Would you do it again
 

This is such a great forum for those of us on the fence,whether we are looking for a weekend car or daily driver. IMS fears probably the biggest concern, even though the numbers are small, but I know those of you that have purchased probably hesitated like some of us. My question is after all you read, then finally pulling the trigger, would you do it all over again?

Thanks

Paul

Absolutely.

Hey, I owned 4 MGBs. :eek: I know what it's like to be wondering if I made the right decision. They were great kinesthetic driving machines, though.

And most of the Porsches I've owned have been sterling performers. I have found that if you drive them daily, even just to get them up to temp, they last a long time with proper maintenance.

TO

I've done it twice and would again. Did the IMS upgrade too and would do it again...

Without a second thought.

This is absolutely the happiest I have been with a car. That perma grin is still here!

The IMS issue was for the most part an unknown (at least a remedy for it) when I purchased my "box" back in 2004. But, to answer your question, would I do it again ?Maybe, but this time without the 40K in mods. Then again, it wouldn't be the Dangermobile now would it. :cool:

I have a '64 MKII that just needs an engine & trans!

ABSOLUTELY! I am so thankful for my Porsche experience, although some days I'm weary of the problems that tend to come along with old-car ownership. I wish I bought newer but then I don't need to fret much about depreciation these days.
I got to the point that I knew if I stayed with Japanese-only vehicles, I was going to miss out on too much of what the world has to offer. For better or worse, I'm now fearless and am entertaining Aston or Ferrari ownership in years to come. It's only money and I'm here for experience.

I would not hesitate to do it again. Repairs so far are acceptable. Unbelievable number of Boxsters for sale this time of year but few older Cayman. The latter are still out of my price range now but am willing to wait for the right moment.

If the Box blows up tomorrow it still will have been worth the ride.....I am enjoying the moment.

It absolutely depends on where you bought on the depreciation curve. If you bought new, Ouch!!!! Within 5 years of new, still a bit butt hurt. Six to 10 years old, not feeling nearly as stung. If you purchased in the past 2 to 4 years, probably feeling ok, etc.

Take the resale value out of the equation, these are incredible cars for the money.

I drove my Boxster for 6 years and 60K miles as a daily driver. In the end, I sold it for $12K less than what I bought it for (so it cost me $2K per year in depreciation). I paid a bit more than a typical car for consumables (tires, brakes, etc) and routine maintenance.

You can't drive a Honda Civic for that. Would I do it again? Yes, I did. I went out and bought another old Porsche.

I didn't care about the IMS. But if it bothers you, there is a solution. Put a new bearing in for $2K. IF you can't afford that, then you shouldn't be buying this car.



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Heck yeah I would do it all over again. I have driven over 220,000 miles in the Jägermobile, and I can’t imagine not having a Boxster in the stable for the rest of my life. It might be a newer model in ten years but the way this car keeps going, who knows???

Yes
Life is short. I went in aware of the issues. I expect to invest time and money to equal 2K per year average. IMO it's worth it.

I'd do it again in a millisecond. I never worry about the IMSB. I have 130,000 miles on the Boxster and 118,00 miles on the 996. Both with the original IMSB. Both run perfect.

Oh yeah, I would do it again. I only planned on keeping this car for a year or so but it's the most fun car I have ever owned. I may do it again in a year or so. :)

I'm already planning to do just that. I'm selling my 99 to make it easier to buy a house next June. After that, I'll be looking for another one. But this time, I'm really thinking about about a 986 S or 987.

When I was looking for a Porsche in early 2008, I was shown more than a few dogs (how any feeling person can treat good engineering the way some of those cars must have been treated amazes me), and in exasperation I contacted the local OPC in Brisbane, expecting a curtious brush off when the amount of money I wished to spend was discussed. But on the contrary I was received and listened to and asked if I had considered the Boxster (I was looking for a 3,0 / 3,2 or 964 Carrera). Anyway they let me loose in an early 2.5 Boxster which had a lot of miles. I declined this car but they promised to let me know when a good one turned up. Yeah right I thought.
About 6 weeks later (in the meantime I had seen a couple more 3.2 Carrera semi-dogs), I got a phone call saying they had a trade in 986 S that "looked very, very good". I took one drive and that was it - I knew within the first 500 yards that it was head and shoulders above anything else I had tried..... It probably didn't have the build quality of the earlier Carreras, but the driving experience was wonderfull.
Would I do it again - without a doubt and I would add that I would go again to the OPC and ask them to source a car for me. The stars were in alignment for me that day. I paid top dollar but got a top car too.
But I've still got a hankering for a 993.....

Yep. It's coming up on two years and I still love the thing. I've gotten sick of most other cars within six months.

this!!!!!!

To this point it is unanimous. I would do it again in a minute. The only qustion is why I waited so long to buy another Porsche. IMO the car is an incredibly cohesive and balanced design with - and here is that word again, incredibly 'balanced' performance. The combination of steering, braking, acceleration, handling and sound (especially above 4000 RPM's) is sensational. Add to that decent ergonomics and luggage space, excellent HVAC and, in spite of significant production numbers and the car's age, some status, what else can provide similar bang for the buck? And yes, 'for the buck' includes the relatively high maintenance costs associated with owning an aging thoroughbred.

I never tire of driving it and in fact, find excuses for longer trips through sports car country. In July my wife and I drove the Cabot trail in Cape Breton and, even though we just got back from a trip to Jamaica on Monday, I have convinced her that we really need a get-away this weekend to a nice resort in Muskoka - and yes, lets take the Boxster to enjoy the scenery with the top down. She still gets a bit tense powering through winding country roads, but I have booked her a massage upon our arrival at Taboo resort. Just thinking of her (and the hour I will have to go out on my own and REALLY drive it)!

Brad

I asked myself the same question. Did the IMS upgrade just now after purchasing the car july 4th. Ask me again in a few months when the car *knockonwood* has left my wallet alone when it comes to unexpected bills.. :D

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 …..