New to Porsche

[DarkStar]

Hello. I wasn't sure where to post this, Didn't see an area for newbs. Anyway my name is Josh. I live in Albuquerque, NM. I have been looking at getting into a nice car for a while. Wasn't too picky, Looked at BMW's, Mercedes and tons of other types. I finally settled on a 2001 Silver BoxsterS. Not really a fan of the girly car but this one just caught my attention. Dealership gave me like 2k for my jeep that wasn't even worth it. But price was 13950. Book says 18ish and carfax claims its worth 1600 more. Had 67k when I got it. Lol not even a week of owning it and the alternator died. Had to special order one, and there was no way I was going to pay the 1700 the local Porsche dealership claimed it costs.

Anyway, Love the car. Kinda upset that the rear plastic window broke last night while replacing the alternator.... IDK what to do, err how to replace it without replacing the entire roof. Much slower than my last car but still fun as heck to drive.

Here are some pics.

[kitc2246]

Go to PelicanParts.com Intermediate shaft bearing failures where an issue up to 2009. Better to pay for the upgrade than repair the failure. A good convertible top/auto upholstery shop should be able to sew in a new window. Mine is glass, but I bet you can buy a window repair kit.

[Porsche9]

Depending on the shape of the top and funds available you may want to go with a new top and make the switch to a glass window. You can get a high quality top for $600 to $700 plus install or if your handy and have the time do it yourself.

IMS is definitely something you want to look into. Just use the search function on this and any other topic there is a ton of info and helpful folks on the forum.

Welcome to the world of Porsche - fun and potentially expensive. Remember your car was about $50k new so any repairs will reflect this. Definitely find yourself a good indie.

[CrashTest]

Don't feel so bad about the window. I creased mine and got a tiny hole right after buying it. I wanted to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway with the top down even though it was about 35deg. F and didn't know about the "Boxster chop" (helping the plastic window fold, esp. when cold, to avoid damage).

How bad is the damage? Mine was literally a pinhole so I patched it. Used tent repair tape, about the size of a dime. If I ever damage it more (a real possibility) or get sick of it, I'll spring for a glass window.

Re: IMS failures, you can spend a lifetime reading about it. Good to know it exists, and what the options are. Some choose to do a retrofit replacement right away, others wait until you're in there doing a clutch, others ignore it entirely. I had a 996 before the Boxster, and I'm waiting until I need a clutch.

[Mark_T]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

Not really a fan of the girly car but this one just caught my attention.

Uh, excuse me? You've just got a knack for making new friends, don't you?

[rp17]

Nice looking car. Love the interior. Not girly looking at all. Not a girly car at all, girls just dig it you will see. I wouldn't jump into the Ixx thing yet just keep a eye on your clutch and drive it like the dr. said too.

Open your oil filter after every 5k oil change. Look for metal particles. But until clutch job, drive it like you stole it. New fixes coming out early this year.

[DarkStar]

Ty all. I was unaware there was a glass top avail. I didn't think there would be since the plastic window folds when top is down. It really bugs. Its no pinhole. It shattered like glass. I'll be looking for one now. Tax returns are gonna be spent fast.

Pelican is where I read the how to on doing the alternator. Unlike what I've read on the forums about people having issues with the bushing being rusted and not budging, mine came loose with two wacks. I did notice some oil on top of block. Apparently the alternator sucked up a bird... There were feathers stuck in it. Odd.

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Uh, excuse me? You've just got a knack for making new friends, don't you?

Now now. No need to get hurt over it. It is a boxster. Coming from mild to high HP drag cars onto a daily driven boxster. It took driving it to change my view on the car. Weather you believe it or not, boxsters are the laughed at Porsches in my world. I have been ragged on ever since buying it. Someone even bought me a purse for my birthday as a gag gift. I really don't care. I love it and my eyes are pealed on the road for any other boosters on the road wherever I go. I now look through the pics of all your cars and it is awesome. Sexy lil beast. My last cars make and model holds the world record for fastest and highest HP 4cyl on the planet. But its also one of the most hated cars and I've never gotten as much attention as I do now.

I was at a light the other day jamming out to some old rock and didn't notice some really beautiful blonde country girls were trying to catch my attention till they drove away. Lol

No disrespect intended. I an super happy with my purchase.

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Uh, excuse me? You've just got a knack for making new friends, don't you?

+1 on this Mark. As my old teacher used to say "we are going to have to wash his mouth out with soap!"
G

[BruceH]

Welcome to the forum! Despite the girly comment, here you go, I will save you some time:
convertible top, soft top items in AutoTopsDirect store on eBay!

These tops are the same as the GAHH tops, made by the same manufacturer. I had mine installed for $500. You didn't want the plastic window anyway, glass is a big upgrade. Drive it like you stole it

[DarkStar]

Wow thank you. awesome price too. should be able to do a header back exhaust, top, lowering springs and the oem bose sub with my tax returns. not much but still good.

im also going to have the wheels re powdered silver. i dont and never cared much for the black wheels on a colored car look. and look into finding cheap but perfect condition headlights to use as a lens doner for my spider cracked lights

Originally Posted by BruceH

Welcome to the forum! Despite the girly comment, here you go, I will save you some time:
convertible top, soft top items in AutoTopsDirect store on eBay!

These tops are the same as the GAHH tops, made by the same manufacturer. I had mine installed for $500. You didn't want the plastic window anyway, glass is a big upgrade. Drive it like you stole it

[heliguy]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Uh, excuse me? You've just got a knack for making new friends, don't you?

I read this and was immediately ready to write him off, I'll give him a chance.

[heliguy]

"Not really a fan of the girly car but this one just caught my attention"

I read this and was immediately ready to write him off, I'll give him a chance.

[heliguy]

Originally Posted by rp17

New fixes coming out early this year.

What fixes are these?

[heliguy]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

I love the wheels, and it looks like he got the full leather interior.

[rp17]

Originally Posted by heliguy

What fixes are these?

Those guys down there in Cleveland will be introducing another fix (from what I've read) that suppose to be in between the Hybrd bearing and the Solution cost wise. No specific details released yet other than that.

[SeanZ4]

Now now. No need to get hurt over it. It is a boxster. Coming from mild to high HP drag cars onto a daily driven boxster. It took driving it to change my view on the car. Weather you believe it or not, boxsters are the laughed at Porsches in my world.

Offended also…. I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. For now I've written you off too. I think you meant "whether" not "weather". Stay in school kid.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by heliguy

"Not really a fan of the girly car but this one just caught my attention"

I read this and was immediately ready to write him off, I'll give him a chance.

And miss out on all his 4 cyl HP knowledge?

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by rp17

Those guys down there in Cleveland will be introducing another fix (from what I've read) that suppose to be in between the Hybrd bearing and the Solution cost wise. No specific details released yet other than that.

I just saw Jake post on another thread; it is announced now:
Gen 2 Single Row Pro IMS Retrofit

Steve

[steved0x]

I do like the look of that red interior too. Very nice.

[silver-S]

Sorry you missed the autocross yesterday at Rt. 66 Casino. It was a beautiful day and the lone Boxster was kicking the 911 butts hard. Chick car, indeed.

When I put my top down after the temp dropped to about 50 degrees last fall, the window cracked in two places. I asked the service manager at the Porsche of Albuquerque what my options were. He gave me the price for a top with glass, then told me he would recommend just getting the plastic replaced at Bearnut Upholstery (yes, that's their name. They're on Tennessee, just north of Central).

I did, and they did a really tidy job for about $500.

Here's my personal opinion on wheel color. The stock wheels on mine were also arctic silver, and it just looks bland. See my avatar. (I've gotten different wheels since.) I'd guess that's how you ended up with the black wheels: P.O. didn't like them and went for something with more contrast to the body color. I'm not a fan of black wheels, either, though, for the same reason: no contrast with the tires, so you might as well be running black steelies from a Volkswagen.

I suggest getting the wheels powder coated in gunmetal gray, somewhere between Arctic silver and black and, most important, approximately the color of brake dust. That's the color they'll end up being most of the time, anyway, so you might as well get a nice job of it.