Hello, newb here considering hsi first Porsche. Id really like a 997 but they tend to fall outside of my budget so I started thinking about the Boxster. Whatever I get will be a daily driver (well 70%) and may go to a couple of track days per year tops. I test drove an 03 996 and thought it had mosre than enough power for the street, how would that compare to a base 08 Boxster? What should I realistically expect to pay for an 08 with under 30k miles, manual and average options? I saw one yesterday that was $37k at the Land Rover dealer and it was spotless but the price seems a bit high.

What else can you tell me about these cars in terms of reliability, maintenance, repairs costs, MPG, mods or known issues? Thanks!

 

The car's are fine. You can't base how you may or may not like a Box by any other car you've driven. Find a Boxster, have it inspected, make your deal and buy it. They are essentially bulletproof and handle like a dream. Maintenance is not cheap but in line with everything else on the market.

 

I've had my 08 Base Boxster 18 months and average 23mpg with about 60% highway & 40% city driving. Oil changes are easy and I bought a used Durametric unit to reset the lights and check for any "check engine codes" (paid $150 for a used one and they can only be used on three different vin # cars). I found great "how to" articles on changing the oil & filters. I needed some winter traction so I swapped out the tires for some all season ones and it gets around great in the snow. Performance tires are fantastic but wear out faster. I checked with 3 different service managers and they all recommended the 08 model as pretty well "bulletproof" but then some of that depends on how it was treated by the first owner. If you get it from a Porsche Dealer get them to show you its rpm history to see if it has been over-reved. The heated seats are the best of any car I've owned and we have the top down with some pretty cool weather. I didn't find an "S" model to compare it to but the base felt great and that is what I got. Good luck, its a great car. By the way mine had 14K miles and I picked it up for $34K with no trade-in.

 

So what do you guys think of this car? http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...17473937&Log=0 Im sure its a base car with few options, but the price is amazing and would leave plenty of money for mods or maintenance. Im sure it has taken the biggest hit in depreciation too.

 

Pretty car, high mileage. The thing I've found about any Porsche is that you have to go see the car and inspect it. I've had high-end dealers who handle P's, Ferrari's, Bentley's.... tell me how great a car is and when I get there to inspect it - well let's say I wouldn't be caught driving it. Find a car with the options and color you want - be patient - and buy it. If you hurry, you will be looking to sell it in a month to get what you really wanted. Also, I would add, for you to figure out what you want. A Boxster and a Carrera are two different animals and you need to decide which one you want. I've seen you posting questions on both and until you drive them, you won't understand the difference. Neither one is better than the other just very different.

 

I talked to the dealer on this car and found out some background: It is at a Porsche dealer and has had the equivalent inspection to a CPO and they would CPO it for around $2k more. The reason for the low price is that it had a minor parking lot accident that shows on its Carfax (no airbags or frame damage). I assume if it qualifies for CPO then it has to be a decent car? And I do really like the color combo.

denversteve, you make an excellent point. I think the Boxster is cool but its more of a choice base don price point, but a freinds boss had one a few years back and just raved about the car and handling. And I do enjoy a convertible. The 911 have such a legendary look and status and the promise of their performance is very alluring. But Ive only driven a 996, not a 997 or Boxster, the 997 I mentioned on the other thread should be through inspection in the next few days so Ill drive that one but the only Boxster i know of in the area is at a Land Rover dealer.

 

I have driven 911's (993 and 996) and would buy a Boxster again in a heart beat. Did a lot of autocross and HPDE in the car and never felt I was missing anything by not having a 911.

It is not the status car the 911 is, but it definitely the DRIVER'S car.

Get your own PPI on any car you are looking at. Don't trust the dealer's word they just had it inspected etc. Get your own guy, spend the $500 and wait for the right car. When you find the right one, don't lose it over a few bucks, just buy it.

 

So what do you guys think of this car, especially the price? I like the yellow but not sure its my first choice. It drives good and really is in great condition but seems priced high for a base model, though they did hint that they are wanting to get around $36.5 or so. But I also know they've had the car since December.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...04086703&Log=0

 

Looks like an okay price. 34-35 would be my target. However DON'T BUY A CAR YOU DON'T LIKE. Speed Yellow is one of my favorite colors, and pretty rare, but don't buy anything you are not in love with or you will be sorry.

 

I like the options on the car and its in superb condition. Took the wife by today to look at it on the lot without any pressure and her response was "that one is calling my name". So maybe I make them an offer this week and see what happens next. I really did like the way the car drove.