Boxster Not Selling - Any Advice Ladies & Gents?

[jonc4s]

Hi all,

I usuall post in the 996 section having owned botha C4S and Turbo for a number of years. Never really venture into this forum but I am sure you are all as equally helpful as to what I'm used to with the 996 Guys.

I bought a Boxster in February from a dealer at a good price as it needed some tidying which I completed over the last couple of months and now need to sell to free up some space. I have enjoyed my first cabriolet and anyone who slates Boxsters clearly hasn't driven one!

It's been up for sale for a few weeks with limited interest even through its low mileage and priced well with decent history. Any advice on where I or the car are going wrong. Is it missing something, is it priced wrong? Is the colour scheme not desirable?

Hope this isn't breaking rules? a post is in the for sale section here - http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=773756

Pistonheads Advert is here - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/boxster-987-05-12/porsche-boxster-987-3-2-s-manual-2005/1473579

Any help and advice appreciated - Thanks JON

 

[billy1]

Jon, first impressions are that it has almost no desirable options and is shortly due a service.

I'd suggest detailing the history - services, MoTs etc, which supports the mileage and history. When were the brakes last replaced? Any MoT advisories?

I'd also explain how long you've had it and why you are selling.

The pictures are good.

But, fundamentally, it's not selling because it's probably too expensive. Try reducing the price and see if you get any more interest.

 

[Dylan1]

fair point sadly
my 07 plate with xenons and adaptive sports seats and sport chrono books at trade £12k ........

 

[jonc4s]

ORIGINAL: billy1

Jon, first impressions are that it has almost no desirable options and is shortly due a service.

I'd suggest detailing the history - services, MoTs etc, which supports the mileage and history. When were the brakes last replaced? Any MoT advisories?

I'd also explain how long you've had it and why you are selling.

The pictures are good.

But, fundamentally, it's not selling because it's probably too expensive. Try reducing the price and see if you get any more interest.

Take your comments on board, I counter the lack of options in that it's a raw, lightweight example! lol

It is shortly due a service and my reasoning for not sending it in for the minor is that I would send it to my indi who is unlikely to be known by the purchaser. In a buyers position I would rather buy the car needing a service and send it to the guy that I know and trust, not having Joe Bloggs do it whose reputation means nothing to me.

I could add in my reasoning for wanting to sell and the fact I am an enthusiast with a 911 Turbo as a main car.

Too expensive, I feel it sits quite well in the market place when compared to others. What do you think price wise?

 

[Superally2012]

I think it's quite well priced for the miles etc, the 4 owners might put some off, but it's a nice motor. I had a look at some sites and 2005 3.2 S with same spec, miles etc are around 13k-14.5k. I would mention more about service, was the last one major or minor, when it was done, mention when brakes etc need doing, you mention tyres but what tread all round, when was the clutch done? People like the idea of getting a 12k Porsche but are put off if their potential summer runaround becomes a summer money pit.
Best of luck with it though, it will sell!

 

[Boxstercol]

I don't think the price is an issue. I've just bought a 987 S, with a good spec, decent history & in beautiful condition. I've paid a bit more than that & when I was looking around they were priced anything from £12k to £17k. I've been keeping an eye on the market for a few months now since my 986 was written off so would consider that I'm fairly clued up on what the market is doing.

It isn't always the right thing to do in dropping the price, that's an easy suggestion. I genuinely believe that people buy on condition & the Porsche market is probably not as price sensitive as other cars - if someone won't buy an immaculate Porsche for a slight premium then they have no chance with servicing / running costs.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Let's take it very simplistically. If the car was advertised at £5 it would have sold by now, if you try to sell it for £50K it obviously won't shift. Price is everything, and if it's not selling you haven't found that right point in the middle? If you've not even had the phone ringing with people wanting to view the car, and make a cheeky offer, then your price is probably way too high.

But, you can help yourself. Word the advert cleverly, so you address all the potential questions buyers might ask, and you look like the perfect seller. If there are any poor points, then stick them at the top and explain them; people aren't looking for perfection, they are looking for honesty.

I'd get it serviced, myself, and sell this as equivalent to an inspection. Show what they advised was coming up to needing attention, address common potential problems the model suffers from, and remember that you're selling a specialist car in an age where people will have done their research on t'internet.

 

[MrDemon]

In no way talk about potental problems lol that's crazy.

The add seems ok to me, as does prices, just loads of cars for sale and black is not a big Boxster seller imo.
Hold out a bit longer imo.

People just seem to want heated seats and the wind deflector.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

In no way talk about potental problems lol that's crazy.

So, if you have a Boxster to sell, and you've recently fitted new rads, RMS or even a new engine, you'd not mention it?

People know what to look for, so if you've spent money on those areas then that has to be worth mentioning. How's that crazy? We'd be advising buyers to look for a car that has had at least some of the common problem areas addressed, so why is it "crazy" to advise a seller to include these things in an ad? [8|]

 

[PKE]

The 4 owners in 8 years will put me off, suggest that it is a problem car and the owners have been treating it like hot potato.

Personally, I don't like black interiors.

 

[jonc4s]

ORIGINAL: PKE

The 4 owners in 8 years will put me off, suggest that it is a problem car and the owners have been treating it like hot potato.

Personally, I don't like black interiors.

Can't see how 4 owners in 8 years is excessive on a Boxster, it's a fun car that people enjoy and move on. I must be the opposite I only have black interiors, I dislike lighter coloured interiors especially on previous generation Porsches - each to their own though

 

[jonc4s]

ORIGINAL: Superally2012

I think it's quite well priced for the miles etc, the 4 owners might put some off, but it's a nice motor. I had a look at some sites and 2005 3.2 S with same spec, miles etc are around 13k-14.5k. I would mention more about service, was the last one major or minor, when it was done, mention when brakes etc need doing, you mention tyres but what tread all round, when was the clutch done? People like the idea of getting a 12k Porsche but are put off if their potential summer runaround becomes a summer money pit.
Best of luck with it though, it will sell!

I've done a lot of research on price over the last few weeks monitoring eBay, PH and the Trader. It's comparatively well priced, especially given it's condition. Take your point on board about detailing more of the service history

 

[billy1]

ORIGINAL: Boxstercol

I don't think the price is an issue. I've just bought a 987 S, with a good spec, decent history & in beautiful condition. I've paid a bit more than that & when I was looking around they were priced anything from £12k to £17k. I've been keeping an eye on the market for a few months now since my 986 was written off so would consider that I'm fairly clued up on what the market is doing.

It isn't always the right thing to do in dropping the price, that's an easy suggestion. I genuinely believe that people buy on condition & the Porsche market is probably not as price sensitive as other cars - if someone won't buy an immaculate Porsche for a slight premium then they have no chance with servicing / running costs.

In questions like this, price is almost always the issue. People do "buy on condition" of course, but in order to assess the condition they need to see it, and in order to see it they need to contact the vendor, and in order to wish to contact the vendor the price needs to be attractive.

If no-one is even enquiring then it isn't attractive at the price asked. There are quite a few cars for sale and this one doesn't have anything that is particularly attractive - 19" wheels, nav, sports seats etc. The fact that the advert includes the airbags pretty much sums up the problem - no spec! And with no spec, the price has to be low enough to attract interest.

It's by no means a bad advert, nor indeed a bad car. It just needs to be priced right to reflect what it is.

 

[billy1]

ORIGINAL: jonc4s

ORIGINAL: billy1

Jon, first impressions are that it has almost no desirable options and is shortly due a service.

I'd suggest detailing the history - services, MoTs etc, which supports the mileage and history. When were the brakes last replaced? Any MoT advisories?

I'd also explain how long you've had it and why you are selling.

The pictures are good.

But, fundamentally, it's not selling because it's probably too expensive. Try reducing the price and see if you get any more interest.

Take your comments on board, I counter the lack of options in that it's a raw, lightweight example! lol

It is shortly due a service and my reasoning for not sending it in for the minor is that I would send it to my indi who is unlikely to be known by the purchaser. In a buyers position I would rather buy the car needing a service and send it to the guy that I know and trust, not having Joe Bloggs do it whose reputation means nothing to me.

I could add in my reasoning for wanting to sell and the fact I am an enthusiast with a 911 Turbo as a main car.

Too expensive, I feel it sits quite well in the market place when compared to others. What do you think price wise?

I would rather buy a car freshly serviced by a reputably indy than buy a car which I then needs to spend an unknown about of money on. Either that, or the price would need to reflect the potential risk of the car needing new brakes etc.

I spent nearly six months looking for a Boxster S last year. The best value car I saw sold for £13k, had full Porsche SH, some Porsche warranty remaining, wasn't due a service for a year, had at least some spec and had 34k miles. In which case I do think it's too expensive for a quick sale. However it is still early days, so you may still get a buyer without having to drop the price! It depends how much you want to sell, and do bear in mind that it won't increase in value the longer you wait.

 

[MrDemon]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

In no way talk about potental problems lol that's crazy.

So, if you have a Boxster to sell, and you've recently fitted new rads, RMS or even a new engine, you'd not mention it?

People know what to look for, so if you've spent money on those areas then that has to be worth mentioning. How's that crazy? We'd be advising buyers to look for a car that has had at least some of the common problem areas addressed, so why is it "crazy" to advise a seller to include these things in an ad? [8|]

People have no clue what to look for, you only have to look at how few cars turn up at events or people post here.
Porsche have a cast iron build out in the real world, not forum geek world lol

people who know what to look for are about 3% of sales imo maybe even less.
the rest look for price/service history colour etc. than on arrival dents and tyres, that's about it.


If you talk about RMS and the likes to the 23 year old girl who fancys a Boxster you would scare her off.

So no NEVER talk about things which can go wrong when selling cars.

again if it's had a RSM most seem to need one again so if some one had said it has had a new RSM I would walk anyway. the same cars seem to need RSM after RSM, I would buy one with no oil leaks with the RSM from the factory.

 

[billy1]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

In no way talk about potental problems lol that's crazy.

So, if you have a Boxster to sell, and you've recently fitted new rads, RMS or even a new engine, you'd not mention it?

People know what to look for, so if you've spent money on those areas then that has to be worth mentioning. How's that crazy? We'd be advising buyers to look for a car that has had at least some of the common problem areas addressed, so why is it "crazy" to advise a seller to include these things in an ad? [8|]

People have no clue what to look for, you only have to look at how few cars turn up at events or people post here.
Porsche have a cast iron build out in the real world, not forum geek world lol

people who know what to look for are about 3% of sales imo maybe even less.
the rest look for price/service history colour etc. than on arrival dents and tyres, that's about it.


If you talk about RMS and the likes to the 23 year old girl who fancys a Boxster you would scare her off.

So no NEVER talk about things which can go wrong when selling cars.

again if it's had a RSM most seem to need one again so if some one had said it has had a new RSM I would walk anyway. the same cars seem to need RSM after RSM, I would buy one with no oil leaks with the RSM from the factory.

I'd tend to agree.

However such buyers tend to buy from dealers, and not privately.

I wouldn't mention possible issues in the ad, but obviously would if questions were asked and if it is clearly a well informed enquirer I would emphasise my knowledge of the car and my enthusiasm to them.

 

[dpoynton]

Would it be worth seeing if a Porsche specialist would sell it on a commission basis for you?

D

 

[jdpef356]

Keep it, drive it like it was stolen, and you won't want to sell it![]

 

[Star5KEY]

It's quite simply too expensive.

Im a 997 and boxster owner. The boxster is a recent addition. I paid a small premium for a nice, but low spec (ve basic actually) non S, but I think you're asking for too heavy a premium as an enthusiastic, caring, marque specific owner. Your car is likely to be about to pass into non enthusiast, more generic 'sportyish car owner' territory.

I didn't buy my 997 (C2S) to use daily, but we did buy the boxster as a summer daily driver. Why pay a £2k premium for a boxster that's going to be used, parked at the supermarket and left in the rain. My opinion, as a recent buyer, is simply that for most boxster owners, it's not the cherished garage queen it's bigger sister the 911 is. I DID pay over what people may consider paying for my 997, from an OPC and a low mileage, immaculate, 'perfect' spec car. This special toy wasn't the box that the boxster is ticking (for us) and I dare say a lot other buyers are of the same mindset. There are many,many boxsters out there to choose from . The sun is out and buyers are out there, so if its not selling, it's too much money.

Your car was an S, so was overlooked by us anyway, but more significantly was too expensive. We're not price driven, we didn't buy new for the above reasons. We want to use it. Better that someone else has rubbed the new off a little first!

Sorry, but that's how I see it.

 

[Boxstercol]

ORIGINAL: jonc4s

ORIGINAL: PKE

The 4 owners in 8 years will put me off, suggest that it is a problem car and the owners have been treating it like hot potato.

Personally, I don't like black interiors.

Can't see how 4 owners in 8 years is excessive on a Boxster, it's a fun car that people enjoy and move on. I must be the opposite I only have black interiors, I dislike lighter coloured interiors especially on previous generation Porsches - each to their own though

I agree.

I always used to look for a low ownership car when looking. However, somebody made a good point - on a car like a Boxster & especially when they are in the 'younger' days of their life they tend to get sold through main dealers. Therefore they are subject to 111 point checks & warranties which means every time the car changes hands, any work needed is done. My Boxster has had a few owners, however has always been under extended warranty & has probably had more OPC 111 point checks than servicing!!!!

Additionally most new owners spend a few quid on minor rectifications when they first buy. I think I'd rather have a car that has had a few quid spent on it rather than a one owner car that has perhaps had a skipped / late service. Long ownership can mean complacency as owners lose interest.