Which Boxster to get?
 

So, all other things being equal, do I go for the 1999 Boxster, with 51,000 miles on the chassis, with a second 1999 motor with 48,000 total miles on it, for $9,500?

Or do I go for the 2000 Boxster S with 105,000 miles for $7,800?

From all that I have heard and read, I'm a little more comfortable with a 1999 engine over a 2000, if that 1% versus 8% failure ratio is close to true.

The 1999 is fast enough for me- The S would be fun/possibly too fun, but I'm not dying to get into it. What do you think about the mileage/model year/price tradeoff?

Make sure you get a ppi, my personal choice would be go for an S

Owned a '99 and a '01 S. Not much difference. Both wonderful.

The 1% versus 8% thing is dwarfed by the myriad other things that could go wrong.

So the high mileage car has more suspension wear. The low mileage one has more years for the plastic parts to degrade. The s model has a CV joint weakness where the 2'5L don't.

What else was done during the motor swap? AOS, cluthch, RMS, IMS, water pump, etc?

PPI. YES. From the Porsche mechanic with the best reputation in the area.

PPI / S is best option.

Having owned both, I'd love to buy my 2000S for $7800.

The 2000-2001s could be dual-row (like 1997-1999) or single-row (like 2002-2004). Have to drop the transmission to determine.

That said, whichever calls loudest, and passes a PPI. :)

There's plenty of reading you can do about S vs base with a simple search. Both can be good cars, I don't see that or the mileage you posted as being the most important issue - You already said that you are fine with the '99 vs S.

More important is how the car has been driven and cared for. If you are buying from an individual you can usually tell if they have cared for their car.
I have a 99 that still smells like fine leather inside and most of the trim pieces look new. Engine and suspension clean and no signs of deferred maintenance. (I bought it with about 80K miles from a salvage auction with minor collision damage.)
I also have a 2000 S that smelled like an ashtray inside, broken trim, mis-matched tires, and a long list of jury-rigged repairs.
Get the idea? A Boxster with 200K miles that has been cared for by an enthusiast can be a good car for another 100K miles. One with 50K miles and a history of neglect can cost more than the purchase price to get another 1000 miles.

Edit: and regarding the year/IMS, I have pulled apart two 2001 engines and both had an original dual row bearing. If worrying about the IMS is going to detract from your enjoyment, buy a car that has a verifiable replacement, or have it in your budget to have it done.

Get the best condition and lowest miles that you can afford. Its that simple.

Thanks, all. Great responses.

... Or do I go for the 2000 Boxster S with 105,000 miles for $7,800? ...
That depressing or are there other issues going on with this one
I'm Biased - 'S'

It's been said many time before 'Drive both', The 'S' is not like a 930 widow maker, it just has a bit more over a Base.
What is your budget? Typically as thstone said, buy best condition lowest miles

Thanks again, all. The guy selling the 2000 S just told me he has decided to keep it! Said it would be too rare a find to try to replace it later. So it goes.

MikeMcMo, may I make a suggestion?

Save your money, add more to it, and keep looking for a pampered low mileage 2003-2004 S model.

I sure wish I had done just that when I bought my high mileage 1997 in 2004. I've dumped so much money into the car getting it into shape I could have easily purchased a much newer one with a bigger motor and lower miles had I waited two years and saved the money I dumped into my current Boxster. The older cheaper Porsche you buy today will undoubtedly become the most expensive car you'll ever own until you move up to Ferraris....

Learn from my mistakes.

RandallNeighbor....
 

....+1

Buy a 2003, 2004 S.

:cheers:

If you are going to miss not having the extra power and suspension of the S, keep shopping. It would be nice to land an S with under 60K or so.

Get the S, mileage is irrelevant on a properly maintained vehicle regardless of model

+++++111111

Aged plastic is not like wine:)

Thanks for your responses
 

Thanks for your guidance everyone.

Three weeks ago I bought the 1999 base model with 51,000 miles for $9,500. So far so good. Enjoying the Flat Six Symphony, hardly ever turning on the radio. No tickets yet, somehow. Had no idea cars could corner like that- has low profile tires on the 18" rims and is very sticky.

Car has a few dings, which I like- it's not too precious, and the pressure is off to keep it perfect.

The car only came with one key and no remotes, so I've been learning about the ins and outs of the transponders, etc., and trying not to overpay at the dealer to get a working setup. Are these cars more or less unstealable with the key transponder and immobilizer? I wonder if there's any point in locking a convertible anyway, since you could break into it with a pocketknife if you really wanted to anyway...

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1495580392.jpg

Any car can be stolen with a tow truck or trailer

Stealing cars
 

Right. Thought about that. You think anybody would bother with an 18 year old car? Who knows.

Good on yeah!
I have a 99 base and it is just fine. Life isn't a race unless you are racing.
I looked at the S models and they have some features that the base doesn't have.
The thing about the base 99 is that there is less to go wrong the more base it is.
It is a fun car to drive and if I had more power it would just get me into more trouble.

G