Considering a '99 Boxster - story and details

[Kamil]

Hello all,

I was not really looking for a Boxster... it found me.

I was in this shop having winter tires put on my 535i, when I noticed a very clean Boxster S. The car was having an oil change down and winter tires put on, the car looked mint, '01-ish looking. I BSed a lil w/ the mechanic and then the owner came to get the car. He was looking up and down the car, aligning his wipers (!!!), I said hello and said that he'd be the type of person that I would like to buy a used car from.

FWIW, he's a mid-upper 50's looking man, w/ a high gov position.

To make a long story short... he wanted to sell the car, but a '01 Boxster S would be out of my price range (I don’t believe in car loans)... turns out that the car is '99 Boxster.

The front was upgraded to '01-ish (?), tri-flo S-looking exhaust put on, Carrera wheels, red caliper Carrera brakes (brembos?), OEM HID's, full CF interior, new top, new clutch, Carrera steering wheel, chip of some kind, and some other stuff.

I spoke to the mechanic, he said he worked on the car from day one, it's mint, very well maintained, synthetic every 3k miles, etc, etc, no expense spared.

The sacrilege part in all this.... the car has a "Boxster S" badge in the rear, but FWIW, the only way I figured out that it wasn't an S (and I'm no Porsche expert) was the 5-speed pattern on the shifter.

Anyway... my concern... this would be a car for my girlfriend (not a car person at all, but drives a stick so I love her) or maybe even her father, as he's looking for a sporty car that he was never able to own.

The car has 91k miles, for them that's a lot... for me, it's not a lot. I've owned a lot of high mileage cars, my 535i has 245k miles and running strong (will be for sale soon, FYI). I know the older/higher mileage cars require a lil more TLC, but after all, this is a modern car, it is a Porsche, and I know that when driven right and maintained well, these cars last a long time.

I have a good BMW guy (I’ve owned 5 bimmers) who also works on Porsches… my question is that of reliability and cost of maintenance over the next 5-7 years if the car is driven daily (by my g/f) or as a Sunday car, driven by her father.

Otherwise… I really like the car; I would like one of them (my g/f or her dad) to get it.

I wish I could buy it, but I need a slightly bigger car, one that I can park on the street in bad neighborhood, one that I can put all my stuff into, etc, and my ’01 325i is perfect for that. I also live in the city and parking is pricey, so can't have more than one car.

Please let me know what I should be concerned with when it comes to a ’99 Boxster 5-spd w/ 91k miles. Thanks.

-Kamil

Edited February 27, 2005 by Kamil

[LVDell]

First thing I would ask is why the oil change every 3K? That is beyond excessive. Porsche reccomends every 15K. Also, and as petty as it sounds, I would ask why he re-badged a car that it wasn't (big pet peeve here and to most P-Car owners). Third, the mileage is extremely high. A 99 Boxster with average miles should be in the 40K-60K miles range (8-12K a year). Has the car been tracked? Does it have the CPO warranty? If so, it is transferable and has (possible) a few months left and/or 9K miles.

FYI...you never said what he was selling it for ($) and why he is selling it? I always ask those questions. Maybe it is a great car but he is selling it b/c the maintenance is starting to become more frequent and costly (not that he would tell you that).

[Kamil]

First thing I would ask is why the oil change every 3K?  That is beyond excessive.  Porsche reccomends every 15K.  Also, and as petty as it sounds, I would ask why he re-badged a car that it wasn't (big pet peeve here and to most P-Car owners).  Third, the mileage is extremely high.  A 99 Boxster with average miles should be in the 40K-60K miles range (8-12K a year).  Has the car been tracked?  Does it have the CPO warranty?  If so, it is transferable and has (possible) a few months left and/or 9K miles.

FYI...you never said what he was selling it for ($) and why he is selling it?  I always ask those questions.  Maybe it is a great car but he is selling it b/c the maintenance is starting to become more frequent and costly (not that he would tell you that).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The car was his daily driver, driven year round. He has a set of winter tires (16" OEM Boxster wheels) and summer (Carrera 17" or Boxster S, not sure).

Excessive oil changes... probably due to the old rule of 3 month/3000 miles.

I know about rebadging the car, it's like putting an M on a non-M car, I'd def remove that.

The car has not been tracked. No warranty, he did not opt for the extended warrany because he had a good mechanic, whom I've met.

He is selling it for $17k and change, and it also includes a speedster kit, forgot to mention that. He says he wants someting bigger, something w/ a rear seat.

I really had a good look at the car, the only thing that really concerns me is what additional maintnance is required for this car at that mileage.... He has records of everything that was done on the car

-Kamil

[LVDell]

Did he buy it new? Have you run a carfax on it to very odometer, accidents, owners, auctions, etc???

[Kamil]

Did he buy it new?  Have you run a carfax on it to very odometer, accidents, owners, auctions, etc???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not yet... first I want to learn more about Boxsters in general... what goes wrong, what will need to be replaced, etc, before I definitely conclude that this is the right car for them.

For example:

- Does the Boxster need frequent valve adjustments?

- What is the acceptable about of oil burning over 5k miles?

- Do some gaskets fail at around certain mileage

- Do some bushings need to be replaced at a certain mileage?

- How often plugs need to be replaced, what does that entail (engine removal?) and how much does it cost?

- Do parts like window regulators fail? (I'm assuming all kinds of issues w/ the softtop)

- Are there any relays, latches, handles, mounts, hoses, modules, etc that are known to fail on all Boxsters?

I need a page like this, but for a Boxster:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/what_will_break.htm

He is the second owner.

I'm 28 years old, I've owned about 10 cars, mostly used, my job and side business has me dealing with all kinds of people.... I know what to look for in cars and in people that are selling them... this seems like a very promising car, despite the mileage and lack of warranty.

It looks like it has been babied, no body work (I worked at a body shop/mechanic shop thru college), defiantly garage kept, and it does not seem abused but rather enjoyed.... and babied. I wouldn't have even considered it did not seem to be really good at first.

Again, I need to know the potential worst case scenario in terms of ownership over the next 5-7 years, considering that the car has been and will be well maintained.

Thanks.

-Kamil

[Tom M]

I need a page like this, but for a Boxster:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/what_will_break.htm

This might get you started

Buying a Used Boxster.

[LVDell]

Worst case? How about RMS out of spec and needing a new engine!

[Kevin369]

My main comment would be to suggest that you take your time looking. You don't have to buy this one and there are plenty to choose from. You might even find that you want the 2.7L instead. I own a '99 and really enjoy it but if I were willing to spend more money at the time I bought mine, I probably would have bought an '01 for the 2.7 and the nicer interior bits. I opted to spend a little less and save some money for mods.

BTW, a car that has been tracked is not necessarily bad. These cars are meant to be driven hard, not abused, but driven. Is it worse to track your car occasionally or drive it 91K miles in stop and go traffic? As always, do your due diligence and research.

Good luck!

[Eric (Plug Guy)]

I agree with most here. It's high mileage for the year, he's a poseur with the 'S' badge (not a strike against the car though), and who knows what you're facing in repairs. It's not a fun process when these things go, and it will go out someday.

I'd continue your search. You'll eventually find what you are looking for.

[adsach]

For example:

- Does the Boxster need frequent valve adjustments?

No

This is a daily driver - not a temperamental exotic.

- What is the acceptable about of oil burning over 5k miles?

.5-1.5 quarts

- Do some gaskets fail at around certain mileage

Rear Main Seal(RMS) could fail at any time on any model year - usually a slow leak

- Do some bushings need to be replaced at a certain mileage?

motor mounts sometime fail around 100K

Wheel Bearings sometimes go out

- How often plugs need to be replaced, what does that entail (engine removal?) and how much does it cost?

Plugs can be changed by an amateur. Taking off the wheel makes access easier. I think every 60K miles

- Do parts like window regulators fail? (I'm assuming all kinds of issues w/ the softtop) 

There is a whole section on top failures - they do happen but are not excessively expensive unless you crack the plastic rear window

- Are there any relays, latches, handles, mounts, hoses, modules, etc that are known to fail on all Boxsters?

The closest thing to a common flaw is the RMS. The top latch seems to wear out.

Before purchasing a Boxster, I personally think one should consider which of the 3 older engine choices makes sense. Somewhat underpowered 2.5L (97-99), adequately powered 2.7L(base 99-), moderately powered 3.2L(S).

[Kamil]

Thank you for all the replies.

The car is listed here:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...ng=en&cardist=9

Ignore the fact that it is at a dealer, it's the car owner's friend's, and ignore the price.

If it was for myself, I would have already got it... I'll be doing more research and if everything clears then I'll see if either my g/f or her father want it.

Opinions on the pics?

Thanks,

-K

edit - in terms of power, this engine is nuff for my g/f or the in-law to be. She drives a wrangler (she got a 89 in 55 ticket in my WRX :D ) and he drives a Trailblazer.

yes, i agree that a car that has been track does not have to be a bad one, if fact might be better than some Joe Shmo's who got a Porsche for the image, turned the key and went.

Edited February 28, 2005 by Kamil