Should I buy? '05 987 without service records but only 39k miles?

[pinksnyper]

Called the shop it has been worked on. They saw it in June for oil change, air/cabin filter, plugs, drive belts, trans axle something, and brake fluid. At the time they didn't recommend anything else, he says. This is a euro-specialized shop who works on MB, BMW, some porsche and ferrari. Seller has dropped the price for almost within striking distance. The uncertain IMS issue still scares me particularly as it is an 05, even with a PPI. Thoughts?

[Bootlegger]

Bottomline,....only you can determine your level of risk. The 05 sounds like a sweet car. Low miles, well sorted and cared for makes for a good buy. Quit vacillating and make the move before it's gone. That's regret.

Incidentally, I purchased a 986 SE years ago with 30K after searching for the right one for a year. Changed the IMS, clutch, AOS, water pump & thermostat, chain tensioners, etc. within the first 2 months and have been smiling ever since.

Just do it..... IMHO

[pinksnyper]

Originally Posted by Bootlegger

Bottomline,....only you can determine your level of risk. The 05 sounds like a sweet car. Low miles, well sorted and cared for makes for a good buy. Quit vacillating and make the move before it's gone. That's regret.

Incidentally, I purchased a 986 SE years ago with 30K after searching for the right one for a year. Changed the IMS, clutch, AOS, water pump & thermostat, chain tensioners, etc. within the first 2 months and have been smiling ever since.

Just do it..... IMHO

I don't disagree with you but like I said those items add a good $3k to the price and , though I "have" the funds I am trying to be...what's the word here....responsible maybe. Haha. I picked the wrong car for that.

[kk2002s]

4 POs, whats up with that. Not a deal breaker but a blip on the radar
A PPI with Cam deviation measurements, oil leaking will tell you something about the health, no guarantee of course
A look at the condition of the belt, filters, under the front bumper scrapes, rotors, brake dust on wheels, coolant/expansion tank yellowed, Coolant cap ending in 04, WP replaced will give you a quick id as to whether the PO stayed on top of the basics, preventative component replacement.

Don't get lost in the IMS forest or you will never come out.
Many of the forum members are proof Boxster driving goes on with the original IMSB

[husker boxster]

Don't get too hung up on the # of owners. It is 13 yrs old and 2-seaters are life-style vehicles. Something can change in their life and suddenly the 2-seater doesn't fit. Someone may think they need one and then find out a 2-seater does not fit their needs (2 seats but 3+ people, etc). Or they get engaged, married, or have kids that make a 2-seater impractical. Or it's a weekend toy and suddenly job options change or they need to downsize due to the economy (like the little 'adjustment' in 08). The current owner has medical reasons for selling. There are a myriad of reasons sports cars can have multiple owners. It's not necessarily a red flag, but can make the maintenance history trail harder to traverse.

[mikefocke]

My last Boxster has had 5 owners I know about. Several of the sales were made for life change reasons. I bought on that basis, sold for the same.

[marck]

I really did get lucky on my 98 Boxster, I guess. I'm the 8th owner I did't get a PPI and relied on some paper work from the last owner that indicated IMS replacement at 30K, I'm at 72K at purchase. The parts that need replaced are because they are simply old. Regular maintenance was done but not much else.

What I've learned.
A PPI will give you a lot of assurance about what the future might hold for repairs. You'll find all the obvious issues. My door locks were foo bar, and I didn't even notice till I got home, god I'm such a nube!!! I'm about $1000 into maintenance for just old parts. Not bad, but I can do the work. If there's no record of IMS then it's not been done. The Durametric abuse info will be useful and the cam deviations will be useful. I would expect a PPI to provide that info.

You might just want to plan about $3k for repairs for a mystery machine. Just decide to do the clutch IMS and RMS, Oil change, AOS and some hoses, Water Pump; and from what I know so far that prevents the most serious and costly issues.

If you aren't sure about these issues then step up to a certified pre owned model.

My personal philosophy related to cars, either make enough $$ to have someone work on it or learn how to do it your self, and have something else to drive in the mean time.