It is very disheartening checking new posts

[Perfectlap]

^ so true. I've had Italian bicycles that were less reliable than my Boxster.

one great thing about the Miata, you could modify every inch of that car for a song. Meanwhile upgrades on Porsches (for very little improvement) will cost you dearly.

[coreseller]

The numbers of failures will never be known, my guess is ~ 2% to 3%, AS OF NOW. You could play the numbers game and drive it, or pay for the retrofit for piece of mind. Jake charges $3500 which includes dyno time, new clutch kit, new RMS (I think?) and the new bearing install. He then logs some miles on the car to ensure the job is done correctly. He also has the most experience and knowledge concerning the M96 motors, that is worth something also. If you do the fix yourself you'll be in about $1200 (Bearing and install Kit $600, Clutch Kit $400, RMS $20, Misc tools/sockets/stands $150 to $200). I did mine since I had to yank the transmission anyway, otherwise I'm not sure if I would of tore into it just for the IMS. Scenarios like MTS's and others do have me glad I did it though....how's that for waffling?

[kpm]

When I decided to get another 2 seater, I thought long and hard about getting a restored TR-6.

Then I found out that for the same money, I could drive a 9 year old Porsche instead of a 40 year old British Leyland product.

I don't reget my decision at all. I love my Boxster. And better yet my wife loves our Boxster !

We are getting ready to drive to Watkins Glen for the Indy Car race, can't wait to open her up on Rt.14 from Trout Run, Pa. to Watkins Glen !!

Enjoy the car...and drive it !!

[ElementAI]

Thanks for the posts all!! Some really great responses..

News from the Owner is not great as the car is in the shop with a still unknown problem.

There is a really loud Rattle/clanging from what sounds like inside of the engine like something is loose in there and rattling around inside. The noise increases as the rpm increases and is present with idle in neutral and in gear. The car starts fine and has not thrown any CEL at all no dash lights at all. Drives fine other than the really loud rattle/clanging sound. 2 Porsche indy and one dealer techs say some bearing is loose and clanging around inside and the engine will need rebuild or replacement. Porsche North America said they will not help due to age. Owner wants to have tranny dropped to see if engine run alone will still make the noise. It is not motor mounts they say.
If engine is blown Owner wants to do Electric conversion with EV concepts in SC and keep car or sell as roller. If it can be fixed relatively cheaply because it is not the engine then I can still buy it for 12K. Any ideas??

[jcb986]

Don't Worry, Be Happy!!!!!! I love that song when rolling down some lonely 2 lane highway about 7-80 mph, it's just great.

[gschotland]

How boring and utterly worthless would this site be if all everyone did was write about how much fun their cars are to drive and how reliable they are? I know I wouldn't be spending much time here.

If you dig into any specialized car enthusiast website, you'll see many of the same kinds of posts found here. For example, I cruised a Ford Probe site when my brother's car had problems, and the Dodge Durango/Dakota site when my parents' Durango crapped out. Those sites, just like ours, are full of complaints, horror stories, how to articles, and tons of great advice from thousands of gear heads who get a charge from sharing their knowledge and helping others solve problems.

My '02S has had many of the typical problems talked about here. Like you, I was a little nervous going in a year ago and sometimes the cost of parts/repairs has pinched, but that all goes out the window when I'm out driving. Since day one I just haven't been able to wipe the perma-grin off my face.

When you encounter your first problem and you're able to solve it fairly cost effectively by using information on this site, I really think some on your anxiety will subside. So, do your homework or your purchase, make sure you can fairly comfortable afford the ownership experience, then relax and enjoy, and revel in the fact that you're not driving a characterless appliance. Driving a Boxster truly is the most fun you have with your clothes on.

[Viper5]

I remember reading something in a newspaper a few months ago about how porsche got the highest rating for all automobiles. It was a well known paper, I just can't remember which one.

[CenterIsl]

Originally Posted by Viper5

I remember reading something in a newspaper a few months ago about how porsche got the highest rating for all automobiles. It was a well known paper, I just can't remember which one.

JD Power & Associates "Initial Quality Rating" for 2010 has Porsche #1.

[CenterIsl]

The JD Power thing got me checking their site for "Powertrain Dependability", and out of 5 "stars" (they acutally use circles), where 3 stars is "about average", 4 is "better than most", Boxsters have:

2001 - 4 stars
2002 - 3.5 stars
2003 - 3.5 stars
2004 - (not given), awarded "Most Appealing Premium Sports Car"

In 2004, the 911 (M96 engine) was also "Highest Ranked Premium Sports Car in Initial Quality"

Looks like JD Power isn't too hung up on detonating engines either.

[mts]

Having had several Miatas, and S2000 and a Boxster S (which has recently suffered an IMS failure), I'm not going to jump in here and say don't buy the Boxster as it isn't as reliable. Although I had almost no issues with the Miatas or S2000 and have suffered an engine failure with the Boxster I'm not certain I would go so far as to say those Japanese cars are drastically more reliable.

What I would do is tell you to consider the cost of the repairs and who can do the work if there is a problem. There are fewer people quailfied to work on the Boxster vs. those Japanese cars and when repairs are needed they are drastically more expensive. If you don't have the bankroll to pay for a potential catastrophic repair IF one occurs with your Boxster, I would consider the alternatives. For example, on a blown Miata motor, you are looking at about $5k installed for a new crate motor from Mazda at the dealership. The same thing for the Boxster will run about $15k if you get a really good deal.

So, my thought is if you are shoe-string budget and a big $$ repair would put the whammy on you IF once occured I would seriously consider looking at a non-Porsche (non-high end German car at all really). If you have the $$ to take care of a big repair in the unlikely event one happens the Boxster is a really good choice.

That's just my 2 cents.

[eightsandaces]

If I have any complaint about Porsche it would be their ubiquitous usage of the brittle, ****************ty, polymers, hey Stuttgart ever heard of LEXAN!!!!Porsche plastic bits are among the biggest overpriced POS's I've ever seen on a premium luxury car.

[Bobiam]

It will never have the reliability of a Honda. And the repairs and maintenance will cost much more.
I regard mine as a toy. Hard to believe that guys use these as a daily driver, but they have my applause. Consumer Reports really likes the Boxster these days, but they aren't driving one that's 8-12 yrs old!!!!!
I like the status of driving a Porsche, but would have gladly bought a Miata or S2000 instead if I could fit into them. And I would have saved a lot of money too.
Again....threat it as an expensive toy and you will be OK.

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by ElementAI

There is a really loud Rattle/clanging from what sounds like inside of the engine like something is loose in there and rattling around inside.

Any ideas??

Seriously, thank the owner for his time - and go look elsewhere. You have a high level of control of your own personal experience when buying a Boxster. Buying one that has 'a loud rattle/clanging" coming from the engine just isn't smart.

Read up. Learn what to look for. Find a well maintained car, low mileage car (that doesn't CLANG) in your price range. They are out there. Get it PPI'd.

People fall in love with the Boxster...then they fall out of love. There are always deals to be had.

Move on.

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

If I have any complaint about Porsche it would be their ubiquitous usage of the brittle, ****************ty, polymers, hey Stuttgart ever heard of LEXAN!!!!Porsche plastic bits are among the biggest overpriced POS's I've ever seen on a premium luxury car.

sooooo true. I broke a dashboard switch, a cup holder (while it was holding a can of coke), the turn-signal, and the ignition.

The good news is that after $600 I have all new brittle, ****************ty platic overpriced POS bits in my car.

[Tranlm]

LOL! Glad I'm not the only one breaking those flimsy plastic pieces! Lets see...I think they were the plastic piece holding the head light housing, the center console, the radio housing, and the radio connectors.

At least they did it in good intentions in making the car lighter (I think).

Originally Posted by fatmike

sooooo true. I broke a dashboard switch, a cup holder (while it was holding a can of coke), the turn-signal, and the ignition.

The good news is that after $600 I have all new brittle, ****************ty platic overpriced POS bits in my car.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by fatmike

sooooo true. I broke a dashboard switch, a cup holder (while it was holding a can of coke), the turn-signal, and the ignition.

The good news is that after $600 I have all new brittle, ****************ty platic overpriced POS bits in my car.

HAHA welll don't forget the oval covers in the top latch mechanism, seat latches are always good for a breakage, the holds for the windstop look like a first year design class project.....

I could go on but you get it..

[23109VC]

you only live once..... if the boxster is what you want, go for it.

I was in the same boat you were in - I could afford anice used boxster and can afford the repairs, but an engine failure would really really be pushing it... i'd likely just sell it as parts at tha tpoint.. but knowing all that i bought it anyway and have never looked bad.

i have never had as much fun with a car. there are other nice sports cars... .the S2000 is nice and likely more reliable, the RX8 is plenty of fun, has back seats and they all now have a 100k mile warranty on the engine..even if you buy it second hand used! mazda stuck it on them ALL. not bad!

BUT - none of them are as fun as the boxster. at least not to me.

if my boxser blew up tomorrow...i'd try like hell to get another Porsche.

[Pirate50]

Originally Posted by SeanZ4

My little brother's '04 Honda with less than 20k had it's transmission go out on the beltway in DC. Nice experience for him I'm sure. Also wasn't there some issue with S200's and major engine problems?? I'm a boater and I've been getting it ready for the season for the past couple of weeks. Now that's a real love/hate relationship. It has a small block chevy (mercruiser magnum) and it's caused me more grief over the years than the Boxster ever will. It (the boat) frustrated me so bad last weekend, I moved it out of my driveway and put it back in storage. That way, I could get the boxster out, drive it, and improve my mood.

I hate that boat sometimes but I've never hated my Boxster :-)

sean

You had me laughing so hard on this post as I can say I feel EXACTLY the same way about my boat - Boxster relationship.

[eightsandaces]

Oh Sean, boat, Bring Over Another Thousand. I used to own a 26 Sundancer 454 Bravo 2. It was the biggest engine you could get, as such getting to different places in the engine bay required a small trained monkey.

[Gray Ghost]

Well my 01 (owned three months) is a dream for driving to and from work. Sometimes it is difficult pulling into the parking lot after that top down morning drive. I drive 70 miles round trip every day.
To me, if would be difficult having another daily driver and the Boxster for weekends and occasional evenings.
Like many have said, if you don't forget about the possibility of a breakdown, you will not enjoy the attributes of the most enjoyable road machine I have ever driven.
Wife and I just finished a 1500 vacation from Oklahoma through Arkansas, Mississippi to Alabama and back. Had plenty of room for week's luggage. The only downside was not having room for all my cleaning gear once we got to our destination.
Wife if trying to figure how long before the smile goes away from this trip. Still there.
Have driven many of the competition and nothing comes close to the Boxster.
In life we all have priorities. If reliability rates higher on your priority list than the satisfaction of driving a fine automobile, then look elsewhere. If your soul is touched after a wonderous ride, nothing will keep you away from this little roadster.

Bob
2001 Boxster
Seal Gray
Oklahoma