I recently bought some used dash cupholders for my 99 and they had the nicked up, scratches, and gummy soft touch finish. I found several articles and videos describing how to remove it. The two approaches I considered were soaking in hot detergent water and lightly scrubbing with a scotch Brite green pad or using rubbing alcohol and scrubbing. I tried the detergent scrub and it worked for me. Took my time and scrubbed with very little force and removed the finish without scratching the plastic.

When looking at Boxsters to buy i couldn't figure out why the interiors of pampered vehicles were often so badly nicked up and then later realized why. Soft touch paint probably seemed like a great idea at the time but clearly doesn't wear well...

Yeah, I forgot to mention the soap. I use Dawn (use #1034 :D).

Are you saying that with a "wink", because you have one, or do you think the '02 is more desireable than '03/'04?

By 2003 the 986 was getting a bit long in the tooth. The glass rear window, glove box, and extra few HP were marginal improvements while the 3 chain engine is just a change in my view and the single row IMSB is less reliable. Since sales were down by then, many dealers ordered them with fewer options and then the 550 SE came along in 2004 to spice things up in its last year. You may have an easier time finding a 2002 or earlier and it may have more options than a 2003 or 2004 you find now will have unless it is a 2004 550 SE. When I bought my 2003 S new in September 2003, there were lots of dealers in the NY/NJ metro area that still had unsold new 2002 Boxsters for sale at $10,000 below their window sticker prices in the mid $50's to low $60's - but they all had Savannah Beige interiors if they had an exterior color I wanted, and I wanted a black interior, plus I wanted the glass rear window as I previously owned 3 different convertibles with plastic rear windows. Finding a new 2003 that had an acceptable color combination and my must have options of heated seats, cruise control and PSM narrowed it down to very few new 2003 cars available.

But the '00 - '02 also had the single row IMSB. And since I want an S, the '97 - '99 are out.

OK, I'll keep that in mind on the '02 or earlier.

Sounds like you're saying that a 2004 550 SE would also be a good choice if I can find one. There are very few around. I saw one advertised on the PCA website recently, but it's no longer there, and I assume it was sold. I think they were asking $20k.

Here:
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Porsche-Boxster-Boxster-S/323561254320?hash=item4b55c0edb0:g:9SQAAOSws~pb9JX d:rk:3:pf:1&vxp=mtr



Don't over think it.

If you buy a 2000-2002 S I think it's impossible to know if the IMSB is single or dual row without pulling the transmission, clutch and flywheel unless someone else already has and documented what is in there or already upgraded it and provides the documentation for that. I think it really comes down to what model year car you find in your search that you really like. There will likely be 00-02 cars that have updated the plastic window top to a glass window top and ones from 00-04 that have had an upgraded aftermarket IMSB installed. Part of the fun is the hunt for your car, enjoy it!

I thought it's only the 2000's that could have been the earlier double row or the "newer" single row. Not the '01's or '02's. Is that not correct?

The two '01s that I've had apart both had dual row bearings. '02s I'm a little more doubtful.

That’s probably right, I know one of those years was a crap shoot.

Did not know that. I thought 2000 was the transition year to the new bearing, and only a handful of the early 2000's used up the leftover inventory of double row bearings.

But what you're telling me is good news for me. That means I might find a '00 or '01 S with the double row bearing. (Of course, I might also find one with the LN replacement)

Wink as 2002 might be one of the most vulnerable. Mine has for the most part been very dependable. With 103k mile I have taken it on many multi thousand mile camping road trips and it performed flawlessly

Original IMSB, or have you replaced it?

I just replaced the IMS in my 2000 S and it was a double row... I also have a glass windowed hood from a 2003.
I would buy an early car if I was doing it again over the newer cars

Original IMSB,clutch and RMS.

You're one of the winners !

Honestly, focusing on the IMS is probably not the best choice. Should it be part of the discussion? Sure, but not necessarily a deal killer. The odds are stacked WAY higher it will never be an issue than it will be an issue. If you can find one with it done, good. But don’t necessarily walk away from a good car just because it hasn’t been done. If you have a thorough PPI done and it comes out good then you are way ahead of the game. There are plenty of other things on these aging cars to consider, again not deal killers, but things to be aware of. The search for the ‘one’ is half the fun. Good luck!

I agree! I'm just speaking from my experience but I've seen more engine problems with the 2000 and 2003+ than the other years. 2000 loves to crack heads and 03+ drop valves. I've also seen a lot of sludge build up on the 3 chain motors. I've never heard anyone else say that , but that's what I've come across. Every year has it pros and cons. I'd focus on the car and not the year. I also think you should be open to a 97-04 base. The only 986 I suggest not buying is the base 97-02 with the tiptronic. S and 03+ tiptronics came with larger cooling tubes and that seems to really help with their durability.

If we move forward a notch, what are people’s experience with the 987 cars? 2005-08. Apart from the apparently more reliable but more difficult to change IMS.

I have 62K mi on my LE and 59K mi on my CSS. They live entirely different lives. My LE is a fair weather car that I drive from early spring to late fall, and it sits for 3 mo of winter. My CSS dons a set of snows and is my "winter beater", gets some daily driving during nice weather season, collects trophies at car shows, and does 2-4 DEs / yr. I bought my LE new 11 yrs ago next mo and bought the CSS used 6 yrs ago next mo. She was 3 yrs old and had 7400 mi. So I've had them most of their lives. I change oil between 4-5K mi. Both have had water pump failures, but that's it.