Any quick thoughts ?

[PeterK]

Any quick thoughts on this used Boxster at our local Porsche dealer ?

https://minneapolis.porschedealer.com/inventory/used-2003-porsche-boxster-s-rwd-2d-convertible-wp0cb29873s660153

No service history, and they can't confirm IMS bearing retro fit.

Is there a way to tell if an oil feed retro fit has been installed ? The feed line coming out of the housing ?

This is a list of what the dealership says they have done.


- Sticky radio knobs have been replaced
- Battery cable was replaced
- 60K Major service was completed
- Brake flush was completed
- Gas cap seal was replaced
- Front hood struts were replaced
- Wheels were re-balanced
- Cracked ignition coils were replaced
- Water pump was replaced
- Wiper blades were replaced
- Dome light was repaired
- Missing tool kit was replaced
- Gas tank locking mechanism was replaced

[CarGuyNeil]

Porsche dealer. Price seems outrageously high.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[husker boxster]

You must assume if there's not documentation or decals, there's no IMS update. I believe the Direct Oil Feed (DOF) uses an adapter on the oil filter as the oil feed. Check LN's website for that.

The dealer has that car overpriced, esp if they can't prove the IMS has been done. You'll need to budget another $2500-3000 to have that done. That would include a new clutch. Speaking of clutches, their ad lists it as a tiptronic automatic in 2 places when there's a pic clearly of the 6 speed stick shift. Kind of sloppy, esp for a Porsche dealership. Back to price, they have this one priced like a 2007 Box S. Obviously the mileage jacks up the value, but you could find a 50K mi 03S with better maintenance and service history incl IMS for $16K.

And just because this one is low mileage, that doesn't mean it's necessarily a "new" car. They've done some things but these items may need addressed:
tires may be aged out (check date codes)
suspension bushing may be cracked / aged
transaxle fluid will need replaced
battery could be old
So don't think you're home free when you leave the dealership with a 24K mi car. It's also a 17 yr old car. IMS and a set of tires will set you back $4K. I bring this up so you know there's more to the cost than what you pay. Once you get her up to snuff, you should have a nice car that will go a long ways down the road.

[mikefocke]

The DOF uses a feed off the head, LN off the adapter for the oil filter.

Tires replaced in 2015, age not miles is your concern. Ask about date of manufacture on the sidewall.

Beauty. Unique.

But at least $5k more than I'd be paying. (Sold a '01S needing nothing with 60k and new Michelins and 6 year service history for $12.5k in 2012. 11 versus 17 years old then. Detailed service. New battery and tires and belts and coils and plugs.)

I'd rather have higher mileage and more frequent recent use with great service than a low mileage with no great record of visits to a Porsche expert shop. See the CarFax link from the ad.

.

Good luck.

[Brian in Tucson]

Too much money.

Are you going to try to finance it? That might be problematic as the price certainly exceeds any book value. Dealers in general seem to think their cares a worth there weight in gold.

If I had that kind of money, I'd be looking for something a lot newer.

[Flying-Al]

Also I do believe there is a school of thought that the lower mileage engines seemed to have a higher failure rate than one driven more frequently. I agree with the others that suggest an IMS upgrade which adds to an already over priced car. The one good thing is you still should have a fair amount of miles left before Cylinder taper and wear becomes an issue. I bought a 2002 for 3 grand and drove it home (with 150K miles) and found a really clean nice one with a blown motor for 4K, spent 3K on a lower mileage replacement motor and have his on the road for less than 8K. We did do the work our self though so that saved a lot on cost of engine replacement.

[fm1082]

Seems high, low mileage, but an almost 20 year old garage queen is not always a good thing. There is some anecdotal evidence that these are the exact cars that are prone to IMS problems.

Remember that there were a small number of the total that had IMS problems. I know that my experience is a sample size of one, but my 2003 was a daily driver until I sold it with over 140,000 miles. No IMS issues and the car still ran beautiful.