[Brian in Tucson]

If the top doesn't go up and down by itself, it's broken either mechanically or electrically. All fixable, but not real cheap to fix if you can't do it yourself. The hand brake: how do you break the cable in a low mileage non rusty car? All repairable, but the main cost will be the labor.

Can you do your own AOS, Clutch, and IMS bearing? Very spendy if you're paying for labor.

For me, the late 90's Boxsters are the least desirable. Starting in 2000 they had bigger engines, up to 3.2 liters and better interiors and accessories. And I'd want everything to work well. Don't buy a fixxer upper. Buy a car to enjoy.

I'd be pooling my pennies and buy nothing older than a 03 S model. Glass rear window is really worth it.