should I buy this 1997 Boxster? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

dirkdiggler · 07-22-2010, 09:20 PM

Hi Everyone

Just looking to get some input from you Porsche lovers that have owned one or more in the past.

Car I am considering is as follows:

1997 Porsche Boxster
58k miles
AC/heat works great .... for now!
Does NOT overheat
been in one minor accident in the past. didnt see any frame damage

Issues I am aware of after the inspection I did today:

1.) Water found its way behind the driver seat not allowing me to start it after turnied it off and looked at it today. I used a heat gun and dried the computer box area out for a little while and was able to started again and 3 times after .... so far so good I hope??

2.) The engine has a few Oil leaks on it. The oil pan and valve cover is leaking for sure ...... looks to be a decent size leak where the tranny meets up to the motor but not 100% sure.....may be a hose?? It leaks enough for a little amount of oil to drip. Doesnt look like it would be too hard to replace those gaskets but I may be wrong??

3.) The convert top has some missing and broken support brackets. I have never seen one complete so I am not sure what is missing exactly but I am still able to get the top up and down and drive it either way so.....

4.)It will need 2 new tires and new brake pads.

5.) The clutch seemed to work normal but I dont have another one to compare so ...... maybe assume that will need replacing sooner than later.

6.) the motor doenst make any unusual noises but then again it is stuck deep in there pretty good.

Questions:

1.) How much does a New or used under the driver seat computer cost? Can they be sent out to be rebuilt? Or once you dry them out and they work again..... are they good to go?

2.) Are oil leaks common or is this very unusual and maybe this particular Porsche was made on a friday? Everything seems pretty accessible from the bottom of the motor....are they pretty easy to work on?

3.) based on the pics below is the broken top parts going to cost major $$ to fix? This was a very common issue from what I have read, anyone out there provide alternatives?? Or what do/did most do when this happened to them?

I really really like driving the car and am able to fix most of the issues myself or at my buddies shop.... i think.

I got the guy down too $4400 for it due too all the issues ...... I think i can get him down too $4000 considering it may need a new computer due to the water entry but not sure

Just wondering what your thoughts may be regarding my possible purchase and being a first time Porsche owner Newb.

Thank you for reading and any help if much appreciated??????

Mauiboxster · 07-22-2010, 09:32 PM

I would not buy it based on the oil leaks. Not cheap at all to work on. It may have a leak on the RMS in which $$$$.$$

dirkdiggler · 07-22-2010, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the reply

But if I can get the car for $4400...... would that be a good enough deal to offset the leaks and other issues? I have a buddy that runs his own shop that should be able to do the RMS, IMS and clutch I assume ..... or do most shops not have the proper tools to work on Porsche??

I assume the oil leak is the rear main seal ..... sorta like oil is everywhere..... or could it be a leaky or loose oil hose?? If it was a RMS wouldnt the oil just sorta seep downward and not be everywhere?

the issues with the top dont bother me all that much, I have no problem getting out of the car and lifting the top up and down manually.

Pic attached of the leakage

dirkdiggler · 07-22-2010, 11:16 PM

also, maybe a stupid question but I will ask anyway.

The main leak at the tranny/enigne join seems to be coming from up above somewhere...... maybe below also but I think its leaking up top and leaking downward.

Any way something else can leak above and be miss-diagnosed as RMS/IMS??

when a RMS or IMS leaks ...... does it shoot oil out all over the surrounding area or would it just leak at the base of wear the tranny meet the engine?

Dose this make sense?

JTP · 07-23-2010, 02:02 AM

This may seem like a good deal but from the description it sounds like it's in rough shape and likely will turn into a money pit, quickly. What kind of maintenance has been documented? Oil leaks in the areas you described are not good signs. And the rest of the car doesn't sound like it was owned by an enthusiast. By the time you do the clutch, RMS, IMSR, tires, brakes, control module, and top you're propably close to an additional 4k into the car. Save on labor if you do most of it yourself. Not having seen the car in person, I would not recommend this car. Better to apply that 4k to a better maintained vehicle. But if you're confident you can tackle all the potential problems have fun with it and learn.

If you had the resources to turn this into a track car or buy a Jake Raby built engine, I'd say negotiate the price some more and get it.

ekam · 07-23-2010, 04:19 AM

People need to realize Porsches are not Hondas... if stuff breaks even if you fix it yourself, parts will cost you.

I see early model 986 as a $13-15k car... if you paid $9000 to buy it, it probably needs another $4k to fix. If it's $4k then you're probably going to spend more, a lot more to get it close to $13-15k.

Just ask our resident member RandallNeighbour...

dirkdiggler · 07-23-2010, 05:46 AM

I appreciate the input thus far fellas

How many hours is a RMS...IMS...and Clutch Job?? This is my main concern regarding the car of-course.

Should any competent mechanic that runs his own shop be able to tackle this repair process on a boxster? My buddy is a good mechanic but just wondering if there are things related too this repair that he may not be able to accomplish?

He is out of town right now so I am not really able to ask him questions and I am on a time crunch to buy this car if I want it. I have till today to decide if I want it for $4200 now.

Just trying to figure out what a buddy mechanic price might be for the RMS/IMS/clutch job a car should be........ someone must have had a friend do these repairs for them at one time or another?? $300 labor....$500 labor.....$1000 labor??????? He is a buddy but isnt going to do it for free if you know what I mean.

also what am I looking spending for just parts?

Sachs Clutch = $400
IMS = ??
RMS = ???
OIL change = $100
tranny fluid change = $100

when a RMS or IMS leaks ...... does it shoot oil out all over the surrounding area or would it just leak at the base of wear the tranny meet the engine?

Overdrive · 07-23-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

People need to realize Porsches are not Hondas... if stuff breaks even if you fix it yourself, parts will cost you.

I see early model 986 as a $13-15k car... if you paid $9000 to buy it, it probably needs another $4k to fix. If it's $4k then you're probably going to spend more, a lot more to get it close to $13-15k.

Just ask our resident member RandallNeighbour...

Well, then, that makes me not feel all that bad about what I paid for my '97.

dirkdiggler · 07-24-2010, 09:33 AM

Thanks guys for all the help

my buddy said he could do the rms and Ims and clutch for $500 + cost of parts.

I think if the guy will come down to $3k for it I will buy it.

Worse case ...... The motor blows and I part it out

I assume there is a decent market for used parts from this car?? Even body panels gotta sell for decent money?

husker boxster · 07-24-2010, 12:41 PM

It's not so much if the motor blows that will be the issue. It's the $250, $500, and $1000 expenditures that it needs for each and every little item in order to make this car roadworthy. These "little things" are going to turn you upside down in a hurry.

Before you buy it, sit down and make a list of all the things it needs that you know about. Be sure to include O2 sensors. Do the windows work? How do the CV boots look? Those are items that generally need replacing. How bout the brake fluid, an antifreeze flush? Doesn't sound like this car had much maintenance done to it. Better throw those things in too. Price out the parts at Suncoast or Pelican. Add the labor that your friend will be charging. See what it costs. You'll be shocked.

This car has such a long list of known issues I can't imagine what unknowns are lurking.

At least do yourself a favor and test drive any other Boxster you can. There have to be garage queens available in your area that you can bargain down to the total cost of this mut.

Mauiboxster · 07-24-2010, 02:52 PM

The first thing I would look at is why this guy is willing to sell the car so cheap. I am guessing he knows it is a money pit and knows you are in for a real pain in the ass. I was in the same spot your in. I could have bought a 1998 for 6k. and decided to go with a 99 that was in mint condition for 12,000. I could not be happier because I get to drive the 99 and not just work on the 98.

dirkdiggler · 07-24-2010, 05:40 PM

I am curious what it means when the check engine light flashes for a little while and then stays on solid??? anyone know??

also..... assuming the rear main-seal leak is the cause of the decent size oil leak.......... can i just check the oil very often and add as needed untill I get it fixed?? asking becasue I dont want the motor to blow on the drive home with it or something. Pretty much what can occur if the rear main-seal is leaking besides a little oil drippage?

I am willing to get dirty and work on the things I can myself ...... I generally only take my cars to buddies shop if there is no way I can possibly do it in my garage. I actually hate asking friends that own shops to do work for me. I use to rebuild sportbikes in college so I am pretty mechanically inclined .... not saying a sportbike is anything like a Porsche though.

I am also not one of those guys that needs everything on his car to be mint so some of the issues on this particular porsche dont bother me ..... such as the top being sorta message up. I have no problem getting out of the and putting it up and down carefully.

The guy is selling it so cheap becasue he is very very wealthy and moving out of the state very soon....... he really said he just needs it gone and doesnt really care. He is not a auto dealer or anything like that
My Girlfirend works for a automobile auction company and ran the car through for him already last week and the bidding got up too $6k for the car...... at that time the seller was hoping to get $7k-$8k out of the porsche so he declined the offer. Now as time has been getting closer to when he has to leave and the issues the car has have been brought to his attention he just has been letting it go for less and less. Now that I am interested in it my GF has been able to negotiate with him and pretty much giving me first crack at it at this point.

He obtained the car 2 years ago to help a friend of his out of a financial jam. He is very good friends with my Girlfriend but ..... the guy knows nothing about cars so isnt much help regarding the issues or maintenance.

Issues I know of?

keep in mind, car seems to run good and shift through gears normally.

- computer under seat got wet ... may be able to save but not sure.
- Flashing and then solid check engine light
- Autozone code scanner says missfire on couple cylinders and O2 sensor
- Rear main seal leak I think?? will change clutch regardless so these can be done then too
- 2 new tires needed
- converts top needs little work .... not a issue for me to fix this janky style
- Brakes soon

Can the the computer getting wet cause the check engine light and miss-fire issues?

If I can get it for $3k, I feel it will be a pretty good deal ........ worst case, motor blows and it becomes a $3k piece of garage eye candy I guess!!

JTP · 07-24-2010, 06:16 PM

A steady CEL is telling you there is a problem but you can drive on. A flashing CEL indicates there is a problem that could cause catastrophic damage to the engine and it means pull over and stop the engine ASAP. You should seriously look into this problem before going any further with the deal.

husker boxster · 07-24-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkdiggler

also..... assuming the rear main-seal leak is the cause of the decent size oil leak.......... can i just check the oil very often and add as needed untill I get it fixed?? asking becasue I dont want the motor to blow on the drive home with it or something. Pretty much what can occur if the rear main-seal is leaking besides a little oil drippage?

Yes, many just keep an eye on the oil level when RMS first appears as a little drip. If the issue is more than just a drip (which it sounds like this one is), be aware that you're dumping $5-$6 a quart oil into your engine / onto the ground. You don't want to do this for very long from an expense stand-point.

dirkdiggler · 07-26-2010, 12:30 PM

and on the upside, My auto insurance will go down $20 a month on the porsche vs. my current car...... i did even call to get a real accurate quote

Perfectlap · 07-26-2010, 12:33 PM

can you post pictures of what this $4K Boxster looks like?

In six years of this forum that is easily the lowest price I've ever heard offered for a 1997 or any Boxster for that matter.

dirkdiggler · 07-26-2010, 03:53 PM

Pictures I have are attached

Perfectlap · 07-26-2010, 04:25 PM

doesn't look too terrible, although its seems to be very stripped down of factory options that make it look pretty dated but then again those probably weren't offered in 1997. How much are you budgeting to get this car in PROPER running order? And how much of a safety fund are you setting aside?
How long do you intend to keep the car? end of the year or at least one year?
Is this going to be a daily driven car or a once week fun car?