981 Boxster GTS Inspection

This is my husband’s first Porsche, the 981 Boxster GTS. I was there when it was delivered back in 2015. I still vividly remember how excited he was when he finally got his long-awaited Porsche after deciding years ago, “I will definitely buy a Porsche someday.”

It still feels so strange, like it’s not really mine yet. It’s been a while since I drove a manual, and the clutch is so heavy and tricky…!

Despite feeling a bit nervous, he went on a mid-distance drive right after.

Actually, I had already removed my automatic-only license restriction by the time the Boxster was delivered, so I was technically able to drive a manual. Beforehand, my husband kept telling me,

“Make sure to get your automatic restriction lifted before the Boxster arrives. It’s definitely more fun if you can drive it!”

I kept saying, “No way, I’m definitely not driving it, so I don’t need to do that (-_-),” but eventually I got motivated (I wasn’t interested in cars at all back then) and squeezed in driving school between work.

During the final assessment, the instructor asked, “Why did you decide to remove the automatic restriction?” I explained, “Actually, my husband is buying a manual car, so he told me to get it done before then.” When I said it was a Porsche Boxster, the instructor immediately said,

“Oh really! A Porsche!? If it were any other manual, maybe, but with your driving skills, I can’t approve you for a Porsche! Additional lessons required!”

I was totally shocked (lol).

I managed to get the restriction lifted, but I was still very anxious about driving, so I barely drove the Boxster for four years after delivery… Last year, after buying my own manual BMW 320i, I finally started driving the Boxster and even joined a Porsche driving school, and managed to drive to and from Hokuriku on my own.

Meanwhile, my husband has taken the Boxster on tours all the way to Tohoku, driven at Fuji Speedway, and explored many other roads. Before we knew it, five years had passed since delivery, and the car recently came up for its second inspection.

Time really flies, doesn’t it?

What Did the 981 Boxster GTS Inspection Include?

When the inspection notice arrived, my husband was already thinking,

This Boxster inspection is going to cost a fortune… At the last check, they said the front brake discs and pads would need replacing at this inspection, so I expect it to be quite expensive. Porsche parts aren’t cheap, after all.

So, here’s a breakdown of the actual costs and work done during this inspection.

[Main Items for Boxster GTS Inspection]
(981 Boxster GTS (MY2016), Mileage: 42,840 km)
・Basic vehicle inspection and maintenance
・Headlight focus adjustment
・Rear brake caliper bolt replacement
・Engine oil change (7.3L)
・Brake and clutch fluid replacement
・Wiper blade replacement
・Air conditioning filter replacement
・Front brake pads & disc rotors replacement
・Spark plug replacement
・Battery replacement
・Emergency flare replacement (expired)
・Tire puncture repair kit replacement (expired)
・Weight tax
・Compulsory insurance (24 months)
・Brake pad remaining thickness F: new, R: 8.0mm
・Tire tread remaining F: 4.1mm, R: 4.7mm
Total: 523,300 yen (parts, labor, tax included)

520,000 yen!!!

That’s enough to buy a used car (*_*)!!

The battery and brake discs were especially pricey.

About Boxster Inspections

My husband has always had all his Porsches inspected at the dealer since they were new, but

Honestly, dealer work is expensive, but as long as I own the car, I want to keep extending the new car warranty (up to 15 years max), and rather than repairs, I prefer to replace parts as much as possible to keep it as close to new as I can.

When I said, “Maintaining a Porsche is really expensive. It’s not like selling it before inspection; if you drive a fair amount and keep it long-term, it really adds up,” he replied,

Yeah, but how much you spend really depends on how you want to maintain the car. If you just want to pass inspection, you don’t have to replace all these parts. And if you don’t care about extended warranties, you can go DIY or use a regular garage.
But I want to keep this car as close to new as possible, so that’s why it costs this much.
At this mileage, it’s better to keep driving it rather than thinking about selling, and I hope to cherish it while maintaining this condition.

Maintaining a car is truly a big commitment. This was a great lesson for me too, for when I someday buy my own Porsche (lol).