Question For You Guys

"WolfmanJimCBW" (WolfmanJimCBW)
02/19/2014 at 08:33 • Filed to: None

What would you reasonably offer for a Porche Boxster that has not moved in, I know for fact, 3 years at least. It is around a 1998 model. Silver in color, with some sun spots on the paint. I'm asking because on my commute to home everyday I see this beautiful creature setting there, waiting for someone to drive her.

DISCUSSION (38)

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:37

$5k

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:38

Would need inspection before you could really price it, there must be a reason it's sat for so long... an expensive reason.

WolfmanJimCBW > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
02/19/2014 at 08:40

That's what I was thinking at first, but (even though I probably shouldn't) I look at the house and the other beaters in the yard and think it could be something as simple as not being able to afford the insurance.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 08:41

Even if it didn't run would you pay that?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:43

Maybe, can't hurt to give it a look over if you're really interested. I remember wheeler dealers fixed one up that had sat for ages, all it needed was an exhaust and trans fluid change.

davedave1111 > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:44

Take whatever the normal price is for a Boxster that age in your area, then halve it. Then run away screaming anyway.

UK prices, it's probably worth Ł1-2k at best. That's maybe $3k or so. The cheapest halfway decent ones go for about Ł4k.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:44

Hell no! That's like one of the earliest models, so it'll have done problems even if it is running because Porsche didn't work out all the bugs yet. That's what I'd pay if it was running. I consider myself the Boxster
Advocate on this site.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 08:45

Yeah. I've always liked them and Porsche's pretty much fill all my car dreams next to Mazda Rotaries and it seems like the car gods may finally be telling me to take the leap.

WolfmanJimCBW > davedave1111
02/19/2014 at 08:47

That seems like a pretty good way to do it. My first thought before asking was to initally offer about 2-3k.

WolfmanJimCBW > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
02/19/2014 at 08:47

That wouldn't be too terrible either.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:47

Everyone in this site seems to be "meh" on the Boxster, but having driven one extended periods of time, I can really attest to how fun it is

Dunnik > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
02/19/2014 at 08:48

I remember that episode, but I think Mike got lucky (as he often does). Easily could have been far worse.

I'd have it taken in to a Porsche specliast for a PPI, then using that report to lowball the seller as much as possible into the $3,000 ballpark.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 08:50

I know it isn't the fastest Porsche of them all, but I love the styling of them and pretty much everything else that they have going for them.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Dunnik
02/19/2014 at 08:52

Yeah he really did get lucky, makes me think sometimes he buys cars that aren't salvageable and has to get rid so they don't make the show, then we see the successes.

Agreed on the specialist, unless you know porsches well you really need someone who knows their stuff to check it out.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:52

Porsche build quality still stands out despite it being the cheapest model as well. The mid engine layout also helps.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 08:55

After I got rid of the Miata I am left without a fun little two seater/project to work on. To me it seems that since I wouldn't be putting it immediately on the road anyway, it might be something amazing to have if it can be had for the right price.

Meatcoma > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:58

You have to ask yourself how much you are willing to spend to either get it running or keep it running. Will you do most or all of the work yourself or will you take it to someone?

Dunnik > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
02/19/2014 at 08:58

Here's a link to that episode, well worth watching even if you're not in the market for a Boxster:

http://www.streetfire.net/video/wheeler-…

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 08:59

I'm sure it could really be a good track/Autocross car. But to get to the engine, you have to take the seats out and go in through the cabin.

WolfmanJimCBW > Meatcoma
02/19/2014 at 09:01

I would essentially do all the work myself since I can think of only one mechanic around here that knows how to work on European vehicles. Everyone around here is afraid to touch everything that isn't an American vehicle pretty much.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:02

I can live with this. Lol. Even for things like changing oil and spark plugs??

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:13

Basically what you have told me is that this car would be perfect for me since I like working.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:15

Oil, no I don't think so. But Spark plugs yes probably. I couldn't find any pictures of a Boxster engine bay, so here's a Cayman:

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:19

Damn, I guess I have.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:20

I actually googled it. I think it is pretty cool and that I would have an amazing amount of fun working on it/driving it eventually.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:22

That's only good news! Maybe you should buy it...

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:24

Maybe...I guess it would all depend on why it has been sitting so long and if any critters have decided to make a home in any of the engine components.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:25

I can almost guarantee something's been in there considering how long it's been sitting there outside.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:28

Most likely. Depends on the extent I guess. Chewed up air filter or chewed up wiring harness. Snakes coming through the a/c vents. Spiders in the combustion chamber. Lol. The possibilities living in Louisiana. I've actually seen mice completely destroy a car.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:31

Louisiana?! Alligators or something. That's gotta be it. As a New Yorker, I'm just thinking of nests of mosquitos, endless snakes and such.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:33

Opossums, raccoons, squirrels, mice, cats, snakes, birds, wasps, spiders, mosquitoes, and all sorts of animals love making homes of vehicles left sitting.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:40

Sounds similar to what we have up here except there's deer and snow.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:46

Yeah. We just get ice. Deer don't try and live in the cars but they do like playing chicken with them.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:53

You're lucky, you don't get salt on your roads so every nice old car you find on Craigslist is probably not destroyed by rust.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 09:57

Yep. One thing I could always tell about a car when I would go under it is if it had been up north any amount of time. I don't think I could drive anything nice up north because of the freaking salt.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 09:59

That's why I can't find any great cars on Craigslist. It's not a question of if a car has rust. Every car has rust. It's just a matter of how much rust.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
02/19/2014 at 10:03

That is very unfortunate. I hate to see any vehicle subjected to the salt.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
02/19/2014 at 10:05

As I look out of my dorm room window, I can see into the parking lot. Every car has salt on it.