New to Porsche
 

Hello. I wasn't sure where to post this, Didn't see an area for newbs. Anyway my name is Josh. I live in Albuquerque, NM. I have been looking at getting into a nice car for a while. Wasn't too picky, Looked at BMW's, Mercedes and tons of other types. I finally settled on a 2001 Silver BoxsterS. Not really a fan of the girly car but this one just caught my attention. Dealership gave me like 2k for my jeep that wasn't even worth it. But price was 13950. Book says 18ish and carfax claims its worth 1600 more. Had 67k when I got it. Lol not even a week of owning it and the alternator died. Had to special order one, and there was no way I was going to pay the 1700 the local Porsche dealership claimed it costs.

Anyway, Love the car. Kinda upset that the rear plastic window broke last night while replacing the alternator.... IDK what to do, err how to replace it without replacing the entire roof. Much slower than my last car but still fun as heck to drive.

Here are some pics.
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Go to PelicanParts.com Intermediate shaft bearing failures where an issue up to 2009. Better to pay for the upgrade than repair the failure. A good convertible top/auto upholstery shop should be able to sew in a new window. Mine is glass, but I bet you can buy a window repair kit.

Depending on the shape of the top and funds available you may want to go with a new top and make the switch to a glass window. You can get a high quality top for $600 to $700 plus install or if your handy and have the time do it yourself.

IMS is definitely something you want to look into. Just use the search function on this and any other topic there is a ton of info and helpful folks on the forum.

Welcome to the world of Porsche - fun and potentially expensive. Remember your car was about $50k new so any repairs will reflect this. Definitely find yourself a good indie.

Don't feel so bad about the window. I creased mine and got a tiny hole right after buying it. I wanted to enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway with the top down even though it was about 35deg. F and didn't know about the "Boxster chop" (helping the plastic window fold, esp. when cold, to avoid damage).

How bad is the damage? Mine was literally a pinhole so I patched it. Used tent repair tape, about the size of a dime. If I ever damage it more (a real possibility) or get sick of it, I'll spring for a glass window.

Re: IMS failures, you can spend a lifetime reading about it. Good to know it exists, and what the options are. Some choose to do a retrofit replacement right away, others wait until you're in there doing a clutch, others ignore it entirely. I had a 996 before the Boxster, and I'm waiting until I need a clutch.

Uh, excuse me? You've just got a knack for making new friends, don't you? :mad:

Nice looking car. Love the interior. Not girly looking at all. Not a girly car at all, girls just dig it you will see. I wouldn't jump into the Ixx thing yet just keep a eye on your clutch and drive it like the dr. said too.

Open your oil filter after every 5k oil change. Look for metal particles. But until clutch job, drive it like you stole it. New fixes coming out early this year.

Ty all. I was unaware there was a glass top avail. I didn't think there would be since the plastic window folds when top is down. It really bugs. Its no pinhole. It shattered like glass. I'll be looking for one now. Tax returns are gonna be spent fast.

Pelican is where I read the how to on doing the alternator. Unlike what I've read on the forums about people having issues with the bushing being rusted and not budging, mine came loose with two wacks. I did notice some oil on top of block. Apparently the alternator sucked up a bird... There were feathers stuck in it. Odd.

Now now. No need to get hurt over it. It is a boxster. Coming from mild to high HP drag cars onto a daily driven boxster. It took driving it to change my view on the car. Weather you believe it or not, boxsters are the laughed at Porsches in my world. I have been ragged on ever since buying it. Someone even bought me a purse for my birthday as a gag gift. I really don't care. I love it and my eyes are pealed on the road for any other boosters on the road wherever I go. I now look through the pics of all your cars and it is awesome. Sexy lil beast. My last cars make and model holds the world record for fastest and highest HP 4cyl on the planet. But its also one of the most hated cars and I've never gotten as much attention as I do now.

I was at a light the other day jamming out to some old rock and didn't notice some really beautiful blonde country girls were trying to catch my attention till they drove away. Lol

No disrespect intended. I an super happy with my purchase.

+1 on this Mark. As my old teacher used to say "we are going to have to wash his mouth out with soap!"
G

Welcome to the forum! Despite the girly comment, here you go, I will save you some time:
convertible top, soft top items in AutoTopsDirect store on eBay!

These tops are the same as the GAHH tops, made by the same manufacturer. I had mine installed for $500. You didn't want the plastic window anyway, glass is a big upgrade. Drive it like you stole it:cheers:

Wow thank you. awesome price too. should be able to do a header back exhaust, top, lowering springs and the oem bose sub with my tax returns. not much but still good.

im also going to have the wheels re powdered silver. i dont and never cared much for the black wheels on a colored car look. and look into finding cheap but perfect condition headlights to use as a lens doner for my spider cracked lights

I read this and was immediately ready to write him off, I'll give him a chance.

"Not really a fan of the girly car but this one just caught my attention"

I read this and was immediately ready to write him off, I'll give him a chance.

What fixes are these?

I love the wheels, and it looks like he got the full leather interior.

Those guys down there in Cleveland will be introducing another fix (from what I've read) that suppose to be in between the Hybrd bearing and the Solution cost wise. No specific details released yet other than that.

Now now. No need to get hurt over it. It is a boxster. Coming from mild to high HP drag cars onto a daily driven boxster. It took driving it to change my view on the car. Weather you believe it or not, boxsters are the laughed at Porsches in my world.

Offended also…. I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. For now I've written you off too. I think you meant "whether" not "weather". Stay in school kid.

And miss out on all his 4 cyl HP knowledge? :rolleyes:

I just saw Jake post on another thread; it is announced now:
Gen 2 Single Row Pro IMS Retrofit

Steve

I do like the look of that red interior too. Very nice.

Sorry you missed the autocross yesterday at Rt. 66 Casino. It was a beautiful day and the lone Boxster was kicking the 911 butts hard. Chick car, indeed.

When I put my top down after the temp dropped to about 50 degrees last fall, the window cracked in two places. I asked the service manager at the Porsche of Albuquerque what my options were. He gave me the price for a top with glass, then told me he would recommend just getting the plastic replaced at Bearnut Upholstery (yes, that's their name. They're on Tennessee, just north of Central).

I did, and they did a really tidy job for about $500.

Here's my personal opinion on wheel color. The stock wheels on mine were also arctic silver, and it just looks bland. See my avatar. (I've gotten different wheels since.) I'd guess that's how you ended up with the black wheels: P.O. didn't like them and went for something with more contrast to the body color. I'm not a fan of black wheels, either, though, for the same reason: no contrast with the tires, so you might as well be running black steelies from a Volkswagen.

I suggest getting the wheels powder coated in gunmetal gray, somewhere between Arctic silver and black and, most important, approximately the color of brake dust. That's the color they'll end up being most of the time, anyway, so you might as well get a nice job of it.

"Boxsters are the laughed at Porsches in my world". Mindless testosterone jacked morons tend to laugh at anything beyond their comprehension (see "simpletons"). ;)
It's blatantly obvious that those you speak of in "your world" are not educated beyond the front stoop of their double-wide.
"Me go in straight line fast!" and "Turn left!". Takes some real geniuses, eh?

(Disrespect to those types is definitely intended)


Aside from that, welcome...I suppose.

Probably not his thing anyway seeing as autocross requires you to be able to turn right

Never expected porsche people would become offended soo easilly over something as small as it being called a girl car. Even on Autoshows they call it a girl car. Did you guys write letters of protest over it?
Actually I did mean "whether", not "weather" but my tablet decides what it thinks is best while I type on the go. Calm down.
Sorry but this is ridiculous. You guys need to take a chill pill.
Thank you. I was working all day so I could not attend. In fact last time I attended an Autox even was a few years ago at the church on Harper and Ventura. Its been a while since I've had a reliable car minus a few lifted Jeeps.

As for the color, Its mainly the flat black. I was looking through some photos last night and I do think I like the gunmetal gray color. With the car being silver, reminds me of the old Evolution VI RS450's color scheme. I was originally thinking silver just to get the original Porsche look back. Like this:
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:ah: I have hurled no insults. Just because the words girl car came out and that people laugh at boxsters. As I said in an earlier statement, the car is called such in many auto shows across the world. Goes hand in hand with the comment "What you couldn't afford a 911?" or "The car you get when you cannot afford a 911." I even heard the term "The boxster is the 914 of the future"... And I'm sitting here saying how much I've fallen in love with the car. Despite the insults my friends and previous fellow automotive enthusiasts and the purse I was given as a gag gift to go along with my Boxster.


Seriously, you guys need to chill. I've come here to learn, to meet new people in hopes to make my experience with the Boxster the best I can. Not to instantly debate and be harassed by what the ENTIRE WORLD of non Boxster owners see the car.

You know what.

I'm sorry. I Did not mean to come on here to offend anyone. I was just explaining that I never thought I'd be in a car like this and now I'm loving it. It handles like a dream, sounds great and drives smooth. I'm glad I chose it over the other cars I was looking at.

It's all good. Welcome to the forum!

Apology accepted ;)

I apologize as well (damn my Irish temper). Glad to have you, now post some pictures (maybe in a new thread :p) and enjoy the ride!

Yep, we need to move on. Darkstar, I would also say having your wheels done in the gun metal grey and then getting the de-ambered tail lights and side markers will make a big difference. Also look at those tops that I linked to earlier. Again, welcome:cheers:

I looked over the Auto Tops Direct website and called customer service to find out about putting the glass top on a 2000 S. What has been the experience of the forum members when it comes to the need to service the air filter and you want to put the top in service position ?

Ive been looking at Red/Clear with smoked clear or smoked red tails. Also been looking into new led headlights. Just worried about the projectors. Every ebay headlight ive seen use fog light bulbs. Just bugged about the spider cracked lights. i will be taking lots of photo. also thinking about saving up for a haard top

Darkstar
 

famous Dead song... maybe Darkstar is still a little fuzzy hence some comments he didnt mean to say that way. I go see Dark star orchestra in p.v. beach in FEB. The band recreates dead shows identical to the original....anyway back to the girl car comments, if mine is a girl car then its a black lesbian with a fat arse

OK, now that everything has settled down a bit, what say we get this young lad started on the right track.

Don't do anything to your new ride except maintain it at first. Like replacing the alternator, and getting the rear window replaced. Start a maintenance history record, starting with the day you bought the car; noting the mileage. Change the oil and oil filter; check the filter for metal particles. Replace the air filter (stock, resist the temptation to go K&N), and fuel filter. Check the cabin filter to determine if it needs replacing. Check the serpentine belt; check for signs that the AOS and water pump have been replaced. If not, budget and consider replacing them sooner than later.

Make sure your tires are up to spec and properly inflated. Ensure that all lights are operational. When you go blitzing around Albuquerque, you don't want to get stopped by Johnny Law just for having a bulb out.

Use only 93 octane fuel. Drive your Boxster as if it were a violin, not a hammer.

Read this forum extensively.

If this all reads like I'm opinionated, well then................I guess I am.

But then again, I'm just sayin'.........

TO

Not really that young. I am in my 30s. I feel old... Lol

Anyway the drive it like you stole it plan... Doesn't work. This car is getting embarrassing fuel mileage. I calculated last fill up at almost 6mpg. There's no way my work van gets more than double but it is...
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I had a friend come over with a scanner. His brother and cousin works for the local Porsche dealership service department.... It didn't show anything was wrong. This tank has some Lucas fuel treatment in it. Hopefully clean out any dirty Injectors. As for 93 octane. I don't know any places in abq that has anymore than 91. Any sort of higher octane is special buy from the local muscle shops. By the barrel.

Yesterday I found a link to someone here who lives by me who was having bad fuel problems but I believe I was IP banned... So haven't read on it yet. I did clean my K&N filter. It was bad. PO had grease all over it. In it. All over the filter holder frame. It took hours to clean.

Yeah... My phones IP was banned I guess. I switched to my phones IPV6 but it's not developed enough to post. So I can view. Lol currently at nearby walmart getting lunch and can post this.

Yeah, that's not right. You should be getting 3 times that, even driving hard.

Something isn't right with your fuel milage. I get around 16 and do drive it like I stole it. I am not worried about the milage, I'm paying for grins, but 6 is not right. 91 will be fine if that is all you can get.

Darkstar I applaud you for leaving the ranks of the unskilled driver and misinformed to take a chance on the roadster that has been setting the bar in its class since 1997.

As for the Boxster's HP. You see it's a roadster and if it had 350 HP or more, the engine would be doing all the work and not the suspension, aero and tires. Thus it really wouldn't be a roadster anymore. And throwing a big engine into a poorly engineered car is the typical way to cover up the mistakes. Just ask the 918 Spyder's engineers who just DESTROYED the N-ring lap record.... and it wasn't via a big engine dump. The most coveted lap record in the world is now firmly in the hands of a mid-engine Porsche, despite the flaghsip Porsche being a rear-engine car.

In your particular case, your 2001 3.2 has more power than 90+% of all Porsches ever produced up to that point. In fact, the 911 Carrera didn't cross over the 300 HP mark until the mid 2000's, after more than a million were already on the road.
Yet Porsche was able to establish a legendary brand with such "puny" engines! What does that say? That your typical sports car has too much power for the skill set of the average drag racer when he actually has to drive the car left and right. Anyone can look brilliant going in a straight line. No one who knows how to drive will ever laugh at this car or its variant, the Cayman.

And "girl car" comments at the Autoshow? That's what a guy would say who couldn't outlap my little 10 year-old cousin in a 2 lap go-kart race around the block. I've heard those comments at autoshows too, which immediately tells me their high performance driving knowledge is limited to what their "bro" told them, what they saw in Fast and Furious or what they read in a car magazine... In fact I don't know any skilled driver that ever talks down any car that is a fixture at track day or autox. Same goes for the Mini, Miata and a few others.

p.s.
You may be making a visit to your Porsche parts desk for a new MAF. Too much oil on those aftermarket air filters makes these not really worth it for such little power gain. Dry filters keep your MAF working a long time, hassle free.

Re 93 octane...do you have BP filling stations there? That's where I get my 93.

Too much red for me.

Something's wrong there, DarkStar.

The mileage is definitely screwy. I have exactly the same car, in exactly the same city, and I'm averaging about 20-21 mpg driving around town. Last time I took it on the highway, I averaged almost 24 mpg.

I usually put 91 octane in my tank, but I have also used 89 octane and it runs fine. I find that my mileage is a little better with the 91 octane. But the car handles either just fine.

My indy mechanic advises keeping the stock air filters. Maybe you want to consider changing from the aftermarket part back to what Porsche designed the car to run with?