1998

[glennguglia]

Hey folks,

Brand new here to the forum. About to purchase my first Boxster, a little post-residency gift to myself, 1998. Heading to OH this weekend to check it but, hopefully, looks promising. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the radio/display that appears to have been upgraded with this? Here's the picture of the unit that was sent to me by the dealer. Was wondering f there is a USB/Bluetooth/XM component to this model as I will be taking a 7 hour trip back with this and wouldnt mind having a little music.

[Burg Boxster]

no experience w particular radio (sort of looks like a later model 987 or Cayenne head unit BTW) but based on images probably good to go vis-a-vis:

• 'media' button (to select am/fm/phone/stream apps or maybe a hidden tape or record player - ;-) )
• 'speak' icon/button lower left (i.e. 'hey Alexa'... 'please close your ears and stop listening' - "Ha - not a chance glennguglia - you worry about you - I'll worry about invading your privacy"
• touch screen w/ what appears to be vertical and horizontal scroll/swiping

Congrats on your achievement and good luck w purchase if checks all your boxes!

[BruceH]

That radio looks to be the Porsche Classic radio upgrade. Congratulations on completing your residency and welcome to the forum

(I tried to put a link in but the forum wouldn’t allow it, search for Porsche Classic radio Suncoast Porsche 986, you should find it that way.)

[glennguglia]

Thank you so much to both of you! Really appreciate it your help. It looks exactly like the one described and I think I should be a-okay.

It's a pleasure to be here. I always said once I finished I would get something to start with and found a really sharp one with decent mileage out in Ohio. I'm a bit of a neophyte with cars so have some serious learning to do, plan to be driving this in the summer. Had the same 2009 eos VW for the last seven years that got me through residency now sitting with 198k miles so excited to upgrade a bit.

Will be browsing this forum for sure in the future for any future upgrade ideas.

Really appreciate your help and thanks for the warm welcome.

G.G

[elav]

While the radio really fits the visuals of the car - it is a bit behind the times. I don't believe it supports wireless CarPlay, but you can add a module to enable that for like $50.

I have a '98 and it constantly needs little things - replacement of suspension components due to 26 year old rubber, foam blowing through the vents, convertible top transmissions breaking and needing to be replaced/rebuilt. So if you are really going to go down this path I strongly suggest you get a PPI (Pre-purchase Inspection) by a reliable mechanics that knows this cars.

Also know that...

• Replacement keys/fob can cost $600 - $800 each - so make sure you get 2 keys
• When you lock the car (by fob or key), the car shouldn't beep at all. Two beeps means there is a fault in the system. One beep means something is open
• Look to see if the inner headlight lenses have burn marks, also look for yellowing on the outside lenses. Ideally you would pull each light to check the wiring as the rubber insulation usually falls apart and they need to be rewired (PPI should check this)

You also should know if/when the IMS bearing was changed. If you aren't hands on or don't want to learn to be hands on, I'm not sure I'd recommend this car.

[Rob175]

It's a 98'....so IF the IMS hasn't been an issue in the past, I'd say it probably won't be. Regular oil changes will go a long way.

My 98' is only my summer, sunny day driver. It has 93,000 miles and its going strong with the original IMS. Runs sweet getting 28miles/gal.

I'm happy.....maybe I pop for a tune-up next summer but then again why mess with something that's running great.