2005 Porsche Boxster Purchase - Owner Issues?

[rbambacus]

I saw the consumer reports for a 2005 Boxster & it showed much worse than average: major engine repairs, minor engine repairs, minor transmission, body integrity, body hardware, and audio system. I'm now hesitant to purchase and am thinking about looking for a 2003 or 2006 which Consumer Reports indicated was much better than average and better than average in the above mentioned categories. Does any have any experience or knowledge of poor reliability for the 2005 model?

[thstone]

The Boxster 986 model ran from 1997 - 2004. The Boxster 987 (first generation or 987.1) ran from 2005 - 2008 and the Boxster 987 second gen (987.2) from 2009 and on.

Thus, 2005 was the first year of the new 987 model and there are always more problems with the first year of a new model.

[jmatta]

Very true...furthermore, I don't care for the enlarged body and redesigned interior of the 987 vs the 986...the earlier cars just seem to be more pure and simple.

[RandallNeighbour]

jmatta, I'm just the opposite. I think the 986 interior looks cheap compared to the 987.

This is good though. Guys like you keep the resale value of the 986 higher and guys like me keep the 987's resale value higher.

rbambacus, I would highly recommend you look at the 2007 S models. They have a 3.4 in them and my buddy's car has had zero problems in 4 years of ownership sans his ceramic brakes, which on his car are total crap and fade badly at the track. And he flogs the car regularly at the track, btw...

If you don't have the cash for a 07S, then WAIT and buy one when you do have the cash. You will be happy you did. The larger motor and reliability of a model that's 2 years in makes all the difference in the world.

I wish I had not compromised my desires by purchasing a 2.5 1997 when the 3.2 S's were already out in 2004. Don't make the same mistake I made.

[Beelzy]

I think there's too much bling (Chrome) on the 987's interior parts....Go for a 2004 model.

[mikefocke]

sample size used by CR and thus their ability to report anything meaningful on a niche vehicle like the Boxster. When a sample gets too small it also gets too self selecting.

I always cite my Boxster experiences (2 very very good/reliable/cheap cars) as being totally unhelpful when predicting what your experience might be.

I'd prefer the 987 over the 986 (I owned 986s) (look at the model year differences list http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/modelyeardifferences for reasons why).

And the '05 over the '07. Why? Because a major source of worry for some is the IMS and the '05 IMS is easier/cheaper to replace with an upgraded part in the '05.

Look for a car maintained by an enthusiast and get a PPI done before you buy so you know the condition of the car.

[rp17]

05 is a good year model. I recently saw one of the upgraded shaft and it did have me thinking though but like stated you have to crack open the engine. Only thing that bothers me is how hard it us to connect your phone for music. Hate radio stations. Upgrade in hp so what not to like. Better interior also. Unless you can get a 3.4, ride on..... My first 05 was great!

[REDBXSTR]

Originally Posted by rp17

05 is a good year model. I recently saw one of the upgraded shaft and it did have me thinking though but like stated you have to crack open the engine. Only thing that bothers me is how hard it us to connect your phone for music. Hate radio stations. Upgrade in hp so what not to like. Better interior also. Unless you can get a 3.4, ride on..... My first 05 was great!

Hi RP17. Beautiful color S you have. Looks great.
Just wanted to say that NOT all '05 S require the engine case to be cracked open to upgrade the IMS. I upgraded my IMS. MY build date was 4/25/05 and it did NOT require that the engine be removed or cracked open to upgrade it. They simply dropped the transmission, and did the upgrade, and being that a new clutch, flywheel, and Rear Seal (I had a small leak) was costing me parts only, and no additional labor charges, (because of the IMS upgrade required all the removal labor), I had the other stuff done at the same time.

Sometime in LATE '05 Porsche transitioned to a non serviceable IMS, that required cracking it open, but it's a gray area and was much later in the year, mostly but not alllmodel year 2006. See posts #6 and #10 here.
So if you want some piece of mind, getting the stronger and more durable Ceramic hybrid bearing and stronger related parts, look into it. You may be able to have it done without cracking like I did. It's not cheap, but nothing Porsche, ever is. I really do sleep better at night.

http://lnengineering.com/index.php/products/ims.html

Regarding the music system, I do love the BOSE system in mine, but I agree it's hard to connect my phone, so I find myself burning very big playlists on a few CD and that works for me. I also hate listening to the radio junk they play.

My first Boxster was a Base '04, but the power increase and cosmetic interior and exterior changes to the '05 S, which I currently now own is absolutely intoxicating!

Here's a picture of my current '05 S.