76FJ55

I kow this is the 928 forum, but as a 928 owner, I have come to respect the guys ans girls on this forum , and I would assume there are several that have boxster experience as well. I posted in the Boxster forum too. looking to get as much infoas I can.

My wife has been interested in getting into something a bit more sporty (convertible). She is currently driving our 533i. We came across this boxster on autotrader.

1998 Boxster

We test drove a couple boxsters locally. She first test drove a TIP, and was not impressed, but then we found a couple manuals to drive and it restored her interest in a boxster. She's driven a 2.5, 2.7 and an 3.2S and was satisfied with all, provided they where attached to a manual. She really likes the idea of the hard top option as well.

We, of course, would have a PPI done prior to purchase.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

hacker-pschorr

Personally I would only buy an S.

Few years ago when my 81 decided to eat up and spit out the oil pump, I stole my fathers 2001 Boxster S for the road trip to Sharks In Hell.

I'm 6' 1" tall, had no issues comfort wise, turned out to be a great road trip vehicle.
On a hot, 95+ degree August day with the cruise set at 90+ and the A/C on high, I averaged 33mpg.
The Boxster S is literally a full sized go-cart.

I wouldn't trade in my 928 for one, but I'm also thinking about adding one to the fleet someday.


Buy a good ODBII scanner.

Mongo

A lot of people are scared of the IMS (Intermediate Shaft) Failure issues associated with the Boxster along with the porous engine case and cylinder sleeve issues. A thorough reading of the Boxster board on these issues is highly recommended. Not every car has suffered these issues.

All is not lost though, assuming the worse case scenario, you discover IMS issues later on, there are aftermarket companies such as the link below that can assist you on retrofits or preventative maintenance.

http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html


Best of luck to you. I like the Boxster a lot. It can be a fun car.

curt_928

I have had my 02' 5sp for almost 3 years now and use it as my daily driver. I change the oil every 5 thousand miles... and aside from some silly little things switches, window regulators, battery, tires. It has been trouble free (as I write this I'm starting to get worried..). and has been a good reliable fun car. I don't worry too much about the IMS issues since it is useless to worry about something you can't predict.. may get the bearing replaced preventatively if/when I get the clutch done. If it dies.. then I get a new engine or buy a new one.. they're cheap, and use my 928 in the interim. Good, fun cars that are a pleasure to own..

As far as the "S" goes.. debated getting one.. it's my commuter car and S does not have enough performance difference for my driving style.. if I go that route I'd just get a 911. Though I want a ferrari for my next fun car and am biased..

Have fun, you can't go wrong.. I have no regrets and no complaints so far.

Curt
-------------
79 928 5sp silver/blk
02 Boxster 5sp blk/blk/blk

76FJ55

Thanks for the replies great info. I will have to look in to the IMS failures a bit more. I had seen it mentioned but wasn't sure what they where refering to. I guess its kind of like out TBF only there deosn't seem to be any easy way to check condition before failure.
Mongo, thanks for the site link, very informative.

docmirror

I had this affliction a few months ago. Once I got into the failure modes, and the lack of engine parts I realized that it was not to be. There are way too many other value propositions out there without all the mechanical baggage of the Boxster.

BTW, while the 928 can suffer from TBF, finding and swapping a short block is pocket change compared to the various failure modes of the Boxster.

YMMV

mdkelly1

Had one and loved it. Bought it with 36K miles and put another 36K miles on it pretty much trouble free (replaced a couple of switches and the expansion tank). Five speeds are a little more prone to RMS leaks, and as others have pointed out there is an aftermarket replacement for the IMS bearing for both Boxsters and the 996 M96 engines. I still appreciate the neutral handling of the Boxster in tight corners.

dprantl

Having driven both, I would prefer a 968 to a boxster unless it's an S.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

pcar928fan

I would love an '05 or newer Boxster!!! Not so much the early cars, they just didn't keep the spirit of the prototype the way I had hoped they would...I would say the same about the Cayenne and the CGT too... The PanAm was ugly from the beginning and still is...how unfortunate for that car...that said the PanAm is a technological super power!

Dean_Fuller

My brother has a 2005 S ( 987 not 986 ) . One owner. Has about 20K miles with 2 more years of full warranty. He wants to sell. Speed yellow 6 speed. I have driven it many times and on some extended trips. Its not nearly as comfortable as the 928. The ride is stiff and the seats are much harder....but still a blast to drive.

syoo8

I have both a 928S and a Boxster.

They are so different that it is useless to compare them. Seats are not so comfortable, no room for anything, the build quality is not nearly as good in a Boxster. The rear window, unless perfectly aligned, needs to be "helped" when putting the top down, otherwise you will develop a crease in the plastic.

With the top UP, I don't like the Boxster at all. I find it to be quite claustrophobic to drive because it is cramped inside, you cannot "throw something in the back seat." The mid-engine is noisy. The front "trunk space" is oddly-shaped and the rear trunk space is almost completely useless.

With the top DOWN (and nice weather) the Boxster is an absolute dream. Last summer I took my girlfriend to Cape Cod and then to dinner in Boston with the 986 and it was one of the most pleasurable driving experiences I can remember.

Top up or down, the 5-speed shifter is really crisp and great in my opinion (and obviously much less clumsy than my 928's shifter) and the handling is superb. A lot of people think the 986 is underpowered. While I stipulate that you cannot win drag races with a Boxster, it is such a well-balanced car that it "feels" more underpowered than it actually is.

RKD in OKC

Money up for the S. I was looking for a 05 or newer Boxster S when I stumbled on the Iris Blue GTS and just couldn't keep myself from getting it.

Had an 01 S and LOVED it. Great fun! went two whole summers without putting the top up. Only rained at night when it was in my garage those two summers.



Went to a local restaurant and noticed they had taken the picture of their restaurant that they put on the menu when My Boxster was parked out front!

GregBBRD

I tell everyone the same thing.

If you buy a '98 to an '02 Boxster, make sure you budget a new engine into the price, if it hasn't already had one.

Think of a Boxster as a "plastic toaster". They are one of the new generation of completely disposable cars.

Dave H.

get an S with the 6 speed.

tight suspension, very tossable car.

not a lot of space, but i can get my 2x12 guitar amp in the passenger seat.

if you get an 03 or newer, you get a glass rear window. the pre- '03 plastic window is crap. if it folds the wrong way you have to get out and do the "boxster chop" to get it to fold right. that's the only thing i don't like on the car.


not as comfortable as the 928, but on a sunny day with the top down...

blitz928

For just a little more you can get into an S or at the very least look at a 2.7, I've had both. Limit your search to 2000 and up model years. The S is a great car.