Buyer question

[RandallNeighbour]

tada: on that 97 boxster, the 02 sensors will cost you $425 (parts only) or so to replace (all four should be replaced at the same time). Is the radiator leaking or the coolant overflow tank? The coolant overflow tank is a typical problem area for the Boxster and I had to replace mine. These are about $200 for the part and about 2 hours of knuckle bleeding installation. Seats can be purchased at some point from someone turning their Boxster or 996 into a race car.

Aside from motor issues, a 97 with this many miles (similar to my car in a lot of ways) will probably need wheel bearings and all the control arms and drop links replaced, and possibly the struts if they're original. That's gonna set you back $2500 or more for parts alone for new genuine Pcar parts. (I'd buy good quality used parts off a low mileage wrecked 2000's model though b/c they're the same pieces and a lot cheaper than new or noisy aftermarket suspension parts.

Hope this helps!

PS - That 99 box with 110k on it for $10,000??? That would be my car if I sold it because it's been fully sorted and is very dependable and doesn't need anything... Every part on the car has been changed out with the exception of the dash, the body work, and one of the radiators and the fluid lines. New motor, newer tranny, new interior, xenon headlamps, new tail lamps, glass window top, new windshield, wheel bearings and suspension replaced, etc. ... which explains why I cannot sell my car. I have $40k or more in it now and it's not even worth $10,000 to guys in the market for one. Oh well.

[tada]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

tada: on that 97 boxster, the 02 sensors will cost you $425 (parts only) or so to replace (all four should be replaced at the same time). Is the radiator leaking or the coolant overflow tank? The coolant overflow tank is a typical problem area for the Boxster and I had to replace mine. These are about $200 for the part and about 2 hours of knuckle bleeding installation. Seats can be purchased at some point from someone turning their Boxster or 996 into a race car.

Aside from motor issues, a 97 with this many miles (similar to my car in a lot of ways) will probably need wheel bearings and all the control arms and drop links replaced, and possibly the struts if they're original. That's gonna set you back $2500 or more for parts alone for new genuine Pcar parts. (I'd buy good quality used parts off a low mileage wrecked 2000's model though b/c they're the same pieces and a lot cheaper than new or noisy aftermarket suspension parts.

Hope this helps!

PS - That 99 box with 110k on it for $10,000??? That would be my car if I sold it because it's been fully sorted and is very dependable and doesn't need anything... Every part on the car has been changed out with the exception of the dash, the body work, and one of the radiators and the fluid lines. New motor, newer tranny, new interior, xenon headlamps, new tail lamps, glass window top, new windshield, wheel bearings and suspension replaced, etc. ... which explains why I cannot sell my car. I have $40k or more in it now and it's not even worth $10,000 to guys in the market for one. Oh well.

Well, just saw the 97 and it was beat! The left radiator was introduced to a curb and now leaks. The car ran really rough. The interior was ok. The body was heavily oxidized. The passenger fender was dented. Both bumpers looked really worked over. I guess the search continues. I'll just wait for the Durametric tester to get here.

[Burg Boxster]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

tada: on that 97 boxster, the 02 sensors will cost you $425 (parts only) or so to replace (all four should be replaced at the same time).

Someone played a cruel joke on you advising that... If it was your mechanic, find a new one ASAP!!!

[j.fro]

That red 97 is begging for a new life as a spec Boxster racecar!

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

Someone played a cruel joke on you advising that... If it was your mechanic, find a new one ASAP!!!

It's not inadvisable. If you don't replace them at the same time they don't get any younger. At the least they should be replaced in pairs.

[Burg Boxster]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

It's not inadvisable. If you don't replace them at the same time they don't get any younger. At the least they should be replaced in pairs.

No true either. For the countless time...

Error codes showing bad O2 sensor(s) only mean value being reported from sensor is outside of norm. Period.

Before replacing ANY O2 sensor you need to find out WHY it/they caused error code. Could be MAF is bad but you won't know until after you've thrown many $100 at sensors and subsequently a couple more at a new MAF. Maybe mice chewed thru lead wire of one... you only need to replace that one, or for some odd reason one prematurely fails - no need to replace 3 others when they test fine. After all they're sold as 'eaches' for a reason and not pairs or sets like brake pads.

O2 sensors are easily tested w/ a multi-meter to find out if good or not. Only then should you replace bad one(s). Personally, I've had O2 sensors outlast others by more than 20,000 miles regardless of B / S positioning.

Should one replace all four tires and TPMS valve stems every time TPMS light illuminates - or just "in pairs" as you prescribe?

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

No true either. For the countless time...

Error codes showing bad O2 sensor(s) only mean value being reported from sensor is outside of norm. Period.

Before replacing ANY O2 sensor you need to find out WHY it/they caused error code. Could be MAF is bad but you won't know until after you've thrown many $100 at sensors and subsequently a couple more at a new MAF. Maybe mice chewed thru lead wire of one... you only need to replace that one, or for some odd reason one prematurely fails - no need to replace 3 others when they test fine. After all they're sold as 'eaches' for a reason and not pairs or sets like brake pads.

O2 sensors are easily tested w/ a multi-meter to find out if good or not. Only then should you replace bad one(s). Personally, I've had O2 sensors outlast others by more than 20,000 miles regardless of B / S positioning.

Should one replace all four tires and TPMS valve stems every time TPMS light illuminates - or just "in pairs" as you prescribe?

Yeah I'm clear on how you diagnose an o2 sensor issue. I had the same advice when I had an issue with my pre cat o2 sensors. Took a lot of diagnosis. Finally my mechanic found an o2 sensor wasn't conforming and had quite high resistance. Offered to change both. I said just the bad one. A month later the other one went out. So yeah, if they are the same age and one has a confirmed issue, I think it makes sense to replace them in pairs. By your logic if all my tires are old but only one goes flat I should only replace the flat tire right? It's called preventative maintenance for a reason.