Boxster s 3.2 (2001)
Discussion
Just wondering if any PH'er had the above era boxster, wondered what the main pifalls were, servicing costs, mpg.
Am planning on getting one as a daily driver to do the commute to work and back (45 miles a day), currently run a scirocco 2.0 t and get between 30 & 35 mpg and spend about £180 a month on fuel.
So was wondering if you could give me some idea of fuel costs - extra urban is 90% of the commute with a few miles if 30's...
Cheers
Am planning on getting one as a daily driver to do the commute to work and back (45 miles a day), currently run a scirocco 2.0 t and get between 30 & 35 mpg and spend about £180 a month on fuel.
So was wondering if you could give me some idea of fuel costs - extra urban is 90% of the commute with a few miles if 30's...
Cheers
My wife has had her 2002 S for 4 years and loves it that much she doesnt want to replace it. We have had no issues with the car full stop, it had full dealer history until we bought it but since then its been looked after by a reputable porsche specialist which I personally find better.
Most of the issues with the car would have either happened and replaced/repaired by now or not going to happen. There will always be the usual wear and tear on these cars and full history will need to be stamped up with invoices detailing the work completed - if you've only got stamps then I wouldnt entertain a car. If you do get one, it would be nice to have had the discs and pads replaced as this is one of the biggest wear and tear jobs.
Most of the issues with the car would have either happened and replaced/repaired by now or not going to happen. There will always be the usual wear and tear on these cars and full history will need to be stamped up with invoices detailing the work completed - if you've only got stamps then I wouldnt entertain a car. If you do get one, it would be nice to have had the discs and pads replaced as this is one of the biggest wear and tear jobs.
I had my 2001 Boxster S for just over 2 years. Took it from 58k -> 78k in that time.
Costs...
Serviced at Guildford OPC - could have done it much cheaper at a specialist/indie but I quite liked taking out a brand new 911 or Boxster for a few days, and they were the closest to my work.
Work included:
Major service - 560
Minor service - 360
new front discs - 600
Split rear drive-shaft gaiters - 610
3x coil packs - 210
Drive belt replaced - 90
Broken hood mechanism (required new rails) - 400
Alternator - 450 (done at a specialist)
Not cheap, as someone said in another thread, these era cars shared a lot of parts with the 996 so the running costs are pretty similar.
Costs...
Serviced at Guildford OPC - could have done it much cheaper at a specialist/indie but I quite liked taking out a brand new 911 or Boxster for a few days, and they were the closest to my work.
Work included:
Major service - 560
Minor service - 360
new front discs - 600
Split rear drive-shaft gaiters - 610
3x coil packs - 210
Drive belt replaced - 90
Broken hood mechanism (required new rails) - 400
Alternator - 450 (done at a specialist)
Not cheap, as someone said in another thread, these era cars shared a lot of parts with the 996 so the running costs are pretty similar.
I've had mine less than a week and used over £100 fuel in 4 days and I'm not even working or commuting this week! Last fill up was a paltry £38 from light to light and equated to 19 mpg. This was circa 110 miles, 30 of which were on the motor way and the rest short local b road journeys at sub 60 mph.
IsItACatInAHat said:
I had my 2001 Boxster S for just over 2 years. Took it from 58k -> 78k in that time.
Costs...
Serviced at Guildford OPC - could have done it much cheaper at a specialist/indie but I quite liked taking out a brand new 911 or Boxster for a few days, and they were the closest to my work.
Work included:
Major service - 560
Minor service - 360
new front discs - 600
Split rear drive-shaft gaiters - 610
3x coil packs - 210
Drive belt replaced - 90
Broken hood mechanism (required new rails) - 400
Alternator - 450 (done at a specialist)
Not cheap, as someone said in another thread, these era cars shared a lot of parts with the 996 so the running costs are pretty similar.
I had a similar experience on a 1998 2.5 that I bought in 2007 & sold in 2009, quite a few bits needed doing, not eye wateringly expensive but I don't think you can expect an 11 year old car to be without faults. Indi servicing is £200-£500 depending on minor / major, many bits liek rads & arms are £200-£400 jobs. I've generally found over 5 years of boxster ownership that costs are £1500-£3000 a year (19" tires are over £1k a set, discs & pads all round about £600 fitted).Costs...
Serviced at Guildford OPC - could have done it much cheaper at a specialist/indie but I quite liked taking out a brand new 911 or Boxster for a few days, and they were the closest to my work.
Work included:
Major service - 560
Minor service - 360
new front discs - 600
Split rear drive-shaft gaiters - 610
3x coil packs - 210
Drive belt replaced - 90
Broken hood mechanism (required new rails) - 400
Alternator - 450 (done at a specialist)
Not cheap, as someone said in another thread, these era cars shared a lot of parts with the 996 so the running costs are pretty similar.
Can't really think of anything for the money that is as good all round for image, fun, handling, economy.
I'd advise you to get a post facelift (2003) car with glass rear screen & clear lights, more practical & looks far nicer. Or can you stretch to a 987 2.7 at about £12k?
Have your eyes open it will def cost more than a cirocco to drive & in-gear acceleration won't be much faster, but off the line it will be & obviously the handling will be in a different class
Good luck
falkster said:
... full history will need to be stamped up with invoices detailing the work completed - if you've only got stamps then I wouldnt entertain a car. If you do get one, it would be nice to have had the discs and pads replaced as this is one of the biggest wear and tear jobs.
I have to say whilst they might be nice to have I think lack of a few pieces of paper on a 10 year old car would be a daft reason to "not even entertain it" - you'll spend a lot of time looking for a car that fits your criteria if this is one of them (which will narrow down the available cars even further when you the filter them by gearbox & colour preferences) and it's highly likely you'll pass up on a number of very nice cars in the process.Can get up to 33 mpg on a good motorway run
23-26 on the daily commute
18 mpg ragging it across country
Servicing is obviously far more expensive at the main dealer than the local specialist.
But the Main dealer can throw in perks such as the loan of a new 911 whilst it's in and I've yet to be offered such from a specialist!
The basic stuff can be done by any back street garage or if your handy with a spanner by yourself and then you can save the specialist and main delear for the annual stamp or bigger job.
The IMS issue puts a lot of people off but the problem really is overstated in forums and the press, until it happens to you of course!
23-26 on the daily commute
18 mpg ragging it across country
Servicing is obviously far more expensive at the main dealer than the local specialist.
But the Main dealer can throw in perks such as the loan of a new 911 whilst it's in and I've yet to be offered such from a specialist!
The basic stuff can be done by any back street garage or if your handy with a spanner by yourself and then you can save the specialist and main delear for the annual stamp or bigger job.
The IMS issue puts a lot of people off but the problem really is overstated in forums and the press, until it happens to you of course!
thegoose said:
I have to say whilst they might be nice to have I think lack of a few pieces of paper on a 10 year old car would be a daft reason to "not even entertain it" - you'll spend a lot of time looking for a car that fits your criteria if this is one of them (which will narrow down the available cars even further when you the filter them by gearbox & colour preferences) and it's highly likely you'll pass up on a number of very nice cars in the process.
Although I understand what you're getting at, they're not just any old 10 year old car are they? If it was a 6 owner focus I'd totally agree but being a Porsche they still have a great deal of value left. Both my 968CS and E30 M3 would have been considered lesser cars than the Boxster when new but now have a different status, how would a buyer think looking at an empty file with a stamped up service book? My thought process is, my wife doesn't want to change hers, we maintain it like we should and document everything - if they become any old £3k fast car like the e36 m3 then it'll be a lot more desirable than the average or they start to appreciate in years where the documentation is very important.
jakesmith said:
I had a similar experience on a 1998 2.5 that I bought in 2007 & sold in 2009, quite a few bits needed doing, not eye wateringly expensive but I don't think you can expect an 11 year old car to be without faults. Indi servicing is £200-£500 depending on minor / major, many bits liek rads & arms are £200-£400 jobs. I've generally found over 5 years of boxster ownership that costs are £1500-£3000 a year (19" tires are over £1k a set, discs & pads all round about £600 fitted).
Can't really think of anything for the money that is as good all round for image, fun, handling, economy.
I'd advise you to get a post facelift (2003) car with glass rear screen & clear lights, more practical & looks far nicer. Or can you stretch to a 987 2.7 at about £12k?
Have your eyes open it will def cost more than a cirocco to drive & in-gear acceleration won't be much faster, but off the line it will be & obviously the handling will be in a different class
Good luck
Jake, thanks for the heads up, with some indicative costs of what to expect. It simply cant cost as much as my old mitsubishi to run and like you say a good balance between image, fun , handling and money...Can't really think of anything for the money that is as good all round for image, fun, handling, economy.
I'd advise you to get a post facelift (2003) car with glass rear screen & clear lights, more practical & looks far nicer. Or can you stretch to a 987 2.7 at about £12k?
Have your eyes open it will def cost more than a cirocco to drive & in-gear acceleration won't be much faster, but off the line it will be & obviously the handling will be in a different class
Good luck
Might see if i can stretch out and get a post 03 car!
Hi George
I'm currently running a year-2000 Boxster S 3.2 and love it. Currenly 85k on the clock, had it for 2 years. Its my 3rd Boxster and I love the way it drives and handles. I average 26 MPG, but that is with enthusiastic driving around the country roads. Should average 30+ on motorway driving.
I'd agree with other comments on a later model with a glass rear screen, or at least find a car that has had the screen replaced recently. The plastic screens get scratched and go milky with age, so you can't see out of them. You can delay the issue by putting a cloth sheet in the back window when you fold it down (that's what I do), but eventually it will need replacing.
Costs wise, I get all my cars looked after by RPM Porsche Specialists in Cheddington, so its cheaper than main dealers!
Rough costs;
12k service: £222 + VAT
24k service: £339 + VAT
Clutch: £800 + VAT
Pirreli P Zero tyres - £150 each
4 OEM discs - £300 + VAT
4 OEM pads - £120 + VAT
Repairs wise, I have replaced the front control arms on the suspension as they squeak after a few years. That cost £300
I've also had the Air mass sensor replaced - that controls the air flow to the engine and was faulty - £400
The only big thing to go wrong with it was the DME ECU failed on my car. Its a rare failure, but pretty major if it does. Basically it melted! A new one is £1,000+ from Porsche dealers, but RPM managed to find me a refurbished item for a lot less. Then needed programming to work with my car.
All in all, I think the costs are reasonable for a car of this performance and fun. Tyres and breaks are the biggest cost for me, but that all depends on how you drive it.
GO for it - you won't regret it!
I'm currently running a year-2000 Boxster S 3.2 and love it. Currenly 85k on the clock, had it for 2 years. Its my 3rd Boxster and I love the way it drives and handles. I average 26 MPG, but that is with enthusiastic driving around the country roads. Should average 30+ on motorway driving.
I'd agree with other comments on a later model with a glass rear screen, or at least find a car that has had the screen replaced recently. The plastic screens get scratched and go milky with age, so you can't see out of them. You can delay the issue by putting a cloth sheet in the back window when you fold it down (that's what I do), but eventually it will need replacing.
Costs wise, I get all my cars looked after by RPM Porsche Specialists in Cheddington, so its cheaper than main dealers!
Rough costs;
12k service: £222 + VAT
24k service: £339 + VAT
Clutch: £800 + VAT
Pirreli P Zero tyres - £150 each
4 OEM discs - £300 + VAT
4 OEM pads - £120 + VAT
Repairs wise, I have replaced the front control arms on the suspension as they squeak after a few years. That cost £300
I've also had the Air mass sensor replaced - that controls the air flow to the engine and was faulty - £400
The only big thing to go wrong with it was the DME ECU failed on my car. Its a rare failure, but pretty major if it does. Basically it melted! A new one is £1,000+ from Porsche dealers, but RPM managed to find me a refurbished item for a lot less. Then needed programming to work with my car.
All in all, I think the costs are reasonable for a car of this performance and fun. Tyres and breaks are the biggest cost for me, but that all depends on how you drive it.
GO for it - you won't regret it!
Mines a 2001 S
I have had it serviced at Malton and the costs have been reasonable. £200, £200 and £300 in March.
The last 2700 miles Ive averaged 30.6 mpg.
Its had a new roof with glass rear screen. New air con rads. New suspension and brakes. 4 new tyres. A new battery.
All thats been needed at service has been a new bolt for the exhaust heatshield.
So a really reliable car thats in tip top mechanical condition.
I suggest you get one with the bits sorted. A cracking car!
I have had it serviced at Malton and the costs have been reasonable. £200, £200 and £300 in March.
The last 2700 miles Ive averaged 30.6 mpg.
Its had a new roof with glass rear screen. New air con rads. New suspension and brakes. 4 new tyres. A new battery.
All thats been needed at service has been a new bolt for the exhaust heatshield.
So a really reliable car thats in tip top mechanical condition.
I suggest you get one with the bits sorted. A cracking car!
Mine's a 2001 S and i've had it for just over 2 years, taking it from 55k to 82k so far
I've averaged about 25mpg which considering it gets driven properly isn't too bad, though it does often drop to 20ish when being pushed
I've spent about 5k on it in the 2 years i've owned it including tyres, servicing, clutch, gearbox refurb, rads, brakes etc. More than i'd want to spend on a car of relatively low value but it's now mechanically sound and i haven't got a clue what i could buy better without spending a significant amount more
It's great fun and more than quick enough on B roads and tighter A roads but in a sraight line will get murdered by the big boys as an E63 demonstrated to me last night
I've averaged about 25mpg which considering it gets driven properly isn't too bad, though it does often drop to 20ish when being pushed
I've spent about 5k on it in the 2 years i've owned it including tyres, servicing, clutch, gearbox refurb, rads, brakes etc. More than i'd want to spend on a car of relatively low value but it's now mechanically sound and i haven't got a clue what i could buy better without spending a significant amount more
It's great fun and more than quick enough on B roads and tighter A roads but in a sraight line will get murdered by the big boys as an E63 demonstrated to me last night
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