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Old 06-08-2010, 06:27 AM   #20
crod
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 150
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by amcdonal86
How much more difficult is DIY maintenance, given that it has a midship engine? I guess generally, my DIY maintenance has focused on brakes and suspension and interior electronics, etc.

It seems to me that if I had to do engine work, it would be very difficult! Hell, how do you even do an oil change in a Boxster?

I can normally do simple stuff myself (and stuff that is fairly well documented). I have changed driveshafts, brake pads, lower control arms, strut bars, shocks, upper strut mounts, etc. all by myself in the past. However, I'd rather not have to do that, and I doubt I would have to with a fairly new, low-mileage Boxster.
From what I hear, working on the Boxster for what you mentioned (brakes, suspension, etc) is not that hard at all and it is well documented on the Bentley's book/bible.

Engine wise, if you are really good with mechanical things you, with proper guidance, can probably even rebuild a 986 engine. I remember a thread here a couple months ago where a dude from Scotland rebuilt his engine completely (he is now my hero and I even have a picture frame on my bed with his photo), all done at home. I knew these Scotchs were crazy but not that crazy!

Honestly I do not find the Boxster that expensive to maintain at all. The guy that works on mine, for example, charges $450 on labor to do the clutch/RMS work. Parts would run you $450. So $900 for a major thing I think. Not bad at all, especially considering you will probably not be doing this every year (my Cayenne I put close to 50,000 miles and never changed the clutch - it was still in great shape when I sold it).

If you can do the other stuff like brakes, suspension, oil change, etc it will definitely be much cheaper to run the car. Parts are not bad at all and there are many shops online with decent prices.

Go for it man. You will not regret it. It is a great car and a chick magnet.

CR
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