For me, the late 90's Boxsters are the least desirable. Starting in 2000 they had bigger engines, up to 3.2 liters and better interiors and accessories. And I'd want everything to work well. Don't buy a fixxer upper. Buy a car to enjoy.

I'd be pooling my pennies and buy nothing older than a 03 S model. Glass rear window is really worth it.[/QUOTE]


I completely agree and it's not even a full leather car either. Find a"S" they're much better.

because it wasn't a perfectly working top :p

Why,because of the most serious problems, the '97 and '98 builds had some unique problems outlined here. '99s are the good ones of that era.

I looked at a 2002 911 cab on Friday. It was nice but reality hit and I thought I could easily spend another 5-7k and still not be where I want to be as far as condition. That and the 986 superiority helped with my decision. As I am sure mentioned, pay now or pay later. I paid a bit more for my 986 but it's been trouble free for over 3 years now. Forgot I bought a clutch, well I was doing the LN anyhow.
Good luck which your choice.

Is it Opposite Day?
Everyone knows that the early Boxsters have the best interiors.
It's the later models that have the soft touch crap interiors.

Exactly what "accessories" do you think later models had that earlier models didn't? :D :D :D

The late 90's models will be the most desirable one day because they are the original 986 in its purest, cleanest form. ;)

Isn't it fairly safe to say that any porous blocks or slipped sleeve/D-chunk engines have been found and replaced by now? To the best of my knowledge, everything else on the list applies equally to all 97-99 cars.

Thus, I am not aware of any reason to specifically avoid a 97 at this point in time.

I doubt he'll bite on it, but that's what I'd do.

^This. I'm not a Boxster expert - I've only owned my '99 for a couple years, and it's been trouble free with 175k on the clock. But I have a high-mileage Cayenne and I'm on my second high-mileage 928. These cars like to be driven and, within reason, the harder the better. Given my druthers and the same price, I'd take a well-maintained car with 134k over one with 34k.

+1, haters gotta hate.

Let's keep our secret. I like winding out the 2.5 motor on my 97 and love full leather red interior!

Later model interior has the foldable cup holders! So nobody should buy 97-99.:cheers: