How many miles would you expect to put on this car before it requires major service? I'm looking at a 2001 model with 46k on it... not so sure about Porsche reliability but am really interested, and the price is right (for me). Anyone have thoughts or experiences? I know a lot depends on how hard the car was driven and all, but what else?

6/18/2007 7:46:59 PM

p00rsche?

6/18/2007 7:49:04 PM

i'd do it.

6/18/2007 8:01:45 PM

well did it have its 30k or 45k mile service?

6/18/2007 8:14:53 PM

the biggest thing to keep in mind when buying a porsche is the cost of maintenance and insurance.

i was in the military when I bought my 944T. USAA insurance was dirt cheap compared to everything else

maintenance is expensive. i had a fender bender that cost the valet company who wrecked it over $4k. the side marker light was something like 300 bones. an oil change will run you $150 bucks or so and believe me you don't want to let jiffy lube do it. i did my own when i had a garage, but apt living kempt me out from under it for the last 4 years. EVERYTHING is expensive on these cars. i'd recommend putting at least $200 a month in an account to use solely for repairs when needed.

[Edited on June 18, 2007 at 10:49 PM. Reason : it will be way more expensive than a trans-am]

6/18/2007 10:48:26 PM

i don't think i would compare 944 turbo to boxster maintenance costs...

6/18/2007 11:00:15 PM

yeah you're right...because 1. my 944 only had 10k miles on it when i bought it and was in perfect condition and 2. I'm sure porsche has lowered the cost of parts on newer cars

on yeah, labor will cost you $90-$110 an hour depending on private shops vs. dealership

Quote :

"A/C Compressor $760 Alternator $430 Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,460 Brakes $745 Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $765 Constant Velocity Joints $2,150 Exhaust System $870 Radiator $890 Shocks and/or Struts $1,600 Timing Chain or Belt $850"

these are estimated costs from consumer guides using only $50/hour labor costs (hah!)

[Edited on June 19, 2007 at 6:53 AM. Reason : .]

6/19/2007 6:51:06 AM

according to a boxster owner I know, the early engines had some sort of issue which caused them to fail. I've seen a few for sale w/ blown engines too.

6/19/2007 9:28:06 AM

Where that sounds perfect for a tt boxster

6/19/2007 9:42:33 AM

Every service will cost the same as a major service. Major service will cost the same as an e30. lol.

Seriously though, I had a co-worker who was getting screwed with $500 oil changes at the dealer. When I was considering a Boxster I called around and I think European Performance quoted me around $125 for an oil change. iirc, they only required oil changes every 15k-20k or something, but I doubt I'd ever go over 10k the way I drive.

I'm a cheap fucker, so it was just easier to buy a Honda S2000.

There were a lot of engines in the early Boxsters that failed around 30k-50k miles. Some of the owners who screamed the loudest were able to get them fixed for free out of warranty. I don't think an 01 would be affected, but you might want to check around.

[Edited on June 19, 2007 at 10:37 AM. Reason : .]

6/19/2007 10:35:04 AM

One of my friends dad had a boxter, got into a fender bender and paint for those things is very expensive. I believe they use some special crap in the paint so you can tell if it's been repainted and you have to buy the paint from Porsche and stuff.

Overall a very well built car though

6/19/2007 11:57:00 AM

Cool. Thanks for all the advice. Still thinking this one over.... what's the deal with the oil changes though? I'm unfamiliar with Porsche engines in general, but did own an old (60s) VW once. Surely a LOT has changed since then, but is at least changing the oil still do-able for an amateur wrencher?

6/19/2007 7:06:06 PM

WHAT A PIECE OF SHIT

6/19/2007 8:54:08 PM

I love the boxster, but look to get a boxster S. THe regulars feel underpowered. The oil changes are expensive bc its a midengine car. So they just cant pop the hood and change the oil. I believe they have to lift the car or remove some of the top to get at the engine. Costs alot bc of the man hours and I think they only use synthetic oils.

6/19/2007 9:19:36 PM

Quote :

"WHAT A PIECE OF SHIT"

Hey, that was helpful! Thanks!


Thanks to everyone else for the useful comments. I decided to pass, but will keep looking.

7/12/2007 4:54:54 PM