1998 boxster S?

[Jeph]

If a friend showed me this car, I would advise against them buying it, regardless of price (unless it was like $5k or something). No reason to do a PPO, just move on to another car.

Good call on the clam shell not fitting properly.
Same for the hood lining up to the front bumper.
The headlights will also need replacing.
It even looks like there is some rust just of the left of the driver side head light.
I noticed some curb rash too.

CarFax is good for knowing if/where a car has been registered or inspected. That's about it. Its ability to determine whether or not a car has been in an accident is IFFY at best.

I see a previous owner upgraded the shifter though in addition to the poser "S" badge. Mod your car all you want to look newer... but the second you put deceptive inscription on a car, you're posing.

And honestly, I bet the dealership has no idea that it's not an "S." They'll just read what's on the car. I find at least 90% of the car salesmen I've ever talked to know very little about cars.