Intro and Running a cheap Boxster, what could possibly go wrong?

[Adrian Thompson]

So plans. Well first off was a new battery last night. Then look at the seat. Remember I said the guy told me the electric seat height adjust was buggered, well I believed him as the switch was just loose and flopping around and while I’ve read an absolute ton on the mechanics of these cars, I’ve never read much about the rest of the hardware so I had no idea until I started Googling that it’s actually a mechanical system. I figured I could get to the back of what I thought was a switch and jump it to lower the seat to a better position. But Google taught me that it’s a hydraulic ram with a cable attached to one end which connects to a lever on the side of the seat. Apparently it’s not uncommon for the pin to slide out of the lever mechanism leaving it inoperable. To fix it properly I need to take the seat out, but in the interim I got Dan to jump up and down on the seat (in socks obviously) while I reached under the seat to operate the cable to the hydraulic ram manually. Voila, 30 seconds later the seat it down and I’ve fixed what was the final straw making the guy sell the car.

Next up. This car has instantly saved me $600-700 or more. Due to time constraints I was going to take the Volvo to a dealer or specialist and pay for the timing belt, and all the front end engine accessories to be replaced. But now I can take it off the road and do it myself for the cost of parts rather than paying parts (plus markup) and labor. The last quote I got was over $1,100. For now the Volvo is on storage insurance and the Porsche is in use (although I have a company car). I need to get some hide food on the leather bolster to stop it deteriorating more, then when I take it off the road for the winter I will look at 'Leatherique' products to restore them, I’ve seen and heard of amazing results browsing FerrariChat and Pelican so it seems good stuff. If I have too I’ll get a new panel sewn into the driver bolster.

I need a couple of interior bits from Evilbay. The mesh insert behind the drivers roll hoop is missing. The hinge on the center cubby is broken and the far left driver’s side dash vent is falling to bits. Possibly the strangest thing about the interior is bits of foam keep falling/blowing out of the heater vents and both at face level and under the dash, I guess I’ll have to investigate that, any ideas? I assume a gasket is deteriorating somewhere.

Next I figure tires. What’s on there has plenty of tread on but I had no idea how old they were. I’ve found a receipt and it’s from July 2003 when it had 43K miles on it!!! So yeah, I figure before any long trips I need tires. I started off thinking I’d go for Star Specs, but then realized, who am I kidding? This is 99% a road car with possibly 1 or 2 autocrosses thrown in if I feel like it. So right now I’m thinking regular Direzza DZ102’s which, as it’s only got 16” wheels happen to be dirt cheap at $329 a set and I have a friend who can get them mounted and match balanced for free.

I even found the radio code so when I changed the battery I could punch it in and still have the radio work.

So far I can’t believe my luck. I love the car, it rides amazingly well yet is fun to throw around at sane speeds. IT”s not fast, but OMG does it sound good when you rev it to the red line. The auto works well and is really good in manual mode with a surprising amount of engine braking which is usually an issue with autos. In fact it’s so good that I’ve already decided that my next Porsche will be a PDK. Next Porsche? Yeah, I figure I’ll keep this 2-3 years then either sell it for a bigger better Porsche or pass it down to the minor offspring as her first car (daughter, no back seat )

[jcslocum]

Originally Posted by Adrian Thompson

I need a couple of interior bits from Evilbay. The mesh insert behind the drivers roll hoop is missing. The hinge on the center cubby is broken and the far left driver’s side dash vent is falling to bits. .

Welcome to the addiction we call Porsche ownership!!! Good looking Boxster.

If you need parts, send a message to Woody; itsnotanova on here. He's a good guy that breaks Boxsters and is very fair with the prices.

The hinge on the console is replaceable.



That kit works and costs about $20.

[grc0456]

Congrats and welcome, Adrian. i enjoyed reading about your journey into 986-hood.

As far as the foam blowing, its likely coming from the hot/cold mixer door between your heater core and AC. It is a metal piece with holes that are covered by said foam. The foam and glue has deteriorated over the years and is blowing out the vents. You may also start to notice you don't have hot heat or cold AC, but sort of lukewarm/cold. That's because of no more foam covering the holes and the mixer not being able to separate hot from cold. It's a do-able DIY, but you need to take a lot of stuff off under the front cowl to get to it. Once you do, just vacuum the foam bits out and re-foam it with some weather stripping. Use Search here and you will find more info.


PS: can you get us a forum member discount on a new gen Mustang GT???