I have looked at the IMS bearing issue. The older cars don't seem to suffer it like the later ones.
To be honest, Im not that concerned with it, esp on a 97-99 car.
If I told you .05% of Boxsters suffer internal engine damage due to bad wrist pins are you gonna tear your engine down tomorrow?
I realize that's a question every individual makes but what can I say? If the motor blows it will sit for awhile till I put a new engine in it I guess.

Then Ill bet ya Ill have the fastest Boxster in town. lol
Im not new to cars, Im not new to high end sportscars. I wouldn't consider a Boxster as a semi exotic but not new to those either. I can do most repairs myself if I had to but I usually let people I know take care of that for me. They charge me very reasonable rates and a couple of them build race cars for a living so Im in good hands. Again, I know cars pretty well, I just don't get my hands dirty like I used to.
Where Im a noob with these cars is what options make them more desirable or pricey, and it seems prices are higher than what Ive been reading here for low mile (30-40k mile) pristine cars.
I guess its like anything else, supply and demand, so be it. Im not looking to steal it, just pay a fair price and get the best car I can for what Im willing to spend.
Ive owned 3 or 4 Vipers over the years and Ive NEVER spent 2k/year in maintenance. You think Boxster parts/labor is high? lol. Ive spent thousands in upgrades though. Ive been fortunate that Ive never had one break either.
Hey guys, theyre cars....Some break, most don't. I don't need it to get me back and forth to work so I really don't fret on that. Heck, Ive seen new cars blow their engines and ive seen high mile cars that still run strong that never broke anything.