Greetings from Portland

[LoneWolfGal]

Portland, Oregon, that is. Just joined yesterday, and I'm very glad to hook up with this forum and its knowledgeable members. Perhaps I can even contribute something worthwhile.

The first of the year I picked up a 2000 986 base: Arctic Silver/black, 2.7L, 5-speed manual, bone stock. The old guy who sold it to me gave me a folder full of receipts for service and maintenance. I was glad to see that, because it had 154,000 miles on the clock. Ordinarily, I would pass on a high-mileage vehicle, but it all depends on how well it has been maintained. I talked to a guy in a Safeway parking lot whose '96 986 had almost 300K on it, so there you go.

A little about me. I'm mechanically inclined. I've rebuilt a few engines, including a Chevy 230 c.i. and a TR-4 four cylinder, plus a number of motorcycle engines, two w/ OHC. I'm going to enjoy wrenching on my 986. I invested in an ODBII diagnostic scanner, an iCarsoft POR V1.0, which is configured for Porsches.

I've owned a number of sports cars: '60 Bugeye Sprite, '62 Alfa Romeo Veloce Spider, '68 Sprite, '69 TR-4, '72 Porsche 914, '78 280Z, '81 280ZX. and '90 Miata. I wrenched on every one of them. In fact, I completely restored the Bugeye and TR-4.

My 986 came with only one key and it was falling apart, literally, so keys were high on my priority list. I ordered a couple blades @ $7.90 ea and had them cut by a local locksmith for $45 per blade, thereby avoiding shelling out $140 per blade at Porsche Beaverton (and never Beaverton Porsche!). However, I did buy two new fobs from them, to the tune of $266 each, plus $210 for one hour's programming, for a total just shy of $850. Highway robbery for two keys, but it could've been worse. It was my initiation to ownership of a luxury sports car.

I keep hearing bloodcurdling stories about the IMS bearing. As far as I can tell, mine has the original bearing. All the same, if (or when) I need to replace the clutch, I'll replace the IMS at the same time. I'm also about to pull the trigger on a set of new tires. Any recommendations as to brand? Currently, it's running on Toyo Proxes4 Plus, which are down to 2 mm tread depth.

I've encountered one perplexing problem with the car: It's hard starting just after I fill the tank. I can always coax it to life, but it's embarrassing when it happens at gas stations. ("Ha ha, smart-ass girl can't get her Porsh started!") Some sort of fuel pressure sensor or something? Advice would be much appreciated.

One more thing before I go. I've always felt the 986 was the most beautiful Boxster of all. They nailed it with the first generation's design. The changes in later models weren't necessarily improvements. But of course the designers just had to fiddle with perfection (as did their counterparts with the aesthetically perfect Series 1 E-Type, which Enzo Ferrari called "the most beautiful car in the world"). When I was having my keys programmed at Porsche Beaverton I wandered into the showroom and checked out a loaded 718. Lordy, it was gorgeous! As well it oughta be, for around ninety-two thousand. But for pure aesthetics, I'll take my 986 (which I picked up for five grand).

Okay, folks, that'll about do it for my first post. Glad to be here!