Why is it so difficukt? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Based upon what great cars they are and how much people seem to like them, why is it so difficult to sell a Boxster?

Supply and demand, fear of maintenance costs and people not willing to commit to a 2 seat sports car. Lots more people will justify a 2 door car with a useless back seat than will actually commit to a 2 seater.

The Boxster is an interesting car in that respect. Phenomenal driving experience, and phenomenal cost, if you can not fix it yourself. Even if you are your own wrench, you pay normal dealer cost for maintenance because the parts are so expensive. Most folks don't want to work on their own cars, and are put off by this. A select few are willing to pay the price to smile every time they drive one.

Car buying is hugely emotional whether we want to admit it or not. Sure there is some logic in there but emotions are a large part of the buying decision. The problem is that many people don't see themselves as "Porsche" people. Exactly what that means is different for every one but its a big barrier to P-ownership.

People can just be d%#ks. When helping a friend sell his 06 Cayman S this summer, prospective buyers would ask what the bottom dollar was. I'd knock a whopping $1500 off the price, say this is the bottom I can go, only to have them come back with an offer $2K less. What part of b-o-t-t-o-m don't they understand? I am a patient person and like selling cars, but this last time was very trying. Good luck with your sale. Like anytime selling a car, the buyer will swoop out of the abyss and snatch up your car before you can blink an eye.

When I sold my Boxster a few years back I proudly displayed my in depth folder of receipts and service history to a few potential buyers. The ones that were not P-Car enthusiasts freaked at the volume of info. The first potential buyer actually versed in P-Cars bought it. As an aside.....stories of $5000 Boxsters imo have ruined the market for clean well maintained examples. Shows like Gas Monkey or Counting Cars where they regularly offer half asking price hasn't helped.

It can be tough...My .02... 1. Never discount or negotiate price with anyone who hasn't taken the time to come look at your car. 2. Ask what questions the buyer has and do your best to answer. 3. Park the car somewhere visible as opposed to just relying on online sources. 4. Your part of the country is tough to sell in with winter coming. Either get aggressive with trying to sell or hang on until next spring (if that's an option).

Now I see that you've had the car for sale for well over a year... $14K is high for your car, even with the low miles. Your ebay auction is within reason...best of luck with your sale!

If I had not unexpectedly purchased a 911, this car would be in my garage right now. I have talked to the owner about this car many times over the last six months and I was really set to move on it but unexpectedly a close friends 911 became available. Anyone - anyone who is remotely familiar with Boxsters would recognize the impressive and thorough amount of work that the seller has put into this car. It checks every single box of all of the ailments that are routinely discussed on this forum. And the seller has priced it correctly to sell, especially with such low mileage. You would find it very hard to duplicate this car with any other Boxster for sale of a similar vintage. Yes, you can quibble about the infamous IMS, but at the price that can probably be negotiated on this car, you could have the IMS updated and still have a fine car worth every penny of what you paid for it and it can be driven for many years to come. Frankly, I can't think of any reason why this car does not sell. And the seller is a hell of a nice guy! I do think that there is some credence that the Porsche maintenance cost reputation scares people off from a financial standpoint. But, in this case, what is left to do??? Goodness!

Could be that you're asking $14k for a car that probably isn't worth more than $9k on a good day.

"Looking for $14,250 or near offers, no trades as I need to downsize. " Just saw that, Good Luck my Friend.

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I'd agree with that, 2 years ago I bought my Boxster for 1/10th of that with 64k miles. For 14k you can buy several nice, clean Boxsters.

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14250*0.10=1425 Let me know when you run across some more in this range and I'll buy a couple.

For those commenting on price.... the car is listed on eBay at $10,500 with no reserve. The upgrades and maintenance performed make that a steal in my opinion. I have been half heartedly trying to sell it up until now. I don't really want to sell it since it fits a purpose but with two other cars in my garage it doesn't get used anywhere near enough.

I've been toying with selling. I'd start at 14,500 for my special edition but it has 130k. If nobody is buying the price is too high or nobody wants it or some combo. There's just 2 avenues really. No matter what you put into it it's a 2001 or whatever year Boxster. Nothing more.

I bought my Boxster this spring and shopped around quite a bit. Many of the cars I looked at are still for sale. I expect some went unsold and aren't listed. The ones that did sell were priced right. There are multiple reasons I didn't buy some cars ranging from no IMS bearing replaced (it doesn't need it ) , owner wouldn't negotiate on overpriced cars that needed work, no maintenance history, crappy ads, lack of response to ads, etc. One guy wanted $25k for his 2003 S with low km and no IMS replacement. He gave me a lot of attitude and wouldn't negotiate. I would have paid $22k. The last time I saw the ad it was down to $20k! They are a great car for the dollar but not dirt cheap to maintain especially if you take it to someone. I'm sure when the time comes I will have to give mine away. That won't be soon but I do have my eye on that RS60 on BAT

I'm in the position that I have a car that is nearly a track car which is still street-able. there is $15,000 in track upgrade that will not help the sale in any way, and putting it for sale for $10,000. for a 2003, non S, does even begin to represent the investment. The only thing that makes it a Non S at this point is a 5 speed transmission. On track it is as fast or faster than a Cayman 4S. and faster than stock to lightly modified 996 GT3's. Faster then most stock 997.1 GT3. I have hours of videos to that fact. Even this won't help

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For the record, I was not being Snarky. I truly meant Good Luck......These cars are way undervalued imo.....

ebay link: 2000 Porsche Boxster S | eBay Looks to be priced about right; KBB says $11K or so. That's a nice, well-cared for car with very low miles. My only suggestion is that the pictures could be a little nicer - good pictures go a long way on eBay. Hope it sells!

Hate to say it, but it looks like we're in the low valley of resale now. 944's were there a few years ago. 914's hit it in the 80's (remember running $500 914's??) It's supply and demand, and the sheer number of used car lot neglected-but-running 986's is killing the value of our well maintained cars.