Thread: 2000 or 2001
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Old 04-25-2013, 05:09 AM   #10
southernstar
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 598
LenA, when you say that the 2000 has essentially no options, does that mean:

1. no windstop? 2. the 16 inch base wheels and tires? 3. no cruise control? If so, you should keep in mind that:
- the windstop is a rather expensive retrofit and, if you intend to drive it with the top down at speeds over 50 MPH, one that you will want to do.
- very few 2000 Base Boxsters came with the standard 16 inch wheels and tires. While a matter of taste, obviously, many do not like the look of the base wheels and certainly, the 17 inch seem to fill the wheel-well openings better. More importantly, there is a noticeable difference in handling (compare the two on the road at speed as the suspension on a 2000 and 2001 base will be identical).
- if you plan to use it as a daily driver, I assume that will include some longer trips and do you really want a car without cruise control?

In addition, of course, depending upon the brand, new tires are not an inexpensive item. The 2001 with the sport package will have all of these features and, I gather, no need for tire replacement. It also has half the mileage - important when you are considering items like the water pump, serpentine belt, AOS, coolant expansion tank, etc.. My only real concern about the 2001 is that you are getting no service records. An early 2000 (and to be sure, check the engine serial number) with a dual-row bearing and oil changes every 3 - 4000 miles is going to be the least likely candidate for IMS bearing failure. Considering that, according to Porsche 'much less than 1%' of all the double-rows have failed regardless of mileage and service history, you should be able to confidently wait for the eventual clutch replacement before upgrading the IMS bearing. With the 2001, with an overall failure rate of 8-10% and the lack of information concerning oil changes (seemingly one of the key issues in IMS bearing failure), the risks would obviously be much higher.

Other things to consider? Which has the colour scheme that you prefer - let's face it, if you are going to be living with the car for awhile, it is important. Do you care if it has the 3 spoke steering wheel? Some actually prefer the 4 spoke in spite of the lack of a metal center crest as the overall shape goes back to the original 901 design (prototype 911) in 1963: this is, afterall, a car with styling cues from Porsche's early days. However, if you really prefer the beefier 3 spoke wheel, then that is another check in favor of the 2001.

The 2001 does get the virtually useless cupholders and, as a result, moved the HVAC controls behind the shifter. Not a huge thing - just a rare intstance when Porsche turned good into bad ergonomics in exchange for something the should be low on the list for a sportscar. Also take care in using the cupholders - they allow any spilled fluids to drip down onto the stereo and electronic HVAC controls.

In 2001 Porsche also inexplicably moved the digital speedometer from the bottom of the tach to the bottom of the speedometer. Again, no big thing, although it is much more convenient to be able to see both speed and revs with a single glance at a single instrument. The only real upgrade, IMO, in 2001 was the lined top. While it reduces interior noise (although not by as much as you might think - drive both with the top up), it also reduces headroom slightly, gives the interior a slightly more enclosed feel and adds a little weight up high.

Pricing? Hard to say, but from a negotiating standpoint, I would think that the 2001 should be worth at least $3000 more than the 2000 based upon: 1. newer model year (mostly a matter of perception) 2. mileage (it has 1/2 the mileage of the 2000), 3. the need for new tires on the 2000 and 4. the lack of options on the 2000. Yes, the 2000 has a much bettter prognosis re: the IMS bearing, but many potential buyers will be unaware of this. Which should you buy? I can't say, but if you are apt to worry about the IMS bearing, then you may want to upgrade the bearing on the 2001 immediately. That and a new clutch will likely set you back about $3000.00.


Brad
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