Long warm up period
 

My 99 Boxster engine seems to take a long time to get to operating temp. (180 or so). It's 30 to 40 here, and it may take driving 12 to 15 miles before the guage gets to 180. Maybe 20 minutes of steady driving at 40 to 60 mph. I appreciate a cool-running engine, but the cabin temp is chilly while driving to work, etc., and never seems to get all that warm. Is this normal? Is the thermostat stuck open?

No it isn't normal. I used to get warmth from the heater within a mile or so even with little warmup time before starting off on a cold morning. And that was at slow speed, low RPM. Both on a '99 and a '01S.

sounds like the thermostat is stuck open or nearlly open you did not mention how many miles on the car but my guess - it needs one.

I get heat out of mine within 2-5 minutes of warmup and not moving... It is 25 degrees here in the NE...

I agree - time to replace the thermostat. It's relatively easy, see my article here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Water Pump & Boxster Thermostat Replacement - 986 / 987

-Wayne

It has 110,000 mi. You have all confirmed my guess, and I'm ordering a new thermostat from Pelican tonight. I was planning to do a flush anyway.
Thanks!