Porsche Boxster
- Thread starter Gulliver1
- Start date
Haha the insurance company are alright with it - I have had a 5series for 2 years so the engine size is not much different. I understand where you're coming from re the old geezers driving Porsche's (I laugh also). I am not buying it to be a poser (honestly), I just like the engines and the history of the Porsche.
I'm not a Boxter expert, but for that year and mileage (not knowing the condition) IMHO it's anything from 1.5k to 3k too dear. You might do better importing your own, although you won't get a Porsche-approved one that's 10 years old. How many owners has it had?
Insurance-wise it's only a 2.4 na but it weighs about half what a 5-series saloon does.
Insurance-wise it's only a 2.4 na but it weighs about half what a 5-series saloon does.
Reliability is engineered into Porsches at the factory, keeping it there is what the Porsche-approved maintenance schedule tries to do.
The Boxster has a reputation as the hairdressers' car but I don't think it's deserved. It can be a driver's car (depending on the driver) and is fun. I've never owned one but I've enjoyed spins from time to time.
You're talking 180 / 200 bhp (nominally 210 /215 IIRC but horses die over time) in a small RWD car. A 1999 Subaru Impreza was a 215 / 220 bhp AWD 4-door saloon and people looked upon the cars as outrageous and the drivers as hooligans back then (I was one - an Impreza driver back then I mean) so I think its all about perspective.
The Boxster has a reputation as the hairdressers' car but I don't think it's deserved. It can be a driver's car (depending on the driver) and is fun. I've never owned one but I've enjoyed spins from time to time.
You're talking 180 / 200 bhp (nominally 210 /215 IIRC but horses die over time) in a small RWD car. A 1999 Subaru Impreza was a 215 / 220 bhp AWD 4-door saloon and people looked upon the cars as outrageous and the drivers as hooligans back then (I was one - an Impreza driver back then I mean) so I think its all about perspective.
Good to drive I think, only had a go in one once. Bear in mind the engine on a Boxster is completely concealed and some of the service items are very time consuming/expensive, so there's always a risk that they have been skipped. If it's had a full Porsche dealer history then it may be worth considering, but at this stage in its life you're basically looking at the first major failure writing the car off. Might happen in a week, might never happen!
Check out honest john, as ever:
What to Watch Out For
Must have fully stamped up Porsche dealer or Porsche specialist service history, preferably itemised bills as well.
Cracked bore liners, often on No 6, can lead to total and catastrophic engine failure. First four year's production can also suffer from porous engine blocks. The first most owners know of this is overheating. Difficult to check for emulsified oil which would be an early sign of the problem. Seems to only affect pre-2001 MY cars. Timing chain/belt tensioner problems reported.
Any mayonnaise-like emulsion or scum in the radiator header tank or under the oil filler cap, don't touch the car. It probably needs a new engine. (Difficult to check with a Boxster because oil and water fillers are remote and engine cover cannot easily be removed.)
SSE
Check out honest john, as ever:
What to Watch Out For
Must have fully stamped up Porsche dealer or Porsche specialist service history, preferably itemised bills as well.
Cracked bore liners, often on No 6, can lead to total and catastrophic engine failure. First four year's production can also suffer from porous engine blocks. The first most owners know of this is overheating. Difficult to check for emulsified oil which would be an early sign of the problem. Seems to only affect pre-2001 MY cars. Timing chain/belt tensioner problems reported.
Any mayonnaise-like emulsion or scum in the radiator header tank or under the oil filler cap, don't touch the car. It probably needs a new engine. (Difficult to check with a Boxster because oil and water fillers are remote and engine cover cannot easily be removed.)
SSE
One of the all time classics. Great handling, sensation of speed. Pure joy.
Get the recommended service schedule online and ensure that all services have been carried out as needed. Service is expensive for a Porsche. If the owner has not kept receipts you will need to ring the service engineers to check their computer for a history. Regardless of mileage it should receive an inspection service very year.
Repairs may cost you a fortune if you are unlucky and you can't afford to take the chance that the last owner skimped on service. Consider servicing you car in NI if it is too expensive in ROI.
You will need to check that the car was not clocked during export to Ireland. Try a HPI check and again the service engineers should have mileage details logged.
This is not like a bmw saloon car, a boxster is more likely to be driven aggressively, putting the engine under stress. Your insurance will likely be far higher as it is convertible and has a higher power to weight ratio. Make sure you have an insurance quote in advance of buying. Pay for a full AA check before buying.
Convertibles are best for when you're in your twenties and porsches have fallen greatly in price so this is the right time to buy. Conspicuous consumption during a recession is far more fun than during a boom when you could have found yourself outclassed by anyone with credit (my builder had an M6).
People who say a boxster is for hairdressers or a poor man's porsche are generally losers who will never drive either.
If you can stretch another 4K you may be better buying something like this:
which has half the mileage, is the facelifted model and is 3 years younger and has warranty.
Get the recommended service schedule online and ensure that all services have been carried out as needed. Service is expensive for a Porsche. If the owner has not kept receipts you will need to ring the service engineers to check their computer for a history. Regardless of mileage it should receive an inspection service very year.
Repairs may cost you a fortune if you are unlucky and you can't afford to take the chance that the last owner skimped on service. Consider servicing you car in NI if it is too expensive in ROI.
You will need to check that the car was not clocked during export to Ireland. Try a HPI check and again the service engineers should have mileage details logged.
This is not like a bmw saloon car, a boxster is more likely to be driven aggressively, putting the engine under stress. Your insurance will likely be far higher as it is convertible and has a higher power to weight ratio. Make sure you have an insurance quote in advance of buying. Pay for a full AA check before buying.
Convertibles are best for when you're in your twenties and porsches have fallen greatly in price so this is the right time to buy. Conspicuous consumption during a recession is far more fun than during a boom when you could have found yourself outclassed by anyone with credit (my builder had an M6).
People who say a boxster is for hairdressers or a poor man's porsche are generally losers who will never drive either.
If you can stretch another 4K you may be better buying something like this:
which has half the mileage, is the facelifted model and is 3 years younger and has warranty.
PaddyBloggit
Registered User
- Messages
- 3,745
we can't go on forever with suspicious minds.
OK so here's an alternative choice- looks similar in price and quality but from a private seller so no warranty.
plenty of choice in the UK but not that much cheaper now that so many porsche owners in Ireland are financially squeezed.
OK so here's an alternative choice- looks similar in price and quality but from a private seller so no warranty.
plenty of choice in the UK but not that much cheaper now that so many porsche owners in Ireland are financially squeezed.
This is why I'd go for as late one as i could afford and get as long a warranty as you can. Friend has one, the engine went at 19k. He has a lot minor things like problems with the seats etc, that you wouldn't expect. He has a full dealer history, and while they weren't eager everything was fixed underwarranty. He loves the car, but hes not impressed with the build quality. I think his is a pre 2001 S.
Have a look at the Porsche Club Ireland Forum