Budget Week Bargain: 986 Porsche Boxster

While the original Boxster design is aging well, they are not holding their value.  These cars that sold for close to $50k new can easily be had for less than $10k.  Buying used Boxsters in this price range is not for the faint of heart, repairs on these cars can easily exceed the value and a new engine can run a cool $12k.  That being said, they are surprisingly easy to work on and there is a plethora of parts available from dismantlers and wreckers from coast to coast.  A keen eye on what to look for and you could have a reliable and exotic daily driver for less than $10k.

1998 Porsche Boxster for Sale:

From the seller’s ad -

“1998 Porsche Boxter Convertible – Beautiful Burgundy Exterior with Gray Leather Interior. Fully equipped w/power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, tinted glass, AM/FM CD Stereo, Alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes and more. THIS CAR IS EXTRA CLEAN!”

This car is nothing special, per se.  There are more than a dozen 986 Boxsters available for less than $10k at any given time.  In fact, if given the choice I would rather have a 2000 with the larger 2.7 engine.  What this car does have is high miles, Boxsters with this kind of mileage have been well maintained and driven.  Given the 986′s propensity for engine failure  in the 30-60k mile range due to IMS issues I would sleep a little easier knowing this car may be in the clear.  In fact there are several Boxster owners with well over 200k on their cars and still going strong.

I would offer the seller $6,500 cash and run knowing I had a car I could play with and wrench on the weekends.  That, my friends, is what budget week is all about.    

~Aaron.