frightened of big bills

[naim22]

2 hours ago, Mr96er said:

Budget Boxstering is easily done and you don’t have to spend £50,000 on a new car to avoid unexpected bills, which seems to be at least one person suggestion. You can happily take a punt at around £3.5k and find much boxtering fun with very little undesirable drama.

Budget boxstering is well possible, I do it myself 😀 across 2 cars. As long as you go into it with your eyes wide open IMO, then its not really an issue. Both my 986s are 20 years old & thus are living beyond the age at which I'd imagine they are designed to last so if a big bill does come, it wouldnt be a surprise. It might however not.

However, to absolutely 100% guarantee you will get no bills, you need to 100% guarantee you get no major failures. Even on a brand new car the latter is not possible, so the only guarantee is that if they do happen the manufacturer picks up the bill. As soon as the warranty period expires then this cover goes away. Once in the realms of a used car like this, it becomes purely down to chance.

[jim o'hara]

21 hours ago, naim22 said:

Budget boxstering is well possible, I do it myself 😀 across 2 cars. As long as you go into it with your eyes wide open IMO, then its not really an issue. Both my 986s are 20 years old & thus are living beyond the age at which I'd imagine they are designed to last so if a big bill does come, it wouldnt be a surprise. It might however not.

However, to absolutely 100% guarantee you will get no bills, you need to 100% guarantee you get no major failures. Even on a brand new car the latter is not possible, so the only guarantee is that if they do happen the manufacturer picks up the bill. As soon as the warranty period expires then this cover goes away. Once in the realms of a used car like this, it becomes purely down to chance.

thanks Naim22

[jim o'hara]

23 hours ago, Mr96er said:

Bought a few budget Boxsters now and found none to be money pits. 
 

like Paul Q, the fuel pump stopped me in my tracks, and the Cats gave me sine trouble early doors. No big bills though. Window regulator, 4 wheel alignment, some body panels due to damage present when purchased. Biggest “bill” was investing in 2 lovely crested 987 g Hf eared sports seats 🥰. Can’t call it a bill, I just decided I had to have them.  

Budget Boxstering is easily done and you don’t have to spend £50,000 on a new car to avoid unexpected bills, which seems to be at least one person suggestion. You can happily take a punt at around £3.5k and find much boxtering fun with very little undesirable drama.

Jim,

if you haven’t considered Clive’s anniversary @ £8k you’re missing a trick.  

thanks for the comments

tbh, having had a 966, i wouldn't consider a 986 - if i take the plunge again, it would be a 987

[jim o'hara]

On 12/29/2019 at 4:27 PM, el 3.2S said:

Just thought I'd add my experience of Boxster ownership here.

I bought  my 2000 S model 5 years ago with around 80000 miles on the clock. Did not look at any other Boxsters and never even saw mine prior to purchase. All car purchases are a bit of a gamble after all. What attracted me to this one was, it was priced keenly at just over 5 grand and was left hand drive and I would be the third owner. The car was in great shape and seemed well looked after. Clutch was heavy and many would say it was on the way out, but 5 years on it is still heavy and still going strong. Services done every 2 years or so and no major work done apart from a drive shaft lol. Original clutch, IMS, coolant components and original M030 suspension etc. Despite this rather unconventional way of purchasing and the car's lack of yearly servicing and major work done, it has cost me the grand total of £1020 in the 5 years I have owned it.

I have no Indy garages around where I live and not prepared to pay >£100/hr Porsche labour rates, so I have done all the work myself. I am no mechanic but it has not been too hard with all the help available online. Work on my car over the 5 years has amounted to a couple of oil and filter changes, new coolant tank, water pump, belt, thermostat & coolant, discs and pads all round, brake fluid flush and new transmission fluid. I am not a fan of excessive preventative maintenance and generally feel that if it aint broke then don't fix it. Have to admit though that the water pump, belt and thermostat were preventative maintenance items on my car.

OP, as with your 996, there are Boxsters which you will be able to run on a budget, even it on paper at least, they may appear to be potential money pits to many. Hope you find something similar to what I found.

 

thanks El, appreciate you taking the time to tell me about your cars

i found this the same with my previous 2 porsches, so i shouldn't be too concerned about the 986/987

thanks again

[jim o'hara]

On 12/28/2019 at 10:03 PM, Strosek said:

Jim, is a 2.7 Tip 2008 any good? Rare Gt Silver with extended Cocoa Leather 65k miles 5 owners we are the 4th & 5th. 18” alloys with new F1’s tyres on the rear. Last service was a major at a Porsche specialist who has maintained the car for the last 3 keepers and 6 years. Fully documented invoice supported main dealer and recognised specialists. Owned last four years. I’m my time usual preventives plus pads & disc all round. Radiators and condensers,  Zunsport grilles. Bose HiFi, Heated Seats. Climate control which is ice cold. Parking sensors, 3 later keys. Hood, paintwork and interior all superb. Used daily alongside a 981. Was going to advertise in spring. Hoping to get 11k for it, open to inspection and would be happy to put most items listed if any on inspection at my cost. 

strosek

looks a lovely car, but having had one auto (BMW E60 ) for like 3 months, i just couldn't get to grips with them 

[John K]

26 minutes ago, jim o'hara said:

but having had one auto (BMW E60 ) for like 3 months, i just couldn't get to grips with them 

I know it might be stating the bleeding obvious but Tip and PDK are totally different animals.

I'm not a model number geek, but I believe it was the 987.2 released end of 2009 that was the first Box available with PDK

Mine is a first gen PDK so is relatively 'slow' in its changes when compared to the latest ones, but still seems really quick to my, certainly easy quick enough for road driving

Basically if you can stretch to a PDK try one before disregarding them as any other auto. Personally I think they are Voodoo 

But if you want 3 pedals for driver involvement, no clever self shifter will ever do it for you..! 

[jim o'hara]

59 minutes ago, John K said:

I know it might be stating the bleeding obvious but Tip and PDK are totally different animals.

I'm not a model number geek, but I believe it was the 987.2 released end of 2009 that was the first Box available with PDK

Mine is a first gen PDK so is relatively 'slow' in its changes when compared to the latest ones, but still seems really quick to my, certainly easy quick enough for road driving

Basically if you can stretch to a PDK try one before disregarding them as any other auto. Personally I think they are Voodoo 

But if you want 3 pedals for driver involvement, no clever self shifter will ever do it for you..! 

cheers john, voodoo to me too - manual all the way, but i would like to try a PDK

jim

[DaveEFI]

My first Boxer was a Tip too. Thinking since the ZF 5 speed was just fine on my previous BMW, it would be OK on the Boxster which had a similar sized engine and power output. But it appeared to programmed in a permanent 'sport' or whatever mode. Constantly dropping a gear when not needed in ordinary driving - like around town. Far too low geared at cruise. Almost like it was designed for someone who really wanted a manual but couldn't drive one - the US market? And in doing so lost the reason I bought an auto.

So changed to a PDK - a 2011 S. Just as an auto,  miles better than the Tip. Always in the gear I'd choose if it were a 7 speed manual. And imperceptible changes in ordinary driving. And great on the open road too. And a nice high top gear for relaxed cruise and decent MPG. Only criticism is it is not quite as sweet as a TC auto when creeping in heavy traffic, or manoeuvring when parking, etc.  But I'm happy to put up with that.

[SiBerty]

Re big bills. I have had an M car and know about big bills. My current Golf r is similar to service as the Boxster. Brand new the window rattles and therefore has more noises that the 12 year old Porsche. Tech takes a lot more  fixing and diagnosis for example on my previous 15 plate R I knocked the radar out of its housing in the front grille - 250 quid just to realign it and they recommend a full wheel adjustment on top (which I didnt get done). Vanos went on my M coupe which was 1000s.

Bear in mind tho if you buy something like an M5 you are looking at 2500 to replace consumables front brakes. I think these are very reasonable to run in my limited time in one.

[sa utah]

Also have an M car and can confirm that is the king of surprise big bills if you’re not at all into DIY.    Fix one thing and something else breaks within hours.  
makes the boxster look like a sensible choice in fact.   Good luck on the hunt for a car.   I bought the third one I looked at after spending about 6 months reading the forums and learning what to look for. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[DaveEFI]

4 hours ago, Strosek said:

I’ve had 2 986’s 2.5 & 2.7 and 2 987’s both 2.7’s one a tip. They drive very differently you can still hustle it and enjoy. It depends on what you want out of the drive. I prefer the manual but thought I’d try a tip, it suits me and the colour combo really swayed it. The replacement 981 didn’t work for me in manual so I went pdk. I alternate my usage days between my 981 & 987. Whenever I drive one I feel like getting rid of the other, one feels analogue the other digital. 

 

Been offered £8800 trade in by BMW if their car works out for me when available to drive. I’ll offer here before it goes. 
 

Last service a major @12/18. If I was to keep I would look at the following.

 

Handbrake sitting high. Drivers window works fine but whiney. Assess alternator & coolant pipes as 65k. 

CDR24 Intermitent at times.

Handbrake on a 987 isn't self adjusting. So will gain extra travel as the shoes wear. But an easy if fiddly job to adjust.

[jim o'hara]

2 hours ago, DaveEFI said:

Handbrake on a 987 isn't self adjusting. So will gain extra travel as the shoes wear. But an easy if fiddly job to adjust.

thanks dave, interesting comments on the tip/manual/PDK

jim

[jim o'hara]

7 hours ago, DaveEFI said:

My first Boxer was a Tip too. Thinking since the ZF 5 speed was just fine on my previous BMW, it would be OK on the Boxster which had a similar sized engine and power output. But it appeared to programmed in a permanent 'sport' or whatever mode. Constantly dropping a gear when not needed in ordinary driving - like around town. Far too low geared at cruise. Almost like it was designed for someone who really wanted a manual but couldn't drive one - the US market? And in doing so lost the reason I bought an auto.

So changed to a PDK - a 2011 S. Just as an auto,  miles better than the Tip. Always in the gear I'd choose if it were a 7 speed manual. And imperceptible changes in ordinary driving. And great on the open road too. And a nice high top gear for relaxed cruise and decent MPG. Only criticism is it is not quite as sweet as a TC auto when creeping in heavy traffic, or manoeuvring when parking, etc.  But I'm happy to put up with that.

dave, what's a 'TC auto' ?

[Nobbie]

46 minutes ago, jim o'hara said:

dave, what's a 'TC auto' ?

Torque Converter automatic AKA slush-box, as opposed to the more modern dual clutch boxes.

[Mattman42]

9 hours ago, jim o'hara said:

cheers john, voodoo to me too - manual all the way, but i would like to try a PDK

jim

@jim o'hara - stretch your budget a bit (if you can) will get you a Gen 2 manual, surely one of the safer bets (overall?) with no IMS or bore score issues - I hadn’t realised the base models had dropped this low, I guess because of the winter lull in sales 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912075136135?radius=1500&model=BOXSTER&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&make=PORSCHE&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&year-to=2009&postcode=rg225ls&year-from=2009&page=1

[DaveEFI]

40 minutes ago, Nobbie said:

Torque Converter automatic AKA slush-box, as opposed to the more modern dual clutch boxes.

It's a bit of a grey area with modern autos, as the torque converter is more often than not locked out. So slush box doesn't really apply.

[PaulQ]

1 hour ago, Mattman42 said:

@jim o'hara - stretch your budget a bit (if you can) will get you a Gen 2 manual, surely one of the safer bets (overall?) with no IMS or bore score issues - I hadn’t realised the base models had dropped this low, I guess because of the winter lull in sales 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912075136135?radius=1500&model=BOXSTER&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&make=PORSCHE&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&year-to=2009&postcode=rg225ls&year-from=2009&page=1

Do you think ims failure is really worth worrying about on a 987.1 car.?

Admittedly I don't follow all things Porsche like I used to, but i can't remember the last time I read about a failure. 

Only the 3.4 can score in the 987.1 and if you are risk averse you wouldn't buy one anyway, so I would imagine the 2.7 or 3.2 cars would be a pretty safe bet engine wise. 

[Mattman42]

DFI motor reduces the risk full stop - if it’s something that worries you, this removes it - sods law says that I will buy the one that goes wrong! 🙄

[Mattman42]

And if they have dropped to 987.1 money then what’s the issue? Go for the later car if you can afford it

[PaulQ]

8 hours ago, Mattman42 said:

And if they have dropped to 987.1 money then what’s the issue? Go for the later car if you can afford it

Ah right....didn't realise you could buy a 987.2 for the same money as a 987.1

[Strosek]

Black 09 2.9 manual dealer car with 65k on autotrader looks a steal at £11898 if it checks out. 

[Mattman42]

1 hour ago, PaulQ said:

Ah right....didn't realise you could buy a 987.2 for the same money as a 987.1

Neither did I - it’s only a 2.9 manual, so not a direct comparison to a Gen 1 S, but that is a bargain to me.

still need £15k to get you into a PDK though

lets just hope it’s a winter blip in prices though and they go back up when the sun comes back out 😬😬😬

[jim o'hara]

14 hours ago, PaulQ said:

Do you think ims failure is really worth worrying about on a 987.1 car.?

Admittedly I don't follow all things Porsche like I used to, but i can't remember the last time I read about a failure. 

Only the 3.4 can score in the 987.1 and if you are risk averse you wouldn't buy one anyway, so I would imagine the 2.7 or 3.2 cars would be a pretty safe bet engine wise. 

the only thing with the 2.7 is the 5 speed box - don't know if i really fancy that 

[jim o'hara]

46 minutes ago, Mattman42 said:

Neither did I - it’s only a 2.9 manual, so not a direct comparison to a Gen 1 S, but that is a bargain to me.

still need £15k to get you into a PDK though

lets just hope it’s a winter blip in prices though and they go back up when the sun comes back out 😬😬😬

just remember that I'm sure the 2.9 is not the new style engine

[iborguk]

1 hour ago, jim o'hara said:

the only thing with the 2.7 is the 5 speed box - don't know if i really fancy that 

Find one , like mine with the 6 box option ?😀

Love mine.