Buying cars

[Delphi]

Why is it such a fucking ballache? As most of you will know, the 928 won't be ready in time for my trip to Germany, so I decided to try and buy a 987 Gen 1 Boxster to take instead. I'm not fussy if it's the S or the regular 2.7 (I'd even settle for a Tiptronic in an S) all I want is a clean, well-maintained car. So far, I've seen 3 :

1. Car was in Derby, so a fair trek away. Went through the history, all good. Book was either OPC or specialist stamped and a ton of bills. Car drove nicely, but I noticed the air-con wasn't working. He reckoned it needed a re-gas, but the a/c condensers are a known fail point on these cars. As he was getting the hood straps fixed at his specialist the next day, he said he'd get them to price it up and I said I'd get a quote from Strasse and we'd go from there. Next day (Saturday), he texts me the quote - 2 new a/c condensers £500 fitted so I rang him and he wanted to see what Strasse would quote first on Monday, but I was happy for him to get the work done and I'd pay asking price. Sunday he texts me and says he's sold the car to someone else.

2. Boxster S in Manchester apparently FSH and in excellent condition. Smoked a lot on startup (either Air/Oil Separator or bore score) Drove lovely but the brakes clearly needed attention. Once it was warmed up and I got back from the test drive, I noticed a definite knocking from the bottom end. Checked the history - no bills, just stamps in the book. 4 year gap between 2 of the services, last two were done at Halfords. No evidence of brake fluid change in the last 8 years.

3. 2.7 in York. Advertised as FSH. Car looked very tidy, Drove well, but coolant light was on. Checked history - again no bills, just stamps. Car had 6 year old brake fluid and the last service was done at National Tyre Centre.


Why don't people look after their cars? You spend a lot of money on a car, I don't understand why people take such little care. And as for people who blatantly lie about FSH, they can GTF.

[DeskJockey]

Because they buy things they can't afford to run? Suspect the lack of bills/invoices could just be a lack of admin skills.

[Gavster]

...all I want is a clean, well-maintained car.

TBH that's a big ask for a 15 year-old car

[Mito Man]

They also had the misfortune of being sub 5 grand cars at one point so I wouldn’t be surprised if owners are servicing them themselves. I wouldn’t be put off by the old brake fluid if the rest of the car is good, changing brake fluid every 24 months here is analogous to Yanks changing their engine oil every 6 months and is just a little earnings trick for dealers.

[Delphi]

...all I want is a clean, well-maintained car.

TBH that's a big ask for a 15 year-old car

There are quite a few out there that are 20 years old plus with FSH. They're generally an enthusiasts car and people tend to look after and maintain them. I don't mind some early missing history - I just want evidence that the car has been well looked after in the last 5 years or so.

[Delphi]

They also had the misfortune of being sub 5 grand cars at one point so I wouldn’t be surprised if owners are servicing them themselves. I wouldn’t be put off by the old brake fluid if the rest of the car is good, changing brake fluid every 24 months here is analogous to Yanks changing their engine oil every 6 months and is just a little earnings trick for dealers.

987 Boxsters have never been sub-5K cars. 986, yes but not 987.

[Sundayjumper]

...all I want is a clean, well-maintained car.

TBH that's a big ask for a 15 year-old car

I was thinking the same thing.

Car #1 was the right car, but the seller didn't want to faff about getting extra work done, he just wanted the car gone. You snoozed, you losed.

Car #2 was in Manchester.

Car #3 was probably fine.


In Derby, Manchester & York there are people asking why it is such a fucking ballache to sell a car, that people expect a cheap 15yo car to come with a moon on a stick.

[Mito Man]

I completely glossed over that and just saw Gen 1 in your post

[Sundayjumper]

There are quite a few out there that are 20 years old plus with FSH.

So just buy one of those ?

[240PP]

1. Sunday he texts me and says he's sold the car to someone else.

Annoying but can’t blame him for selling a car that’s for sale.

[Delphi]

There are quite a few out there that are 20 years old plus with FSH.

So just buy one of those ?

Because I want a 987, not a 986. There aren't any 987s that old. All of these 3 cars I mentioned were advertised as FSH.

[Sundayjumper]

There are quite a few out there that are 20 years old plus with FSH.

All of these 3 cars I mentioned were advertised as FSH.

Are you getting my point yet ?

[scotta]

...all I want is a clean, well-maintained car.

TBH that's a big ask for a 15 year-old car

I was thinking the same thing.

Car #1 was the right car, but the seller didn't want to faff about getting extra work done, he just wanted the car gone. You snoozed, you losed.

Car #2 was in Manchester.

Car #3 was probably fine.


In Derby, Manchester & York there are people asking why it is such a fucking ballache to sell a car, that people expect a cheap 15yo car to come with a moon on a stick.

Car 1 - Yup

Car 2 - fucking shed well avoided

Car 3 - These are known for coolant leaks. Cost my mate £1000 at a specialist to get fixed as there was a leak. Brake fluid - DGAF easily replaced. 30 min job that would cost you less than £30 to do yourself. Non OPC history - once again DGAF as long as the book is stamped. I definitely would not be taking my 2005 car to OPC to get serviced/fleeced. I did all the service work on my S1 myself. i kept history receipts where i noted the milage and date i did the work and signed the sheet.

[Rich B]

There's an easy way to buy a perfect Porsche boxster - go to a dealer and pay for one. If you want a perfect cheap one, then you need to work harder.

[Mito Man]

Would probably want to call some of the garages that the car claims to have been serviced at if you feel something is dodgy
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185602577576 ... BMxoD10e5h

[Broccers]

Such a spread of cars you'll find a good one eventually.