Opinions on 2000 Boxster S?

[racer_troy]

...you have a great situation for an awesome used 986....I may be able to give perspective on a few issues...

1. I've been told the M96 engine design (water cooling, cast liners) is good for over 200k...i'm still testing this theory with 75K on my MY2000 with no issues

2. There is an updated RMS seal...likely it's already in the car as you stated your brother had the fix done a year ago...one of the flaws of the M96 engine design was it's reliance on the main shaft carrying the weight of the clutch/tranny anytime the shaft/bearing is not concentric (read: vibration)

3. Make sure you clean your drain holes in addition to following the maintenance schedule...personally, i cut the increment to oil changes in 1/2 - 1/3 depending on how i'm driving during that time

4. The porus block issue was over by MY2000 and likely most MY99. There was a casting flaw defect in some of the early 2.5L motors that would cause a cylinder/piston to fail (3rd i believe but can't recall for sure). Porsche stepped up to the plate and either: 1. repaired your motor by boring and sleeving, or 2. gave you a new motor. It is possible with a MY00 3.2L, but not very likely.

* You should drive this vehicle some more...put down your deposite as was suggested (if necessary) and then just drive...say for a week...and then see if you can part with it...

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

[BoxsterBob]

Originally Posted by racer_troy

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

Dear racerTroy,

Thank you for such an informative response. I'm quite impressed with the guys on this forum - very lively and excellent.

Here's where I priced rebuilds for the RX7:

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/index_engines.htm

http://www.pineappleracing.com/PricelistSvcs.html

I have spoken to Rob at Pineapple several times and they are in-town, so likely that's where I would go for a rebuild if I keep the RX7/FD.

Where do you guys get rebuilds for the Boxster S?

Sincerely,

Rob

[insite]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

I have spoken to Rob at Pineapple several times and they are in-town, so likely that's where I would go for a rebuild if I keep the RX7/FD.

you can always just get silly with your RX-7; add a rotor to make it a 2.5L, bore the ports to the size of a soup can....those cars are slick to mod.

BTW, on your boxster rebuild questions, price for a rebuild will be based heavily upon whether you preemptively rebuild the motor or if you wait until it breaks. if you wait until it breaks, you are screwed. probably cheaper to get another motor. if you rebuild it to stock specs to freshen it up (seals, bearings, rings, valve job, machine work), it varies from probably around $4K - $7K depending on what needs to be replaced.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

Dear racerTroy,

Thank you for such an informative response. I'm quite impressed with the guys on this forum - very lively and excellent.

Here's where I priced rebuilds for the RX7:

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/index_engines.htm

http://www.pineappleracing.com/PricelistSvcs.html

I have spoken to Rob at Pineapple several times and they are in-town, so likely that's where I would go for a rebuild if I keep the RX7/FD.

Where do you guys get rebuilds for the Boxster S?

Sincerely,

Rob

That's about the right price for a rotary rebuild without any porting and all stock seals. Are you nearing a rebuild? Compression problems?

I understand Pineapple does good work.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by racer_troy

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

I have not heard of many people rebuilding the M96 engine, usually it just gets replaced. But 4-5k is nothing for a Porsche engine rebuild. You want to talk about expenisve rebuilds, just ask the air-cooled guys what they pay for a top end job alone for worn valve guides.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by racer_troy

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

I have not heard of many people rebuilding the M96 engine, usually it just gets replaced. But 4-5k is nothing for a complete Porsche engine rebuild. You want to talk about expenisve rebuilds, just ask the air-cooled guys what they pay for a top end job alone for worn valve guides.

[z12358]

"But they do impart something we call "perma-grin", that look on the drivers face when the top is down, the weather is perfect, the curves ahead beckon, there is no cop in sight, and all is right between you and your machine."

Very nicely put.

"Took me 10 minutes into my first drive to decide to buy one."

5 minutes here.

Z.

[goyangyi]

Hello everyone. I am interested in purchasing a used boxster and I thought that I find more info by checking out the forum. I think I made the right choice. I am finding great information about the boxster here. Thank you everyone and especially mikefocke.

[BoxsterBob]

Thank you guys for the input. I also posted this question on the RX7 board, and the replies were also interesting.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=587380&page=1&pp=15

I'm definitely leaning towards the Boxster S. My goals are not to impress the girls, but to have reliability and a high fun factor, as I stated up front.

Some of the commentary is immature on the other board... just skip past those. Clearly there are young tuners on board who cannot tell the difference between discussing the issue and just making statements without merit.

Sincerely,


Rob

[unklekraker]

hey bob, thanks for sharing the other thread. i gotta say, you got same balls to ask about Boxster in a different community (i'm saying this in a positive way). You are right, about some of the comment made there " Some of the commentary is immature on the other board... just skip past those. Clearly there are young tuners on board who cannot tell the difference between discussing the issue and just making statements without merit." [SIZE=2]

You made the right decision! If I get an opportunity (spell check please) to buy another Boxster, I will definitely get an S

Oh BTW..Bob when you go back to the RX7 forum, could you please tell, to some of them, that Boxster spells with an S and not BOXTER

[steve00s]

Just thought I'd throw my two cents in... My Boxster has been a great car over the past two years. Yes, there have been a few maintenance issues but with the help of great advice here I have been able to do the work for the price of parts. Brake pads, Rotors, Water Reservoir, bulbs, etc.

There is something special about owning a car like this that I have rarely experienced and I have owned some decent cars. When you pull up to a stop sign and a couple of ten year old kids on bikes look over and give you a thumbs up, or the girl in the drive-thru smiles and says she'd trade you cars, I had a seventy year old lady walk up to me in a parking lot last week and say "Nice Wheels". And while the complements are fun there is little that surpasses a windy open road on a sunny day. Heck my wife asks me to go to the store at 10:00 at night and I'm out the door before she tells me what she wants.

You inquire about the cost of a rebuild at 100 to 120k miles but with 26k on the car you have a long way to go before even thinking about that. I actually had similar concerns when I bought the car but when you get under the car and work on it and talk to mechanics it becomes clear that this car is very well engineered. It has a strong racing heritage and that is evident when you push it to its limits. Pardon my rambling as I know I'm starting to sound like a commercial but when you combine the value, styling, and performance you may find something different but you wouldn't find better. Good luck on your decision!

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

Thank you guys for the input. I also posted this question on the RX7 board, and the replies were also interesting.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=587380&page=1&pp=15

I'm definitely leaning towards the Boxster S. My goals are not to impress the girls, but to have reliability and a high fun factor, as I stated up front.

Some of the commentary is immature on the other board... just skip past those. Clearly there are young tuners on board who cannot tell the difference between discussing the issue and just making statements without merit.

Sincerely,


Rob

Amazing what some people think of Porsche owners and anything other than a 911. Jerks drive all kinds of cars, not just German ones, but that's the popular conception.. I've only had positive responses to my car, thumbs up driving down the road and compliments at gas stations.

I do agree though that there are alot of Boxsters compared to Rx-7s. I live in a town of 150,000 people and in the summer, there are 4 in my parking lot at work and just one 3rd gen Rx-7.