How do I make this long new (to me) boxster story short.

[AZCanna]

I'll try.

A former boss of mine, that I still do some freelance work for, owns an '01S with a little less than 60K on it. I drove the car once about 3 years ago and, yes it did change my life. From that point on, she knew that if she were ever to want to get rid of the car, to make me her first phone call.

Two months ago, she and her husband are out on my side of the country for vacation and I am showing them around my new house. When we are in the two-car garage, I motion to the empty space and say, "and that is where the boxster will go when you're ready to give her up." Her reply, "I didn't get to drive her last summer as much as I wanted to, and I don't think this summer is going to be any better. Maybe it's time."

Last month, she brings the car into her local Porsche dealership where all her service was done on both of her Porsches (she traded in a 98 for the S in 01) Maintenance done on the car was a State Inspection, New Battery, Tune-Up, New Air-Filter...The car had been sitting for the winter. Dealership tries to interest her in another new Porsche while she is there and offers her 12.5k for trade-in. Her email to me ends with the line, "since they offered me 12.5, you can come and drive it away for that price.

Now I haven't done a PPI, and until 2 weeks ago I had no idea what an IMS bearing was, but now you can bet your a$$ I do. I've heard, and told, all the stories about mixing business and friends. I know this car was well cared for. I know it never saw snow or salt. I know it was driven like it was meant to, but never tracked or really beaten on. I guess after that whole story...I just wanted to say hi to the forums, been lurking here for a few weeks. Share how I joined or am about to join the club of boxster owners. Ask for any opinions of what I should be on the lookout for, aside from the obvious. And, am I crazy to make my first trip in the car a 2500mile ride back across country from the east coast to AZ?

Thanks for reading...BTW she is Midnight Blue Metallic with Camel interior. I'll get some pics up soon.

[chris97boxster]

There has to be someone on the east coast that could do IMS
drive there...get it done...then head home.

U could trailer it...but fun would that be?
Road trip ...best way to get to know ur car..
cheers
chris

[mikefocke]

you know the most important thing, that the car was cared for.

There are always risks in bringing a car out of hibernation..usually little things. With an '01S the plastic bits are now 10 years old.

The $12.5 is a good price, I just sold my '01S for a set of PS2 tires more and felt it was fairly priced. Had about the same miles.

[AZCanna]

Appreciate the feedback.

Yes, the one thing I can say is that I know it was cared for. I'll admit to scaring the crap out of myself over the IMS/RMS issues. In talking to a friend's brother who is also a boxster owner, he is at 43K on his '02 and planning on doing the retrofit, he agreed that 12.5 was a good price and that why not go the extra 1500-2k and do the retrofit as well for peace of mind.

I can't argue with the logic since the idea of even looking for an extended warranty for a 10 year old car is laughable. As far as the retrofit goes, I'm in that zone where I could need a single or dual row. Can't know without looking, but I'd like to order. Do I try to line it up back in NY when I pick up the car or find a mechanic out here that I want to work with moving forward and sweat the first 2500 miles home? I really wont be sweating it, cause if I thought that the car was going to blow up on me as I drove it out of her garage, I wouldn't be buying it. I also didn't mention that she offered me a payment plan if I needed it (I don't) so I'm sure our personal/professional relationship aside she doesn't think it will either.

Sorry for the rambling questions, especially since I already know I am buying the car. Think these forums are great, but part of me wishes I never clicked on that "Boxster IMS issues" link that brought me here in the first place. Although the amount of knowledge and some of the mods I've seen here are just awesome.

Thanks again.

[WhipE350]

$12.5 and a 2500 mile trip...life could not be better. That is an awesome price and a great car to take the trip in. I went through that worry phase too, but only briefly. Enjoy the car get the IMS upgrade when you are ready, at the price you paid for the car it would only increase it's value.

Congrats!!

[jwade]

Wouldn't hesitate to buy it and make the trip. At that low price of admission, you are getting a great deal! The IMS issues are known but I will say that if I ever have one, I will most likely upgrade the car to a 3.6 anyhow.

Have fun on your trip!

[AZCanna]

Originally Posted by jwade

The IMS issues are known but I will say that if I ever have one, I will most likely upgrade the car to a 3.6 anyhow.

I assume you mean swap out the engine entirely...forgive my noobosity. Which engine is the 3.6, later S's? I've heard of the subaru replacement, which is intriguing but I don't think for me if it came to that...if I wanted to drive a subaru...I'd get a subaru.

I'm thankful for the encouragement. I agree that a 2500 mile cross country trip is a great way to become acquainted with a new car, and life could be a whole lot worse. I'm sure my balls will re-drop once I'm in the driver's seat and apprehension will fade to just bliss. Pics over the weekend...I know from other forums that words can only go so far before you have to bring out the porn (so to speak)

[jwade]

'S' models have a 3.2 for all 986 models. Search "engine swap" or "3.6" and you will see what others have done.

Also go to flat6innovations.com to read interesting information. This is the people I would go with if my engine blows.

Basically turns the car into a 911 killer that should have been an option from the factory.

No way I would put a Subaru engine in a Porsche!

[mikefocke]

even a new car.

Having said that, the risk of an IMS failure is probably 1-2% per year per car. Outweighed by the 20 or so other potential failure modes that could happen. There are people who have 200k+ miles with little trouble, and others where serious replacements were needed before 10k. No way of knowing.

Having owned 2 and been following on all the Boxster forums for years, here is what I'd do.

I'd buy the car and arrange to drive it locally for a day or so at varying speeds to acquaint yourself with the car and to see if there were any out-of-hibernation failures that would crop up in the first few miles out of hibernation. I'd get the oil changed and then begin my trip. I'd have a copy of the AAA towing guide and a list of dealer locations with me (not because I think you'll need them but I'm one who likes to take reasonable and cheap precautions).

As to if you should do the IMS upgrade, I don't know your risk tolerance or ability to financially and emotionally deal with a big failure. But after all you are buying a 10 year old car and not a new econo-box with warranty so you must have some tolerance. How much to spend on preventative maintenance is always a tough question.

Hope you enjoy the new to you car.

[AZCanna]

So I was recently sent these pics of the car I will be buying. She was freshly detailed and is now in the garage awaiting pickup.

Going to be the longest 10 days of my life...

[WhipE350]

Awesome, what a steal! Congrats, let us know how the drive goes.