NooB Lookin at Boxsters..Looking Beyond the IMS

[travlincub321]

I poosted this in the New to Boxster Forum, but looking for more responses...

So, I am looking to add to my collection of vehicles and Its time to fullfill another dream car and get a Porsche. After mulling over options, I am looking twords a Boxster...

I am trying to determine my options and what are the best years to shoot for... One key thing I would love is to find a Purple one.. Or Silver... Or something with out the Baby poo yellow interior.

I have read alot about the infamous IMS issue and it looks like the failure rate is 1-3% on 97-99 models and that would be fine with me. I'd rather put it in the back of my mind and say my prayers, as money will be a little tight after purchase... Am i correct in this thinking? I generally only buy cars with over 100K on them and ONLY buy cars with a thorough PPI, however unsure if this is smart or not on a Porsche.

I am used to Mercedes and european cars, so I am aware of added costs during maintence and such, but how hard is a general service on a boxster? What is an average cost for a 5K service (my intervel).... How about brakes? I've read boxsters eat them....

Besides the IMS issue, what else do i need to be wary of? I have read Boxsters are very reliable and from Consumer Reports to other groups on line, alot of people have few complaints with there Boxsters. I am more interested in a manual transmission unit than the tiptronic, but, if i got an awesome deal on a tip tronic, would I be betting on failure? What about other stuff??? I don't want lots of doo dads and gizmos.. The less crap the better (I drive an almost plain 2001 E320 wagon save for the Real Leather and the base package, it doesn't even have butt warmers)

If 97-99 is a good range, My *IDEAL* Boxster would have just the sport package on it .. I need cruise control at the very least. Mercedes has an interweb program that lets you look up build sheets and so forth.. Does Porsche do this??

Thanks in advance and I apppricate all the help you can provide...

PS: I will have no regrets, even with the IMS.. The IMS is a dead horse thats been beaten alot and seems to have popped up in full force after 2000... Crossing my fingers, legs and toes and saying my prayers will keep it rolling. That and making sure I can drive it like a Porsche should be!

TO Add: My Short list is a Z3, 350Z, SLK320 and of course the Boxster.. The boxster is my favorite by far