poindex30

I have my very reliable 944 S2 on Autotrader for sale. I fully expected to purchase a used Boxster for $23k or less but after reading some internet boards and pca.org's tech section I'm very nervous. At my price range any car I'm looking at will be out of warranty. I've sort of come to the conclusion that I should only buy a Boxster from a Porsche dealer with an extended warranty. Would you all agree?

It seems like there are 3 problems that could cause one to have to purchase a new engine. RMS failure, an intermediate shaft (?) failure and a sleeve failure. I'm no mechanic so I may have some of the terms wrong. Please straighten me out in this area.

What could cause the engine to fail?
Are new engines really $10K?

After researching Boxster reliability last night I started looking at a lot of other cars but none gets me excited like the Boxster. What is your recommendation?

Do 996s have the same engine problems?

Thanks,

Mickey

bkelly

First, Boxster is an awesome car and a great drive. If you feel drawn to them and have driven them then you will not be disappointed, it just gets better when you own one.
Your budget sounds very specific, let me make a few comments:
* Since your price is so specific I presume even a fairly low risk of a major expense is not acceptable.
* Extended warranty will cost about $2500 for 4 more years on a car that is still in warranty.
* Oldest cars still in warranty are the '01's. Probably around 25k for a nice '01 2.7 (guess).
* 2.7 engine came out in 2000, you could find one with an extended warranty included. for around 25k (guess)
* 2.5's are a tiny bit less desirable, but still a great car (driving one of those sold me on the Boxster way back when I was driving a 911 and actually quite anti-Boxster!). You should be able to find one with a couple years extended warranty for 23k.

In all cases a documented service history is a good indicator.

Have you thought about waiting / saving a bit more to get into the 2.7? You are not exactly suffering in an S2

BTW: I have an '01 S which is just going out of warranty. I can buy an extended warranty for $2500 but am choosing not to...I am accepting low risk of big expense because it would not be a catastrophe for me and I like the chance of keeping my $2500...

$0.02
Brian

opass

996 and 986 both share comment engine problems that you mention. Does it keep me selling my 986S? NO. What is the chance of total engine failure? My Personal machanic told me so far he rarely see blown engine. So relax a little.

poindex30

Thanks for the reply Brian,

My limit of $23,000 is specific because you have to set a limit and try to stick to it. Otherwise I might go out looking for a $20k Boxster and come home with a $36k Boxster S still under warranty, with a service plan, loaner car when I put mine in the shop...

At $23k there are 60 plus 2000 or newer Boxsters for sale with mileage at 50k or less. That seems like a price point where I could still say to myself, "Can you believe you got this amazing car for this price?!"

If problems are associated with a particular year Boxster that would be helpful to know. $2,500 problems are okay to deal with so long as I only have to deal with them once. I may be mistaken but from what I've read it sounds like I could have and 1 of 3 different issues that could cause me to have a $10,000 problem. I really don't want one of those.

Thanks,

Mickey

500

The internet is a great place for getting the impression that an issue with any particular car afflicts far more cars than it actually does. After I brought my WRX (back in 2001) I started reading the various internet forums and became convinced my tranny was going to soon fall to pieces. There were (and probably still are) theads that went on for pages about how bad the tranny is etc. You could spend an hour on any given day reading the latest tales of woe.

With the passage of time, and the chance to hook up with many WRX owners in real life, I have learned that:

1) Yeah, the 5 spd in the regular WRX is not the worlds strongest transmission and the combination of abuse and AWD can wreck these pretty quick.

2) But, hardly anyone I knew have actually had problems.

3) My tranny is still perfect (but I'm careful with my machinery and change the tranny fluid every season...)

RMS is a real issue that does affect some cars. The causes don't seem to be completely understood yet, as Porsche themselves sometimes have to try multiple times to fix it (and I think they have imprvoved the seal several times over). However, reading the internet gives a very over-blown impression of car problems. Every car has potential issues and if you dig a bit, you can find out about them. The best thing to do is to find Boxster owners in your area (local PCA?) and ask them about their experiences. If you post the question in the forum, you will usually get mostly just people who have had issues responding.

designman

I don't know how much credence there is to this but I was flipping through a recent Consumer Reports mag last night that had 1999 as a favorable year for Boxster reliability. Perhaps someone can comment on this.

I agree with the above that complaints about reliability are exacerbated in relation to the actual risk factor. The RMS looms in the back of our heads, but if you can't handle the specter of it happening to you, my advice is just steer clear. It just isn't worth worrying about.

When buying used, I would go through a stringent verification of service history and PPI performed by someone who knows what he's doing.

JFScheck

The Boxster is a fun car to drive with both handling and "quick" (not fast, but quick) acceleration. The car may not be the fastest at the dragstrip, but the "car as a whole" is untocuhable for the amount of money one can purchase one for.

And you get that "Porsche vibe" which is way cool. Why do you think so many Harley's are sold each year?

poindex30

Hey JFScheck,

I live in Clarksville and drive down 108 through Olney down Georgia avenue to work everyday.

I've found a few Boxsters a HBL in Tyson's so after work tonight I'll pay them a visit. There is no other car that appeals to me like the Boxster so I'll get my PPI and possibly an extended warranty and go for it.

Thanks,

Mickey

bkelly

I dont have the data but seem to hear a lot about RMS for 2000 and 2001. Mine is an 01 S and I have a replacement engine under warranty. I also have a new roof, new seat, and many minor parts replaced hassle-free under warranty.
Do check for oil leaks when you buy. Do not be fobbed off by 'oh they did not tighten then plug properly after changing the oil' responses.
Do check for collision damage, and see if you can get it up to speed for vibration or other issues.
Have a blast!
brian

GaryN

Hi Mickey,

Slow down to a panic!! $10k on an engine replacement... sounds way too high..I doubt with a second-hand '00 or '01 (out of warranty) anyone sensible would replace the engine with a OPC part and labour. I.e. get recon at a P-car specialist + labour should be able to do the job under half that price.

My advice would be to save on the extended warranty which has been quoted at approx. $2.5k and keep the money "IF" required. At some stage it will need a clutch and if the RMS or auxilary seal is leaking have it replaced at the same time by a reputable P-car specialist in your area (make sure they use the special tool to set the RMS seal slightly deaper than std. fit).

smshirk

I have a Boxster with 101k miles. It has had a few problems but nothing major. I also have an 00 996 with 40k miles, also no big probelms. Don't ask me which one I prefer to drive on Sunday afternoons. It cost way less

JFScheck

Hey Poindex30,

I live down the street from Georgia Avenue, fourth left past that intersection. Didn't see the "Clarksville" address at first.

I was at Rockville Porsche yesterday when I picked up my "Pepper" and they had a few nice looking Boxsters sitting out that they were selling just in case you find nothing down in VA.

Moogle

get it with an extended waranty and never look back

the boxster is one of THE best cars in the world.

PaulStewart

Just remember the most likely thing a Boxster will need IMO before 100K is a new clutch. Very few extended warranties cover clutch replacement.

ettsn

Lose no sleep over the RMS. I'd also probably skip the extended warranty. My factory warranty just expired on my '01S a couple months ago. I toiled over if I should buy a warranty. Finally decided it just wasn't worth it. The likelihood of failure is small enough that a $3000 gamble was worth it. I also think I can add 'catastrophic repair' to my auto insurance for about $100/year. I'm looking into it, but basically it's repair insurance with a very high deductible (perhaps $2500?).

Also, think of it this way: if the RMS goes and frags the 2.5, you could swap in a 3.4 Carerra motor and build a monster!

-Paul