Hello Porschephiles:

When attending a local PCA event earlier this month, I noted there were three generation 1 (986) Boxsters in the parking lot.  These were owned by (gasp!) younger owners (younger to me means <40!).  With the first 986 now over 10 years old, these cars have depreciated down to under $20,000 and are assuming the role of  the ‘entry level’ Porsche for younger enthusiasts, displacing the 944.  Having once owned a 1998 Boxster, I can attest to the cars wonderful dynamics and its sheer joy to drive.  We all know its well publicised weak points too, but the vast majority produced from 1997 to 2004 have held up well.  The bigger issue with any ‘entry level’ Porsche is the cost of parts and maintenance.  The hourly rates and cost of parts at your local specialist’s shop are the same as those of a 2004 911 Twin Turbo.  For first time used Porsche owners this can be a major issue.  The solution for many is to try to maintain the 986 yourself.  There are many routine and not so routine maintenance tasks that can be performed by the do-it-yourselfer IF he or she has a good source of information and documentation on the procedures required.  The Internet can be a great source, but nothing beats a good book written by an expert on the marque.  We are proud to carry Bruce Whittier’s Boxster Owner’s Maintenance Manual.  This book covers all 986 models from 1997 – 2004 (Boxster and Boxster S).  It has 266 pages filled with detail on various subsystems maintenance, trouble shooting and operation including descriptions of many OBD II digital trouble codes (DTCs).  For $39.95 plus S&H you can cut the cost of Boxster ownership.

It’s Cold, but ‘Porsche Spring’ is Coming!

This has (so far) been a cold and snowy winter here on the right coast.  This kind of weather can get you down after a while.  This last Saturday was so cold here I couldn’t get my 83 Mercedes Diesel to start.  So I pushed the old gal down the driveway and instead reached for my trusty 1992 964 (OK, not exactly ‘trusty’) that has been sitting in the garage since early December and kept alive by a trickle charger.  She started right up amidst a cloud of oil smoke that helped fumigate the mice in the garage.  I ran my day’s errands in the Porsche and didn’t feel too guilty driving her in the winter since we’ve had only a small amount of snow and no salt on the roads.  I was thankful I had repaired the heater last summer!  Then I took her back home via some twisty country roads including some runs up to 6,000 RPM to blow out the cobwebs.

Driving the Porsche on a winter’s day made the weather seem far less gloomy.  And the smell of burning oil on its heat exchangers was almost as good as that of a freshly mown lawn.  It made the coming of spring almost seem near.  So, unless you own some pre-galvanized era 911 or a concours car, I say get it out of the garage and drive it!  It’s good for the car and more importantly, good for you.

It’s also time to start planning for spring maintenance.  Think about ordering the filters and gaskets you’ll need to change oil and adjust valves etc. when the driving season starts in earnest.  Me?  Right now I’m thinking I’ll forego the block heater I was looking at for the diesel and invest in some winter tires and rims for the 964!

Marketing in the Social Media Era

The “Project 100″ is a  not for profit collaborative book on “Marketing in the Social Media Era”.  It brought together 100 of us to contribute with all proceeds will be donated to the Susan B. Komen foundation for Breast Cancer.  What follows is an excerpt from my contribution.  Book to be publish end of year.

Jump ahead one hundred years and what has changed?  Simply, the introduction of social media.  The  unique ability to share knowledge, enthusiasm,  and lifestyle around a specific car. Enabling that car to further become  part of our identity as we are able to share and distribute our thoughts about that car.  Whether those thoughts revolve around  restoration, repairing, customization, performance,  racing, showing, or just enjoying,  social media enables the “do it yourself” (DIY) model. 

Welcome to Foreign Intrigue’s Blog

Hey Porschephiles.  We set this blog up to let our customers talk about their Porsche(R) cars and tell their own Porsche stories.  We also hope this can become a place to ask questions and seek help from other Porsche owners.  All we ask is that you keep it clean and focused on our cars and lifestyle.  No flaming or ranting please.

Thanks and enjoy!

Mike and Lisa