Chalt

Is most everything done (worked on) from underneath on Boxsters?

968to986

LOL, still so many myths and speculation about the M96 engine that came in 986 Boxsters and 996 911s. And certainly it does depress the values of the cars, which is great news if you’re in the market for one. I have owned my 97 2.5 Boxster for about 7 years now. It’s got 160k on the original IMS bearing and is still going strong. I open up the filter at each oil change, but mostly just drive the **** out of it, including street, backroads, Autocross and track days. It’s fairly easy to work on: I’ve replaced worn suspension, brakes, serpentine belt, o-rings on the steering rack. It’s getting to be time for a clutch and will have to decide then if it’s worth it to do the IMS bearing. The short of it is, we’re starting to see plenty of these cars with big miles that are doing quite well.

But I love my 951 more. I just have to steel myself every time I work on it, because it is truly a PITA! But it feels special in a way that the Boxster can’t, and you really can feel the 80s build quality that almost bankrupted Porsche. And that feeling will never be replicated I think. Even my couple of friends with beautiful Caymans haven’t convinced me otherwise!

Semitone

Engine access is also from below the folded top area and behind the seats. ( in the 986/987) Access is pretty good..better than many. Easiest car in the world for an oil change.

Chalt

What makes you love the 951 more?

Chalt

So it makes me wonder, is the 944 the worst Porsche to work on?

h011yw00d

I've always found these hand-built cars to be easier to work on than ones put together by machines with no consideration for taking them apart again.

jimbo1111

I love 951's. I have owned both a 997.2 and 991.1. I don't care for the rear engine platform truthfully. The 997 was a purer car that could scare you when the rear drifted out. On the other hand the 991 is just too capable due to it's electronics. It just took the fun out of drifting and replaced it with fear for life. Its just to good to be exploited.
I have to say though I kinda miss the 997.2. I feel its the last great 911 and prices are showing it.
Still think the 951 is better though. After spending a few bucks on one, it can come pretty close to the performance of a 911. The real beauty about it, is its analog feel and front engine predictability. I don't think any other porsche comes close in the chassis department. Very predictable and fun. Never scary to drive at the edge. Feels alot like my Mx5 only faster and better.
Probably one of the most underrated and underappreciated cars.

968to986

Empirically you can can say the Boxster is a better car in most ways. Quick, amazing handling, reliable usability, very nice looks, great sound. But I grew up in the 80s, so I remember the 944 when it was a fresh exciting design, and I think it still looks great. My first Porsche was a 968 coupe, a car that grew on me more each time I drove it, until I was just obsessed with its driving characteristics and unique looks. It was totaled and insurance payout funded the Boxster. But it did not satisfy the obsession, so when the 951 came up for sale,I had to have it, no matter how rough the car was. However, though I was very happy to get it, the hastily made agreement with my wife to get rid of them Boxster fell to the wayside. The best way to own a classic 944 was to also own a Boxster! Then I found the 914...but that’s another story.

Tiger03447

I had been told that the IMS was pretty well sorted out on the 2006 and later Boxtsers....giving much less trouble than the earlier cars...Correct or not-correct?

harveyf

I own a 2006 Cayman. My reading of the issue is that the overall failure rate was always low but that is no solace when it happens to you. Yes, some improvements were made for 2006 Cayman/Boxster. And the problem totally went away in 2009 with the direct injection engine.

Swenny

That depends on your skill level. There's a learning curve with any new ride but with the 944 there is a boat load of info on how to do stuff. I once had a beetle with the 1600cc and the valve adjustment was needed once a month depending on the cylinder and it couldn't have been easier to do. So it's all about what you're comfortable with working on.

dr914

the boxster is a great car but got a bad rap for engine failure which quite depressed the prices. A 944 is a higher quality car, now sought by guys wanting an older Porsche classic at a reasonable price. MOST 944s by how have been abused by many different owners (bad owners buying the car because it was an inexpensive "PORSCH" but could not afford the service and maintenance. Hence the cars deteriorated under these bandit owners. SO finding a good one is difficult and they bring premium prices (as they should!)

V2Rocket

the IMS issue is overblown due to the exponential factor of the internet, like 944 timing belts.
yes failure happened in some small proportion of cars.
but due to the high price, upset customers are particularly loud in the car-world echo chamber and suddenly you're holding a hand grenade.

could it happen to you? sure. but parts and maintenance are available to solve the problem before it happens.

ElRicardo

I think there is lot to be said about the last 20 years of cars being "technically inaccessible" to the majority of the masses that will be depress values long-term. The 944, for all its warts and glories, is a mechanically straightforward car, and among the last of an era of truly accessible cars. It will be interesting to see how the current generation of cars age and are valued.

DSMblue

agree with Spencer, failure rate is much less than what noisy people say. IIRC, I believe it was somewhere around 3%. If it was something I could fit in, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. There are plenty of available fixes for the IMS issue that can be done proactively if you are really concerned. It's definitely in another cost zone, but 996 Turbos may be the best performance bargain, as their prices have suffered somewhat due to a) 996 front end styling and b) guilt by association with IMS issues, even though the Turbos have Mezger engines with no IMS issues.