1997 Boxster
 

Hey guys, its been awhile since I had my last Boxster, a VGC '99.
Trouble free while I had it and sorry I let it go.
Im looking for another one to hold me over till I get a 986 Spyder in a year or so.
For now Im thinking of a pristine 97 with low miles.
I figure having the first year might be cool.
Im looking for Silver on red.
A few questions that I probably used to know....
When a 986 has the white face gauges is that part of an options package or was that a stand alone option?
Did the 97s have a sport suspension stock? I seem to think they did but im probably wrong.
My 99 had chinese headers and cat back, sounded decent and I had the m030(?) suspension that I bought from Suncoast for around 1k bucks, I see now its like 3600 bucks. Not cost effective there.
Anything else about 97s that I might be missing?
Yes, i know about IMS but not too worried on the year Im looking for. Heard of the cylinder wall issue but at this point if it had a bad block I think it would have puked by now.
Thanks guys

White gauges are standard on the 'S' 3.2 litre engine models.

Sorry I can only answer one of your questions.

I know, but some of the 97s which only had a 2.5 have white gauges....

Wait. I thought 97MY was undesirable because of crappy suspension

Maybe. was it any different from 99?
I thought the stock suspension on the 99 was decent but the 030 firmed everything up nicely.

White (Aluminum face) gauges were an option on non-S early cars.

M030 suspension was always an option. Never standard.

'97 suspension is limited a bit - factory says no 18" or bigger wheels as they'll stress the suspension. If you stay with 16 or 17 inch wheels and don't run the snot out of it on the track you'll be fine.

Find the right silver/red car and enjoy it. I have a silver/red 2000 base car in my fleet. I love it.

Im not sure if the suspension perks on the 98 and up outweighs the coolness of the first year.
IDK

They don't. A first year silver/red car has a certain classic cool to it. Stick with 17" wheels and don't even think about the '97 suspension vs later years.

If you want a first year silver/red car that's what you should look for. Find the right car, check it over, if it fits what you want, grab it and enjoy it.

Thanks guys

I personally would stay away from the real early 97's as they have a lot of items on them that are very year specific. Mostly electrical wiring and how they connect to each other. Harder to find parts for them unless you want to do some splicing. The 97-98.5 suspension isn't that different than the 98.5-2004. The only real weakness is the rear suspension subframes, and those can easily be switched out with the later years

Good info.
Running 17s doesnt bother me much. Limits tire choices I guess but I wont be racing it.
Just back roads and stuff anyway.
I liked the 030 suspension but at 3600 bucks not a big deal, esp if I can swing the Spyder next year.
Will be looking for a low mile pristine 987 Spyder.
I figure 60-65k should do it.
Ill have to sell my Zenos first.

The only + for 1997's is light weight, no air bags & lowest cost.

True, I know its slow etc...No diff from the 99 I owned.
I think its cool having the first year model to drive around.

My 99 was very reliable in the time i had it. Sure these cars have some things known to go wrong but anyone who looks at chat boards for just about any car you would think it is one big glass jaw.
They're not if you buy the right one.

Think I found the right car at the right price.
Silver on black.