How reliable is your Boxster?

[pecto3]

Hi to all, the title above might have been discussed here numerous times but lately all I've been reading are horrible stories about ownership of Boxster especially older ones. I was just wondering if you guys can tell the pleasant side of ownership on a maintenance point of view. Lets start off with mine, is a 1997, bought about 8 months ago with 35k miles, drive the car about 1-2 times per week 1/3 of the time with the top down. So far so good, everything seems to work fine as it should. I did the 30k mile maintenance myself 2 weeks later when I got it. I got the car from a small car dealership, did a little research about the car and I did not do any PPI because the first time I saw the car, I was amazed how clean it was for it's age so I assumed that the car was properly maintained from inside out (very risky decision), secondly, I ask the salesperson where the car is usually parked and he pointed where it was sitting, look underneath and found no oil on the pavement, did a little test drive and took it home the next day. So far the only thing I can find wrong with it is oil perspiring on the right top most part of the engine, other than that, there is none except for the "annoying engine noise" (as we all love to hear) as described by my lady friend, from then on, I always use my '94 Honda Civic whenever she rides with me .

Called dealership about history of the car, was serviced maybe 3 times (as far as I can remember) major concern being was clearing of check engine light, unable to specify what was faulty. Anyway, its been trouble free as of this time and enjoying every minute of driving the car. Calling the 100k miler out there....

[Brucelee]

You are off to a good start indeed.

One recommendation I would make.

Change oil AND filter at 7500 miles, not 15000 as manual recommends.

Best of luck!

[pecto3]

Thanks for the reply yes, that's what I'm intending to do.

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by pecto3

... other than that, there is none except for the "annoying engine noise" (as we all love to hear) as described by my lady friend, from then on, I always use my '94 Honda Civic whenever she rides with me .

.

Sell the Honda and get a new lady friend!

[Adam]

My boxster has been extremely reliable. 15k and several auto-x events later and I haven't seen my dealer since it left the lot over 2 yrs ago. I haven't even had minor problems. So far it has been as reliable as a wood burning stove. Hopefully I'll have many more trouble free miles to come.

[cyclocross]

Well, I'll add my 2-cents worth. I purchased my 2001 2.7/Tip almost 2 years ago, certified, from Porsche of Oakland. It had 42,000 miles on it. I was able to obtain copies of all of the service orders on it. The biggest item was replacement of one of the drive cables for the top. It now has 55,000 miles. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is replacement of one O2 sensor under warranty. The first owner used 15W-50 Syntec. I am using 0w-40 Mobil 1. The engine has the very minor weeps (sweating?), but no drips, that one would expect from any engine. In fact, the exterior of the engine can be considered to be dry. The steering and handling are just amazing, almost telepathic. The brake pedal has minimal play or "sponginess", the best of any car I've owned. Freeway mileage at 75-80 is in the high 20s. I'm considering moving up to a Carrera but the Boxster is so damn good, tough decision.

FWIW, I can get a 2004 CPO M3 for the same cost as a 2002 non-CPO Carrera. Another tough decision.

[bnavani]

I have an 01 Boxster w/just 15k miles. But so far not a single problem. I remember reading somewhere that Porsches in general are quite reliable cars.

[blinkwatt]

'99 with 52k on it. At 22k the RMS was redone,although with all flat water cooled Porsches that has been a issue. At 25k the document from the dealer reported the clutch slipping and chattering so the dealership took a look and it has some blue residue and they replaced with a new clutch kit. Other then that there has not been a single issue.

[RandallNeighbour]

After just $5,500 in repairs, my boxster is very reliable. Doh!

[Tool Pants]

1999 with zero repairs. But the top has an issue when it is closed.

Any thoughts?

[deliriousga]

MY 2000 with 72K miles.

So far so good with the only non-maintenance being one O2 sensor under warranty, replaced a cracked coolant reservoir, oil separator and idler rollers DIY. Next is an alternator rebuild.

It's been an awesome ride!

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

1999 with zero repairs. But the top has an issue when it is closed.

Any thoughts?

burn that picture.
THE BOXSTER IS NOT A CHICK CAR!