[Cajundaddy]

A rough guide to Boxster variants:
97-2000 double row IMS with less than 1% failure rate.
2001-2004 single row with 8-10% IMS failure
2005-2008 more robust IMS with less than 1% failure
2009-current Design change with IMS bearing eliminated

If I were shopping I would look first at 2009-current for the highest reliability. In older cars I would find a mid-mileage car with a history of frequent oil changes. Oil contamination from long service intervals is a strong suspect in IMS bearing failure. A 1% failure rate for IMS is not zero so there is always a chance you get bit but your odds are better than Vegas. I had mine upgraded at 96k and the stock bearing was still very sound. My 98 has 115k miles and 100+ track days. She has been very reliable through thick and thin.