2000-2002 boxster

GotaT · 08-06-2010, 06:33 AM

Thinking of purchasing a 00-03 boxster; anything in particular i need to know or to look out for?? Maintenance items, problem areas,etc. Any would be helpful. Thanks

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I like the 3.2 'S' cars personally - the pricing differential between the S and non-S is getting to be pretty close these days, and the performance difference is significant. Check for frequent oil changes (3000-5000 miles max), as that seems to be the number one way to help reduce engine failures...

-Wayne

messex · messex's Garage

I went with the 03 'S' mainly because the 2003 model had the glass rear window, and the 'S', for the power difference.

Mark

mikefocke · 08-06-2010, 02:41 PM

and you'll find all I have been able to learn in the last 6 years of owning 2 and reading lots of forums.

Link

There are buying comments, model year differences, problem areas, ten best and worst, etc. pages.

Schumi · 08-06-2010, 07:02 PM

The 'S' is a must.

I would put a '03+ high on the list due to the glass window. I'm regretting not having it. Looking to upgrade the top for it.

GotaT · 08-07-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumi

The 'S' is a must.

I would put a '03+ high on the list due to the glass window. I'm regretting not having it. Looking to upgrade the top for it.

What is entailed in having a glass rear window on the earlier cars? Is it just the top or also with additional parts? Cost of vs. going back stock?

-Thanks

mikefocke · 08-08-2010, 08:19 AM

There are 2 ways of going glass window on a pre-03 car. Buy a frame and top from an '03-04 wreck. Easy DIY for 2 people. Or buy a top that is a replacement top with the glass window from an aftermarket supplier. A lot of work to install but cheaper.

The shape of the '03-04 top is slightly different but it fits with no problems and it works better for accessing the engine bay. The replacement top (GAHH is one supplier) is probably 1/3 the cost and harder to install. Both work very well once installed correctly.

To see how much work...go to the TOPs section of my web site at thetop-itsmaintaince&replacement - mikefocke2

KevinH1990 · 08-08-2010, 11:42 AM

I realize that I am "hijacking" this thread, but I have question about installing the GAHH top.

Because I have a hard top for the winter, I don't need to have the soft top or its frame on the car for about 4 months per year. Would it be possible to install the GAHH top without having the soft top frame installed on the car?

That way I could work on the project over the course of several weeks during the winter. I find that having the option to walk away from a project of this type when it becomes frustrating leads to better results for me. It also appears to be two-day job and I rarely have two full days in a row to devote to this type of task.