seeking help in finding a decent Boxster
 

A friend is looking for a 2004-2005 or so? and I cannot be of much help as I know just about nothing about them
He would like also a tiptronic, so if someone has some input about what to look for
best year to consider, and updates that should have been done.
Thanks a bunch!

The IMS redesign happened in mid-05, so I recommend a mid-05 or later. No "updates" should be done on the car. It should be dead stock. Get a PPI with someone who has access to the computer diagnostic tool that will give RPM history on the car (yes, it records multiple levels of RPM counts over redline).

Is it even possible to redline a tiptronic?

2004 and 2005 are dramatically different cars -- the shift from the 986 to the 987 model.

The 2003-2004 were a mid-design refresh, and included rear glass windows and a bump up in HP.

2005 is a better car all around, but the 03-04 986 have their proponents -- they are a little smaller & lighter. But the interiors are less refined -- more cheap plastic.

The IMS issue is like arguing about religion. The beefier bolt in most late build 2005s MIGHT mitigate the problem, but there are still examples of failure in numbers that cannot be accurately determined. It is presumed the numbers are lower because Porsche cutoff the class action settlement for VINs halfway through the model year. Theoretically, any VIN later that the settlement has a larger belt, and should be less prone to failure. But like all things built on assembly lines, it is never exact. I've heard of later cars with the old parts.

I would definitely choose an '05 or later if money is not an issue. Tiptronics tend to knock a couple of thousand off the price.