I've had one for a couple years and I've been shopping for a couple months and I'm telling you: Right now is the absolute perfect time to buy a first gen Boxster. Nice examples with 75k-100k on the clock are going for under $8,000. They're a blast to drive and much easier to maintain than a Shark. If you've been thinking about it, now's the time. By this time next year I think most of the best cheap ones will be gone, and all that will be left are low-ball basket cases and high-dollar concours queens (kind of like 944s/951s a couple years ago).

 

I was just looking in our local PCA marketplace ads, and saw a nice 75k member-owned black/black '98 for $7k ask. I'm short on garage space or something like that might find its way here for DD duty. Just as the 996 market is rising in the last year or so, the early Boxster is sure to follow. When I bough the 928, the rationale was that it was cheaper to buy the ~20k 928 than a new Accord or Taurus. A $7k Boxster is half of a new Civic. Which would you rather drive? No tough choices here.

 

Quite right, they must be near their minimum. I doubt they'll rise soon, not for ten years or so, but that ain't the point.

 

I agree. But what you'll see is the nice, cheap ones getting bought up and in a few years they'll be basket cases with stupid mods and/or years of deferred maintenance. The flip side is the more expensive ones will stay with people who'll keep the miles (unreasonably) low and demand stupid money.

 

Is there a preferable year for Gen 1 ? Thanks

 

They are susceptible to the IMS bearing issue, so if you can get one that's had it addressed, that's a plus. I suspect you'll pay for that piece of mind, however...

 

How to fix IMS on a 986 Boxster. Remove engine. Install LS2.

Worth getting a Boxster to do this if you have a boatload of time on your hands and a welder.

 

...and is there a year where they don't look so "visually challenged"?



Can't believe they stopped making this (below) to make that ^^^...



Cheers,

Dave

 

Actually the Boxster "replaced" the 944 series, you know, a car line that actually turned a profit

The 996 replaced the 928

 

Hmmm wasn't 1991 the last year of the 944? Or did you mean the 968?

Regardless, 1995 928 > 1996 Boxster

Cheers,

Dave

 

968 still technically the 944 model line.

 

Shawn I've actually noticed the same, but how do they feel compared to the 928? One of my favorite things about my 928 was the awesome sound and the long pull range. Do the early boxsters feel nearly as fast? I know the HP numbers but how do they feel?

And I thought all the IMS crap was due to people just overblowing the number of cases?

And maintenance- really easier to work on than the 928? I know our engines were installed with a shoehorn but man looking at these engines behind the seat stuffed into a suitcase scares the crap outta me. I saw a 99 box with 65k miles sell for 6500 this spring and almost stabbed myself for not scooping it up.

I agree with DR, compared to my sweet 928 they kinda look like cheese.. caymans def look nicer in my opinion but the money difference seems a little crazy

 

We had a 1st gen Boxster S for a while, did a few road trips in both. Overall comfort cannot say one stood out more than the other except there is more elbow and headroom in the 928

However, the Boxster is a go-cart by comparison. Our '01 S tips the scales over 600lbs lighter than a typical 32V 928 with "only" 250bhp the power / weight ratios are very close.
It's a pure sports car we are trying to compare to a GT, different worlds.

Gas mileage advantage all day long to the Boxster. Trip to SIH with the A/C cranked (or the top down) with the cruise regularly set to 80+ we averaged over 30mpg.
Cargo space is also ridiculous. You'll be surprised how much stuff you can cram into both trunks.

That may be, but if you have one with the original bearing it's always going to bug you.

IMO the only aspect of a Boxster being "easier" to work on is age. Less fatigued parts, no TB to worry about but I'll take a clutch job on a 928 all day long compared to a Boxster.

For any 928 owner sensitive to negative comments should not buy one. You have to suck it up and accept the fact you are driving the "Barbie Porsche".

We'll get another one someday, hard top option for winter with snow tires.

 

928 = Road Weapon
Boxster = Joy Riding Car?