How long can a boxster really last?

[986FortyEight]

I bought mine, a 1998 986 (built December 97) from family right at 88k for $10K. The car had been serviced by the dealership from day one and maintained in garage and driven often. I had plenty to fix over the past 2 years: water pump, starter, cracking back window, rear left control arm, engine mount, left semi axle (warped from after the mount failed). I have a slight RMS leak, and I will need to replace the clutch soon. I also have a suspension rebuild on the sort list.

I must admit that with 125K on the odometer, I get nervous about potential engine failures. Reading the articles about and posts from Jake Raby and the M96 failures I expect a failure sooner rather than later. My current strategy is to get the suspension done next and probably the clutch soon thereafter. Even if the engine ends up failing, the rest of the car is in great condition and I intend on keeping it running and tracking it as often as I can. I just stopped using it as a daily driver and will focus it on time trials, AX and DEs.

If/When the engine fails, (hopefully a long time from now), it will be an opportunity for an upgraded engine from Raby...

Then again if I win the lottery I will switch to a GT3 RSR but we know how that goes! ;-)

Michael

[Rick V]

105k on the clock, and it gets driven every day, I will tell you that the wife isn't easy on the little car, she knows what it is for. We are on the 3rd water pump, and just had the top replaced during the summer, other than that it has never even so much as hick upped. These cars are great. I should mention that the car does get regular service at the dealership. (My wife married a Porsche tech)

[steve00s]

I'm at 82K and its better than when I bought it at just under 50k. It just keeps running strong. For as hard as I drive it it has really held up well. I fixed a number of things that are common to the model but compared to other high performance cars it hasn't been that bad. Heck I spend more money keeping my kids MB 190E running than the Boxster.

So what's the worst that can happen? I blow the engine at 100k and am forced to replace with a 3.4L. Could that be all bad?

[edevlin]

I bought my 2000 Boxster 2.5 years ago with 43K on the clock. I was the third owner. I have done a lot of non-essential mods to the car, but I think it was only the clutch, brakes and rear window that actially needed fixing. The car does seem to be very well built . It now has 83K on the odometer and is running very strong.

I think I have spent more modding the car than it originally cost me (21K) so I plan on driving it until it needs a new engine, then I will put in the biggest and best I can afford. My first choice would be one of Jake's 3.6L engines, but I may have to settle for a rebuilt 3.4L or 3.6L. Hopefully I can get another 80K out of the car before I need one.

Ed

[Spinnaker]

2000 S, Third owner
Bought it a year ago with 98,500 on it. Just hit the magic 100,000 mark and runs like a "Bat of of 'ell"
New clutch, RMS, AOS, MAS, CV boots, front motor mount, and windshield since buying it. Not unreasonable considering the miles on the car. ALL cars wear out at some point. The mechanic$ at the $hop I support, report all is well and the only impending issue may be O2 sensors, sometime in the future. (They don't last forever) Eager to find someplace safe where I can find out what the top speed is!
Only had it up to 130 so far.
Glad to hear that the 3.2 is the most reliable as to D-chunk faillures. Don't want to find out the hard way how many miles before I need to contact Raby.
Not sure how long I will keep the Boxster, but as long as I am having fun and can still afford to support the local $hop, who knows?
Interesting sociological phenomenon owning a Porsche for the first time. Everyone treats you differently when you own one, even friends and family,
and EVERYONE wants to go for a ride! Previously drove Volvo 1800ES Sport Wagon.
(Chuckle moment) Woman in my office remarks when she finds out I have a sailboat (only a small one), "Oh, you have a sailboat AND a Porsche."