High Mileage Boxsters

[Jay H]

All,

I'm looking for a sunny weather, drive to work type Porsche. I'd like a reasonable entry price and am willing to sink some $$ into anything I get over time and can do some minor mechanical items (though won't be dropping transmissions and changing clutches any time soon). As mentioned in my recent 944 thread, I have had Porsches for nearly 20 years... I truly enjoyed the 2002 Boxster I had and felt it had a more connected feel over the new '08 I bought years back...

I've located a cosmetically nice '99 Boxster. Silver over blue interior with a blue top. Presents well. However, it's a 137,000 mile example that seems to have been simply just driven and not abused. It honestly looks like it has 30,000 miles on it (and I'm extremely picky) and it's cosmetics is the only reason I'm barking up this tree. Top and rear plastic window are in good shape. No torn leather, great carpet, nearly perfect dash, door panels, electronics, etc. Clean Car Fax. I'm off to drive it on Tuesday.

Asking price is $8k and I'm thinking in the $6k range for a purchase price if it runs and drives well.

Am I "asking for it" to even consider a high mileage 2.5 litre car? Having owned two Boxsters in the past, I'm very aware of the IMS bearing issue, AOS, and water pump needs along with all the typical used car things such as brakes, tires & suspension wear and tear items. I'm almost wondering if a regularly driven car with good maintenance is better than the low mileage example simply from the fact that I feel a Porsche (especially the early water cooled cars) need to be driven on a regular basis.

Is the IMS bearing (still the original on this car) assumed to be on it's way out for sure on a nearly 140k mile car?

Kelly Blue Book is showing transaction prices in the $6k to $7k range for this age of car and it's mileage. I've always been able to match Kelly's pricing on every car I buy (though it takes a bit of walking out of dealerships and work to match their pricing). Or, is KBB not even applicable on these cars?

Flame away. Tell me I'm nuts.

Thanks in advance!

Jay

[KNS]

If the engine is in good shape you can't go too wrong at $6000. I've heard that the 2.5 engines are among the best of the M96s.

[techweenie]

I will turn 97K this month on my 06. But I bought it with 81K on it. Huge bang for the buck.

Plenty around here with 120-140K miles.

IMS issue is overblown. But the M97 engines have 1/2 the failure rate, so that's why I got an '06.

[black_falcon]

The 99 will have the dual row IMS bearing, which has a reported failure rate of around 1% or less. It's basically a non-issue.

The 2.5 also sounds the best, has an exhaust note that will make your spine tingle, a lower first gear, and revs much more freely than the 2.7 onwards. I purposely narrowed my selection to the 97-99 model years for all of the above reasons.

If you can get that '99 for $6k you'll be doing great, it was a good year that didn't have many know problems aside from the very sporadic IMS. I can't emphasize enough how underrated the Boxster is, it has to be one of the best values in the Porsche world for what you get. Plus it's very practical for day to day use; easy to drive, excellent fuel economy, comfortable, tons of storage space, heat and AC that work well, all combined with the sensory overload you'd expect from a Porsche.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

The 99 will have the dual row IMS bearing, which has a reported failure rate of around 1% or less. It's basically a non-issue.

The 2.5 also sounds the best, has an exhaust note that will make your spine tingle, a lower first gear, and revs much more freely than the 2.7 onwards. I purposely narrowed my selection to the 97-99 model years for all of the above reasons.

If you can get that '99 for $6k you'll be doing great, it was a good year that didn't have many know problems aside from the very sporadic IMS. I can't emphasize enough how underrated the Boxster is, it has to be one of the best values in the Porsche world for what you get. Plus it's very practical for day to day use; easy to drive, excellent fuel economy, comfortable, tons of storage space, heat and AC that work well, all combined with the sensory overload you'd expect from a Porsche.

Only a 2 seater and its a cab. Not for the family man.

But the ladies just love them

[sm70911]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

The 99 will have the dual row IMS bearing, which has a reported failure rate of around 1% or less. It's basically a non-issue.

The 2.5 also sounds the best, has an exhaust note that will make your spine tingle, a lower first gear, and revs much more freely than the 2.7 onwards. I purposely narrowed my selection to the 97-99 model years for all of the above reasons.

If you can get that '99 for $6k you'll be doing great, it was a good year that didn't have many know problems aside from the very sporadic IMS. I can't emphasize enough how underrated the Boxster is, it has to be one of the best values in the Porsche world for what you get. Plus it's very practical for day to day use; easy to drive, excellent fuel economy, comfortable, tons of storage space, heat and AC that work well, all combined with the sensory overload you'd expect from a Porsche.

^^ Exactly

[Jay H]

Test Drive Update:
I hope you all don't mind the updates...

Car is intact, starts up, idles well / quietly with no warning lights. Tires are good, brakes have good pad depth, no major cosmetic issues for a '99 with 137k. A/C is ice cold and it was sunny, humid and 92 today. Trunks are clean, I can't find any overspray and it presents well enough.

Needs a clutch very soon. Suspension is tired and worn, shakes quite a bit at speed. Can't tell if it's got the "nose drip" oil leak from the RMS area. Car smells of cheap cologne and seems musty. Top operates, but rear window has been replaced and is sewn in very poorly with massive ripples in the window which makes it still allow light in, but you can't see out the back well at all.

Seller isn't budging from $8k. It's just too early in the season and I don't blame him. Not sure what to do...with the suspension rebuild needed, clutch and the while you're in there expense of IMS kit, flywheel, etc., it may not make much sense at $8k. I'd drag it home for $6k I think...

[black_falcon]

I'd still pass on it at 6k, by the time you addressed all the issues listed you'd be into the car for $10k, which would buy a 986 with half the miles and all the big ticket items already mended. Market is flooded with these cars right now, a better deal is always a click away.

[Jay H]

I'm in no hurry, so yes, I think it'll sit on the lot.

What's this car really worth? $4,000?

[black_falcon]

Eh since the car is nice cosmetically they'll eventually find an uninformed buyer or DIYer for 6-8k.

You're in my neck of the woods so here's a few leads for you:

1998 Porsche Boxster
1998 PORSCHE BOXSTER CONVERTIBLE
Porsche Boxster

[speeder]

Shoot, my cousin just traded-in his light grey '02 Boxster w/ 50k miles in Mpls. He offered it to me for $8k last fall and all it needed was tires.

I called him today after seeing this thread but he traded it for a new Boxster S @ Carrousel. Oh well...