2005 Boxster purchase questions
 

Hey guys,

Might be time for me to buy my first Porsche. I found a 2005 Boxster with 28,800 miles. Looks to be mint. I've heard some bad things about Boxsters that have been garage queens. Anything I should look out for when I go in for a test drive? Anyone in Orange county know a guy that will do the ims upgrade for a bit cheaper?

2005 IMS not easy.....
 

....In 2005 PORSCHE launched the next generation Boxster known as the “987”.

This is a “986” forum for the 1997-2004 Boxster’s.

The 2005 and up cars require the engine to be cracked open to replace the IMS.


You need to do more research before leaping into PORSCHE ownership.

How about a nice Miata?

Good luck.

Hello Manny

Please don't worry about which model you have 986 or 987 as both are great cars but as you learn, on the later ones you cannot replace the IMS, but in reality the failure rate for the later ones is very low.

IMHO, the most important are the maintenance records, as an '05 car with 28k was obviously not driven a lot, and may want to plan to replace the rubber hoses that get old despite the mileage.

There are many Porsche specialist shops in OC, but some of them (top notch shops like 911 Design close to you) that specialize on racing cars tend to get a bit pricey ...

But must of the work tasks can be done by yourself, if you are a handy and feel comfortable with DIY, there is plenty of great support on this forum to accomplish most (if not all) of the repairs and maintenance.

I joined this place about 11 years ago when I got my 987 '07 CS, and I know that there are very few differences between the 986 and 987 cars, I drove my car 105k in 10 years (until got totaled a year ago) and the only time I got professional help was to repair the 6 speed gearbox.

Please share some pics of the car you are considering, and welcome here.

PS: YES, as Deserion wisely mentions, get a PPI before buying the car.
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Most 2005 engines are able to have the bearing replaced with the engine in the car. However, some late/later builds have the oversized that cannot be done that way. The only actual way to know for 100% is to drop the transmission to inspect it.

As far as good Porsche shops in your area, not sure offhand but I'm sure someone can chime in on that. Would be wise to have them inspect the car thoroughly before you purchase. :)

Maybe you should do a little more research as a Porsche owner? Everything on the internet says 05 still had single row weaker bearings. 06+ should be good to go. It's people like you who make car nerds look bad with your rude and inaccurate comments.

You're that guy who talks sports but only watches SportsCenter.



Everyone else; thanks guys! I'll post some pics later. Have an odd feeling about this dealer but I'll keep everyone up to speed

Wow what an unpleasant response.
Are you as obnoxious as that in real life or is it just when you're hiding behind a keyboard.

Regarding the 2005 model year Box, Deserion is correct that the only way to know which IMSB is in the car is to drop the trans and inspect it.

Best wishes for finding the car that’s the best fit for you :cheers:

https://imgur.com/dPVjsqL

https://imgur.com/0VIJPgQ

Here's some pics sent over by the sales guy.

2.7 base with 3.2S exhaust and upgraded carrera wheels

Whats the asking price? Id guesstimate $16k

They're actually asking 13.5k. Available Powertrain Warranty for 3.5k (3 years 37k Miles).

Looks fantastic in the pictures and I'm excited to test drive it and check it out.

I'm pretty new here, but I wasn't aware that 987 owners are shunned and BANNED from participating here. Despite the Forum's name, it was always my understanding that this is really a Boxster Forum more than anything else.

That price strikes me as being a bit too low.

A thorough, competent PPI is a must, and may well reveal why they're only asking $13.5k.

Have you pulled a Carfax on it?

That looks like a nice car, I love the Carrera Classic wheels :-)
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Definitely Agree, I'm definitely proceeding with an extra bit of caution. As much as I would love to get behind the wheel of a Porsche I'm not buying anything with a salvage title or frame damage. Did a Vin Check etc, no prior accidents it looks like.

Side note: Any of you guys fairly tall? I've heard mixed things about comfort for taller drivers. (I'm about 6'3)

Some '05's did, some didn't. Only way to know for sure is to drop the trani and inspect it. 2006 - 2008 have the Gen 3 bearing which is far better. You're pretty safe with those, not 100% but pretty safe.

Trust your gut.

Forgive me....
 

....I am truly sorry.

I did not mean to come across in a mean way.

I was just pointing out that this is a 986 forum. He’s looking at a 987.

It wasn’t about shutting him out, it was intended to make him aware that this might not be the right place for info on a 987. That’s all.

I am also sorry for the word “Porsche” being capitalized, my darn phone did that automatically and I missed it.

Unfortunately, there is no tone in the printed text.

As a poor guy who never had two nickels to rub together until very late in my life, I just thought I would offer an alternative for a great sports car that would fit a limited budget better.

My Miata was my only car for over 20 years. They are awesome.

The original poster’s questions about needing a low cost mechanic, his lack of knowledge of the ins and outs of Porsches, and his query about a 987 in a 986 forum all led me to think he is tight for money. I have been tight for money all of my life. I just wanted to save him from making a financial mistake.

That’s all.

Sorry guys.

If you choose that 987, be prepared for an expensive experience.

If that’s cool, you will enjoy one amazing car. These Boxsters are incredible.

Good luck.

10/10, with all respect I beg to differ.. IMHO, IF, the car was properly maintained the 987's are very reliable

I had my 987CS for ten years and the most expensive experiences were the 'accessories I added' like the OS Giken LSD, KW-V3 coilovers, SpeedArt (FVD Brombacher) exhaust, center radiator, a custom power steering cooler, IPD Plennum w/GT3 TB, short shifter, etc.,

However I was very surprised that the only real repair was to the 6 speed gearbox as I managed to fry the input shaft bearing, then the suspension control arms, tie rods and brakes, but please keep in mind that my car was a daily driver that accumulated 105k miles in ten years, also even if my car was a 987, and 95% of the times I got great advise on how to perform the repairs in this forum.

We have to recognize that the Cayman is basically a Boxter with a fixed roof..

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I'm sorry for taking your comment out of context, I've dealt with a various difficult people on car forums before so I naturally just assumed the worst. I appreciate the concern and I definitely am not into throwing money away. That being said I do OK for myself (software engineer) and am used to some more premium repairs on cars I've had. I've never owned a Porsche but I've owned a 02 Jaguar X-type , 03 Infiniti G35 Coupe, and a 06 Pontiac GTO.

I own a 2005 Boxster S, and perhaps can lend some of what I have learned to the conversation. 2005 is the "oddball" year in the 986/987 progression. It's a crapshoot on the IMS bearing. It could be the late 986 style single row, or it could be the 2006 and later 987 large IMS bearing. No one really knows how many of each were made, and no one knows when and where they made the switch from one to the other. Some say the early cars had the 986 style, but there is no proof of that either. It seems Porsche just apparently pulled an engine off the rack when it came down the line, and you got whatever engine was lined up next. I would think from a common sense point of view you're more likely to have the 986 style bearing in an earlier 2005 model year build, but there's really no proof of that at all anywhere, only speculation. As was said earlier, the only way to positively prove which IMS you have in a 2005 is to pull the trans and flywheel and take a look.

It's kind of a "6 of one, half a dozen of another" type situation. If you have the earlier bearing, you can change it out easier. If you have the later bearing, there seems to be less of a chance that it'll go bad. Pick your poison, I guess.

As for getting shouted down that "THIS IS A 986 FORUM!!!!!!!", just ignore. It's usually the same 3 or 4 guys. The rest here are awesome and helpful. Enjoy and PM me if you have any other questions on the oddball 2005. I won't shout at you, I promise! :)

Good luck with your purchase. I love my '05. It's a great car.

That’s awesome!!!
 

Count me as jealous.

I’m just a starving artist and finally saved enough nickels to buy this 2004 Boxster.

Alrighty then, welcome to the party.

Just buy her and start enjoying the Porsche dream. These cars truly are amazing.

Thanks again for giving me a second chance. I’m very sorry I came off like a bag.

I wouldn’t sweat the IMS at this point. I suggest you check out the Flat 6 web site and maybe bust them a phone call. They helped me tremendously and performed a lot of preventative maintenance for me.

Good luck.

:cheers: