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Pricing a ‘97 Boxster

BabyRay

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I’m looking to sell my wife's baby….her ‘97 Porsche Boxster. It has 32,500 miles, and includes the optional hardtop. It’s in excellent condition. The only body issue is one small scratch, to the primer, on the hardtop. Always been garaged, without fail. Never been wrecked, but had body dings and paint repairs done on it a few years ago. It has no curb rash on the wheels (kudos to my wife for that!). Runs great and nearly new tires, brakes redone about 5k miles ago. It has NOT had the IMS bearing replacement done, which might cause concern to some.

CarMax made the best offer of companies of that type, at $8,000. I’m not excited about selling it myself, but if the spread is great enough, I’ll do it. The other possibility is trying to find a dealer to consign it, but I suspect the better dealers wouldn’t touch it due to the age and category.

It’s not a real popular car, but does anybody have experience with actual sale pricing on this or similar? Please note that I’m not interested in demonstrations of Google or AI query abilities…already did that, and am looking for confirmation now.

Thanks in advance!
 

lbhsbz

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I’m looking to sell my wife's baby….her ‘97 Porsche Boxster. It has 32,500 miles, and includes the optional hardtop. It’s in excellent condition. The only body issue is one small scratch, to the primer, on the hardtop. Always been garaged, without fail. Never been wrecked, but had body dings and paint repairs done on it a few years ago. It has no curb rash on the wheels (kudos to my wife for that!). Runs great and nearly new tires, brakes redone about 5k miles ago. It has NOT had the IMS bearing replacement done, which might cause concern to some.

CarMax made the best offer of companies of that type, at $8,000. I’m not excited about selling it myself, but if the spread is great enough, I’ll do it. The other possibility is trying to find a dealer to consign it, but I suspect the better dealers wouldn’t touch it due to the age and category.

It’s not a real popular car, but does anybody have experience with actual sale pricing on this or similar? Please note that I’m not interested in demonstrations of Google or AI query abilities…already did that, and am looking for confirmation now.

Thanks in advance!
With those kinda miles, I'd post on Rennlist
 

4Waters

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We just sold my MIL 2001 Boxer for 17k with 13k miles on it always garaged as well 100% original paint with no chips, dings or dents and manual trans. We were asking 23k obo, we got a few offers for 16k and one at 19k but he backed out. We ended up dealing with someone that @Jefftowz recommended (a higher end dealer), they bought it and put it on their lot.

IMS was definitely an issue with buyers as hers wasn't done either. GLWTS

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MonkeyButt70

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Silver, Red leather, Manual, non-S.
Great color combo, manuals are the desired over auto, being a non-S is actually a good thing for the Porsche Club guys, they use that spec for the boxster race series. I would say an honest $15-18K, People will bitch and moan about IMS but reality failure is a VERY low percentage. I would take the time to sell privately. The buyers will ask for a paint thickness report, DME report, and any maintenance records. Porsche guys are a pain in the ASS (Im a Porsche guy, but without the snobbery), so you have to ask yourself is it worth the extra money for the hassle or you can price in between market and wholesale and then tell buyers you priced at a come get it now price $12k, no haggle and no bullshit reports needed...
 

86403

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Eventual comp here:

 

BabyRay

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Great color combo, manuals are the desired over auto, being a non-S is actually a good thing for the Porsche Club guys, they use that spec for the boxster race series. I would say an honest $15-18K, People will bitch and moan about IMS but reality failure is a VERY low percentage. I would take the time to sell privately. The buyers will ask for a paint thickness report, DME report, and any maintenance records. Porsche guys are a pain in the ASS (Im a Porsche guy, but without the snobbery), so you have to ask yourself is it worth the extra money for the hassle or you can price in between market and wholesale and then tell buyers you priced at a come get it now price $12k, no haggle and no bullshit reports needed...
Great info. Thanks!
 

4Waters

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Great color combo, manuals are the desired over auto, being a non-S is actually a good thing for the Porsche Club guys, they use that spec for the boxster race series. I would say an honest $15-18K, People will bitch and moan about IMS but reality failure is a VERY low percentage. I would take the time to sell privately. The buyers will ask for a paint thickness report, DME report, and any maintenance records. Porsche guys are a pain in the ASS (Im a Porsche guy, but without the snobbery), so you have to ask yourself is it worth the extra money for the hassle or you can price in between market and wholesale and then tell buyers you priced at a come get it now price $12k, no haggle and no bullshit reports needed...
Post 3, no way he is gonna get 15-18k we had that for sale for about 18mo
 

monkeyswrench

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Does the wife know you're selling her baby? Turns out, they get real pissy when you sell one of theirs to add something new to your stable :oops:
 

Rennsport

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Rennlist classifieds as mentioned above. Might have to deal with the Porschephile picky ass BS - and also like mentioned above I’m one of them without the picky ass part;)

silver/red is great and with a manual transmission should sell without issue
 

Lumpy

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Boils down to the cost of having the IMS done…including clutch kit and main oil seal too. Ya ain’t gonna go in there without doing all three. No doubt it’s gonna need the HVAC front and rear mod too. Done it all to my C4. I wouldn’t drive that time bomb unless the IMS was done for starters. Then there’s the bearings on the transmission mains…that’s a fun one too…been there done that. They really are great fun cars if you’re willing to correct the flaws of the era…that’s why I did mine. Just shy of 300hp at 2k pounds makes for a really fun car with the right driver. Fortunately for me I do all my own work including the transmission rebuild…no one touches my stuff. Today you’re probably looking at 5k to have the IMS, clutch pack and seal done. At that point it’s probably worth 15-20k with the low mileage. Possibly more…
 

BabyRay

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Boils down to the cost of having the IMS done…including clutch kit and main oil seal too. Ya ain’t gonna go in there without doing all three. No doubt it’s gonna need the HVAC front and rear mod too. Done it all to my C4. I wouldn’t drive that time bomb unless the IMS was done for starters. Then there’s the bearings on the transmission mains…that’s a fun one too…been there done that. They really are great fun cars if you’re willing to correct the flaws of the era…that’s why I did mine. Just shy of 300hp at 2k pounds makes for a really fun car with the right driver. Fortunately for me I do all my own work including the transmission rebuild…no one touches my stuff. Today you’re probably looking at 5k to have the IMS, clutch pack and seal done. At that point it’s probably worth 15-20k with the low mileage. Possibly more…
Thanks for the input! At the low end of that price range, it wouldn’t be worth the bother to me. It’d be great at the high end, but it’s too speculative. I’ll sell it as-is.
 

BabyRay

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Where in WA, I’m in WA also near Vancouver. I’ll give you what Carmax offered!
I’ve already been offered that by two family members. They’d never forgive me if I sold it to someone else at that price without giving them a shot at it. 😊
 

lakemadness

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100% Bring a Trailer. Easy to list and they fetch good numbers, especially low mileage examples. Take good pics, or better yet, pay their professional photographer to take them.
 

MonkeyButt70

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100% Bring a Trailer. Easy to list and they fetch good numbers, especially low mileage examples. Take good pics, or better yet, pay their professional photographer to take them.
BAT is a good place for selling I have sold my cars there, but if @BabyRay does not want to deal with Porsche nerds, that is the last place I would list it. They all come out of the shadows to be keyboard warriors with zero intention of buying it.
 

lakemadness

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BAT is a good place for selling I have sold my cars there, but if @BabyRay does not want to deal with Porsche nerds, that is the last place I would list it. They all come out of the shadows to be keyboard warriors with zero intention of buying it.
Not sure how boxster auctions go, but 911 auctions seem to stay positive for the most part. Agree, often way too comments from people that will never buy a car. But it might still be worth it.
 

BabyRay

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100% Bring a Trailer. Easy to list and they fetch good numbers, especially low mileage examples. Take good pics, or better yet, pay their professional photographer to take them.
BAT is a good place for selling I have sold my cars there, but if @BabyRay does not want to deal with Porsche nerds, that is the last place I would list it. They all come out of the shadows to be keyboard warriors with zero intention of buying it.
Not sure how boxster auctions go, but 911 auctions seem to stay positive for the most part. Agree, often way too comments from people that will never buy a car. But it might still be worth it.
I’ll consider BAT as an option. Negative online comments from people I don’t know wouldn’t bother me, especially if it’s to be expected….in fact, that might be the essence of my reply to them. 😂 I’ll need to read up on BAT’s process.
 

lakemadness

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All you guys do know that only about 1% of cars have had ims failures. At least on the 911.

I had an ‘02 911. Ran it and never really cared or worried.
 

lbhsbz

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All you guys do know that only about 1% of cars have had ims failures. At least on the 911.

I had an ‘02 911. Ran it and never really cared or worried.
Exactly...at 30K miles, I don't think anyone GAF about the IMS, but they will use it as a tool to beat you down on price.

But it's a hard top, so tell 'em to fuckoff.

You've got a great car there....it should fetch top dollar.
 

BabyRay

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Sooooo what’s the number to let me come after dark with a pocket full of cash and leave with an IMS failure ready time bomb? 😁
The RDP members only price is $12k, firm. Hell of a deal! Just think of the adrenaline-pumping experience it’ll be when the IMS bearing fails catastrophically and the engine grenades. It’ll make a great call-out thread. 😂

One caveat; my wife says I’m wrong about getting the brakes done, thus she says they’re the original. I don’t have any record, so she is probably correct, though I sure thought they’d been done. I’ve never said I had the best memory. Price is still $12k...remember, it has a hardtop. 😊

Also, I have the receipt for an alternator replacement, if that matters. The car had a phantom draw and was eating batteries, so I had a local independent Porsche shop track it down and resolve it. No problem since.

Sooo…I mentioned earlier in the thread that I was also considering consignment. I did contact a used car dealer with family connections. It doesn’t really fit his business model though, as he typically deals in newer high-end cars, so I don’t yet know if he will take it on. He’s supposed to get back to me today after he’s researched it.
 

JUSTWANNARACE

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The RDP members only price is $12k, firm. Hell of a deal! Just think of the adrenaline-pumping experience it’ll be when the IMS bearing fails catastrophically and the engine grenades. It’ll make a great call-out thread. 😂

One caveat; my wife says I’m wrong about getting the brakes done, thus she says they’re the original. I don’t have any record, so she is probably correct, though I sure thought they’d been done. I’ve never said I had the best memory. Price is still $12k...remember, it has a hardtop. 😊

Also, I have the receipt for an alternator replacement, if that matters. The car had a phantom draw and was eating batteries, so I had a local independent Porsche shop track it down and resolve it. No problem since.

Sooo…I mentioned earlier in the thread that I was also considering consignment. I did contact a used car dealer with family connections. It doesn’t really fit his business model though, as he typically deals in newer high-end cars, so I don’t yet know if he will take it on. He’s supposed to get back to me today after he’s researched it.

No worries.. he is accustom to catastrophic failure and shit blowing up💣💥 🤣🤣
 

86403

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I’m looking to sell my wife's baby….her ‘97 Porsche Boxster. It has 32,500 miles, and includes the optional hardtop. It’s in excellent condition. The only body issue is one small scratch, to the primer, on the hardtop. Always been garaged, without fail. Never been wrecked, but had body dings and paint repairs done on it a few years ago. It has no curb rash on the wheels (kudos to my wife for that!). Runs great and nearly new tires, brakes redone about 5k miles ago. It has NOT had the IMS bearing replacement done, which might cause concern to some.

CarMax made the best offer of companies of that type, at $8,000. I’m not excited about selling it myself, but if the spread is great enough, I’ll do it. The other possibility is trying to find a dealer to consign it, but I suspect the better dealers wouldn’t touch it due to the age and category.

It’s not a real popular car, but does anybody have experience with actual sale pricing on this or similar? Please note that I’m not interested in demonstrations of Google or AI query abilities…already did that, and am looking for confirmation now.

Thanks in advance!

Sold for $17k. One model year newer but no hardtop. Incredibly fun car. GLWS.
 

Lumpy

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Sold for $17k. One model year newer but no hardtop. Incredibly fun car. GLWS.
"Records indicate that an LN Engineering IMS bearing kit was installed in July 2020 at which point the clutch, flywheel, air-oil separator, rear main seal, and crankcase vent valve were replaced."
 

BabyRay

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Sold for $17k. One model year newer but no hardtop. Incredibly fun car. GLWS.
"Records indicate that an LN Engineering IMS bearing kit was installed in July 2020 at which point the clutch, flywheel, air-oil separator, rear main seal, and crankcase vent valve were replaced."

Good info, Thanks.

As it turns out, I can’t even sell the car until I get the title corrected. When we bought it new, the dealer titled it with a short version of my first name.

There’s a bit more to the story to explain how I discovered this was a problem, but the Washington State DOL has told me I need to get my full name on a corrected title before they will transfer it to another party. 🤷‍♂️

It could take a couple of months to get a new title. Fortunately, I’m not in a hurry, aside from wanting it out of my garage.
 

MonkeyButt70

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Good info, Thanks.

As it turns out, I can’t even sell the car until I get the title corrected. When we bought it new, the dealer titled it with a short version of my first name.

There’s a bit more to the story to explain how I discovered this was a problem, but the Washington State DOL has told me I need to get my full name on a corrected title before they will transfer it to another party. 🤷‍♂️

It could take a couple of months to get a new title. Fortunately, I’m not in a hurry, aside from wanting it out of my garage.
I was very tempted to buy this from you, now I do not have to make this decision anytime soon and I do not need another car. I thought it would be fun car for my wife to enjoy. Dealing with the government departments are never easy, zero common sense.
 

86403

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"Records indicate that an LN Engineering IMS bearing kit was installed in July 2020 at which point the clutch, flywheel, air-oil separator, rear main seal, and crankcase vent valve were replaced."
The owner of my indy Porsche shop describes the 2.5L M96 engine in the 95-99 Boxster's as "Bulletproof". He did the IMS bearing in his 1998 Boxster at 200k miles and the OE bearing showed negligible wear. Obviously, N=1 and a car he personally serviced, religiously from new.

If someone was really concerned about IMS bearing failure in the 2.5l Boxster motor, Blackstone oil analysis would be very predictive, since the 2 row bearings shed metal before failure.
 
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n2otoofast4u

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Good info, Thanks.

As it turns out, I can’t even sell the car until I get the title corrected. When we bought it new, the dealer titled it with a short version of my first name.

There’s a bit more to the story to explain how I discovered this was a problem, but the Washington State DOL has told me I need to get my full name on a corrected title before they will transfer it to another party. 🤷‍♂️

It could take a couple of months to get a new title. Fortunately, I’m not in a hurry, aside from wanting it out of my garage.

If it goes out of state (I register in OR) it won’t make any difference.
 

BabyRay

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If it goes out of state (I register in OR) it won’t make any difference.

I did a quick look online, and it appears that Oregon will sometimes allow this. However, there’s some risk that the buyer might run into a problem with the DMV, particularly since there’s a Trust involved. Also, since Washington won’t recognize my signature as-is, they may not accept my notice of sale, and I would have an ongoing liability risk.

There is a process for getting it fixed in Washington, so I’ll just go that route. I just need to submit an affidavit, stating that I am who I say I am (yes, it’s stupid….isn’t that what I’m doing when I sign over the title?). Any licensing agency can submit it.
 

n2otoofast4u

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I did a quick look online, and it appears that Oregon will sometimes allow this. However, there’s some risk that the buyer might run into a problem with the DMV, particularly since there’s a Trust involved. Also, since Washington won’t recognize my signature as-is, they may not accept my notice of sale, and I would have an ongoing liability risk.

There is a process for getting it fixed in Washington, so I’ll just go that route. I just need to submit an affidavit, stating that I am who I say I am (yes, it’s stupid….isn’t that what I’m doing when I sign over the title?). Any licensing agency can submit it.

Let me know when you have it sorted
 
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