Porsche

Noseferatu · #1 08-13-2010, 12:41 AM

I want one.

This guy that lives in Erie is selling his 2000 Boxster for only $5900.

Good for my first car??

Check the specs.

http://erie.craigslist.org/cto/1892055541.html

Good deal??

Mark Latimour · #2 08-13-2010, 12:48 AM

Depends on how many miles and the servicing costs. Boxters are great cars, but many would say that the only real Porsche is the 911. Personally I don't agree, but there is some prejudice among Porsche owners. As a first car though? Hmm, may be a little too much power for a new driver. Particularly if its a manual shift. I note the add doesn't say whether its auto, tiptronic or manual. I would only get a manual Porsche (generally), but especially from the early 2000s.

bmc · #3 08-13-2010, 12:51 AM

If the car comes with a complete service history from Porsche, has never been accidented, it might be good.

The thing about buying quality German cars is there is no cheap way to do. Pay now or pay later. They are not cheap to fix.

There is nothing in this ad, other than photos and a list of features. There will be a reason why it's priced so cheaply.

Also....get an insurance quote.

Noseferatu · #4 08-13-2010, 12:53 AM

I know, the 911 bit gets on my nerves. Honestly, if I could afford a 911, I would buy one. I actually had the opportunity of riding in a teacher's 911 Cabriolet and it rocked.

As for my first car?? I have alot of experience driving different cars. Nothing with that much power, however.

And as for manual vs automatic, ehhhh, I could learn.

McHaven · #5 08-13-2010, 12:57 AM

There is no car I love more than my father's 86 911 Carrera

Not his, but close:

i_got_a_mohawk · #6 08-13-2010, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noseferatu

I know, the 911 bit gets on my nerves. Honestly, if I could afford a 911, I would buy one. I actually had the opportunity of riding in a teacher's 911 Cabriolet and it rocked.

As for my first car?? I have alot of experience driving different cars. Nothing with that much power, however.

And as for manual vs automatic, ehhhh, I could learn.

Wouldn't you need a drivers license that covers a manual car, if you've only used automatics before?

DrSmaggs · #7 08-13-2010, 03:51 AM

Cool car! Plus, it's from my hometown! It certainly looks nice! Let us know what you think if you get a chance to see it in person

Jim Nazium · #8 08-13-2010, 05:06 AM

Find out how many miles are on it and if it has been wrecked, flooded, has a salvage title, etc. Then do some research into what kind of maintenance it's likely to need. There is a magazine called "Excellence" that is all about Porsches, it's a good resource. For example, a couple of years ago I was looking into buying a mid-90s 911 (a "993"), but I found out that after about 50K-60K miles they start having problems with the cylinder heads (valve guides and air injectors) that cost $5K-$10K to fix. Kind of changes the value equation.

I wouldn't worry about it being too powerful, Boxters are great little cars with snappy handling, but overwhelmingly powerful they're not.

FL Knifemaker · #9 08-13-2010, 05:58 AM

I considered and drove the Boxster, S2000, RX-8 and the Z4. I preferred the Z4 on every point and bought one. Next time, probably next year, a 911 will be in consideration as preowned ones with low miles are becoming more and more attractive regarding price.

Kawai-chang · #10 08-13-2010, 06:06 AM

I'll chime in on the expense of repairs for them. The delaewrship group where I worked had a Porsche store, and the parts and labor were....well, staggering. Granted it was a delaership, but unless you can find inexpensive parts, and have a good tech in your famly, they can be pricey.

For a first car? Go with something that has a good record for reliability, has abundant cheap parts, and is easy to work on. This is by definition, not a Porsche.

Just so I don't sound like your Grampa, I do love high performance cars, and will own one someday.

DRafalske · #11 08-13-2010, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Wouldn't you need a drivers license that covers a manual car, if you've only used automatics before?

Not in the US. Although it's not a bad idea. I've seen plenty of people who shouldn't be driving a manual.

BIG +1 to getting an insurance quote. I don't know how old you are, but the whole 1st car thing suggests teenage. The insurance on a Porsche at that age is going to cost more than the car.

D

Kawai-chang · #12 08-13-2010, 06:10 AM

You want fun on a budget? find yourself a Saturn Ion Redline. Parts are pretty cheap, the GM 2.0 is a pretty tough engine, and it's supercharged. right around 200 hp, if I recollect. And it's got the plastic panels that don't rust, but are expensive to replace.

I have a friend who's gotten his up to about 325 hp with a Stage 2 or 3 package.

PSPookie · #13 08-13-2010, 06:10 AM

Getting a Porsche as a first car sounds like a good way to drastically shorten your lifespan.

Sorry to be a downer; I certainly understand the appeal, but this is probably not a good idea for a number of reasons.

FL Knifemaker · #14 08-13-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRafalske

Not in the US. Although it's not a bad idea. I've seen plenty of people who shouldn't be driving a manual.

BIG +1 to getting an insurance quote. I don't know how old you are, but the whole 1st car thing suggests teenage. The insurance on a Porsche at that age is going to cost more than the car.

D

Good point on the insurance. I'm 50 with a clean record so no big deal. In your teens or twenties?? Look out.

FL Knifemaker · #15 08-13-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Getting a Porsche as a first car sounds like a good way to drastically shorten your lifespan.

Sorry to be a downer; I certainly understand the appeal, but this is probably not a good idea for a number of reasons.

260 hp, 160mph, rear engine, RWD........could be a handful

Kawai-chang · #16 08-13-2010, 06:39 AM

Aw c'mon you guys, a teenage guy nowadays will drive with caution and care. Especially in a Porsche.

funkydjembe · #17 08-13-2010, 06:42 AM

where you gonna put your bass amp?

PSPookie · #18 08-13-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

260 hp, 160mph, rear engine, RWD........could be a handful

There is no doubt in my mind that if I had owned a fast car I would not have survived my teens or early twenties.

As it was I managed to roll a Saturn sedan 7.5 times . . . down the side of a mountain

FL Knifemaker · #19 08-13-2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kawai-chang

Aw c'mon you guys, a teenage guy nowadays will drive with caution and care. Especially in a Porsche.

That all depends on the teenager. My daughter (18) often drives my Z4 which is probably just a hair quicker than the Boxster. Never a worry but she's taken two performance driving classes and has a clean licence.

buzzbass · #20 08-13-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

260 hp, 160mph, rear engine, RWD........could be a handful

Really !? I've beaten the balls off of several of those things in my Dakota pickup. They are nothing to be impressed with.