Hello!

I have an old Toyota that will hopefully last me many years to come. I have been passing a 2001 Porsche Boxster on my way to school for a few weeks now and have fallen in love. It has 85k miles on it and the guy wants a reasonable price. I called my insurance company and they gave me a great rate. I’m here to get some information on the actual cost to upkeep a car like this. I would drive my Toyota on the daily, but this car would be fun for summer nights and weekends. Before I’d make an offer I would get a pre-purchase inspection, but assuming a relatively well cared for car, what is likely to go wrong? Will I be able to perform a lot of the work myself with standard tools? Or, is this going to be a money pit and foolish decision to make? It’s a sizable purchase so I’d like to get as much info on its true cost and upkeep as I can. Thanks for taking the time to look this over, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

best,
James

 

I have a 2001 Boxster S that gets driven about 4000 miles per year. For the most part, I have only had to do the standard/recommended maintenance. Basically an oil change every year ($150), brake fluid every 2 years ($200), then other items as necessary per the factory guidelines. I did the 60,000 mile service a couple years ago. That was a major one - plugs, coils, serpentine belt, water pump, fuel filter, all fluids and filters changed. Over $2000 for that one at an independent mechanic.

If you have done any research at all about 986 Boxsters, you will have heard about the IMS bearing issue. This bearing can go bad and grenade your entire engine, at which point your car would probably be totaled. Count on $2-4000 to have that upgraded (which usually involves a clutch change while you are in there), if it has not already been done.

A PPI is certainly recommended. I would be just as interested in seeing documentation that the owner has performed regular maintenance. If any maintenance has been deferred, you can count on those things needing to be done as well.

It is possible to do most of the regular maintenance on a 986 yourself if you are at all mechanically inclined. Tons of resources out there to cover this. You can also search for the Porsche maintenance schedule.

- Rob

 

Good comment from Rob in KC. If you are willing to get the wrenches out yourself, you can usually cut all those prices by 70% or more.
I routinely do brake fluid flushes for $12, oil changes for $50, spark plug and coil packs for $400, water pumps for $150, belts for $30.

 

The best & easy way to have engine problems is to change the oil only once a year & not use the best oil /weight.