Absolutely, I would do it again, and to some degree, I have. I purchased my 2000 Box S in early 2005, and in May this year I bought a 1999 Carrera 4 to use as my daily - replacing a 2006 BMW 325i! The Bimmer was nice, but it was just a car. The Porsches are PORSCHES!

No doubt about it -- either find one that has had the IMS dealt with, or budget for a clutch / IMS as part of the purchase. The real question is now, can I ever have a car that isn't a Porsche?.

Absolutely. The former owner of my '98 put 15,000 miles on her in 10 years, and I've put 30,000 miles in 5 years. Nothing but routine maintenance. As empty-nesters my wife and I love to hop in the Boxster and cruise off to interesting places on the week-end -- like the New River Gorge. http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1379079999.jpg

Absolutely. I've been buying used Porsches since 1995. Working on them is part of the experience.

I was just thinking about the newer model thing but folks now still buy Porsches from the 70's, 80's, 90's without qualms so who is to say that 10 or 20 years from now the 986 might be a pretty desirable cool car to be driving around, like a 356 is now. (On top of the already great fun it is for those who have one already)

I'm not sure I like the look of the newest models anyway, as I appreciate the smooth flowing lines over the angular hard look.

They seem to last eternally in the hands of enthusiasts and if they do get banged up, then they a good pickings for the racing crowd.

I wonder if a Porsche has ever gone to the metal crusher for recycling for just its metal value?

Seems like parting out and selling the remainder as a roller is more than its scrap metal value.

PS: Yaa, I'd buy another Boxster S again, its just too much fun to drive and once youve tasted that its hard to go back to a boring drive.

I would do it again, but I would get an S next time. My need for speed exceeds my budget. :D

Hubby has owned a few 911's, but once you have your own, it's a whole different (fantastic!) thing.

Would I do it again? Absolutely, but I'm older and smarter so I'd do it completely differently:

I would buy a 3-4 year old S model owned by an enthusiast who cared for the car and I would probably buy it from a Pcar dealership with a CPO warranty on it.

I will never again buy a "fixer upper" Porsche. Next one will be much newer and I will not compromise on the color, features, motor size, mileage, lack of repair records, etc.

Absolutely I would do it again. I won't have to though because I'm keeping this one until I die.

Is there any way to move this into the 'Thinking of buying a Boxster' thread? With all the negatives that invariably appear on a site like this, perhaps this is the greatest testimonialy to these incredible cars and the joys of ownership.

Brad

+1 :)
.........

I think it depends if you're asking about long-term ownership or just driving the car for a few years.

Lont-term? This car is very expensive to run, particularly if you live where there is extreme hot or extreme cold weather and the roads are bad. It's a fragile sports car. Not Ferrari fragile but while I would say its a fairly reliable car, I would not call it a durable car.

If I were to do it again, I'd probably keep a 996 GT3 long-term since the engine still keeps the value up, and I would have beein in and out of all other non-GT3 engined Porsches in short 2-4 year stints.
The rule would be in by 30K miles (let the previous owner take the depreciation hit) and out by 50K miles (let the next owner pay $3K for a new clutch/ims... among many other repairs).

I only wish the 981S would have come sooner. I found the 987.1 brake to be mushy/spungy and didn't feel it was a big enough jump from a 986 S. Instead of unveiling the 987.2, I wish they would have just gone to the 981. They'd be coming out of warranty by now and would be a great bargain. But I still have mixed feelings about the 981, particularly the steering, giant wheel well arches which pretty much require you to run a huge wheel for nothing to do with performance and the Panamera interior has not grown on me, ditto for the CGT scoops.
And $700 a month payments can wait. No way I'm plunking down cash for a car with the stock market on fire either.

Heck NO!...oh wait I got my first 986 'S' in Nov 2010 and I'm now on my 3rd Boxster, it's a friggin decease. So it looks like ya I did it 2 more times :). All mine have been much above average cars so only needed minor repairs...I did however replace most stuff on the 986 for the fun of it. The experience of learning to wrench the last 3 years has been wonderful.

I'll be selling the 2000 986 'S' very soon and keeping the 981. I wouldn't be surprised though if the right high mileage low priced one comes along if I didn't get it and set it up for DEs.

:eek::eek: OMG! :eek::eek:

It's no wonder now why you don't drive it much. In '04 you must have paid 20K+ for the Box, and then with all the mods.................. that's 981 money.

TO

(old thread - new guy) - I'd bought a '98 Boxster in 2000, kept it for 12 years and sold it when it began to need more repairs than I thought it should. It's 2 years later and I'm looking for something like an 06 'S' again - hard NOT to be enjoying the Boxster 'feel' - RickJ

It would be easier the second time knowing what I know now. I've replaced 2 IMS bearings rebuilt an engine replaced clutch pressure plate flywheel all suspension parts wheel bearings CV joints, exhaust, headers, AOS, intakes, installed a radiator system. Come to think of it does anyone need an experienced Boxster Mechanic.

Not in a million years....

If I had to do it again, I would dig deep and pick up the Guards Red 993 for $31K that was put before me. Air cooled, no IMS, bulletproof, and they're appreciating like mad.

Nope...done it twice. I like the 993 idea. Just missed out on one by 3k. Really love my 944 turbo S and I can actually see the motor!

I would do it again in a minute.

I've had a good car (99 986) with only minor issues in 62k miles compares to others here. I love the way it looks, and drives. If the IMS blows before I need a new clutch then I'll just get another one. I do wish I had not waited so long to buy my first Porsche.

Sold my 2001 2.7 about 3 weeks ago, not one issue in 20 k, would definitely consider a Cayman next but in the meantime the Rav CV6 will have to do. New buyers, spend some time and don't be in a hurry to buy.

I would say no. Not because of the IMS or any surprises on what I got into, rather it's just not the right car for my situation….not enough twisties….like having a super model wife and not …..