There were some porous block issues in some 99's and most have had engine replacements if I'm not mistaken on the model year. I'd be leery of buying a boxster whose manufacture date coincides with this engine problem.
I always tell would-be boxster owners NOT to buy a 99 non-S, but save up for a 2003 S, even if it puts off the purchase for a couple of years. The rear glass window and the larger engine are two BIG things you will wish you had just as soon as that giddy "Porsche in the driveway feeling" wears off.
No one ever says, "Gee I wish I'd bought the Porsche with the smaller engine in it."
And no one really understands the value of a glass rear window until you have to get out of the car to ensure the plastic folds right AGAIN and AGAIN to prevent the window from kinking up and tearing a hole that costs hundreds to fix each and every time you get lazy and don't do it.
And that's all I have to say about that.
