2006 - 2008 opinions please
 

I'm looking to buy newer (to me) Boxster. Any issues (or known common problems)? I'm looking at this year range as I understand there are lower incidents of IMS failures.

For the 987, I'd suggest not going for the first year it was in production. Typically, they work out problems from the first year and improve it throughout the years. There is some info on the 987 here (more info on this forum geared towards the 986): http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/29258-2005-porsche-boxster-purchase-owner-issues-print.html. With what ever one you decide to purchase, I'd recommend a PPI to make sure you know what may or may not be a problem area with it. Hopefully some others will pop in with some additional advice as well. We do have some tech articles with information here: Porsche Boxster 986/987 (1997-2004) Technical Articles | Pelican Parts to read up on. Good luck!

Yes, the IMS failure rate is lower, but they still fail, and in these years a retrofit is very difficult.

Saving up more money and buying a 2009.5 Boxster is definitely worth considering. IMS free design, direct injection, and really nice styling!

Suggest you search for info/issues on the 9A1 engine and "Sport Chrono"if you want PDK.The pre 9A1 engine still has issues that you can avoid by moving on a few months.9A1 is not perfect but ....well, tell what you think after you have spent a few hours on the appropriate Forums. Hint- the 9A1 carbon fouling problem has a fix.

If you can squeeze a 2008, you might just be able to squeeze a 2009? Updated styling, bit bigger engine, no IMS at all....

The 2006 though should be relatively free of IMS issues. So far, the incidents are extremely rare as the IMS is much more robust than earlier models.

There are more significant issues regarding '09 vs '08. The '08 is still basically an M96.The '09 is 9A1.There was a reason for the change in Engine nomenclature.Huge difference according to LN and PCNA
Nickies
Boxster 2.9 | Issue 198 | Excellence
But read the next post.He makes some great points and of course those 987 cars are cheaper than the 9A1 engined cars.

A 987.1 (2005-2008) is far more reliable than a 986. The two big items are water pumps and AOS, but it's no different than a 986. You list 2006-2008 as your potential yrs, which is smart to avoid the 2005 first yr 987.1 as it was a cross-over yr for IMS. By 2006, the IMS was the 3rd gen which has a 1% chance of failure.

If you choose to track your 987.1, you'll need to be aware of certain issues that need to be avoided or overcome. I'll save those for another post if you plan to track it. Otherwise you won't have these specific issues if you only drive on the street.

I own 2 987.1Ss and they've both been some of the most reliable cars I've owned. Both have approx. 50K mi on them. One is a semi-garage queen, the other is a bad weather and DE car. I don't loose any sleep over IMS.

Go for a 987.1 and you'll enjoy the move up.

I found it!!!!!!!!! I now own a 2007 Arctic Silver base model. Now I have two, wooohoo!

Good buy. The 2007 got the power bump in the 987.1