model year info / my 1st drive

[baxster]

Originally Posted by t2-bxtrs

It could also be unfair to compare the Miata to a Boxster, ehich are two totally different beast !
t2

You're right. I meant that the Boxster was in a different league than the Miata, although both are great in their own respect.

I just found the sticky thread, "Thinking of buying a Boxster". That should answer a lot.

[thstone]

I am lucky enough to own a Miata (2003 LS) and a Boxster (1999 base)!

There is no doubt that the Boxster is the better car in almost every way but only the Miata brings back the true original feeling of my old Triumph sports cars (TR6 and Spitfire). Also the parts and repairs for the Miata are dirt cheap compared to the Porsche (which is comparable to the costs for maintaining my BMW's).

My advice is to definitely move up to the Boxster. There are a lot of Buyers Guides and other info online but at the end of the day its still all about finding a good used car that's not been trashed by the previous owner.

Drive several and then pick the best one in your price range. Its also worth it to have a pre-purchase inspection done (I used my local Porsche dealer for $175).

I didn't worry about the IMS or RMS problems since there is nothing you can do to predict them and it seems to be a very small percentage of cars. I figured for under $12K its a throwaway if the engine completely fails and I'd just get another one rather than spend $10K+ on an engine rebuild. I mean, I can go through 4 used Boxsters for the price of a brand new one (which I seriously considered buying).

If you can afford a little more money, get an S model, but the base model is still very fast and drives 99% as well as the S for most folks.

[baxster]

I'd like to keep my Miata and turn it into a track rat, maybe even spec series.

I'll admit I'm concerned about the IMS/RMS problems. I've read that the RMS can be inspected for oil leaking and measured for play. I guess there's no way to tell if the IMS is about to go, short of pulling the engine apart, or something like that??

The Miata had a crank seal/bearing issue in their 1st year of production. Mazda fixed that quickly and the engines have been bullit proof since. I'm surprised that Porsche has let this problem go on for so long.

I hate to rehash this topic because I'm sure most of you are tired about explaining it. In my searches, I haven't seen what percentage of owners that have experienced the IMS or RMS problem. Do you think we're talking something like 1 or 2%?