Foo - Dumb Car Question

Of all the "I'm an idiot" questions I've ever posted this is the idiot-est.

So I'm playing around on ebay because it's cooler than finishing my grading, and there are apparently Porsche Boxsters for around $16k in Austin. They're listed on ebay, but they're sold through a dealership, so it's not bad.

So then I realize that lots of people buy cars that are around $16k for new less-nifty cars. So assuming they're good mechanically, these used cars are all in good condition ('cause who's gonna eat sub sammiches in their new Porsche?)

So, who buys a less-nifty car for the same price as a nifty car? I'm really stumped.

do you have a specific link?
there might be a hidden mechanical malfunction, or he raced it, and really stressed the car out, those are the first two ideas that come to mind.

oh, and the amount of miles on it is a big factor.

So, who buys a less-nifty car for the same price as a nifty car? I'm really stumped.
People who want the new car warranty, ones who can't afford the tripling of car insurance rates that a porche woudl bring.....or have different "needs" (such as SUV to haul kids around, etc...).

Get a VIN, then go to carfax if you worried. Whatever the lemoncheck costs, it's a lot less than the cost of a car.

Not all Boxsters are created equal, so beware... Avoid anything with the 2.5L engine, it's gutless...

So, who buys a less-nifty car for the same price as a nifty car? I'm really stumped.

Me. My 2000-2003 Boxster S dream went down in flames when the wife insisted that we by a new sedan. So we spend $25.5 on a 2006 Jetta TDI. Its gets 43-45mpg on average so it did make sense, as its my main commuter. She also said something about already having a Porsche and i didnt need another one.

Women! They just dont get it.

Flood cars from Lousianna?

It's all a matter of priorities. Used high end car vs new family car? Only you can answer which is a better way to go. Right now, with all the hurricanes over the past two years, I'd approach any used car carefully. Flood damage can be hard to find. Also car rebuilders buy cars with clean titles from insurance companies. These clean title vehicles were wrecked, but were totaled in clean title states where a salvage title doesn't have to be issued. The cars are sold to rebuilders who reconstuct the cars and then sell them thru auctions, ebay etc. Go to coparts.com and you'll find practically brand new 06 vehicles that are totaled and waiting for a rebuilder to buy them. Another site to look at is www.collegeautosales.com. Carfax won't protect a buyer from these cars or from stolen/recovery cars. Things to look for on a carfax report is a car that has had several owners in a short period of time or look for longish time gaps between registered owners. Dealers/rebuilders aren't registered owners. Lastly, know the car you are buying. BMW,for example, stamps the VIN on every body part and the B post. It also stamps R or REM on every replacement body part. So a quick walk around any BMW made in the last 20 years, opening the doors, hood and trunk, will tell you if the car's been hit hard enough to have non original parts. Buying a BMW on ebay, have the seller take pictures of the VIN on every body part and email it to you. Pass on any car with missing vins or REM stamps. I'm sure Porsche stamps its parts as well.

To find flood damage, put your hand up underneath the dashboard and give iot a good rub. if anything more than dust comes back, take a pass. Also lift trunk carpets and look for scum around trunk and hood hinges. Rust in the spare tire well isn't a good sign.

Just because a car was expensive when it was new doesn't mean it was well cared for. A friend of mine buys a brand new Porsche 911 every couple years. He does minimal maintenance, beats the car into the ground, then dumps it before it comes back to haunt him. Buyer beware. And yes, he's wealthy and spoiled.

Flood cars from Lousianna?


"Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!!!!! We have a winner! Pay the man!"

Oooh, I hadn't thought about flood car. Yikes. That's a scary, scary thought.

Just the thought of somebody torturing a Porsche 911 -- oh, I cry.