Any Original Owners

[Allen]

I've been reading this forum a lot but, admittedly, contributing very little in my 9 years as a member here. Lately I have noticed quite a few members buying pre-owned Boxsters, usually model years 1999 to 2003 and have begun to wonder what the reason is, other than price, that attracts buyer to those specific model years.

If I had to guess as to one of the reasons prospective buyers like models from the early 2000s, it may be the interior. Beginning with model year 2005, Porsche completely redesigned the cockpit of the Boxster. Personally, I don't care for the redesign; I don't like the round vents, and there is just a bit too much chrome-painted plastic throughout for my tastes. I understand that many like the updated interior design over the old, so to each his own.

I am the original owner of a 2004 base that I purchased from Holbert's Porsche in February of 2004. For those who may be interested, Bob Holbert was a Porsche race car driver in the 1960s and later one of the first Porsche dealers in the US.

In the 10 years I have owned my Box, I have clocked a total of 35,263 miles, so I don't drive it that much, 3 to 4 thousand miles a year, some years not even that many, and never in inclement weather or during Winter.

Over the years I have made a number of relatively minor adjustments and was quite surprised that, other than the headlights, I could do them all myself:

- Replaced standard headlights for litronic self-leveling lamps
- Replaced amber side markers for clears
- Replaced black rear bumpers for vehicle-colored ones
- Installed B & M short shifter
- Installed manual raise/lower spoiler switch
- Replaced center console for vehicle-colored one, ashtray delete
- Replaced ignition rosette for vehicle-colored one
- Placed '986' emblem on batwing
- installed speakers in compartment behind seat to give radio a fuller sound
- Debadged and then rebadged trunk

I like the TA style side skirts so I may be getting those soon as well.

My vehicle came with the PCM, 4-stalks, Porsche Emblem wheel crests and a number of other options, so I didn't have to have those done as well.

I ordered the hard top through the dealer as I didn't want to have to futz around trying to find one in my color later.

I currently have no plans to trade in my Box for a newer model. It is almost the perfect vehicle (for me) now, even though it is the very definition of a garage queen. Other than wear and tear on the paint, especially on the bonnet, I have had absolutely no problems with the vehicle whatsoever.

So original owners, chime in, and what have you done to your Boxster over the years?

[BRAN]

Hi Allen,

I want to join your original owners club (OOC?).

Btw: Your Boxster and especially the color look absolutely fantastic, is that arenared metallic?
I picked mine (MY01) up in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, long time ago in November 2000.

The look of the first Boxster generation grows stronger and stronger on me every year and with each new Boxster generation, we own something very special

[CraigM]

Your car is so clean! The leather still looks brand new.
I'm kind of an original owner - 2000 base model, my dad built the sheet on it in the late 90s. My parents are big on keeping things stock, so until a couple months ago when I acquired it it was completely and wholly stock.
Now I own the car, so it has been desnorkeled and Baluga exhaust is on. I plan to slowly tweak it into even more of a driver's car while maintaining a "could be stock" feel. Idea is to purify the parts of the Boxster that make it a Boxster.
I agree the 986 design is still gorgeous. Those that don't know the model differences often think this car is brand new.
Can I be an honorary OOC member? I've put a fair amount of the 51000 miles on this car over the years!

[Perfectlap]

Very nice.

I would do the IMS upgrade even if not for mileage. Its been 14 years, no low mileage bearing lasts forever.

P.s.
I wish they would have gone with the 964 or earlier interior on the Boxster. A sort of classic Porsche interpretation. But for a 21 year old design your pics show it was indeed a company-saving execution. Unfortunately too many left the factory without the Tequipment options and the concept design wasn't intended to be barebones making many look chintzy and cheap. I cant believe it when i see that on 996 Turbos sometimes.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by BRAN

Hi Allen,

I want join your original owners club (OOC?).

Btw: Your Boxster and especially the color look absolutely fantastic,

Thanks. I try my best to keep it looking tip-top.

Originally Posted by BRAN

is that arenared metallic?

No, it is called Carmon Red.

Originally Posted by BRAN

I picked mine (MY01) up in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, long time ago in November 2000.

The look of first Boxster generation grows stronger and stronger on me every year and with each new Boxster generation, we own something very special

I agree completely.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by CraigM

Your car is so clean! The leather still looks brand new.

Thanks! It is no where near concours-level condition of course, but I do spend a good amount of time cleaning the interior and exterior, although the interior doesn't require much more than a dusting from time to time, especially during the 6 to 7 months it is garaged full time.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Very nice.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I would do the IMS upgrade even if not for mileage. Its been 14 years, no low mileage bearing lasts forever.

I have read a little about the IMS, but am not sure what it is or does, and thought, perhaps wrongly, that I shouldn't worry about it as I don't drive the car frequently.

[cfos]

Original owner of 2:

2006 987:

Only mods were winter mats, winter wheels (turbo twist) & snow tires, and peripheral xm radio.

2013 981:

Only mod: Zun-sport front grills; not pictured. Considering a debadging.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Allen

Thanks!

I have read a little about the IMS, but am not sure what it is or does, and thought, perhaps wrongly, that I shouldn't worry about it as I don't drive the car frequently.

Quiet the opposite. The longer the car sits the worse it can be. From what I've read its not so much the mileage but how often the car is driven. Particularly if you only change the oil yearly.

You might want to buy an IMS guardian which goes on your dash.
With the 2000's there's now way to know if you have the robust dual row IMS bearing or the infamous single row. Well short of taking down the transmission, Porsche records are not reliable enough for this question.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by cfos

Original owner of 2:

2006 987:

Only mods were winter mats, winter wheels (turbo twist) & snow tires, and peripheral xm radio.

2013 981:

Only mod: Zun-sport front grills; not pictured. Considering a debadging.

Got a thing for red? Nice cars, and OP I love your interior and the color is excellent on your car!

[cfos]

I do like red, but also had porsche racing green on the 997.2S. Also, the reds are different, not that you can tell by the photos. The 987 was arena red and the 981 is amaranth.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Got a thing for red? Nice cars, and OP I love your interior and the color is excellent on your car!

Thanks!

Another photo of the interior.

[BRAN]

My Oldschool Ride 2013


Aero type I sideskirts (ready) and 18" Fuchs wheels silver spokes coming soon...will be REALLY Oldschool then.

BTW: Klisstle rollbar covers

@ Allen: I not the biggest friend of the redesigned cockpits as well.

[Chuck W.]

Another original owner here. It still brings a smile to my face every time I drop the top and take it out.

Special ordered it and picked it up in May of 2001. The window sticker was $59,997. I am at 23,900 miles now.

I ordered it with the following factory options;

Comfort Package including Seats with electrical height, length and backrest adjustment, left and right; driver's side memory function and adjustable lumbar support, left and right. $2,090
Self-Dimming Mirrors and Rain Sensors. $690
Heated Front Seats Package $400
Sports Touring Package including Wind Stop, Sound System, Cruise Control, Alarm System, CD Radio, On-Board Computer $2870
Headlight Washers $225
Wheel Caps with Colored Crest $170
Porsche Stability Management $1215
Xenon Headlights $1070
Black Floor Mats $92
Porsche Crest in Headrest $210

I have added the following;

'03 18" S Wheels
'03 OEM Top with Glass Window
'03 Tail Lights
'03 S Exhaust Modified by FD Motorsports
Silver Hood Emblem
Clear Front Side Lights
Red Seat Belts
Red Rear Console
Aluminum E-Brake & Shift Knob
997 Shift Console
Garage & Gate Switches
Kenwood HD Radio & Navigation
Spoiler Control Switch & Indicator Light
Back-Up Camera
Foot Well Lights
Bird Arm Rest
Steering Wheel Modified by CarDreams.com
Leather Air Bag
Parrot Bluetooth

[Allen]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Another original owner here. It still brings a smile to my face every time I drop the top and take it out.

Special ordered it and picked it up in May of 2001. The window sticker was $59,997. I am at 23,900 miles now.

I ordered it with the following factory options;

Comfort Package including Seats with electrical height, length and backrest adjustment, left and right; driver's side memory function and adjustable lumbar support, left and right. $2,090
Self-Dimming Mirrors and Rain Sensors. $690
Heated Front Seats Package $400
Sports Touring Package including Wind Stop, Sound System, Cruise Control, Alarm System, CD Radio, On-Board Computer $2870
Headlight Washers $225
Wheel Caps with Colored Crest $170
Porsche Stability Management $1215
Xenon Headlights $1070
Black Floor Mats $92
Porsche Crest in Headrest $210

I have added the following;

'03 18" S Wheels
'03 OEM Top with Glass Window
'03 Tail Lights
'03 S Exhaust Modified by FD Motorsports
Silver Hood Emblem
Clear Front Side Lights
Red Seat Belts
Red Rear Console
Aluminum E-Brake & Shift Knob
997 GTS Shift Console
Garage & Gate Switches
Kenwood HD Radio & Navigation
Spoiler Control Switch & Indicator Light
Back-Up Camera
Foot Well Lights
Bird Arm Rest
Steering Wheel Modified by CarDreams.com
Leather Air Bag
Parrot Bluetooth

Very nice!

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Another original owner here. It still brings a smile to my face every time I drop the top and take it out.

What a pristine car, i hope to own a porsche new someday! If i do buy one new my stubborn self wont sell it till the day its worth more, and if that day never comes, itll sure be worth something to me .

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by cfos

I do like red, but also had porsche racing green on the 997.2S. Also, the reds are different, not that you can tell by the photos. The 987 was arena red and the 981 is amaranth.

You can tell the difference a bit, the amaranth reminds me of Mclarens volcano red, I am sure the green car was nice too, however, i could imagine it attracting cops eyes .

[BRAN]

Originally Posted by Allen

Your interior looks almost like some sort of "Black Edition" interior, which Porsche once offered for the 911.
Mine used to look like yours the first 10 years, until "them lil mods started"...they are just too much fun

Please keep your interior as it is, its really nice

[BRAN]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Another original owner here. It still brings a smile to my face every time I drop the top and take it out.I have added the following;

'03 18" S Wheels
'03 OEM Top with Glass Window
'03 Tail Lights
'03 S Exhaust Modified by FD Motorsports
Silver Hood Emblem
Clear Front Side Lights
Red Seat Belts
Red Rear Console
Aluminum E-Brake & Shift Knob
997 Shift Console
Garage & Gate Switches
Kenwood HD Radio & Navigation
Spoiler Control Switch & Indicator Light
Back-Up Camera
Foot Well Lights
Bird Arm Rest
Steering Wheel Modified by CarDreams.com
Leather Air Bag
Parrot Bluetooth

YAY...another MY01
Really nice Chuck, especially your '03 OEM Top with Glass Window!
Lots of smiles per gallon, no doubt.

Aluminum E-Brake --> I really could need some info here, how to "rip" the handle off
Foot Well Lights --> Original ones? How did you connect them?

[Allen]

Originally Posted by BRAN

Your interior looks almost like some sort of "Black Edition" interior, which Porsche once offered for the 911.
Mine used to look like yours the first 10 years, until "them lil mods started"...they are just too much fun

Please keep your interior as it is, its really nice

Thanks! No plans to change the interior, although looking at the photos again I can see a few nooks and crannies that I missed cleaning.

The exterior, on the other hand, I have a number of plans for, such as adding the TA style side skirts and getting a much-needed paint job for the bonnet and front fender.