Wife wants a Boxster/996... any advice?

[bpu699]

(Hope this is in the right section to post in... the boxster part of this board has very little postings...)

We had a 2000 boxster s years ago... Ok car, had it for a year... Had a 99 996 for a while too..

Flash forward 10 years, and wife wants to get a boxster or 996 for herself... Any tips? She doesn't want an older car... (we have a 930/914 already)

I know the IMS seal thing is an issue. From what I understand it 2000-2006 is the worst years, though it can effect any year. I know there was a lawsuit, and a recall.

I am looking primarily at cars for 15-20k$ or less, to keep for a couple years, and sell on. None of the cars listed, even looking up to 25k$, mention anything about having their IMS bearings replaced, or dealt with.

Most of the cars I am looking at have 60-90,000 miles...

Any years I should shoot for? Any years to avoid? A google search seems to suggest that 1997-1999 cars had less issues (but crappier interior build quality from what I remember). The recall only covered cars from 2014 on, I believe...

Any thoughts appreciated....

Bo

[wildthing]

In the off topic forum, there's an "affordable 996 thread". I'd post a link to it, but it gets tricky on an iPad.

[bpu699]

Thanks! Will search....

[Cajundaddy]

I owned a 986 Boxster for 10 years and the car was great. It was the 2.5l with simple interior and a pure sports car with no nannies. If you want one of these, find one that has been well cared for with regular oil changes at 5k or less. This is the best way to keep them running without issue. For 15-20k you might find a 2006 987 which has the glass rear window and nicer interior. They also have a more stout IMS bearing. Good luck!

[Drymartiniwi]

How about a 928. Great touring car. Also fast and handles very good.

[McLaren-TAG]

Is she a good wife? Sell the 930 and buy her a new 981.

[bpu699]

Originally Posted by McLaren-TAG

Is she a good wife? Sell the 930 and buy her a new 981.

Shes a great wife... she is also very frugal .

If I sold the 930, it would be to get a ferrari 360... I have a testarossa, but its not a car she would drive... stick shift and all....

[spyerx]

The early boxsters are really reliable. I'm just basing this on the fact of how hard the spec boxster racer guys beat the crap out of them and they keep going and going and going. The engines seem very robust, the transmissions get replaced more often (racing). These are 97-99 models. Can be had cheap! Great little sports cars.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

I owned a 986 Boxster for 10 years and the car was great. It was the 2.5l with simple interior and a pure sports car with no nannies. If you want one of these, find one that has been well cared for with regular oil changes at 5k or less. This is the best way to keep them running without issue. For 15-20k you might find a 2006 987 which has the glass rear window and nicer interior. They also have a more stout IMS bearing. Good luck!

Regular oil changes at 5K would be key.
I talked to an expert recently and his advice is to get a PPI with an oil change including opening and inspecting the oil filter.

[Elombard]

I see them in that price range with the IMS changed. What about buying a good runner that is cheap and have the IMS changed right away? I know if things have already started to go south in the motor this will not help but you could probably mitigate the risk with a PPI?

I have thought about contacting Raby if I ever get serious and checking to see if he knows of any cars for sale that he has rebuilt.

[spyerx]

Like this:

Porsche Boxster 1997 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Or this for an 05:

2005 Boxster S - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[wayner]

Just a thought, why not buy current model?

A nice new(er) daily driver for her vs. a potential $20k engine repair in an old car that is still depreciating starts to make sense?

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

get a PPI with an oil change including opening and inspecting the oil filter.

That inspection would not be an unreasonable ask, considering that the M96 type engines have filter cartridges with the pleated filter media staring right at you when you remove it from the filter housing.

[bpu699]

Originally Posted by wayner

Just a thought, why not buy current model?

A nice new(er) daily driver for her vs. a potential $20k engine repair in an old car that is still depreciating starts to make sense?

She has a new daily driver... a Toyota . This is simply a weekend plaything, to go to the mall (and track... but SHHHH. Don't tell her)...

A new porsche will lose half its value in 3-4 years, figure a $40,000 loss. A $10,000 boxster will still be $10,000 in 3 years. Heck, if it blows the motor the shell is worth $5k.

[wayner]

Thats was my rational when I bought my 1973 911 a few years ago and look how that turned out

[uptheorg]

I researched the hell out of this IMS issue and came up with some statistics that indicated I could live with the "risk" when I had one that was in the serial number range for failure. Specifically, one of five engines will have a problem. While this is a high number from the manufacturer's perspective, it was something I could live with, especially when additional mitigating factors are taken into account. These include (as mentioned above) regular oil changes and regular usage. The cars that were garage queens in their early years were most likely to fail. The ones that were overdriven in their early years also would fail more frequently. A nice, regularly used engine, that always had relatively fresh oil, stood the least chance of failing.

Let me put in my two cents as to Boxster or 911. The Carrera will always be the better car! It is more iconic, faster, and you can fit more people in it.

[evan9eleven]

I have had my 2004 Box S for two years now and its a blast. Dealer maintained with records, got it with about 42K miles on it. Immediately changed the IMS and a bunch of other preventative maintenance items. Cost a lot to do it that way but the car is a real treat to drive. My wife also drives it and enjoys the car a lot, it suits her lead foot.

Serious bang for the buck.

[rattlsnak]

A co worker of mine is selling his red 99 boxster, manual trans, with fresh top end and IMS recently completed for the $10- 11K range. Let me know if interested and i can put you guys in touch for pictures, etc..

[safe]

Hmmm Boxster.... Time a new wife maybe?

[Cook&Dunning]

If you get an early Boxster - i.e. before mid 2005, the IMS is relatively easy to replace as a maintenance type item - think of it as the thing you replace with clutch. Most of these have probably already been fixed. Also, it can be a DIY. The later type requires a full on engine drop, case split, and a whole lot more $$$. This was resolved in 2009 with the new engine that eliminated the IMS.

The early Boxster may be the sweet spot. Not like an appreciating asset air cooled car, but as a great driving car for a great price.