Opinions on 2000 Boxster S?

[BoxsterBob]

Hi guys,

Thank you for the generous amounts of commentary and feedback. I appreciate the thoughtful, non-smarmy replies.

Some of the concerns you guys have intuitively figured out.

1) On reliability, how long can be expected before major repairs? (e.g. ring-job, overhaul, major teardown?)

2) Any known trouble spots besides the Rear Main Seal? Any way to improve the reliability of RMS besides to keep an eye on it?

3) I would likely be keeping the Boxster S in stock trim. Any reliability mods needed? I know to avoid oiled foam air cleaners, and to make sure to change the 9+ qts of oil regularly.

4) What is the 'porous block issue'?

Any other thoughts?

To answer questions posed here:

* I have no qualms about buying from my 'bro. He and I are good friends, and both of us are fanatical about keeping our cars maintained. He is finicker than I am, and won't drive his car in the rain or bad weather. I am happy to make a vehicle a daily driver.

* I'm sure we'll be agreeable on price - that's not an issue.

* Yes, I have driven it once - on a summer day, with the top down. Was expecting to be underwhelmed after driving my RX7, and was surprised that it was fast, super-sharp handling, etc. A terrific ride.

* Totally subjective here, but I think the RX7 is a sleeker design. My reasons for considering a swap is because of reliability and fun-factor. Some have warned me that the costs of maintaining a Porsche Boxster would far-exceed anything I have seen with the RX7. For example, a complete engine rebuild and swap at a reputable mechanic would be $4-5K, labor included, ready-to-drive. I would likely need to do this at around 100-120K miles, from what I can gather. How's it for the Boxster S?

Sincerely,

Rob

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

Hi guys,

Thank you for the generous amounts of commentary and feedback. I appreciate the thoughtful, non-smarmy replies.

Some of the concerns you guys have intuitively figured out.

1) On reliability, how long can be expected before major repairs? (e.g. ring-job, overhaul, major teardown?)

2) Any known trouble spots besides the Rear Main Seal? Any way to improve the reliability of RMS besides to keep an eye on it?

3) I would likely be keeping the Boxster S in stock trim. Any reliability mods needed? I know to avoid oiled foam air cleaners, and to make sure to change the 9+ qts of oil regularly.

4) What is the 'porous block issue'?

Any other thoughts?

To answer questions posed here:

* I have no qualms about buying from my 'bro. He and I are good friends, and both of us are fanatical about keeping our cars maintained. He is finicker than I am, and won't drive his car in the rain or bad weather. I am happy to make a vehicle a daily driver.

* I'm sure we'll be agreeable on price - that's not an issue.

* Yes, I have driven it once - on a summer day, with the top down. Was expecting to be underwhelmed after driving my RX7, and was surprised that it was fast, super-sharp handling, etc. A terrific ride.

* Totally subjective here, but I think the RX7 is a sleeker design. My reasons for considering a swap is because of reliability and fun-factor. Some have warned me that the costs of maintaining a Porsche Boxster would far-exceed anything I have seen with the RX7. For example, a complete engine rebuild and swap at a reputable mechanic would be $4-5K, labor included, ready-to-drive. I would likely need to do this at around 100-120K miles, from what I can gather. How's it for the Boxster S?

Sincerely,

Rob

1) I don't think there's been any indication that the model year 2000+ engines shouldn't last at least 150,000 miles without any internal work. This strongly depends on how the car was treated, of course.

2) There are several plastic parts that get brittle and crack over time. The ones that I'm aware of are the water pump impeller, the oil separation tank and the spark plug tubes. I bet there are others. Someone else will need to chime in if there are any aftermarket metal replacements. There have been several RMS seal revisions, the jury's still out on if the latest revision significantly improves the situation. The MAF and O2 sensors eventually will get fouled to the point that it will affect the running of the car.

3) Just keep the car well maintained. I think most will agree to just stick with stock parts for maintenance items like spark plugs and air filters. Replacement parts are more expensive than they are for the Rx-7, but if you can afford the car, you should be able to afford the maintenance. The brake rotors are a maintenance item on these cars. They need to be replaced with every couple of brake pad changes.

[racer_troy]

...you have a great situation for an awesome used 986....I may be able to give perspective on a few issues...

1. I've been told the M96 engine design (water cooling, cast liners) is good for over 200k...i'm still testing this theory with 75K on my MY2000 with no issues

2. There is an updated RMS seal...likely it's already in the car as you stated your brother had the fix done a year ago...one of the flaws of the M96 engine design was it's reliance on the main shaft carrying the weight of the clutch/tranny anytime the shaft/bearing is not concentric (read: vibration)

3. Make sure you clean your drain holes in addition to following the maintenance schedule...personally, i cut the increment to oil changes in 1/2 - 1/3 depending on how i'm driving during that time

4. The porus block issue was over by MY2000 and likely most MY99. There was a casting flaw defect in some of the early 2.5L motors that would cause a cylinder/piston to fail (3rd i believe but can't recall for sure). Porsche stepped up to the plate and either: 1. repaired your motor by boring and sleeving, or 2. gave you a new motor. It is possible with a MY00 3.2L, but not very likely.

* You should drive this vehicle some more...put down your deposite as was suggested (if necessary) and then just drive...say for a week...and then see if you can part with it...

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

[BoxsterBob]

Originally Posted by racer_troy

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

Dear racerTroy,

Thank you for such an informative response. I'm quite impressed with the guys on this forum - very lively and excellent.

Here's where I priced rebuilds for the RX7:

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/index_engines.htm

http://www.pineappleracing.com/PricelistSvcs.html

I have spoken to Rob at Pineapple several times and they are in-town, so likely that's where I would go for a rebuild if I keep the RX7/FD.

Where do you guys get rebuilds for the Boxster S?

Sincerely,

Rob

[insite]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

I have spoken to Rob at Pineapple several times and they are in-town, so likely that's where I would go for a rebuild if I keep the RX7/FD.

you can always just get silly with your RX-7; add a rotor to make it a 2.5L, bore the ports to the size of a soup can....those cars are slick to mod.

BTW, on your boxster rebuild questions, price for a rebuild will be based heavily upon whether you preemptively rebuild the motor or if you wait until it breaks. if you wait until it breaks, you are screwed. probably cheaper to get another motor. if you rebuild it to stock specs to freshen it up (seals, bearings, rings, valve job, machine work), it varies from probably around $4K - $7K depending on what needs to be replaced.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

Dear racerTroy,

Thank you for such an informative response. I'm quite impressed with the guys on this forum - very lively and excellent.

Here's where I priced rebuilds for the RX7:

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/index_engines.htm

http://www.pineappleracing.com/PricelistSvcs.html

I have spoken to Rob at Pineapple several times and they are in-town, so likely that's where I would go for a rebuild if I keep the RX7/FD.

Where do you guys get rebuilds for the Boxster S?

Sincerely,

Rob

That's about the right price for a rotary rebuild without any porting and all stock seals. Are you nearing a rebuild? Compression problems?

I understand Pineapple does good work.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by racer_troy

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

I have not heard of many people rebuilding the M96 engine, usually it just gets replaced. But 4-5k is nothing for a Porsche engine rebuild. You want to talk about expenisve rebuilds, just ask the air-cooled guys what they pay for a top end job alone for worn valve guides.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by racer_troy

* Maybe it's just me, but 4-5K for a rebuild seems relatively cheep but I could be in the dark...what does a rebuild usually run if you don't mind me asking?

Hope this helps,

--ts

I have not heard of many people rebuilding the M96 engine, usually it just gets replaced. But 4-5k is nothing for a complete Porsche engine rebuild. You want to talk about expenisve rebuilds, just ask the air-cooled guys what they pay for a top end job alone for worn valve guides.

[z12358]

"But they do impart something we call "perma-grin", that look on the drivers face when the top is down, the weather is perfect, the curves ahead beckon, there is no cop in sight, and all is right between you and your machine."

Very nicely put.

"Took me 10 minutes into my first drive to decide to buy one."

5 minutes here.

Z.

[goyangyi]

Hello everyone. I am interested in purchasing a used boxster and I thought that I find more info by checking out the forum. I think I made the right choice. I am finding great information about the boxster here. Thank you everyone and especially mikefocke.

[BoxsterBob]

Thank you guys for the input. I also posted this question on the RX7 board, and the replies were also interesting.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=587380&page=1&pp=15

I'm definitely leaning towards the Boxster S. My goals are not to impress the girls, but to have reliability and a high fun factor, as I stated up front.

Some of the commentary is immature on the other board... just skip past those. Clearly there are young tuners on board who cannot tell the difference between discussing the issue and just making statements without merit.

Sincerely,


Rob

[unklekraker]

hey bob, thanks for sharing the other thread. i gotta say, you got same balls to ask about Boxster in a different community (i'm saying this in a positive way). You are right, about some of the comment made there " Some of the commentary is immature on the other board... just skip past those. Clearly there are young tuners on board who cannot tell the difference between discussing the issue and just making statements without merit." [SIZE=2]

You made the right decision! If I get an opportunity (spell check please) to buy another Boxster, I will definitely get an S

Oh BTW..Bob when you go back to the RX7 forum, could you please tell, to some of them, that Boxster spells with an S and not BOXTER

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by BoxsterBob

Thank you guys for the input. I also posted this question on the RX7 board, and the replies were also interesting.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=587380&page=1&pp=15

I'm definitely leaning towards the Boxster S. My goals are not to impress the girls, but to have reliability and a high fun factor, as I stated up front.

Some of the commentary is immature on the other board... just skip past those. Clearly there are young tuners on board who cannot tell the difference between discussing the issue and just making statements without merit.

Sincerely,


Rob

Amazing what some people think of Porsche owners and anything other than a 911. Jerks drive all kinds of cars, not just German ones, but that's the popular conception.. I've only had positive responses to my car, thumbs up driving down the road and compliments at gas stations.

I do agree though that there are alot of Boxsters compared to Rx-7s. I live in a town of 150,000 people and in the summer, there are 4 in my parking lot at work and just one 3rd gen Rx-7.