Any Original Owners
 

I've been reading this forum a lot but, admittedly, contributing very little in my 9 years as a member here. Lately I have noticed quite a few members buying pre-owned Boxsters, usually model years 1999 to 2003 and have begun to wonder what the reason is, other than price, that attracts buyer to those specific model years.

If I had to guess as to one of the reasons prospective buyers like models from the early 2000s, it may be the interior. Beginning with model year 2005, Porsche completely redesigned the cockpit of the Boxster. Personally, I don't care for the redesign; I don't like the round vents, and there is just a bit too much chrome-painted plastic throughout for my tastes. I understand that many like the updated interior design over the old, so to each his own.

I am the original owner of a 2004 base that I purchased from Holbert's Porsche in February of 2004. For those who may be interested, Bob Holbert was a Porsche race car driver in the 1960s and later one of the first Porsche dealers in the US.

In the 10 years I have owned my Box, I have clocked a total of 35,263 miles, so I don't drive it that much, 3 to 4 thousand miles a year, some years not even that many, and never in inclement weather or during Winter.

Over the years I have made a number of relatively minor adjustments and was quite surprised that, other than the headlights, I could do them all myself:

- Replaced standard headlights for litronic self-leveling lamps
- Replaced amber side markers for clears
- Replaced black rear bumpers for vehicle-colored ones
- Installed B & M short shifter
- Installed manual raise/lower spoiler switch
- Replaced center console for vehicle-colored one, ashtray delete
- Replaced ignition rosette for vehicle-colored one
- Placed '986' emblem on batwing
- installed speakers in compartment behind seat to give radio a fuller sound
- Debadged and then rebadged trunk

I like the TA style side skirts so I may be getting those soon as well.

My vehicle came with the PCM, 4-stalks, Porsche Emblem wheel crests and a number of other options, so I didn't have to have those done as well.

I ordered the hard top through the dealer as I didn't want to have to futz around trying to find one in my color later.

I currently have no plans to trade in my Box for a newer model. It is almost the perfect vehicle (for me) now, even though it is the very definition of a garage queen. :) Other than wear and tear on the paint, especially on the bonnet, I have had absolutely no problems with the vehicle whatsoever.

So original owners, chime in, and what have you done to your Boxster over the years?

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/.../interior1.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/.../interior2.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/.../interior3.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/...ior-lights.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/...3_191833-1.jpg

Hi Allen,

I want to join your original owners club (OOC?). :D

Btw: Your Boxster and especially the color look absolutely fantastic, is that arenared metallic?
I picked mine (MY01) up in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, long time ago in November 2000. ;)

The look of the first Boxster generation grows stronger and stronger on me every year and with each new Boxster generation, we own something very special
:cheers:

Your car is so clean! The leather still looks brand new.
I'm kind of an original owner - 2000 base model, my dad built the sheet on it in the late 90s. My parents are big on keeping things stock, so until a couple months ago when I acquired it it was completely and wholly stock.
Now I own the car, so it has been desnorkeled and Baluga exhaust is on. I plan to slowly tweak it into even more of a driver's car while maintaining a "could be stock" feel. Idea is to purify the parts of the Boxster that make it a Boxster.
I agree the 986 design is still gorgeous. Those that don't know the model differences often think this car is brand new.
Can I be an honorary OOC member? I've put a fair amount of the 51000 miles on this car over the years!

Very nice.

I would do the IMS upgrade even if not for mileage. Its been 14 years, no low mileage bearing lasts forever.

P.s.
I wish they would have gone with the 964 or earlier interior on the Boxster. A sort of classic Porsche interpretation. But for a 21 year old design your pics show it was indeed a company-saving execution. Unfortunately too many left the factory without the Tequipment options and the concept design wasn't intended to be barebones making many look chintzy and cheap. I cant believe it when i see that on 996 Turbos sometimes.

Thanks. I try my best to keep it looking tip-top. No, it is called Carmon Red.
I agree completely. :)

Thanks! It is no where near concours-level condition of course, but I do spend a good amount of time cleaning the interior and exterior, although the interior doesn't require much more than a dusting from time to time, especially during the 6 to 7 months it is garaged full time.

Thanks!

I have read a little about the IMS, but am not sure what it is or does, and thought, perhaps wrongly, that I shouldn't worry about it as I don't drive the car frequently.

Original owner of 2:

2006 987:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...B/WD620849.jpg
Only mods were winter mats, winter wheels (turbo twist) & snow tires, and peripheral xm radio.

2013 981:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps8d3025ef.jpg
Only mod: Zun-sport front grills; not pictured. Considering a debadging.

Quiet the opposite. The longer the car sits the worse it can be. From what I've read its not so much the mileage but how often the car is driven. Particularly if you only change the oil yearly.

You might want to buy an IMS guardian which goes on your dash.
With the 2000's there's now way to know if you have the robust dual row IMS bearing or the infamous single row. Well short of taking down the transmission, Porsche records are not reliable enough for this question.

Got a thing for red? Nice cars, and OP I love your interior and the color is excellent on your car!

I do like red, but also had porsche racing green on the 997.2S. Also, the reds are different, not that you can tell by the photos. The 987 was arena red and the 981 is amaranth.

Thanks!

Another photo of the interior.

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/.../interior4.jpg

My Oldschool Ride 2013
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1399844734.jpg

Aero type I sideskirts (ready) and 18" Fuchs wheels silver spokes coming soon...will be REALLY Oldschool then. :D

BTW: Klisstle rollbar covers

@ Allen: I not the biggest friend of the redesigned cockpits as well.

Another original owner here. It still brings a smile to my face every time I drop the top and take it out.

Special ordered it and picked it up in May of 2001. The window sticker was $59,997. I am at 23,900 miles now.

I ordered it with the following factory options;

Comfort Package including Seats with electrical height, length and backrest adjustment, left and right; driver's side memory function and adjustable lumbar support, left and right. $2,090
Self-Dimming Mirrors and Rain Sensors. $690
Heated Front Seats Package $400
Sports Touring Package including Wind Stop, Sound System, Cruise Control, Alarm System, CD Radio, On-Board Computer $2870
Headlight Washers $225
Wheel Caps with Colored Crest $170
Porsche Stability Management $1215
Xenon Headlights $1070
Black Floor Mats $92
Porsche Crest in Headrest $210

I have added the following;

'03 18" S Wheels
'03 OEM Top with Glass Window
'03 Tail Lights
'03 S Exhaust Modified by FD Motorsports
Silver Hood Emblem
Clear Front Side Lights
Red Seat Belts
Red Rear Console
Aluminum E-Brake & Shift Knob
997 Shift Console
Garage & Gate Switches
Kenwood HD Radio & Navigation
Spoiler Control Switch & Indicator Light
Back-Up Camera
Foot Well Lights
Bird Arm Rest
Steering Wheel Modified by CarDreams.com
Leather Air Bag
Parrot Bluetooth

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps16d16106.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psc02bc09d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps07dfbec5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps0d45909d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps863671c9.jpg

Very nice!

What a pristine car, i hope to own a porsche new someday! If i do buy one new my stubborn self wont sell it till the day its worth more, and if that day never comes, itll sure be worth something to me :D.

You can tell the difference a bit, the amaranth reminds me of Mclarens volcano red, I am sure the green car was nice too, however, i could imagine it attracting cops eyes :rolleyes:.

Your interior looks almost like some sort of "Black Edition" interior, which Porsche once offered for the 911.
Mine used to look like yours the first 10 years, until "them lil mods started"...they are just too much fun :rolleyes:

Please keep your interior as it is, its really nice :cheers:

YAY...another MY01 :cheers:
Really nice Chuck, especially your '03 OEM Top with Glass Window!
Lots of smiles per gallon, no doubt.

Aluminum E-Brake --> I really could need some info here, how to "rip" the handle off
Foot Well Lights --> Original ones? How did you connect them?

Thanks! No plans to change the interior, although looking at the photos again I can see a few nooks and crannies that I missed cleaning. :)

The exterior, on the other hand, I have a number of plans for, such as adding the TA style side skirts and getting a much-needed paint job for the bonnet and front fender.

Its because of great owners like you, we have a healthy selection of nice used cars to choose from.

I'm not an original owner- but you are asking a question I can answer as a used buyer. BTW- your car is awesome.

I started out looking at a boxster simply because they seemed like a good value. So my first searches were based on price only. That led me to find many decent cars (and a few junkers) under 10k. When you think about the quality of the car - 10k buys a lot in a Boxster. Then a further refinement -- it had to be an ‘S’ model.

I decided that for another 4-5k$, the cars took a big leap and I narrowed it down to a 2003/2004. I wasn’t looking for Lexus grade interior with all the latest gizmos- more of a classic roadster - basic. Good lines and leather.

The biggest draw to me is the mid engine design and the similarity (in my own mind) to the iconic 550.

The drivability of a Boxster is really amazing. Now that I have one in the garage- the ‘S’ is no longer such a big deal- nor is the model year. I think the car to choose would be the one in the best condition you can find. Spend a little more than you were planning.

Thanks for the response, and the explanation. Makes sense.

Easy stuff;

For the E-Brake swap - Replacing the Handbrake - Porsche Boxster (986) FAQ

The foot well lights are an add on and are wired to the center map light at the top of the windshield. They operate in conjunction with the map light. The $700 OEM option has a relay and a switch on the left side of the radio. Mine doesn't.

OEM light switch;

http://c767170.r70.cf2.rackcdn.com/G99661398006A05.jpg

Thanks Chuck.
E-Brake: Actually I just want to swap the leather handle of my E-Brake and the only info I have so far is to use brute force :eek:

Just a handful original owners so far, hmmmm

Original family
 

While I am not the original owner, I stole the car from my Mother and Step-Father a couple years back. Still have all the original documents, Window Sticker, reviews, brochure, etc.

I daily drive her now, and it makes every day a joy. Of course it helps living in Florida.

Guess I may as well chime in here:)

Purchased my '01 S new in June 2001. The length of winters here make me wonder how the local Porsche dealer makes ends meet. Short..ish summers and my job can make it tough to take her out as much as I'd like.

Currently 23,000 km's/ 14,290 mi's on the odometer. Have a local indy who is a Porsche master mechanic (and certified by LN Engineering to perform IMSB retrofits). He keeps a close eye on everything for me and I'm happy to have him near by.

She looks and drives like new. I have two years left to retirement and I'll be moving to Vancouver Island....lots of great driving roads there and I'm guessing 10 months of the year of decent driving weather.

Can't wait :dance:

Hey... for the 986 your talking 10 to 17 years. Most marriages don't last that long much less keeping a car you bought new. :)

WOW... 14,000 miles. And I though I was low at 23,000.

I retired 3 years ago. You will love it.

It is all in the family.... close enough. ;)

Thanks Chuck, great you're enjoying retirement. Comes a point where you really do feel that you've earned it. :)

I don't spend time on forums about my older original cars either. :)

Dito, as i don't really care much about my "daily workhorse original cars" (as they aren't PORSCHE) :D

Awesome looking car! :dance:

Now somebody tell me how to get the word Porsche on the back of my trunk like that . . . ?

Is the word Boxster smaller, too?

That's really cool, and I want it. :D

981 badge ;)

Yes, brute force. It helps to stick a small but long screwdriver (or something similar) in between the leather handle and e-brake from the front where the button is and work it around to loosen the adhesive.

Original owner. Bought '99 Boxster in fall of '98. Long winters here and don't drive in the rain, so very low mileage - just under 7000 (under 4500 miles). Only modifications are iPod cable into back of original stereo and IMS upgrade (original bearing was perfect).

Thank you, particlewave!