[Zeke]

We had a base Boxster for 22 years. Other than the fact that it was not comfortable for me at 6 feet and long legs, it was fun. It did handle extremely well and I once broke its cherry doing about 130. That was what the speedo said on standard size tires, so who knows the actual speed. But the 2.7 did something in 3 digits, that I know.

If the AOS goes away that will scare you with all the smoke. It's no big deal, just a little tricky to get to. Plan on a couple of scraped knuckles. Plastic water pump impeller should be changed at that age. Of course the IMS is a 5% concern. At today's prices I'd just run with it and throw the thing away if it lets loose.

I don't think Boxsters are the best car to get wet a lot. Do keep track of the drains. And since it gets cold in VA, don't move the top when the plastic window is cold. They all suffer from a few little problems and all of that is well documented.