What can I expect for 3k?

[berni29]

Hi

I am wary of valuation questions, but in 986 Boxster land what can I expect for 3k?

I am after a Tiptronic. Must be ULEZ compliant.

I have seen a 986.2 CAT D 2003 2.7 122k mile car with reasonable service history, and I can have it for 3.1k. Car looks nice, basic spec, have not seen it in person. The CAT D is undocumented and was in 2007. Last owner 10 years. I am guessing the same car without the CAT D would be about 4k at the moment.

Is that a good value? I am so confused by Boxster prices.

Just trying to get a handle on it all.

Edit: Would a 2001 3.2 986.1 with 77k miles be a better value for 4k? Patchy S/H but also nice.

Any help truly appreciated!

Berni

 

[kurlykris]

Difficult to say on the 986 Boxsters as prices seem to be all over the place, always :grin:

I`d tend look at it pragmatically to be honest, at that price point if the worst were to happen and say the IMS let go or it D chunked a cylinder, then the sum of the remaining parts in the car would probably be worth some where near the purchase price if it was stripped :dont know:
If it`s a nice tidy car with a decent roof, wheels, interior and everything works then why not, the only thing that would put me off is the 122K miles, but then I drive a Mercedes Daily with 180k motorway miles on the clock @ 2000 rpm

 

[deMort]

London standards .. it needs to be Euro 4 as i understand it ..

The ULEZ standards are:

Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category)
Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles

Euro 4 details ..

Euro 4 (EC2005)
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 January 2005

Implementation date (all new registrations): 1 January 2006


Im probably wrong but it seems to me a 986 wont qualifie ?

 

[berni29]

Hello DeMort

Actually, and I don't know why, but the post 2000 cars seem to be mostly exempt. There is an online checker. Just type the reg number in.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/check-if-your-vehicle-is-affected

All the best

Berni

 

[timm996]

I would treat a 3k boxster with 122k as a runaround for summer fun. At that mileage/ price it might last the year or another couple, either way any major problems then sell it for grand then move on.

 

[wasz]

Lets face it, its probably going to be worn out.

Every month you will be chasing some other problem with it, another knock from the suspension, heavy clutch, rotten brake pipes, rotten steering pipes, sagging engine mounts etc etc. fine if thats your hobby, annoying and expensive if not.

Its the cheapest example of a car with a fairly high parts and labour costs. I might be wrong but its probably not been sorted out or obsessively well cared for like some of these cars are.

A worn out Porsche is nowhere near as good as a fresh one. I know because I bought one and spent a load on a full refresh and then stupidly sold it.

If £3k is the budget I don't think you'll have a fantastic Porsche experience unless you are happy with just owning the badge.

My 996 (parts wise effectively the same car) was similar age / mileage, I spent £6k on parts alone over 6 years, labour would have easily trebled that, afterwards it drove really well. Wouldn't have been worth spending that on a similar 986.

 

[berni29]

Hi Wasz

Yes in many ways you are correct, but it very much depends on how the milage was accumulated. For instance, I bought my 993 when it had 186k miles on the clock. Most of that was motorway driving. It was having oil every 6 months and going through consumables like brakes and spoiler curtains like they were going out of fashion.

The interior (with softback sports seats which usually take a beating) were in better condition than cars I had seen with 1/3 of the mileage.

Cars that have spent a lot of time in town are usually much more worn at far lower milages. Unless they are little garage queens, in which case they can have their own set of issues.

The suspension (original) on the 993 was shot though and I had a great time taking the car apart (inc engine for a broken piston ring) and putting it back together again. It drives like new if not better (is a bit modified) now.

Back to the Boxster(s). If you can do all the work yourself ebay is full of inexpensive good but used parts for these cars. If you cannot do the work yourself and do not really have the funds to get someone else to do the work then you need to be much more careful. For me part of the enjoyment is learning about the cars via the "spanner".

You can definitely get the "Porsche" experience on a budget.

I will be buying a high mile 986 and reporting back.

Berni

 

[wasz]

You can definitely get the "Porsche" experience on a budget.

Yeah I know, my 996 cost me way less than a grand a year over 6.5 years spannering myself, and I used it as my daily rain shine or snow.

Just have your eyes open.

If I did it again I'd upfront buy the cheapest car I could find with a good engine. Nothing else matters as at the age and mileage it will all need replacing and its all bolt on and cheapish.

Then I'd immediately get it off the ground and do all suspension arms and shocks, brake pipes, clutch, engine mounts. Probably 5 or 6k in parts.

Worth doing upfront so you can enjoy the car properly.

I would struggle to do that to a 3k boxster that would be worth 4k at the end of it.

Better to find an unloved 996.