'98/'99 boxster

[BYprodriver]

97-99 boxsters have same IMSB as 2000.

[78F350]

If not done recently, definitely water pump and tires. With the PPI have a check on AOS (crank case vacuum pressure with a manometer), window, door, and roof function, engine and transmission mount integrity, pulleys and drive belt. That's all stuff that will likely degrade with age regardless of miles.

Cost depends a lot on the shop. A good water pump is from $250 - $350 for the part. A recent forum post was talking about a shop charging over $1,000 for the total job. With a little experience it can be done in about an hour in the driveway with the rear wheels on ramps.

[Allegro]

For what you're looking for in a car I think the 98/99 Boxsters are prefect. What a particular car might needs depends mostly on its service record. And I'd focus more on finding a well serviced car than super low miles. Of course, I bought a '02S last year with 24k on it so I don't even follow my own advice.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

97-99 boxsters have same IMSB as 2000.

I thought that year 2000 went with the single row bearing. Near everything I've read suggests that that single row bearing on the 2000 could be a time bomb just waiting.

My research reveals that the IMS on my 98 is the double row.

Do I stand corrected? Please advise.

[Fiddlebog]

Originally Posted by Starter986

I thought that year 2000 went with the single row bearing. Near everything I've read suggests that that single row bearing on the 2000 could be a time bomb just waiting.

My research reveals that the IMS on my 98 is the double row.

Do I stand corrected? Please advise.

Some do, some don't. They started switching over in 2000. From what I understand, the only way to know for sure is visual inspection.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Starter986

I thought that year 2000 went with the single row bearing. Near everything I've read suggests that that single row bearing on the 2000 could be a time bomb just waiting.

My research reveals that the IMS on my 98 is the double row.

Do I stand corrected? Please advise.

Your '98 has a dual row bearing. 2001 was a transition year from dual to single row. I've pulled out three bearings from 2001 engines and all of them were dual row. I still suspect that a 2001 is around a 50/50 chance of single vs dual.