Thinking of buying a Boxster ? - MUST READ !

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by solo118

Hi All

Looking to pick up a used boxster. I finally found a very nice example, well sorted and no issues at the moment. However it is a 1997 with 75k (and stick, of course!)

Is there any reason to avoid the '97 model? Or would it be a better choice considering the double row IMS? I somehow feel first year cars are not great, but I am curious to see what others think.

The 97 has a double row IMS bearing. The single row came out later. 97's are susceptible to other woes like cylinder wall d chunks.

[Newsguy]

Hambone, it is not uncommon to have that smoke, but it could be the AOS. At that mileage, if it hasn't been changed, you might do so. The only other caution I would have is if the coolant tank hasn't been replaced already, I would. It's the only thing that ever stranded me. The Germans design and build terrific cars, but make terrible plastics. And this isn't limited to Porsche; BMW has the same problems with the entire cooling system!
Solid, sweet cars!