What to buy !?!?
#1
What to buy !?!?
I am looking to purchase a used Porche Boxster. I have spent the last 2 days ready everything I can find on them. Could someone recommend which year/model would be best overall to buy. Obviously I would like the least amount of issues possible with the car. I knew w there are certain th8ngs to look out for such as whether the IMS bearing has been replaced.
Thanks all for any advice you can pass on.
Thanks all for any advice you can pass on.
#4
I think you can find some nicely sorted 986 Boxsters within that price range. Do you have a preference for an S or non-S model? I can't speak for which is the better model to buy so some of the folks on the forums can chime in. I think it is better to find a Boxster with a thorough maintenance history and a good owner who has taken care of the car.
For reference, I ended up picking up a 2001 Boxster S that was nicely sorted. It didn't have the IMS updated simply because I didn't care, and with the mileage, I felt that it was okay and was willing to take the risk.
For reference, I ended up picking up a 2001 Boxster S that was nicely sorted. It didn't have the IMS updated simply because I didn't care, and with the mileage, I felt that it was okay and was willing to take the risk.
#5
Yup your right bcrdukes the big thing is finding one that has complete maintenance records and a good owner, possibly one owner might be good to look for. I don’t really have a preference between the S or non-S models. From what I’ve read the Main thing with S is extra HP which isn’t a huge deal for me.
thanks for the input ��
thanks for the input ��
#6
Race Car
I've owned both and would strongly recommend the S - the extra power is well worth the extra money. The base felt sluggish to me. It's my understanding that if the IMS hasn't been done and your mileage is somewhere north of 100k km, you're in the clear, but I'm not at all positive about that. I had to have the IMS done on the S, it was dripping a bit of oil which tipped me off. Not the end of the world, I think the bill was well under $2000. They're great cars, you won't be disappointed. As soon as we have no need for a back seat (i.e. when the kids are much older) I'm sure there will be another one in our garage.
#7
Rennlist Member
I got a gen 2 Boxster 987 base model 2006 and it has good power over Gen 1 base. But power is everything so i’d go with the S in the 1st gen cars. But if you can stretch the budget the gen 2 is a much better car and the IMS doesn’t seem an issue either.
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#8
I've got a '99 5spd on KW V3's available...
#9
For that price you should be able to get into a early S model if you are patient. As for the IMS if there is no documentation that it has been done consider that it needs it, along with a clutch and RMS. I have had a base and the S, both are really fun cars. The extra power in the S really makes it come alive and the suspension/brakes are better.
Good of luck with your search!
Good of luck with your search!
#10
Rennlist Member
High mileage is no assurance of avoiding an IMS issue. All Boxsters prior to 2009 (they eliminated the IMS in 2009) are subject to failure, just more some years than others. I am not sure why anyone would risk an IMS failure, just do the upgrade. As for S versus base, I, too, would go for the S. The power really does make a difference, especially if you don't have other quicker cars to feed the need for speed. The base Boxsters are very well balanced and lots of fun to drive, just not that quick. I have owned a '99 since new and it is a wonderful car.
#11
Drifting
One thing most people are not aware of is on the 986 S the 6spd transmission is longer than the original 5-spd which will cause the rear CV boots to wear out quicker.
There's also the 2nd gear pop-out issue.
There's also the 2nd gear pop-out issue.
#12
Rennlist Member
I started to look at Boxsters for a friend who is in the market... but have started to think about one for myself. I took one for a test drive at a dealers with my girlfriend and she really liked it. So I am thinking about getting a triptronic so she could drive it (she is not going to learn how to drive a stick at this point in her life). I understand the downsides... one loses the fun of clutch/rowing through the gears (I have a manual 924S for that) and performance and gas mileage are down. Honestly most of our driving is around town so an auto has its upside. And in manual mode on can play if one wants in the twisties. Here in Montreal there are fewer automatics in my price range, ie real cheap.
Looking for other people's opinions and experiences. Thanks.
Looking for other people's opinions and experiences. Thanks.