How good or bad are the early boxsters
11-08-2006, 09:13 PM
#1
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How good or bad are the early boxsters
Is there really anything bad with the 97 and 98 boxsters I know there down on power but I'm not looking for power I have a modified 930 so I'm looking for a fun car to run around town.
Cheers Don.
Cheers Don.
11-09-2006, 08:34 AM
#2
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..not really, just that they ARE early Boxsters. The 986 line was constantly improved over the years thru '04.
Porous engine blocks were and issue, but those should have been discovered by now. Slipped sleeves did not appear till Fall of '99 on '99 models. Pedro, over on that other board has many miles 135K on his moded '98.
'97s chassis won't support 18" or larger wheels. The top cables on these cars are more prone to failure.
I've been using my son's June build '99 for a while and it is still quite a nice roadster at almost 9yrs of age and 55k miles . Porsche changed to a 4yr warranty in mid- '98 and designated cars built from 6/98 on as '99s.
Porous engine blocks were and issue, but those should have been discovered by now. Slipped sleeves did not appear till Fall of '99 on '99 models. Pedro, over on that other board has many miles 135K on his moded '98.
'97s chassis won't support 18" or larger wheels. The top cables on these cars are more prone to failure.
I've been using my son's June build '99 for a while and it is still quite a nice roadster at almost 9yrs of age and 55k miles . Porsche changed to a 4yr warranty in mid- '98 and designated cars built from 6/98 on as '99s.
11-09-2006, 05:57 PM
#3
THe upgrades from 2000 forward with 2.7 and 3.2 engines were significant and the price difference between a 3.2 or 2.7 from 2000 and a 99 Boxster is not that great. A 97 and 98 is a big gamble imho, particular a low mileage one. Best to wait until pricing comes down and put you into a 2000 or newer. The cost of repairing a Boxster is just as steep as repairing a 996 911, same hourly labor same over priced parts. I spoke to a rep from warranty direct and they told me that the contract language for insuring the drive train on Boxster is the same for cars between 1-3 years out of warranty. After 7 years, or 4 years out of warranty (1999 Boxsters and older) the contract language changes so that fewer parts are covered and coverage is steeper. Incidentally, the RMS leak is covered by these guys. I was quoted roughly a grand a year for a three year cover on my 2000 with 30K miles. 30% down and the balance paid in 10 months.
11-10-2006, 07:22 PM
#4
Track Day
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perfectlap brings up good points for top dollar cars. i just watched two 97 go on ebay for 11500 and 14000, got mine for 12800 this summer (55,000 miles). even if you have to drop $2000-3000 in your car to get the "little" things taken care of you are still huge under the cost of a 2000 model year, which would be lucky to find under $20K.
There doesn't seem to be many more major concerns other then what has been mentioned...most major issues came out right away. If you are a DIY it's a great car you can maintain yourself.
Keep in mind that the 911 just made the top list again for worst new sports cars to buy in customer satisfaction...so many systems and "little things" on these are prone to fail just like any daily driver you may own.
of course if money is no issue then the latest car you can buy is always a best bet but all major publications considered these as best buys for all model years. i think they have been very normal cars to maintain.
lastly mine (1997) had every common failure so far and everyone was an easy DIY.
Shawn
There doesn't seem to be many more major concerns other then what has been mentioned...most major issues came out right away. If you are a DIY it's a great car you can maintain yourself.
Keep in mind that the 911 just made the top list again for worst new sports cars to buy in customer satisfaction...so many systems and "little things" on these are prone to fail just like any daily driver you may own.
of course if money is no issue then the latest car you can buy is always a best bet but all major publications considered these as best buys for all model years. i think they have been very normal cars to maintain.
lastly mine (1997) had every common failure so far and everyone was an easy DIY.
Shawn
