"Lazy" ignition switch
 

Did a search, and though nothing like my situation jumped out at me, it does seem Boxster ignitions can be as troublesome as the ones on 911s. (I just replaced the electrical cassette on my '83 SC, in fact.)

Anyway, here's the deal: Car cranks just fine, starts just fine. But usually on the first start of the day, when I energize the ignition, it takes about one-potato-two-potato for the solenoid to engage and the starter to crank. Subsequent starts, the starter cranks pretty much the instant the key is twisted all the way.

I don't remember this having happened in the past, though it's my wife's car and I rarely drive it, but is it normal? Or a sign that the electrical part of the switch is going bad?

Car is a 2004 Boxster with 29,000 miles, bone-stock.

Maybe heat sink in the starter?

Never mind, just reread and saw it was the first start. sorry

The new style ignition lock/switch went into production for model year 2003.

Time to replace the ignition switch...go to www.986forum.com or www.renntech.org and search; the solutions are well written and the part easy to come by.

The Audi/VW switch used to fix such a problem does not fit a 2003-2004.