Please Advise - Project Porsche Boxster

[shadydave007]

Hello 986 Forum,
I am thinking about undertaking a Boxster project and would appreciate any advice you can share. I became aware of an unfinished ground up rebuild on a Boxster.

A friend of mine is settling an estate from a past relative and has this car in pieces. He claims its in a "bare frame" condition. He is not a car guy and unfamiliar with the model or year. I have yet to see the vehicle for myself to asses the condition. He did tell me it is an R title. I don't know if it was wrecked before or got transferred as an R title b/c it was in pieces at the time of the estate settlement.

I don't know much about Porsche Boxsters and would like some advice or warnings before I purchase this vehicle. At the very least I am considering it for parts.

Some of my questions are:
I am unsure of the year, is there a certain year to stay away from?
Is there a code for model year and engine? Where are they located?
Are there model years with interchangeable parts?
Is one engine preferable over another? Transmission?
Parts sources?
Mods to make during rebuild?
Other advice and Ideas?

I have restored older cars before and have mechanics and connections for some aftermarket parts. I am aware that this is not going to be easy.

I will be looking at this vehicle in the next week. I will be sure to take pics and post them.

Thanks!

[BYprodriver]

Assuming it is a 1997-2004 model (986) assembled, good condition value is $8,000- $16,000. I can't imagene any sane reason to strip a Boxster down to the bare tub unless they were building a serious off road race car. Best buyer for this project would probably be a serious racer who would want to strip the car down to minimum weight. Unless it is a 2000-2004 "S" model I don't know if it would be worth taking on a project like this for resale. Assuming it has the original trunk lid ,the underside should have a decal showing year & model info.

[Jamesp]

You will find parts are very expensive and the the value of the completed car may be less than the parts cost.

[shadydave007]

BYprodriver,

I cant imagine why this car was torn down either. I am hoping there is a cache of aftermarket parts to put this car back together. Maybe some tools too.

I am not planning to build this to sell and profit. I know I could part it out if it isn't complete or too much for me to handle.

It seems like a fun project and I know it could get expensive. The price is too good to pass up.

Thanks for responding!

[BoxsterSteve]

Shady,

Just my 2 cents...
If it's a steal of a deal, and already apart, just sell off the parts as they are, and buy a Boxster you can actually drive.
You could spend a bucket load of time & money putting a life-size model kit together, or just go out to the garage and turn the key and go for a spin.
Sometimes it just isn't worth the labour to reassemble, unless it's a MY2004 550 SE. That limited edition model may be worth it, but anything else, I'd not bother.

[BYprodriver]

Most of the value lies in the engine, but good possibliity the car was parked due to engine trouble. The engine ID# is on the bottom next to the oilsump pan. M96 is the engine type followed by size code:

20= 2.5L 1996-1999
21= 3.2L 2000-2002
22= 2.7L 2000-2002
23= 2.7L 2003-2004
24= 3.2L 2003-2004

When you go to see it take a 24mm socket & breaker bar to turn over the engine "CLOCKWISE" only! to see if it spins smoothly with no noises. Turning counterclockwise will damage the timing chains etc. Ideally the engine should be parked at TDC prevent damage to valvesprings. Check for TDC before turning over engine, & return to TDC clockwise for storage. See photo with red pin locking crank pulley at TDC via marking hole.

[thstone]

A deal like this is pure speculation. Its like rolling the dice whether you win or lose. None of us can advise you on what to do because it has nothing to do with the car or its condition, its all about whether you want to roll the dice or walk away.

If it were me, I'd walk away. But then, I am not a betting person. There is no price (not even if you get the car for free) that would convince me that this project has a likelihood of being worth the money and effort. The logical thing is to sell the car for parts and then buy a car where you know what you're getting into.

But I know what you're thinking - you MIGHT get lucky. And that brings me right back to my first statement.

[BruceH]

The only reason to do this is in your comment that it would be a fun project. IMO, the fun factor has to out weigh everything else. Like others have said, parting it out and buying a completed Boxster would be more practical, but if it's a project you want, then go for it