03-04 S or 05-06 base boxster?

[jditom]

Great information!
Do you know when in 06 the change happened? All 06-08 can't be serviced normaly or late 06? Is there a way to tell when looking at a 06 car to buy?
Thanks

Originally Posted by mikefocke

986

'97-'99 original base only 2.5
'00-'02 updated with 2.7 base and 3.2 S
'03-'04 updated with many changes but basically same engines as '00-'02

987

'05 2.7 and 3.2 S pretty much same engines as '03-'04 but new body
'06-'08 2.7/3.2 introduced IMS design that requires case cracking and replacement of entire $$$$ IMS assembly rather than just the bearing
'09-'10 IMS-less design with 2.9 in base, 3.4 S IMS-less DFI

To quote Charles directly when I asked him what 987 to buy if you were planning an LN IMS bearing change:

"It would definitely be the MY05, as it can be replaced. Most MY05 cars should be single row, but we’ve had a handful (maybe two) that had double row bearings, much to our surprise!

The MY06-08 cars cannot have their IMS bearings serviced unless you tear down the engine completely and, as we’re starting to hear of MY06-08 failures more commonly now, I think it’s best to stick to something you can service. Unless… a car was purchased with the intention of purposefully going in and building up a larger engine, and in that case, it doesn’t matter. We have an upgrade for the MY06-08 IMS, but engine has to be split like previously mentioned."

[clickman]

Originally Posted by jditom

Great information!
Do you know when in 06 the change happened? All 06-08 can't be serviced normaly or late 06? Is there a way to tell when looking at a 06 car to buy?
Thanks

If I were you I would assume all '06's require a total rebuild to upgrade the IMS. I.e. limit your search to '05 max. If I were you I would buy a well-maintained 03 or 04. Just my opinion.

[Quickurt]

I much preferred the 987 base over the 986 S but ended up with a good deal on a certified 987 S, sooooo got the best of all worlds, in MY opinion. That's just like.. well, you know what I mean.
A VERY serious consideration for me was getting into a certified car. With the current economic climate, you should be able to find a certified 06/07 base for a price that is really best, once you figure in the TRUE value of that certification.
You may also want to watch for the Sport Edition base that has the 2.7 engine with the S model 6 speed and PASM. Someone above mentioned one. I was looking seriously at one in Dallas, until my local dealer figured out how few cars they had sold in Nov. '08 and gave me a call, with an offer I couldn't refuse on mine.
Then they economy took a nose dive and I had paid too much, anyway!
I think this entire eco melt-down was my fault....because I finally decided to jump off that Boxser cliff!!

The best advice is still, research your ass off, see if you can get both for weekend test drives and take your time making sure you get the best car for YOU.

Kurt

[davemon]

Drive a handful of Boxsters. Your stomach will tell you what feels right. I drove a few before picking my tuned '04 (gasp) base. I love it. It has more guts than a stock base, honestly looked like new condition, the exact color scheme I wanted, the exact upgrades I wanted and a price point lower than the S and lower than the 987. It was exactly what I wanted and it was obvious when I saw it.


At some point, if you look long enough the car will choose you.

The price, color, year, model, options, condition will all come together.

[AndyA6]

I looked for a Boxster for a loooong time in the $25,000 range, thinking the same as you do, older faster S or newer more refined and slower base, until I got this:-

'04 S, 40,000 mls, 1 owner (no lease), triple black, Porsche certified with full Porsche warranty until 2014 or 100,000 mls, totally flawless, all service records, first owner is anal about his Porsche, he traded for a '10 S, $ 23,000 with 1.9% Porsche financing..... hard to beat IMHO. Heck, they put new HTZ 3 tires, brakes etc on before I got it.

Point is there are so many Boxsters out there for much less $ than mine but this one is just like a new car, never has seen rain or snow. I just waited for the "right" and "clean" ride!

Good luck!

[jacabean]

has anyone up here gone from the 986 S to a 07 08 3.4 S and if so what are your impressions ?

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by jacabean

has anyone up here gone from the 986 S to a 07 08 3.4 S and if so what are your impressions ?

Yes, I went from an 01S to my 08S LE. The extra 50hp is sweet. Like the 987 interior better, like the 986 exterior better but I don't see the exterior when I'm driving. The shifter is way better in the 987 too (although you can fix the 986 with the 987 shifter).

My 08S has been one of the best new cars I've ever owned for reliability. Have 23K mi on her, so she's no garage queen.

Bottom line, I've never missed my 986.