Advice Needed Please!

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by DaveHMCFC

Thanks for your helpful replies.
There's just one niggling thing in my head that won't go away, and it's reading about major engine failure, and the horrendous costs involved.
Is this just with the 986's or is it 987's too? And what's the percentage of failure?

any boxster can fail for various reasons, especially when not well maintained. only porsche knows the failure rate...

if it's still on the road and has decently high mileage for the year, chances are it'll keep going. if you're looking at a '99 with 10k miles - that's a big crap shoot.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by tonycarreon

any boxster can fail for various reasons, especially when not well maintained. only porsche knows the failure rate...

Hmm, not sure about that. The problem for me is that they can fail despite being well maintained. Take good care of something like a 90s BMW straight six and you can be pretty confident it will keep on trucking. I'm not convinced there's much correlation between IMS failure and maintenance, for instance.

On the contrary, immaculately maintained examples seem just a susceptible, if not more so.

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by pothole

Hmm, not sure about that. The problem for me is that they can fail despite being well maintained.

i didn't say if you keep up with maintenance it will not fail, i said that if you do not keep up with maintenance, you can expect certain failure. i think that's fairly obvious.

there are other things that need to be repaired / maintained / replaced other than an IMS bearing
- water pumps
- coolant reservoirs
- cv boots
- transmissions
...

[recycledsixtie]

I used to own a 99 MX5 Miata for 4 years. Compared to a Boxster I consider it virtually bulletproof. Now I have my 2001 Boxster 2.7, I am prepared to spend $$$ on it if I have to. For me it is worth it. The Boxster is not bulletproof but to me it is well worth the driving pleasure. Do the research. It is a depreciating asset over here.
Dont rush into making a decision. Pothole sounds like a great potential help. I can say good luck but you make it luckier if you do your homework with pothole. Enjoy the search and enjoy the rideTry lots of Boxsters but mind u I bought the 2nd one I tried. It was a good one and still is.

[DaveHMCFC]

I've just been reading about people who are 1st time buyers, and their same fears as me re major engine failure, and it seems that some of them have had the IMS and/or RMS redone purely as a precaution. These stories however hae all been in 986's. I think I'm more likely to go for a 987. So my question is... could I do the same in a 987 for peace of mind? And how many ££'s is that likely to cost? And also, is it advisable?

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by DaveHMCFC

I've just been reading about people who are 1st time buyers, and their same fears as me re major engine failure, and it seems that some of them have had the IMS and/or RMS redone purely as a precaution. These stories however hae all been in 986's. I think I'm more likely to go for a 987. So my question is... could I do the same in a 987 for peace of mind? And how many ££'s is that likely to cost? And also, is it advisable?

I believe that the 2009 Boxster has no ims. Others could confirm this. This is an improvement on the prior ones with the ims. However I would think that a 2009 would be lots of $$$$. I like my IMS guardian as it give me warning of an impending failure. Prof. installed and purchased for one third the cost of new ims install. My 2001 Box base had less than 40k miles when I bought it. I dont believe in spending $$$ on my car unless I have to. I was in Norwich UK and noticed lots of Miata MX5's, but few P cars. In terms of bullet proof I think the MX5 comes first . The Boxster is not bulletproof but driving pleasure and safety is much greater than the MX5. Some would disagree. Enjoy the ride!