booked in for an inspection and compression test just to be sure.
The boot floor and the foam around the tank are completely dry so it doesn't seem like the tank was leaking or split. Haven't found any other obvious leaks under the car either.
Think I'm going to get it booked in for an inspection and compression test just to be sure.
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