Especially when it glides like a man hole cover.

Thanks a lot for the comments, everyone!

So the 987 was suppose to get the M97 engine?
Leftover inventory of M96 engines into the new 987 model year?

The car also needs brakes; The owner is not willing to negotiate on price, so that's that.

The problem I see is he doesn't know if the cam deviation was bouncing, just got some meaningless single time deviation figures. The fact that it was a "candidate" could mean that it was seen to be of a type that could be replaced. Or the mechanic saw bouncing. But we don't know which.

You can't tell much from the VIN or engine number as to which generation of bearing is in the unit, gotta have the trans off and look at the bearing cover. Ask the mechanics who have been surprised at what they found actually in the engine wasn't what they had ordered.

The mechanic is just covering himself with the "other things could be wrong" comments after the AOS replacement. He didn't say he cleaned the intake and throttle body.

Curious, what is his asking price on the car?

no guts no glory

The seller is asking ~18k.

I don't think KBB gives the correct value of Boxsters 986 or 987, but they show private sell price of the car is $12,540 in VERY GOOD CONDITION, $11,711 in GOOD CONDITION. I think KBB is about $3,000 off on the value. With 84k miles it would be hard for the car to be in VERY GOOD CONDITION, so IMO you're looking at a $15,000 Boxster at most.