I don't own a Boxster but I have taken a real interest in it as a possible weekend car. I'll be in the market later this year..I've been reading everything I can find on the car. I've visited other forums, read consumer reviews on nearly all the years, and watched a ton of YouTube videos including engine replacements and repairs.
Having said all that what typically comes up frequently are the engine failures, IMS, RMS, and slipped cylinder sleeves etc. While reading a thread on Roadfly I came across a thread blown 1998 Boxster. I counted 43 eng failures alone on that thread most were from 97-99 however there were many later model failures as well. Many were undiagnosed because of the cost of tear down. Many were blamed on the IMS or a slipped cylinder sleeve..I remember one poster noted the poor design of the IMS bearing noting that its sealed and emersed in hot engine oil, seal goes bad and the hot oil washes out the bearing grease bearing fails causing total loss.
This site is probably the best from what I've seen and found on the internet. I would like to see a thread where owners can post a brief description of their eng failure and the outcome, if Porsche did anything to help?? If this information were available it might help others who may experience an engine failure. I can't imagine traveling down the hwy and experiencing total engine failure that is a serious safety issue NHTSB/Boxster Owner would have some leverage in getting these cars recalled...