Safe to buy pre 2000 model year?

[Kurt V]

I understand your apprehension. But remember the large majority of Boxster owners don't post on this or any other Boxster board, because the never have any problems. People with problems come here. The IMS problem is real, but still involves only a small percentage of Boxster engines. I had the same worries before I bought my 2001. But the worries decrease as each day goes by and the car hasn't exploded.

It's a buyer's market. Keep looking until you find the car you want. The previous owner of my car had just replaced many of the things you mention in your post. Only thing I had to do was replace the front brake pads and sensors. Did it myself in a couple of hours.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

The IMS problem is real, but still involves only a small percentage of Boxster engines. I had the same worries before I bought my 2001. But the worries decrease as each day goes by and the car hasn't exploded.

According to the engine experts familiar with these design flawe, failure of the IMS is not dependent on mileage. It can happen with low mileage, intermediate or high mileage.
My sense is that the decision to address the IMS issue has, in part, more to do with the quality of the mileage leading up to your purchase of that vehicle than the actual mileage itself -- frequent oil changes (more than once a year or no more than x miles), the quality of the oil (heated topic), the frequency of driving (weekly vs daily vs monthly) and then there are engines that are just going to grenade for reasons beyond control.

[mnc-i]

Reference buying an early model Boxster...
I bought my 1999 Boxster three years ago with 104,000 miles. I paid just over $8,000.00 for it. I now have over 177,000 miles on it. It is my daily driver. I do my own oil/filter changes, sparkplugs and brake jobs. It does not leak oil and I've had no IMS issues.
You must realize it isn't a small-block chevy (bullet proof, easily & cheap to maintain, and that anyone can easily rebuild). For example, instead of a PCV valve it has a stupid AOS (air oil separator) that goes bad more often than it should...who comes up with an AOS when a PCV could do the job. Then there is the water pump that EXCELLENCE Magazine says should be replaced every 60,000 miles (why can't they make a water pump that lasts 150,000 miles like the one on my Vette?).
Those things upset me more than a possible IMS failure.
Get a PPI before buying and take your time, Boxsters are a dime a dozen there is no need to buy one that needs alot of work for $15K.

[rcbox2k1]

If you do buy a Boxster, I suggest geting this book through Amazon, "101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster."