Hello! Please help me decide whether to pull the trigger...
 

Haven't had a P-car since the late '70s. Then I saw a beautiful '04 Special Edition with 25K miles, for what seems a reasonable price. But it was a garage queen for 10 years, before being brought out and driven regularly this past year.

When I asked about the IMS bearing, the owner became concerned, and consulted with his mechanic, apparently a European Car specialist. The mechanic convinced him to do what amounts to a PPI, including dropping the sump. This is scheduled for next week.

There have been several reports of bearing failure on the SE cars, and 2004s generally, sometimes at very low miles. Looks like a preemptive replacement is called for. I'm not crazy about doing it myself, but could. Otherwise, I guess I'm looking at an almost immediate $3K outlay on a new purchase. Perhaps not the best way to introduce my wife to Porsche ownership!

Suggestions? Or should I even ask 986 enthusiasts?! It is a beautiful machine.

I would say that Boxster is one of the most desireable you can buy If you can afford it,buy it! It's better to replace the IMSB so you know what's been done & when. I think your wife will prefer that interior over any other.

+1 to what BYP said.
If it is priced reasonably and has a good PPI, buy it.

Not to open another IMS Bearing discussion, but IMHO a good '04 SE is worth having the IMS solution installed in. Were it a '97 - '99, I'd say take your chances and just put in another engine if it fails.

The price was presented as "OBO," so I guess there's some wiggle room. My wife told me, without any lack of clarity, that I wasn't buying a car that would immediately become another project. So I think this either needs to be fixed before the purchase, or I must move on.

I spoke with the dealer who originally sold the car and maintained it until 2011, when it was garaged. And I guess that would make it having been a garage queen for "only" 8 years, if it came out last year. He said they had installed a sport exhaust system (thought that was a stock feature), and had replaced the right rear wheel bearing, as the only repair item. Otherwise, they had changed the oil regularly, and the brake fluid every 2 years, until 2011. Not sure what maintenance has been performed since then.

I'm thinking about proposing to split the cost of an LN IMS bearing installation. Too generous? Too stingy? Or maybe just offer a bit higher than the asking price, on condition that the work be done, and perhaps make a deposit.

I think that sounds reasonable, depending on what the seller is comfortable with. I would also replace the water pump due to age regardless of miles. A proper "Pierburg" pump costs about $200 online, shop labor and new coolant could bump the price up a few hundred more.

Better to ask for forgiveness than beg for permission. Buy the car if it feels right.

It was easy to convince Mrs. Phat Hippy to get one when I explained I would be getting off the motorcycles! She always worried about the weather and the interstate on the back of my Harley, or the Gold Wing for that matter. Now She keeps looking at the speedo and shaking Her head... More enjoyment of any vehicle I've ever owned.:D

Buy it! You only live once