Just bought a boxster for 6k

[enjoikr3w]

Sorry for the late update and lack of pictures. Life got a little hectic and camera pooped out on me. I'll try and fix it and get pictures up soon. We have begun with the inspection process and here is what we have found:

The car had it's 60k maintenance done at the dealer when it had 71k miles.

Transmission most likely needs a new first gear syncronizer. I am in the process of finding a shop that can work on it. Recommendations for SA will be appreciated.

The clutch was on its last leg. It was pretty much down to the bone and has damaged the pressure plate. If it was used any longer then flywheel damage was probable.

The RMS seal is fine, no leaks. Now here is the predicament we are in. We have removed the IMS flange (engine was locked at TDC and tensioners removed beforehand) and visually inspected the bearing without removing it. It looks perfect, like new. We dont know if we should replace it since we're planning on keeping this car for about 10k-20k more miles before selling it. The LN bearing is $600 and my dealer quoted me $470 for the original. What would you do?

[Perfectlap]

don't even think about it. Upgrade the IMS with the LN unit. If I need to replace something I always go for the upgrade. Put it this way, if I were in the market for a Boxster and had the choice between one with the upgraded IMS and one without, I'd gladly pay $600 more for not having to deal with the hassle myself. A faulty IMS can go at any momment and I'm not sure you can really properly inspect the factory unit by just looking at it. Replacing it with an original IMS bearing is pointless. Also, Excellence had an issue where they tore apart the oil filter, more like un-rolled it, and pointed out that if there were shavigs the size of cracked pepper or larger it was not a good sign. But if the oil was recently changed that oil filter with the tell tale debris might have gone into the dumpster.

When I had my IMS upgraded I also had the axle boots serviced, the RMS replaced with the Cayenne seal, and decided to replace the flywheel with an OEM unit (I don't like noise of aftermarket units).

p.s.
After a few mods, some autcrossing and some more mods you'll be keeping that car a lot longer than you thought you would. If you sold it you simply would not be able to find a better car without spending more money. While the newer Boxsters have improved reliability and engineering, in my opinion, the higher price does not correlate into an equal increase in driving pleasure on a dollar per dollar basis.
Put it this way, I see no point spending $30K on a second hand Boxster when a $15K Boxster gives you practically the same Porsche roadster experience.
That's just extra money you don't need to spend that will slowly wither away like all depreciating assets. With your rare and excellent luck you have effectively avoided seeing any of your money go to waste.

[Flavor 987S]

You actually paid closer to $10,000. You just don't know it yet.

[enjoikr3w]

I am a college student right now so I do not have the income to purchase/maintain high end vehicles right now. This boxster is just a temporary play toy that I am not going to be getting too attached to. I'm only considering purchasing the upgraded LN bearing to help with the resale value.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by enjoikr3w

I am a college student right now so I do not have the income to purchase/maintain high end vehicles right now. This boxster is just a temporary play toy that I am not going to be getting too attached to. I'm only considering purchasing the upgraded LN bearing to help with the resale value.

Great price.

I work with a shop in South Austin that are becoming Boxster experts
at reasonable prices ($60/hr)

Everything from rebuilding the engines to just basic maintenance.

I personally own 3 of them, have owned 2 others. More than a dozen Boxsters
have been at this shop.

They can do a clutch, IMSR, RMS for ~$2k maybe a little more depending
on what damage was done to the clutch assembly.

www.lonestarrpm.com has some shop details and some of my personal projects.

Mike

[Perfectlap]

you're only get higher resale value from a Boxster enthusiast. Most Boxster owners probably have no idea what the IMS is. There aren't nearly enough of those enthusiasts out there to justify that as the rationale for doing the IMS upgrade.
You should do the upgrade PRECISELY because you are a college student. If the IMS were to fail you'd have a roller on your hands that would cost a lot more than $600 to fix.

[thstone]

Everyone here is right on in terms of maintaining a Porsche - not cheap.

Here is what I've done to my $11,000 1999 Boxster with 80K miles (and almost no repair history) in just two months since I bought it.

The good news is that I was planning to spend $25K for a Boxstger so I have lots of money left over for all of the maintanence/repairs/udpates (or even a replacement engine, worst case).

Also, note that I can do almost all of my work myself. The cost would be more than double my DIY costs if I had to pay to have the work done.

1. Oil/filter change ($180 dealer - wanted it done right away)
2. New Porsche logo floor mats (no mats in car) $120
3. Replaced battery cover (missing from car) $25 used from eBay
4. Replaced air filter/pollen filter (DIY $50 Pelican Parts)
5. Replaced fuel filter (DIY $30 Pelican Parts)
6. Replaced wiper blades (DIY $28 Autozone)
7. Red clip for alarm with top open ($8 eBay)
8. Replaced top microswitch (DIY $38 Pelican Parts)
9. Replaced all four tires (stock Pirelli PZero Rosso rear tires worn out) with Michelin PS2's in 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear ($950 Discount Tires)
10. AUX Audio input (for iPhone/MP3) (DIY $85 Discount Car Audio)
11. Rear speaker kit (DIY $250 eBay Harvey PNP). This was something I wanted, not a must do. Stock CDR-220 sounds much better now.

TOTAL = $1,726

To be done in January-February:
1. Spark plugs and ignition coils replacement ($60 plugs, $250 coils DIY)
2. Coolent flush and replacement ($150 Indie shop)
3. Brake fluid replacement ($100 Indie shop)
4. Brake pads and rotors replacement (all four wheels) with EBC Redstuff pads and drilled rotors ($250 pads, $280 rotors, DIY)
5. GT3 brake cooling ducts (DIY $50 eBay)

TOTAL = $1,140

Not needed:
1. Battery (replaced by previous owner in Aug, 2010 $120)
2. Belt/tensioner/rollers (replaced by previous owner in July, 2010 $550 Indie shop)
3. Top (replaced by previous owner in April, 2010, $1,200 Indie shop)


So, I'll be in for $2,866 in 3-4 months time just to repair/update/maintain my "cheap" Boxster. If I had to do the items that the previous owner did, this would have added $1,870 to the $2,866 for a possible total of $4,736.

This is the real cost of getting a well used Boxster back up to par (~$5K). This is ONLY if you do most of the work yourself. Do most at a shop and you're looking at more than $10K.

And this doesn't inlcude the following repairs/updates that could come at any time:

When clutch needs replacement:
1. Clutch
2. IMS/RMS update
3. Water pump/thermostat replacement

[jditom]

Agree as stated.

I would not think twice if you have your tranny out then do the IMS and RMS upgrades.

[Evan528]

JDITOM, This is off topic to the thread... but would you be interested in doing a caprison writeup between your Z4 and boxster? I am sure of many of the people on this forum (including myself) considered going the Z4 route before we bought our porsche.

[Gforrest2]

Originally Posted by Evan528

JDITOM, This is off topic to the thread... but would you be interested in doing a caprison writeup between your Z4 and boxster? I am sure of many of the people on this forum (including myself) considered going the Z4 route before we bought our porsche.

+1 Looked at several Z4s before going with the Boxster. Coworker just went from Boxster to Z4. His initial comments: Z4 - more luxurious ride, GT style. Boxster - more fun to drive.

[mikes_box]

Originally Posted by Evan528

JDITOM, This is off topic to the thread... but would you be interested in doing a caprison writeup between your Z4 and boxster? I am sure of many of the people on this forum (including myself) considered going the Z4 route before we bought our porsche.

went from a 97 boxster 2.5 to a z3m 3.2 and I wasn't very happy with the z3. the z3m was ok but it DID NOT handle like the boxster. The z3m had much more power vs the 2.5 but it didn't feel as planted in corners or acceleration. The z4 if you get anything thats not 3.0si or the m/// is just a drop top is just as a fast as a regular boxster. Drive both and decide. But once you go PORSCHE and as long as you don't have a nightmare like having to replace the engine, you'll always stay with the brand. The drive and feel is just so much different.. The mid engine layout and the convertible top going down is like no other...