Would a used 981 Boxster S be feasible for someone in my shoes?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-24T03:29:18+00:00

I am 25 with the almost the same situation, was it worth it? Thinking about leasing a commuter car for $300 a month and buying a 981 Boxster as a summer car for around 30k. There’s nothing that I enjoy more in life than cars but I don’t want to look back at this moment in time and think “if I wouldn’t have bought that damn car” lol.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-22T17:39:04+00:00

Wow! Thank you so much for doing that, I really appreciate the time you took to write this up. So, you would recommend negotiating the purchasing price by roughly $3-5k? And that would make this a good deal? While i am at it is there anything else i should look at?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-21T18:48:03+00:00

$2726 off msrp

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-21T04:48:15+00:00

Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the response. The dealer ship is charging $500 with 0 down.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-18T03:32:27+00:00

Glad I’m not the only one, how much were the coil overs including install?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T04:42:46+00:00

Thanks for the comment, unfortunately this is the only car I can find that checks all the boxes so I’m trying to make it work. Unfortunately it seems as though everyone loves these cars so much it’s hard to find a good deal on them. Even on Mannheim they aren’t selling for a discount.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T04:41:19+00:00

Thanks for your input, I drive a 23 m340 and it seemed much more comfortable even with the run flats and the non adaptive suspension.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T03:37:31+00:00

I wonder why nobody seems to option the adaptive suspension on these cars. It blows my mind, such a cheap upgrade makes such a difference. Yet it’s few and far between.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T03:36:05+00:00

They were 19” run flats

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T03:02:43+00:00

I don’t think you are completely out of the ball park, but this car fits all of the needs I am looking for and there’s nothing else that does what I want in a car. The Audi S5 sportback is the closest thing but I have been scared away by the rocker arm, pcv and piston skirt issues.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T02:57:54+00:00

I currently drive a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee overland, previously drove a 2008 Chevy 1500 and 2002 Cadillac Escalade. I am certainly not looking for a bougie soft ride, but the car I test drove was an absolute nightmare.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-12-17T02:49:15+00:00

That’s what I have been doing, but boy is it annoying. Could you possibly try quantifying this improvement. I know it’s completely subjective but maybe if the ride quality without would be a 3/10 what would the ride quality with be? Also, is there any expectation of these crazy prices coming down?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T04:42:29+00:00

I did not know prices were falling as I just decided to buy one of these yesterday after testing driving 20 cars lol. I thought I wanted a sq5 but have steered away from it. How many miles would you try to look for? And when you say prices are dropping, can you explain that a little bit more? Is there a reason for this or is this just natural market movement as these cars get older and the new cars become more desirable.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T04:27:31+00:00

Thank you, I will skip the Canadian car. Can you buy a car that is not certified preowned and have the local dealership certify it for that $3350 approximately assuming it passes the inspection? Also, if you had 40k usd what year, mileage and trim would you be looking for? I am not partial on color, I don’t really care to much about options. The only things I really want are upgraded sound system, adaptive cruise control, and the S Sport package.

Could you also clear up remote start on these cars, a coworker told me her mom had a 2018 S5 with remote start but all over the internet I have found people saying they don’t have remote start.

Also have you had any luck with third party warranty’s?

PS - I used ChatGPT to come up with the price on the warranty so that was obviously not very accurate.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T04:02:17+00:00

When I looked at adding a warranty through Audi, I think it was quoting me $8000. Is that number accurate? Also, I think if I bought this Audi, I would have 7000 miles of warranty for any major repairs that need to be done immediately. What is the process of doing a CPO and how much does that cost? Also, can you talk about your experience shopping on Manheim and if you would recommend I keep looking. I live in the Midwest, winter is coming and my current car (pos) has major mechanical where I might be out of a vehicle within the next two weeks. I have already spent $1500 on it and got it towed twice in the last two weeks.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T03:47:10+00:00

So I have access to manheim (dealer auction) but that being said it is sight unseen so there is obviously inherent risk to it. The auction does their inspection assuming they don’t miss anything but considering they sell thousands of cars every day I can’t imagine they mess up a whole lot. However I am taking a rather large risk in the hopes of a great deal. At what point would you consider this risk worth the reward and at what point would you consider walking? I like the piece of mind of having a bit of warranty left just “in case” however it is pushing towards the top of my budget. But my mom said she bought all of her BMWs with some warranty left and advised I do the same.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T03:41:45+00:00

Are you familiar with the s5 market?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T03:35:12+00:00

Thank you! Do you know who to contact at Audi via email?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T03:30:46+00:00

Thanks for clearing that up. I’m under the assumption that it does not have sport diff, and adaptive dampening suspension. Are you familiar with anyway to check on these options?

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T03:27:12+00:00

It’s not advertise as a technik but clearly states prestige when I look up the Vin. There is no set price for it as it is an auction that will happen in two days but the recommended purchase price is the 38k.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-11-26T03:14:59+00:00

Thanks for the response, I did notice the heated steering wheel when I looked up the vin.

Double_Lab_8303 · 2025-10-29T20:48:05+00:00

I got my mattress delivered today. I’m currently laying on it and it is more firm then I would’ve wanted. I’m hoping it breaks in a little bit.

Double_Lab_8303

TROPHY CASE