1. 3k RPM to engage clutch - now you know it is not normal, ever.
2. idle problem - some early boxsters had problems with idle but check some other things. what kind of gas are you using? the boxster needs premium. have you checked the MAF sensor? o2 sensors? i assume there are no warning lights on the dash. 1 out of 100 times is too many times. does it "search" for the right idle speed or just idle and then die?
3. since you don't know what coolant is in there i would drain it. while it's okay to mix the old porsche coolant and the new porsche coolant, it doesn't sound like the previous owners took very good care of it, so who's to say they used the right coolant when it was needed. to be safe i would drain and replace it all.
wet carpet - be careful, the central alarm computer is under the driver's seat ( on wrong-hand drive it will probably be on the passenger side, i don't know ) and if it gets wet... $$$$$.
http://www.dietersmotorsports.com/tech/2002/Boxster_bath04-03.htm
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