how to buy a boxster
Discussion
Hi All.
I am looking to buy a boxster, budget about 21000ish. I would appreciate some advice on what to look for. My questions are:
Should I get it inspected even if its from a respected dealer.
What are known problems?
what is the maintenance schedule from 30000 miles on.
Also are there any tips on buying. Sorry for so many questions but Im a newbiew to porsche and want the expierience to be as goosas possible.
Thanks in advance for any replies
Regards
I am looking to buy a boxster, budget about 21000ish. I would appreciate some advice on what to look for. My questions are:
Should I get it inspected even if its from a respected dealer.
What are known problems?
what is the maintenance schedule from 30000 miles on.
Also are there any tips on buying. Sorry for so many questions but Im a newbiew to porsche and want the expierience to be as goosas possible.
Thanks in advance for any replies
Regards
Try this list for starters......
1.When was the car last serviced? Has the car been serviced by Porsche (Full PSH) or has the car been serviced by specialists (if so, which ones?)
2.Check the service book is fully stamped and ensure the services correspond with the porsche recommended intervals?
3.Check the tyres – when were the tyres last changed? Whats the depth of tread?
4.Look on the tyres for sign of wear caused by ‘axle tramp’ – this is where the car is started away from the lights heavily and due to the traction of the tyres causes the back end to vibrate violently – check the drive shaft too for evidence of heavy driving.
5.Was the car a UK supplied vehicle – does it have any remaining Porsche Warranty if not who supplied vehicle and what is the warranty status?
6.Check the condition of the bodywork for dings and dents – look down the line of the bodywork for evidence of bumps etc.
7.Check that the boot and bonnet close properly and that there are uniform gaps proving that the vehicle has not been shunted and rebuilt and that the lids have not been slammed by the previous owners
8.Check that the electric hood closes properly and does not require guiding into its holders – this will prove whether the previous owner or someone has thought the roof was manual and tried to close it manually.
9.Check the condition of the alloy wheels – these are expensive and refurbing them is costly too.
10.(On cars 3 years old + - prior to year 2000) – When was last MOT, check certificate and if possible its checklist, also when is tax valid until?
11.Is the car alarmed – is it a thatcham cat 1 alarm – if so, is there a certificate or was it dealer supplied?
12.(On car 5 years old – prior to 1998) – Ask if the belts need to be changed? If so, have they been done?
13.If interested, ask the owner if they would mind a full vehicle inspection by a Porsche specialist?
1.When was the car last serviced? Has the car been serviced by Porsche (Full PSH) or has the car been serviced by specialists (if so, which ones?)
2.Check the service book is fully stamped and ensure the services correspond with the porsche recommended intervals?
3.Check the tyres – when were the tyres last changed? Whats the depth of tread?
4.Look on the tyres for sign of wear caused by ‘axle tramp’ – this is where the car is started away from the lights heavily and due to the traction of the tyres causes the back end to vibrate violently – check the drive shaft too for evidence of heavy driving.
5.Was the car a UK supplied vehicle – does it have any remaining Porsche Warranty if not who supplied vehicle and what is the warranty status?
6.Check the condition of the bodywork for dings and dents – look down the line of the bodywork for evidence of bumps etc.
7.Check that the boot and bonnet close properly and that there are uniform gaps proving that the vehicle has not been shunted and rebuilt and that the lids have not been slammed by the previous owners
8.Check that the electric hood closes properly and does not require guiding into its holders – this will prove whether the previous owner or someone has thought the roof was manual and tried to close it manually.
9.Check the condition of the alloy wheels – these are expensive and refurbing them is costly too.
10.(On cars 3 years old + - prior to year 2000) – When was last MOT, check certificate and if possible its checklist, also when is tax valid until?
11.Is the car alarmed – is it a thatcham cat 1 alarm – if so, is there a certificate or was it dealer supplied?
12.(On car 5 years old – prior to 1998) – Ask if the belts need to be changed? If so, have they been done?
13.If interested, ask the owner if they would mind a full vehicle inspection by a Porsche specialist?
Hi,
At 48,000 miles you are due a £600 - £700 service. This is because the alternator Poly Rib belt will need replacing. This is not a cam belt as Boxsters have timing chains. I managed to get the cost of service down to around £500 as I supplied my own oil, and had the brake fluid changed elsewhere. The price is obviously adjusted accordingly. Speak to your Porsche Centre for advice. Also, being a member of PCGB saves you 10% on parts, and some older Boxsters may qualify for a reduced labour rate.
At this mileage, do not be put off by the car not having a full PORSCHE history. At this age/mileage you cannot blame an owner for sourcing a cheaper labour rate. However, it is important to make sure it is at least "Full Service history" with a Porsche Specialist!
On startup, it is commonplace for a Boxster to ocasionally puff a plume of BLUE, OILY smoke!!!! :-O
This is a "feature" of the Boxer engine. It is where unburned oil is sitting in the cylinders. This should clear in about 10 seconds.
It is important to check for clutch slip, and oil leaks. These commonly go with each other - The REAR MAIN SEAL (RMS) was faulty with early cars. The worst case scenario is a new clutch AND a new flywheel, depending on how long the clutch has been slipping. A specialist would probably charge around £500 for a clutch, but the flywheel is a different matter!
Tyres are not that bad to £replace. Shop around.
They are lovely cars - mine was 100% reliable and I did 30000 miles in ot over 2 years. I miss it to bits (can you tell?)!
Check out www.boxa.net for more info and questions! Good luck,
Geri
At 48,000 miles you are due a £600 - £700 service. This is because the alternator Poly Rib belt will need replacing. This is not a cam belt as Boxsters have timing chains. I managed to get the cost of service down to around £500 as I supplied my own oil, and had the brake fluid changed elsewhere. The price is obviously adjusted accordingly. Speak to your Porsche Centre for advice. Also, being a member of PCGB saves you 10% on parts, and some older Boxsters may qualify for a reduced labour rate.
At this mileage, do not be put off by the car not having a full PORSCHE history. At this age/mileage you cannot blame an owner for sourcing a cheaper labour rate. However, it is important to make sure it is at least "Full Service history" with a Porsche Specialist!
On startup, it is commonplace for a Boxster to ocasionally puff a plume of BLUE, OILY smoke!!!! :-O
This is a "feature" of the Boxer engine. It is where unburned oil is sitting in the cylinders. This should clear in about 10 seconds.
It is important to check for clutch slip, and oil leaks. These commonly go with each other - The REAR MAIN SEAL (RMS) was faulty with early cars. The worst case scenario is a new clutch AND a new flywheel, depending on how long the clutch has been slipping. A specialist would probably charge around £500 for a clutch, but the flywheel is a different matter!
Tyres are not that bad to £replace. Shop around.
They are lovely cars - mine was 100% reliable and I did 30000 miles in ot over 2 years. I miss it to bits (can you tell?)!
Check out www.boxa.net for more info and questions! Good luck,
Geri
...oh forgot, the only place I have ever know them to rust is on the door catches (inside the car, not actually on the door). TEarlier cars did not have a small polythene gaskete between this catch and the paint, and as a result, the paint can crack an rust. This should be a warantee fix as it is a known fault. Argue this if it comes up.
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