Thinking of buying a Boxster ? - MUST READ !

[pothole]

Originally Posted by lejolierogue

and if you have bad experiences, its part of the ride. Move on and get over it. I've had my 99 for 10 years now and is a daily driver. My biggest one time expense was $1000 bucks.
-enzo

Er, easy for you to say since you've obviously never suffered a major problem with you car. Come back with that cheery attitude after your engine has just grenaded and you literally cannot afford to replace it and I will duly doff my cap. If you've either never suffered a major problem or wouldn't really struggle to pay for it (I'm guessing both apply to you if you are Ferrari shopping), it's a bit harsh to lecture people for whom these problems are much more critical!

I agree that a leap of faith has to be made - I made one on my Box big time (so far, so good). But I absolutely wouldn't criticise anyone for being nervous about their car or upset when it fails. There but for the grace of god etc.

[lejolierogue]

Originally Posted by pothole

Er, easy for you to say since you've obviously never suffered a major problem with you car. Come back with that cheery attitude after your engine has just grenaded and you literally cannot afford to replace it and I will duly doff my cap. If you've either never suffered a major problem or wouldn't really struggle to pay for it (I'm guessing both apply to you if you are Ferrari shopping), it's a bit harsh to lecture people for whom these problems are much more critical!

I agree that a leap of faith has to be made - I made one on my Box big time (so far, so good). But I absolutely wouldn't criticise anyone for being nervous about their car or upset when it fails. There but for the grace of god etc.

--->
I'm by no means lecturing anyone. Just motivating ->

And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and drive that sports car that you've always dreamed about...

Think about it!

[RandallNeighbour]

As much as I'd love to drive a Bugatti Veyron on that closed course with the 5 mile straightaway featured on Top Gear, I would not trade all my days from this day forward to death to enjoy that hour or so of driving bliss.

Sports cars are thrilling indeed. But what I'd much rather trade all my forward days for is seeing everyone on the planet come to know God's love in a very personal and transformational way. If I experienced that, I'd be happy to drop dead right now in my office chair at 48 years of age.

I don't mean to change the spirit or intent of your question lejolierogue, but I thought I'd just answer it honestly since you asked.

[BMAN_986]

So i'm about to buy my first Boxster. I've been looking at '00s -'02s. It looks like for my budget my car with have somewhere between 50k-80k on it. So I already know i would probably have to get the big 60k service done.

I have to admit the IMS problem is scaring me (i'm not so concerned with the RMS failure).

Should I consider getting the RMS/IMS/Clutch done as well as some kind of preemptive strike against the failure even though they could be fine. From what I see the IMS replacement is usually done with superior parts than those fitted from new so the chance of failure post changing are slim to none.

I plan to keep the car for 7+ years and will do at least 6k-7k p/y on average so spending $3k now would be easier to swallow that spending $15k whenever these problems occur.

Has anyone done or even considered this?

Do we see more failures on the base model rather than the 'S' model?

thanks

[clickman]

Originally Posted by BMAN_986

Should I consider getting the RMS/IMS/Clutch done as well as some kind of preemptive strike against the failure even though they could be fine. From what I see the IMS replacement is usually done with superior parts than those fitted from new so the chance of failure post changing are slim to none.

Do we see more failures on the base model rather than the 'S' model?

As you do more of your research on this forum and others related to Boxsters, you'll find that there are more than a few that have, for peace of mind, chosen to do the clutch/IMS/RMS "pre-emptively". For the mileage you're considering, the clutch could likely be due anyways.

The IMS bearing can be done with "superior" parts, or it could be done with the original parts. In the case of the original part, personally I wouldn't use it as it's already known to fail. In the case of the "superior" part, there isn't enough hard evidence out there to show the problem is permanently eliminated. Until that body of evidence is available, even the makers of the "superior" bearing are recommending it be checked every 50k miles IIRC.

In all my Boxster forum surfing I have not come across anything to make me believe the base or S has more IMS failures. Apparently the automatic tranny does suffer less failures. And Boxster engines don't like to be lugged.

And of course make sure you get a good PPI done before buying.

[BMAN_986]

@clickman ... thanks for the advice.

I managed to find a really nice 2001/67k base model. Have had it checked out by two independent parties. One general inspector, and one Porsche specialist. Both have been impressed in with the car.

I'm getting a 60k service done within the week, the Porsche shop will cut the filter open to see if there is any evidence of IMS failure starting. They also recommended that i do the clutch/RMS/IMS (LN/Ceramic) given the age of the car. Hopefully i should be doing that within 3-4 months (or sooner if there is evidence of a problem).

This is my first real sports car. Have to say, I absolutely love it!

[clickman]

Same car as mine. What colour? Post pics!