What's the maximum mileage I should buy a used 200x Porsche Boxster with?

Question

I am planning on buying a used Porsche Boxster 2000 - 2002. What should the maximum mileage on the car be, and how many miles do the Boxsters usually run well for?

Answer 1

Traditionally, buying a used Porsche has not been about the milage on the car, but the car's condition. The introduction of the Boxster brought about alot of changes in how Porsche builds cars, and as a generalization they are not as over-engineered as some previous generations of Porsches have been... but that said, my experience with Boxsters shows that you are still looking at many of the same concepts.

A car with 100k miles that has been well cared for and maintained will be a much better buy than a car with 40k miles that has a spotty record of oil changes and a history of over-revving. There is nothing so far to indicate that the basic 986/996 engine block is going to be less durable than those of earlier Porsches, so milage shouldn't be a key decider unless all other aspects of the cars are identical.

Find a car you like, and make sure you have a pre-purchase inspection by a knowledgable Porsche mechanic. If the engine's compression and leakdown look good, and all expected maintainance is documented, I would not worry about the milage (and actually, since these cars are actually designed to be driven and running them keeps parts lubricated, cars with exceptionally low milage are often ones that are most likely to have problems).

All of that said, you should likely expect to see around 6-10k miles/year on these cars. Anything more would be considered high milage.

Answer 2

I have owned a Boxter, and I have a friend with a Z4. I've driven most, if not all, of the cars in this class. I think you should take a look at the Lotus Elise. You can get a 2006 with low miles for that price if you look around, although I'm not sure if they started offering them in Canada in 2006 or 2007. In any case, it's a much more exclusive and better handling car. It also looks much better in my opinion, but I don't think the looks of a car should be a major factor in considering which car to buy. Drive the cars you're considering. One of them will "speak to your senses" more than the other(s). That's the car you'll be happiest with. It really doesn't matter what other people say, or what the stats say on paper. It's like falling in love with a woman - Only YOU know which one is right for you. That said, I still think you should consider the Lotus. Take it to the track, and really enjoy being a driver. Every young guy wants to be a race car driver, and you now have the opportunity. Track days are offered at tracks all over the US and Canada. Anyway, good luck, and be safe. Please know that a high performance car is a lot of responsibility for a young person, and public roads are not the proper place to race or drive fast. It's just not worth risking your life. Accidents happen by accident, and you can't predict how, why, or when they will happen, even if you're the best driver in the world. Save the speed for the track. Enjoy your wheels!

Answer 3

as usual, paul S is spot on.

Its about condition and history, not mileage. A car with 30,000 miles of track use and poor maitenance will be far worse than a car with 100k and great maitenance.

And i suggest upgrading to the S. Theyre a bit more expensive, but WELL worth it. Huge upgrade for not a whole lot of cash. More power, better handing, more agressive look, better brakes, etc etc.

and if you maintain a porsche well, theyre damned near indestructable. I know a guy with an old 911 with 190k miles on it that still tracks the damned thing regularly, on all original parts. The boxster should last you 100+k easily, with good maitenance.