Thinking of buying a Boxster

[runjmc2]

You should be moderately worried, but not focused on the IMS. There are many issues and maintenance items to worry about. If you answer No to any of the following look elsewhere:

1. Are you interested and capable of performing basic to moderate troubleshooting?
2. Are you interested and capable of performing basic to moderate maintenance and repairs?
3. Can you afford $2K per year on average for maintenance and/or repairs
4. Are you capable of absorbing a worse case event of losing your purchase price minus $2-3K?

I bought a '97 with 96K miles a year and a half ago and frankly the car is a PITA. Since I can answer yes to all of the above my annual costs have stayed under $2K and I still consider it a reasonable risk to take

[jb92563]

Had my 2001 S for 2 years and no issues.

However you will have an old car and like any old car it will need some of the more major overhauls as parts wear out.

At 80K miles things like Belts, some hoses, suspension components, water pump, vario cam guides, clutch, perhaps a sensor here or there.

Plastic/rubber eventually gets less pliable and could cause vacumm leaks and other inconvenient things that if taken care of yourself will save loads of money and result in a reliable car.

The IMSB issue is a DIY $500 fix or a $2500 shop fix so you can make that issue go away for a long time either way.

You must buy a Boxster and live the dream and drive it hard. Enthusiasts will help support you along the way.

[Benjamin]

I'm going to make some generalizations that aren't always the case, but things that I look out for.

Things to look out for when buying a used car:
1) "Mom & Pop" lots that don't sell new cars, especially if the car you are looking at is the nicest one on the lot. I doubt that anyone traded their Porsche, in "excellent" condition, in on a minivan with 120,000 miles on it. Chances are it was purchased at an auction, and for not very much money. It sold at an auction because nobody else would touch it. It probably has been neglected and needs major work. Service records will be minimal at best so you will have to assume that noting has been done.

2) Learning as much as you can about Boxsters before purchasing is a wonderful idea. It doesn't mean you have to do any work yourself, but you will know what questions to ask and what service records to look for.

3) Absolutely, 100% get a PPI from either a Porsche dealer, or an independent shop that is recommended on here, but NOT one that the dealer recommends, or the dealer's mechanic.

4) I don't like to gamble with a $10k+ repair, so I have opted to get the IMS bearing replaced with a ceramic. I have also just ordered the direct oil feed system for a little added security. Chances are nothing will happen, but I like to hedge my bets.

5) Carfax is a nice in principal, but it doesn't show everything, it shows only "reported" items. Those items never include oil changes and other maintenance items that show how well a car has been cared for, or beaten on in its life.

If those things haven't scared you off, then go for it! They are terribly fun.