It is very disheartening checking new posts

[Perfectlap]

^ so true. I've had Italian bicycles that were less reliable than my Boxster.

one great thing about the Miata, you could modify every inch of that car for a song. Meanwhile upgrades on Porsches (for very little improvement) will cost you dearly.

[coreseller]

The numbers of failures will never be known, my guess is ~ 2% to 3%, AS OF NOW. You could play the numbers game and drive it, or pay for the retrofit for piece of mind. Jake charges $3500 which includes dyno time, new clutch kit, new RMS (I think?) and the new bearing install. He then logs some miles on the car to ensure the job is done correctly. He also has the most experience and knowledge concerning the M96 motors, that is worth something also. If you do the fix yourself you'll be in about $1200 (Bearing and install Kit $600, Clutch Kit $400, RMS $20, Misc tools/sockets/stands $150 to $200). I did mine since I had to yank the transmission anyway, otherwise I'm not sure if I would of tore into it just for the IMS. Scenarios like MTS's and others do have me glad I did it though....how's that for waffling?

[kpm]

When I decided to get another 2 seater, I thought long and hard about getting a restored TR-6.

Then I found out that for the same money, I could drive a 9 year old Porsche instead of a 40 year old British Leyland product.

I don't reget my decision at all. I love my Boxster. And better yet my wife loves our Boxster !

We are getting ready to drive to Watkins Glen for the Indy Car race, can't wait to open her up on Rt.14 from Trout Run, Pa. to Watkins Glen !!

Enjoy the car...and drive it !!

[ElementAI]

Thanks for the posts all!! Some really great responses..

News from the Owner is not great as the car is in the shop with a still unknown problem.

There is a really loud Rattle/clanging from what sounds like inside of the engine like something is loose in there and rattling around inside. The noise increases as the rpm increases and is present with idle in neutral and in gear. The car starts fine and has not thrown any CEL at all no dash lights at all. Drives fine other than the really loud rattle/clanging sound. 2 Porsche indy and one dealer techs say some bearing is loose and clanging around inside and the engine will need rebuild or replacement. Porsche North America said they will not help due to age. Owner wants to have tranny dropped to see if engine run alone will still make the noise. It is not motor mounts they say.
If engine is blown Owner wants to do Electric conversion with EV concepts in SC and keep car or sell as roller. If it can be fixed relatively cheaply because it is not the engine then I can still buy it for 12K. Any ideas??

[jcb986]

Don't Worry, Be Happy!!!!!! I love that song when rolling down some lonely 2 lane highway about 7-80 mph, it's just great.

[gschotland]

How boring and utterly worthless would this site be if all everyone did was write about how much fun their cars are to drive and how reliable they are? I know I wouldn't be spending much time here.

If you dig into any specialized car enthusiast website, you'll see many of the same kinds of posts found here. For example, I cruised a Ford Probe site when my brother's car had problems, and the Dodge Durango/Dakota site when my parents' Durango crapped out. Those sites, just like ours, are full of complaints, horror stories, how to articles, and tons of great advice from thousands of gear heads who get a charge from sharing their knowledge and helping others solve problems.

My '02S has had many of the typical problems talked about here. Like you, I was a little nervous going in a year ago and sometimes the cost of parts/repairs has pinched, but that all goes out the window when I'm out driving. Since day one I just haven't been able to wipe the perma-grin off my face.

When you encounter your first problem and you're able to solve it fairly cost effectively by using information on this site, I really think some on your anxiety will subside. So, do your homework or your purchase, make sure you can fairly comfortable afford the ownership experience, then relax and enjoy, and revel in the fact that you're not driving a characterless appliance. Driving a Boxster truly is the most fun you have with your clothes on.

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by ElementAI

There is a really loud Rattle/clanging from what sounds like inside of the engine like something is loose in there and rattling around inside.

Any ideas??

Seriously, thank the owner for his time - and go look elsewhere. You have a high level of control of your own personal experience when buying a Boxster. Buying one that has 'a loud rattle/clanging" coming from the engine just isn't smart.

Read up. Learn what to look for. Find a well maintained car, low mileage car (that doesn't CLANG) in your price range. They are out there. Get it PPI'd.

People fall in love with the Boxster...then they fall out of love. There are always deals to be had.

Move on.