Okay, here’s my blog post about my “2000 Porsche” experience, written in a casual, personal style, and following all your rules:
So, I finally got my hands on a 2000 Porsche Boxster. It wasn’t exactly planned, more like a “fell into my lap” kind of deal. A friend of a friend was moving overseas and needed to get rid of it, like, yesterday. I’ve always liked the look of these things, and the price was… well, let’s just say it was very persuasive.
The Beginning
First thing I did? Took it for a spin, obviously. Top down, wind in my hair (what’s left of it, anyway). It felt… surprisingly good! The engine, even though it’s not the “S” model, had plenty of pep. The handling was the real eye-opener. It just sticks to the road like glue. I took some corners way faster than I should have, and it just ate them up.
Getting My Hands Dirty
Of course, it’s a 20-year-old car, so there were bound to be some quirks. The first thing I tackled was the convertible top. It was going up and down, but it was slow. And noisy. I did some digging online (lots of forum browsing) and figured out it was probably the hydraulic fluid.
- Step 1: Find the hydraulic pump. It’s tucked away in the back, behind the seats.
- Step 2: Check the fluid level. Mine was low, really low.
- Step 3: Top it off! I used some special Porsche-approved fluid (didn’t want to mess that up).
- Step 4: Found a good youbute video, and it is very helpful.
That made a HUGE difference. The top was moving much smoother and quieter. Score one for DIY!
The Little Things
Then came the smaller stuff. The headlights were foggy, so I got one of those restoration kits. It involved a lot of sanding and polishing, but they ended up looking pretty darn good. Much better than spending hundreds on new ones.
The interior needed some love too. The leather seats were a bit worn, so I got some leather cleaner and conditioner. Took some elbow grease, but they cleaned up nicely. I also replaced the floor mats, because, why not?
The End Result (So Far)
So, after a few weekends of tinkering, I’ve got a pretty sweet ride. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And it’s a blast to drive. I’ve learned a ton about working on cars, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s amazing what you can figure out with some online research and a little bit of courage.
There are still a few things on my to-do list. Maybe a new stereo, possibly some minor engine tweaks. But for now, I’m just enjoying the ride. It is really worth it.
