Which S to get?

[pete13]

Hey guys,
It seems as though the time has come to let my 944 "grow up," and I'm thinking of letting it become a Boxster S. the 2000-2003's are around my price range, so I'm wondering what input you all have about what to look for, what to avoid, etc. What is your opinion on a PASM equipped car? What sort of mileage can I expect to get out of a boxster s, and by extension, what mileage range should I look to buy?

[racer]

Originally Posted by pete13

Hey guys,
It seems as though the time has come to let my 944 "grow up," and I'm thinking of letting it become a Boxster S. the 2000-2003's are around my price range, so I'm wondering what input you all have about what to look for, what to avoid, etc. What is your opinion on a PASM equipped car? What sort of mileage can I expect to get out of a boxster s, and by extension, what mileage range should I look to buy?

Congrats on planning the upgrade. I have seen 2000 "s" for as little as $16K.. many for less than 20K.

2003 will cost more because of 1) glass rear window and 2) slight HP bump and styling upgrade.

I think the bulks of cars you will find are 2000-2002.

Pasm? Don't like it, especially if you will track the car. Perfectly fine for a street car.

Mileage? like MPG? I think they were rated at 18/25. IIRC, my 2000 NonS was rated 19/26. 16 gallon tank. You can do math

There are many boxsters out there with over 100K miles (the base cars have been around for 10 years now).. so .. as with all used cars, get the "best one" you can afford.

Also consider many of these were "leased" cars, so finding complete long term records would be harder to do. Take you time to find a 1-2 owner car if records are important. If that isn't an issue, be sure to set aside 15-20% of purchase price to make things "correct".

[pete13]

sorry, I meant the total number of miles I'd be able to put on the car in its life. My 944's got 170,000+ right now, and it still runs like a top. Can I expect this sort of life out of a boxster engine, given vigilant maintenence?

[BoxsterGT]

The most I have seen on a Boxster is 140k from a fellow who bought an 02 new & drives it everyday to work, a distance of 100 mi ea way.
Only repairs so far were a clutch & (2) main seals & a new MAF sensor plus (2) cleanings of the MAF sensor.
Buy an 03 or newer if you can afford it, for long term future upgrades.
There are many more engine upgrades possible with the 03, including the 3.6 & 3.8 versions.
These are possible w the earlier model years but more difficult & costly to make the swap.
The newer the better in my opinion.
Cheers,
BoxsterGT

[racer]

Bump.. I don't think PASM was available until the 987 based cars in 2005. PSM was available on the 986 based cars.. but not untill 2000.

[pete13]

How much work would I be able to do on my own on a Boxster S?? What's the maintenence like in relation to a 944 or 911 for that matter?

[JMatta]

Pete, I may not be the best to answer, because I drive my car about 2500 miles a year, but; I change my own oil, brakes would be simple and I've done mods to both the intake and exhaust. Car is an '02 S with just under 13k miles. I track my 911 and do alot of maintenance, but the 986 is a different beast. The later generation cars are sensitive to change, therefore, diagnostic software is a must; my friend does the hard stuff for me.

[pete13]

sounds nice, you willing to sell? just kidding. What are the potential trouble spots in the boxster S that I should be aware of?

[mack6820]

I dont have a boxter but when I was shopping, I heard that the earlier boxters had alot of problems with the soft top mechanisms. Is this true?

[Sboxin]

IMHO of course -- 2003 S with PSM, low miles and service records.
Also, don't depend on CarFax to be accurate -- get your insurance company
to check on previous damage.

We have an '02S with PSM and it is a great car - street and track - 66K miles
new clutch at 48K, routine maintenance including brake pads (same rotors)
oil change twice a year w/Mobile One Synthetic 0-40.

The PSM will save your @ss when you don't expect that rear end 180 on a
slick surface.

If you can find a dealer CPO car that will be your best bet.

Take care,
Ed
AKA SBOXIN

[DohertyCM]

I am putting my S up for sale. 18K ....69 thousand mile. The 60,000 mile religious water pump change has been done along with belts. GT3 front, has not been tracked (I have another one for that) ...Black with the camel interior. Complete service history.

by the way, the top problem was what I found to be a user caused problem.

[JMatta]

I like the GT3 front on the car...any other pics? Is this a factory piece or aftermarket?

[DohertyCM]

Its a stock front that was put on a year ago, Yeah I like it too. It changes the entire look of the car.

[DohertyCM]

[DohertyCM]

My plans were to change out the wheels, add a wing from Zeintop, Exhaust, Intake...and toy with the idea of adding the Zeintop.

The engine I was looking at the intake mods and chips from Performance products.

Interior wise I wanted the GT3 seats, but the price always seemed to be too high...

But I have changed jobs moved to Dallas and I have to buy another house, the housing market sucks in Florida, so 2 homes are going to hurt me..So the boxster will go until a later date....the 911 will do until then.

Rambling I know, but fingers didnt want to quit...

[BigChillWife]

Looks Good!

[DohertyCM]

Thanks.......

Cool bigchill, your a razorback, Im from Ark as well, and the wife unit is a RN...