[AKnowles]

I've had a few sports cars over the years and can honestly say I've never had so much fun driving one as I do with my Boxster. But I don't worry about the IMSB, water pump failures, or other issues. I just fix them as needed. I will replace the IMSB when I replace the clutch and will just treat it as a replaceable wear item each clutch replacement.

When I purchased the car, I planned to do all of my own work when practical. If you plan to have someone else do the work, you can expect higher maintenance costs. Personally, there is a certain satisfaction for me working on a car or motorcycle. Most times I enjoy it. Only time I don't is when I really need the car and its down with a problem. Then it's no fun at ll. I get around it - and plan to with this car - by buying another vehicle. My Boxster is my DD, so when I get something else to have around in case of need there will be no stress involved with working on it.

The bottom line so far as my experience goes is to look for a pre-2000 model, or a post-2000 with a duel row IMSB. Or find one with a IMSB retrofit. That will eliminate - mostly - the fear of a catastrophic engine failure. It will not do anything for regular maintenance items. A pre-2000 model will also cost a bit less and you can use that money for future maintenance. But the best recommendation I can give you is don't buy one if you can't afford it and will worry too much about it (no one needs that level of stress over a car).

After all that, if you buy one, drive it like you stole it. I do it everyday. I enjoy my ride to work and look forward to the harepin turn close to the office. It's just darn fun to drive!