Is it possible to maintain/repair a 987 Boxster for $100/month?

[crod]

Originally Posted by amcdonal86

crod, thanks for the advice. I hadn't quite heard it put that way (if you can't afford the IMS failure, don't buy it).

I am really afraid of something like that happening. Hell, the cost of that failure is almost like the cost of a getting another used Boxster!

Well I did not mean to scare you off.
The Boxster is indeed an amazing vehicle and puts an smile on my face every time I drive it. My previous Porsche, a 2006 Cayenne, would not put that smile the way the Boxster does. Again, great car to own and drive.
I do agree with others that Porsche sold hundreds of thousands of Boxsters worldwide and I can bet not even 1% had an IMS failure. And keep in mind if you get one and immediately replace the existing IMS with the retrofit kit, chances you will have an IMS failure will be extremely small. It is just a little bit more money upfront, that is all.
If you want to sleep better at night, buy the Boxster and do the IMS retrofit immediately. In my case I will wait until the clutch/RMS needs work and then do the IMS at the same time.
Again, chances you will ever have an IMS failure are slim. Keep that in mind!

CR

[amcdonal86]

How much more difficult is DIY maintenance, given that it has a midship engine? I guess generally, my DIY maintenance has focused on brakes and suspension and interior electronics, etc.

It seems to me that if I had to do engine work, it would be very difficult! Hell, how do you even do an oil change in a Boxster?

I can normally do simple stuff myself (and stuff that is fairly well documented). I have changed driveshafts, brake pads, lower control arms, strut bars, shocks, upper strut mounts, etc. all by myself in the past. However, I'd rather not have to do that, and I doubt I would have to with a fairly new, low-mileage Boxster.

[crod]

Originally Posted by amcdonal86

How much more difficult is DIY maintenance, given that it has a midship engine? I guess generally, my DIY maintenance has focused on brakes and suspension and interior electronics, etc.

It seems to me that if I had to do engine work, it would be very difficult! Hell, how do you even do an oil change in a Boxster?

I can normally do simple stuff myself (and stuff that is fairly well documented). I have changed driveshafts, brake pads, lower control arms, strut bars, shocks, upper strut mounts, etc. all by myself in the past. However, I'd rather not have to do that, and I doubt I would have to with a fairly new, low-mileage Boxster.

From what I hear, working on the Boxster for what you mentioned (brakes, suspension, etc) is not that hard at all and it is well documented on the Bentley's book/bible.

Engine wise, if you are really good with mechanical things you, with proper guidance, can probably even rebuild a 986 engine. I remember a thread here a couple months ago where a dude from Scotland rebuilt his engine completely (he is now my hero and I even have a picture frame on my bed with his photo), all done at home. I knew these Scotchs were crazy but not that crazy!

Honestly I do not find the Boxster that expensive to maintain at all. The guy that works on mine, for example, charges $450 on labor to do the clutch/RMS work. Parts would run you $450. So $900 for a major thing I think. Not bad at all, especially considering you will probably not be doing this every year (my Cayenne I put close to 50,000 miles and never changed the clutch - it was still in great shape when I sold it).

If you can do the other stuff like brakes, suspension, oil change, etc it will definitely be much cheaper to run the car. Parts are not bad at all and there are many shops online with decent prices.

Go for it man. You will not regret it. It is a great car and a chick magnet.

CR

[dallison]

Originally Posted by amcdonal86

How much more difficult is DIY maintenance, given that it has a midship engine? I guess generally, my DIY maintenance has focused on brakes and suspension and interior electronics, etc.

It seems to me that if I had to do engine work, it would be very difficult! Hell, how do you even do an oil change in a Boxster?

I can normally do simple stuff myself (and stuff that is fairly well documented). I have changed driveshafts, brake pads, lower control arms, strut bars, shocks, upper strut mounts, etc. all by myself in the past. However, I'd rather not have to do that, and I doubt I would have to with a fairly new, low-mileage Boxster.

you will be fine. the only normal maintenance things you will need to pay for are alignment and ac service. Everything else you will be able to do, i have confidence in you if you have indeed performed these repairs.

[jcb986]

Here's a couple of sites to help you for DIY.

http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/

www.pedrosgarage.com

http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages