Should I buy this '97 986...?

[Perfectlap]

the brakes and rotors ($1,000 with labor), shocks ($2,000), and clutch & flywheel ($2,000) need to be checked out. Not to mention old 02 sensors ($600), axle boots ($300 with labor), etc. Don't be fooled by a $5K asking price for a Porsche. If that car has never had major maintenace performed, and only routine maintenace (oil changes, spark plugs, air filter, etc. -- small do it your self things) the big repairs could easiy run north of the price you are paying. Parts don't last forever and that car's 13 years old.

There's an old saying when it comes to big Porsche repairs, pay me now or pay me later but you will pay.

p.s.
Pick up the June issue of Excellence at Borders or Barnes & Noble. There's a $3 fix for remote clickers that stop working. You'll need to order 3 little transistors and a soldering gun with a very pointy end. Also read the article about intermediate drive shafts. But the more common problem with the first run of Boxsters were the mixing of engine oil and water on a particular batch of engines. Also, new tops come with glass windows now for about $700 and the labor is about another $4-500.