914 or Boxster

[Racerbvd]

Being that you are an air cooled guy, and can work on them, plus you plan on enjoying it, in my mind, that means you driving, where in a 986, it will drive for you..
Late cars get boring, go with a 914

[J P Stein]

Japanese car...a Miata or S2000.
I once owned a 93 MR2 turbo. Another and I fella put 165K miles on it with one breakdown in the electric power steering (a 75 dollar fix). That was pretty solid to me.

[black_falcon]

97-99 (and some early 00's) used the much more robust dual row IMS bearing, which had a much lower failure rate reported at 1% (versus 8% for 2001 onward) according to the IMS Class Action Lawsuit. Something to keep in mind.

[rfuerst911sc]

There are plenty of Boxsters out there with records of having their IMS bearing replaced. Let the previous owner take the hit for the replacement cost. On my S Jake installed the IMS Solution so I'm good to go basically forever but it is the most expensive replacement. I see the IMS situation basically the same as early 911 magnesium cases or head studs that snapped or cam chain tensioners that would fail or on and on. High performance engines can be finicky like that we know that going in. If you want rock solid reliability you buy a Honda or Toyota.

[Macroni]

Love my 1999 Boxster 2.5L….. initially bought for my son he didn't take to the stick…. made it my short term DD, now do not know if I will give it up…..

Bought for $12,400. Taxes, tires and service all in at $18,000. 66,000 mile, one owner with all original parts and documentations….. new motor w/ 35,000 on it…… hardtop…. It is a powerful car which handles with poise at speed…… my "O/R" friends have called it a chick car, I just think it proves I am in touch with my gentler side…… 914 while it has retro cool they tend to be underpowered in stock form and IMO rattily at best…..

[DanielDudley]

I would want a 914 with a built type 4 VW engine in it.

I think you want a 914. I might want the Boxster.

[Brillo]

Originally Posted by targa911S

I guess IMS failure could be compared to chain tensioner failure on the early cars. Some did, some didn't. You just never knew when it was coming and had about the same disastrous results. Thankfully, oil fed tensioners solved that problem. If IMS failure is so common why wasn't Porsche issued a re-call or at least developed a retro-fit fix?

Good question. From what I have seen Porsche never admitted there was a problem. They were hit and miss how they handled cars when this first started. My 2000 986 is an early one and was excluded from the class action lawsuit. I chose to go with the Retrofit because the car had lower mileage and I planned on keeping it. I had the rear main seal replaced at the same time and the clutch.

[ltusler]

Buy a Boxster with a blown engine and install a nice air cooled flat six. Call it a BoxTeen.