97 base boxster buying advice

[PLP]

My experience... if you can drive there to inspect the car in person before the purchase, do so. Or ask for many detailed pictures.

If it is nice cosmetically, check front and rear - inspect from the bottom and under the front carpet (frunk area) for any accident damage.
Expect suspension needed some work. If it shifts OK, clutch grabs fine, electrical works - go for it.

Windows drop when opening doors with roof up.
Roof operates.

some will say - do full PPI, but you can go away with a cold start test (see for smoke on initial start - first seconds OK, but if stays - could be a problem). Have someone rev to 3k rpm or so and let off, repeat 2 seconds later. Any smoke?

Same on hot, better to see when driving. Exhaust smell - same thing. Coolant leaks or oil leaks can be smelled from the exhaust.

Coolant smell in the trunk - cracked coolant reservoir.
And some other stuff.

If you can, rent Durametric (eBay) to see if the engine was stressed (over revved).