Looking for a Boxster, what to buy with my budget?

[ByteSaidFred]

Anybody have an IMS retrofit (including install) estimate for a 986S and a 987S?

[jim_hoyland]

Good Question; everyone will have their preferences. Here were mine:

1. Decide on color combination that you like. I had to have Artic White with Savannah interior.

2. Find an original owner, dealers sell cars they bought at auctions. Original owners babied their Boxster AND they will show you all their receipts

3. Look closely at milage, the prime original owners were NOT salemen putting on company milage. The Boxster I bought was 11 years old and had 38K

4. Don't rush it; I spent 3 years looking. The hunt is the best part.

Lastly, IMS retrofits are controversial. I've taked to over 100 Boxster owners that have not had IMS problems; and the two that I know who did the retrofits found they were not warranted. I would not suspect an IMS issue from a low milage original owners Boxster. Having said that, talk to other Boxster owners on their IMS thinking. Try not to be influenced by just what you read on the internet.

And, Boxster prices have taken a real hit. You can get terrific deals pricewise. This drop reminds me of when the 356's sold on the low side; i.e a primo 356 C could be had for $5K back in the 70's

Good luck, enjoy the hunt.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by ByteSaidFred

Anybody have an IMS retrofit (including install) estimate for a 986S and a 987S?

As as I know..

1997-2004 IMS
$650 for the LNE bearing, or $100 if you go for the Pelican. $950 for labor, figure 10 hours at $95 per hour
And be ready for a new flywheel $600 if its moderate to high mileage. And 2001-2004 bearings need to be replaced again with each clutch change, they dont have the longevity of dual row bearing (1997-1999/ some 2000).

987.1 (2005-2008) IMS? I've heard $4-5k.

987.2 (2009-20012) IMS? $0. No more IMS

[ByteSaidFred]

I found a 2010 S within my price range. The car was in an accident. The owner rear ended another car, but it doesn't have a salvaged title. Other than that, it looks good. It is one owner, from a dry climate, and has all service records.

What do you think? I can talk to his dealer to find out more about the car. Otherwise, The only way I can get into a 987.2 would be a base model.

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by ByteSaidFred

I found a 2010 S within my price range. The car was in an accident. The owner rear ended another car, but it doesn't have a salvaged title. Other than that, it looks good. It is one owner, from a dry climate, and has all service records.

What do you think? I can talk to his dealer to find out more about the car. Otherwise, The only way I can get into a 987.2 would be a base model.

As the above Perfectlap says take your time. I would not look at a car that had a serious accident. Don't forget that if you bought it and later tried to sell it then the accident history does not bode well for resale. For me no.

There should be others out there that are accident free. Take your time. PPI etc.

Cheers, Guy.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by ByteSaidFred

I found a 2010 S within my price range. The car was in an accident. The owner rear ended another car, but it doesn't have a salvaged title. Other than that, it looks good. It is one owner, from a dry climate, and has all service records.

What do you think? I can talk to his dealer to find out more about the car. Otherwise, The only way I can get into a 987.2 would be a base model.

That all depends on what resale means to you.

[ByteSaidFred]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

That all depends on what resale means to you.

Good point. I don't plan on selling any time soon, but you never know. In any case, I found a 2010 S I could stretch to purchase. Is a 2010 (<20K miles) worth $10K more than a 2007 S (<40K miles)?

I'd much rather get the 2007 to save the $10K, but it's hard for me to follow the IMS issues. How big of a risk is a 2007 S?

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by ByteSaidFred

Good point. I don't plan on selling any time soon, but you never know. In any case, I found a 2010 S I could stretch to purchase. Is a 2010 (<20K miles) worth $10K more than a 2007 S (<40K miles)?

I'd much rather get the 2007 to save the $10K, but it's hard for me to follow the IMS issues. How big of a risk is a 2007 S?

A 2010 does not have the ims but a 2007 does. Is it worth $10k more? I would say so but if money is an issue then the 2007 makes sense. Any which way you look at it it is still a Porsche and you will still likely have niggling problems as I do with my 2001 Box base but I would think the newer the better.

For me I plan on $2k a year for repairs done by my indy shop.

Cheers, Guy.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by ByteSaidFred

Good point. I don't plan on selling any time soon, but you never know. In any case, I found a 2010 S I could stretch to purchase. Is a 2010 (<20K miles) worth $10K more than a 2007 S (<40K miles)?

I'd much rather get the 2007 to save the $10K, but it's hard for me to follow the IMS issues. How big of a risk is a 2007 S?

Ims Is fairly unlikely on 05 and newer cars, however the 09 is worth more based on the better engine and such, outside of ims the 09 is just a better car. But I would highly suggest an S regardless and personally would get a really low mile clean 04 or 03 S, budget for the ims and the car will depreciate much less than a newer one.

[ByteSaidFred]

I understand the 09-11 are nicer, but the 2007 is nice enough for me :-) The conversation will go a lot easier with 'the boss' if I keep it under $30K. You have to love those psychological barriers. I drove a local 2007 S from an independent dealer yesterday. I loved it, but the dealer was not flexible at all on price. He wanted $37K for a 2007 S with 67K miles.

If the consensus is that the IMS is low risk on the 2007, I'll be looking to pick up a <40K mile 2007 for ~$30K. 2009-2010's are around $40K.