I'm a new member to the 986 Forum and here is the story of my newly purchased
1999 Boxster.
Was looking for a cheap Boxster and spotted one on ebay. Was only 15 miles
from home so I placed the highest bid I felt comfortable with. Ended up the
winning bidder at $6,800. Long story short..I broke the golden rule and bought
a car sight unseen. Really didn't think I would be the winning bidder. It's a
1999 Boxster, Silver over black, 5 speed, 124,400 miles, one owner. Was at a
Mom/Pop local dealership.
Well, when I went to pick er up I was pleasntly surprised. Was in decent shape! i
did sense the guy was glad to get rid of it. And he did fill the tank! After talking
to several Porsche people including my nephew who has had 9 porsches I found a great
Porsche tech and took it to him for an After-purchase inspection as I call it. I was
able to look over his shoulder and learn quite a bit during his check..
Only needed rear struts and shock mounts and had slight oil seepage around the
spark plug tubes. Other stuff was minor. On my own I replaced the RR tail light,
head unit and front speakers, used a scosche adapter to retain the sub in the doors.
The pesky CEL light was on but after reading the code with my reader (large vacumn leak)
I replaced the gas cap with a genuine Porsche cap and after two cycles CEL light went away.
My Porsche tech did the spark plug tubes and seals, replaced the rear struts with
Bilsteins and new shock mounts, rear sway bar bushings, oil and filter change,
checked a couple of spark plugs, saw the code in storage and noted the water pump
was replaced and recommended the IMS/RMS update. Has a magnetic oil drain plug and
saw there was nothing abnormal on the drain plug. The gas cap door was making an awful
sound when unlocking the doors but that has gone away. I changed the air filter myself.
Purchased some Novus to clean and polish the rear window. Stuff works well.
I still need a new shifter boot, very worn. Seats are decent. Running almost new Conti-
DWS front and rear. Need new center caps. I debadged the rear trunk recently.
Car runs and drives fantastic. I previously owned 2 miatas 99 and an 06 and a 2008 328i
6 speed. Boxter blows them both away. This is a true sports car.
So I'm going to hold off on the IMS/RMS (rear seal does not leak) Clutch is perfect.
Maybe in the Spring I will consider replacing all..Or not..I drive this like it should be
driven. Wind up the revs and take it to work every few days (20 miles one way, highway).
This car really performs better the more I drive it!
Only other major concern: Due for inspection soon and the horns don't work. Bought both
horns from pelican (heard they often go bad). might have to change the air bag bushings
also. And with the bumper off I can easily service/clean the radiators.
See attached picture.]