looking at '05 Boxster S: valve noise?

[mbb]

O.K., I'll admit I'm a BMW guy but this car is for the wife, she's had a 911 Cabrio and is looking for a 993 Cabrio. I took a look at a local 60k mile 2005 Boxster S, with service records, extremely nice condition. However it had what sounded like a loose valve/stuck lifter clacking noise from the right side only. Is this normal for a car on a lot, which sits, maybe just needs to be driven? I told the lot rats and sales manager but they weren't listening. And maybe its not a big deal, but our '89 911 Cabrio with a very similar engine NEVER made that noise. However I've had a couple of bimmers w/hydraulic lifter make that sound for a while until they got some revs, always assumed there was a little air in the hydraulic thingie.

The lot fools wouldn't let me test drive w/o a credit app so I have to wait for the wife to go over to see if she likes the car. I can win on this one, too, since I get her E39 540 6-speed w/Sport package when she gets another car!

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded question but I guess I need to school-up on the P-cars again!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[tonythetarga]

Sure doesn't sound right. Trust your instincts. It should be inspected by a Porsche mechanic (PPI) to check for all known issues. Do some reading in the IMS bearing as well. (intermediate shaft)