Good points - i'm slowly learning my way around the car with all these little fix ups and fortunately I am quite handy and willing to learn.
Being an engineer myself, I understand some of the real world challenges faced (balance between design and cost, and keep yourself employed!). But as an engineer, I always ask myself - sometimes needlessly - what can be done to improve this part or process. Coming from the Miata world, i know Tein (an aftermarket parts provider) makes some solid hood struts. Are there equivalents in the Boxster world?
Didn't know about the oil filler tube - I'd better work on getting parts on that while at it!
cheers
