[southernstar]

PS I love the car. I haven't had a Porsche for 20 years (my last was a 944) and the appearance, handling, braking, sound, acceleration and overall balance are just outstanding. The ony thing I hate is the 'ticking time bomb' feeling that I just can't sem to overcome (and no, I am not referring specifically to the noise which gave rise to this thread). I have never owned a car where I have spent so much time listening for noises or other signs of impending doom! It is shocking that Porsche engineered a car with so many flaws and were seemingly unable or unwilling to address them over the passage of time. I refer, of course, to the IMS bearing, but also various other components that have a life-expectancy that is far below what one would expect in a modern automobile: the air/oil separator, coolant expansion tank, various seals, control arm bushings, water pump, etc.

Of course the up side for those of us who purchased our cars used, is that the depreciation on Porsches (and the 986 in particular) has become huge becuse of these flaws. People who are not in the market for one generally expect that the price that we paid for a used one would be MUCH greater. So yes, the car has some serious issues and the cost associated with ownership is very high (like many others, I have decided to spend about $3000.00 to replace the clutch/IMS bearing as a preventative measure this winter). However, at least the ridiculously low prices for which immaculate, low mileage 986's can now be purchased allows buyers to go in with their eyes open and to budget a substantial amount for improvements/repairs. Even allowing for about $5000.00 to replace an IMS bearing, clutch, waterpump, air/oil separator and coolant expansion tank, one is left with an incredible car for a price under $20K!

I must say, however, that had I purchased my Boxster new in 2000 for about $60,000.00, maintained it meticulously and driven it only 55,000 miles in 12 years, leaving it in virtually mint condition, I would have been rather disappointed in the resale value. By neglecting to provide extended coverage on cars where the engines have self-destructed due to a design flaw (except for some original owners in the first 10 years), Porsche apparently believes that they were at least protecting the original owners; the reality is that even if those owners did not suffer from a failed IMS bearing, they have still suffered the most for this design flaw as it resulted in these incredibly low resale values.

Anyway, I came into this with my eyes (and wallet) open and don't regret the decision one bit. I, as a result of these design flaws, paid a ridiculously low price for what is, in terms of sheer visceral enjoyment, an incredible car.

Brad