Boxsters with reliable engines

[Bradster]

97 base Boxster. Just turned 80,000 miles. No leaks, runs perfectly. In my opinion, I could not ask for a nicer, more reliable, more fun, low maintenance car.

97 Boxster, 80,000 miles
97 Lexus LS 400 190,000 miles
2004 Lexus RX 330 78,000 miles

[edbelton]

1998, white-grey top, 41K, 2nd owner, only had to change tires, still on original brakes (front's will need to be replaced soon though). Keyless remote died (if anyone know a fix please advise), and that is pretty much it. Great car, easy and cheap to maintain if able to DIY, otherwise somehow expensive if taken to dealership for maintenance.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by DaveE

Resurrecting thread with very early '97 Boxster 2.5 5 spd, all original and stock, 143,000 miles. Driven daily year-round in PA sun and snow.

Dave. I like the sound of that mileage.

Current rolling 95k and would love to put another 50k on on the old girl.

[DenverSteve]

I traded my 2001 Base in with 90,000 miles. It only had the recommended maintenance done and the coolant reservoir replaced.

[dghii]

2000 Boxster S 6 speed purchased in July 2008 with 76K miles. I don't know the entire history of the car.

I know have 99,600 miles on it and drive it daily (short commute).

No engine issues during my ownership.

I completed the 90K service this last year a bit at a time.

I replaced the coolant tank last summer, CV boots and rear wheel bearings in the last 6 months.

The car is squeak and rattle free and uses no oil between 8k mile changes.

[Frodo]

An update (since, apparently, we can no longer "edit" our posts):

2001 S, 61K miles (bought with 19K, in 2006), still running strong. Have done:

-alternator
-right front wheel bearing
-water pump/low temp thermostat
-front motor mount
-axle boots (rear axles)
-coil pack replacement on cylinder 1
-Two O2 sensor replacements
-basic maintenance, incl oil/filter changes every 5-6K miles

[944boy]

2005 2.7 - 96,000mi and counting. Oil changes, filters, brakes,plugs, motor mount, water pump, AOS, light bulbs

Original motor, original shocks, Still original clutch even.

Daily driven in all weather, long haul trips, some track time.

[Perfectlap]

I picked up the car with 9K miles. No repairs other than a premature throttle body failure and a parking brake switch ($5 part $150 dealer labor )

... until major maintenance time rolled in at around the 60K mile mark (when it was 9-10 years old).
EDIT
add front control arm/tr's to list $1,650

1. coolant tank
2. alternator
3. starter
4. AOS
5. O2 sensor (decided to replace all, not cheap)
6. ignition thing that everyone gets sooner or later.
7. catalytic converters (replaced full exhaust including headers)
8. clutch
9. flywheel (OEM)
10. RMS (upgrade, original did not rip)
11. rear axle boots (both torn)
12. IMS (upgrade, original pristine)
13. shocks (haven't done rears yet, maybe after winter)
14. wheel straightening from two dented wheels.
15. replaced broken HID bulb (ebay $75, replaced both sides)
16. replaced serpentine belt (why not)
17. brake pads (only one set in 7 years, remarkable)
18. plastic window has 1" tear, do not want to replace with aftermarket due to stretching issues.
19. spark plugs at 50K miles.
20. at least one battery.
21. windshield (Safelite - Sekurit)
22. *Upgrades (Carrera 18" wheels, 18" 997 Turbo style for winter, GT3 seats, Litronics, GT3 I aero, Fabspeed, carbon Tequipment shifter, painted center console)

No matter which Porsche you buy, if you intend to keep it long term:
you will end up paying for it twice on repairs, maintenance and upgrades<--due to high cost of OEM parts. Add another 20% if you drive it in winter.
The nature of sports cars....these are not pickup trucks.

[dghii]

"No matter which Porsche you buy, if you intend to keep it long term:
you will end up paying for it twice on repairs, maintenance and upgrades"


Sounds like my home!

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by dghii

"No matter which Porsche you buy, if you intend to keep it long term:
you will end up paying for it twice on repairs, maintenance and upgrades"


Sounds like my home!

don't forget the mortgage interest.

The Boxster has taught me to stay away from Real Estate.
One is a depreciating assett, the other comes with a huge downside oppourtunity cost (relative to other investments).

[springer123]

1999 Boxster with 80,000 miles. Original motor "seized" and was replaced in 2003. It has about 50,000 miles on it. I have replaced the RMS, and IMS cover only, with the updated versions, clutch, and coolant tank.

[thstone]

My '99 has 98,000 miles with everything original in the engine. Still runs like its brand new. And I track it a lot. Overall extremely reliable.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

I traded my 2001 Base in with 90,000 miles. It only had the recommended maintenance done and the coolant reservoir replaced.

That is one fine lookin' base Boxster.

(Your green S is nice, too )

[Jager]

Fact or fiction… The Jägermobile has 222,222 miles on it?

So close to having 222222 miles on 11-11-11, maybe I need to let it sit for a day just so I can say that.

[MileHighBoxster]

If that's what you have it's fantastic.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

If that's what you have it's fantastic.

Yes it is... My daily driver (and road trip car)... Bought my Boxster when it had 30k miles on it. No major motor work.

Checkout post #107 (back in August) on this thread:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/29853-road-trip.html

[smshirk]

Originally Posted by Dave S.

To contrast all the negative posts about IMS failures and such, I thought I'd start a thread where folks who have never had a major engine failure could post the year, engine and mileage of their reliable Boxsters. I really like my Boxster and it is a great car.
I'll start but my mileage isn't all that impressive:

2003 Boxster S (3.2L) 15,000 miles and has had no issues. ;-)

Dave S.

I'm on my 3rd M96 car. I had an MY97 986. I sold it with 118k miles, engine never out of the car. had typical issues with ignition switch, cracked overflow tank, one water pump, leaking top into cabin under passenger seat, 1 clutch, but was probably close to needing the second when I sold it.

MY2000 996, sold with ~80k miles. ignition switch, 2 water pumps, idler pulley, leaking o-rings around the plugs at 60k miles service and that's it.

MY2001 986S. Now at 65k miles, purchased with 40k and at about 50k I invested in a Jake Raby 3.6 high performance upgraded motor. I had no leaks, and the IMS looked good when he tore it down. I did it for the extra uumph and because I want to keep the car as long as it still goes.

I've never had an oil leak of any kind in any of the three and never a major failure of any kind. The niggly little things that aren't cheap to fix, but considering I've been driving an M 96 car every day for over 10 years I would have to say my experience is that the cars are super reliable. I am thinking my next Porsche has to be a 996 Turbo. the prices are getting so low they are hard to overlook.

[Chuck W.]

Special ordered and bought my 2001 Boxster S new in '01. Just over 19,000 miles on it now without issue. Love the S!

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Jager

Fact or fiction… The Jägermobile has 222,222 miles on it?

So close to having 222222 miles on 11-11-11, maybe I need to let it sit for a day just so I can say that.

Don't know if you are in SoCal but it seems that is almost always where I see these these very high mile cars with little work needed. I guess the roads must be good there too.

Here in the north east on the other hand, the temps and road conditions are all over the place to the extreme and the roads are also a mixture of disaster and smooth highway. I also think CA car culture leads to people looking after the cars a bit more than places like for instance much of Florida where so many fairly new cars seem to have terrible paint issues or sound awful.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by springer123

1999 Boxster with 80,000 miles. Original motor "seized" and was replaced in 2003. It has about 50,000 miles on it. I have replaced the RMS, and IMS cover only, with the updated versions, clutch, and coolant tank.

yikes good timing!