Buying a "USED" BOXSTER: YEA OR NAY

[dasadler66]

"HELP"...BITTE!

SADLY, I KNOW LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT "THE BOXSTER"...
HAVE SEEN MORE THAN A FEW FOR SALE 'ROUND MY NECK
OF THE WOODS. (E ALABAMA)
& HAVEN'T HEARD VERY MANY COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS
ABOUT IT.(WHATS IS MODEL #? 987?ETC
SEVERAL EARLY 2000' MODELS WITH 2.7
AND A COUPLE OF "S"s WITH 3.2?
FEW PORSCHEPHILES AROUND HEAH TO TALK WITH...SO:
A GOOD BUY??? OR WILL GO "BUST" TRYING TO KEEP
IT RUNNING AND OR OUTTA DA SHOP.
WANT A DAILY DRIVER/TRIP CAR &:MAYBE TAKE TO A "TRACK DAY"
AT "BARBER", RD ATL OR SAVANNAH...RUN SOME TIME TRIALS, SOLO II's ETC
DAS ADLER66 AKA Dave Finger
dfinger@aptv.org or dasadler66@aol.com

[atlair]

Would you have bought a 924 back in the 80s?

[racer]

986 - from 1997-2004
987 - from 2005 to present

986 had several different motors

2.5 (1997-1999) 201 hp
2.7 (2000-2002) 217 hp
2.7 (2003-2004) 228 hp

3.2 (2000-2002) 252 hp
3.2 (2003-2004) 258 hp
3.2 (2004 550) 262(?) hp

As long as you are aware of the possible issues you may incur, they can be great fun to own and drive.

Among the many issues you will read about:

Coolant Tank
RMS (rear main seal)
IMS (intermediate shaft)
MAF (Mass Air Flow sensors)
OAS (oil-air-seperator)
Ignition switch failures
Roof switch failures
Various niggling electrical challenges (like windows)

For a while it was purported that Model year 2000 was among the most reliable.
Since prices are falling, many would suggest finding an "S" within your budget (more hp, 6 speed trans, larger brakes, 3rd radiator for additional cooling all come to mind as "S" features)
Test drive as many samples as you can to learn some of the differences between the years/models and features you might want (litronic headlights, heated seats, upgraded stereo, 18" wheels etc are usually sought after features)

Check under the front trunk lid for the build sticker. This will spell out the VIN, Paint code and option codes that can be nice to look up and see if they warrant a premium or not.

[aigel]

The S is the way to go if track driving is in the future. Much better brakes and decent power.

George

[sscates]

Originally Posted by aigel

The S is the way to go if track driving is in the future. Much better brakes and decent power.

George

Unless you are planning on BoxsterSpec. The s has too much for the class in the way of engine displacement, brakes, etc..

We had an S for a couple years. Cool car and a big difference on the power and handling from the regular boxster. Oh yeah, it was my wife's car, though.