Early Boxster

atr911 · 02-29-2008, 11:42 AM

So these are popping up for around 15K in good shape.

Need some opinions, are these a good buy and do you think that they'll hold their value relatively well or am I asking for trouble looking for a bargain?

racer · 02-29-2008, 04:54 PM

1) They will continue to drop in value.

2) Potential trouble. Do a search.. folks will make a short list of potential failues - motors, RMS, IMS, "switch" failures etc.

Then again, even a 2.5l example will roast a "stock" 911 SC in just about every performance aspect AND keep you cold in the summer and warm in the winter.

If you buy low, be realistic that you could have problems. Like most used cars, have it checked out first.

Sunroof · 03-04-2008, 04:37 AM

Art
I have been a P-owner for thirty years and have looked at a used Boxster with great interest as a daily driver. Prices here in the Atlanta market for used Boxsters is amazing! BUT, I get concerned over several things with these earlier cars (pre 2001-02) and thats the infamous Rear Main Seal (RMS) problem, and the difficulty of performing your own maintenance. Too much tin wrapped around that engine and hard to get to it. With any Porsche, a very thorough PPI is needed, especially on the older Boxsters. If you can afford a newer model (2001-02 up), I understand these were greatly improved and surprisingly go for a fair price as well. I have seen non "S" models with good mileage go for under 20K here. Probably just off lease units picked up at auctions. If I were to buy a Boxster, I would look beyond the 90's and pay a few extra bucks for as new a car as I could afford. Get over to the Boxster board and ask a lot of questions.

Bob

Cal44 · Cal44's Garage

I have seen the early cars under 11K in this town. Be very aware of a great amount of issues. The biggest issue with me is they look like a girls car.

racer · 03-04-2008, 04:14 PM

I found the Boxster very easy to work on. The only reason to remove the engine cover on top is:
1) Check power steering fluid
2) replace air filter

Any other reason to access from the top is because of a component failure. Takes less than 10 minutes to get access (and that was the 1st time I ever did it!)

From the bottom they are just as easy to work on as any other Porsche..

But then again, most of these cars are so reliable that you only need to do stuff every 15k miles.

BTW, RMS and IMS failures still happen on the new cars, so its hardly limited to "early cars".