Boxster Purchase

[mikefocke]

Depends. Are parts available still after so long out of production. Seems so. Is it possible to spend thousands on deferred maintenance? Yes. After I bought my second and after a thorough Pre-Purchase Inspection by a guy who had a pure Porsche shop and preped cars for racing, I spent several thousand having his shop bring it up to my standards.

Now I agree my standards were darn high as I wanted to know the status of every fluid, rotor, pad, tire, alignment figure etc. And the number included a set of tires I was lucky enough to find as take-offs all fresh from the factory at a very upscale dealer...not something you could find today. Oh, and those prices were probably 18 years ago prices. But then I drove the car for 5+ darn near every day years with zero expense beyond oil and a new set of tires as a precaution. Buyer of my car got a great car with lots of records.

Do I regret my expense. Not a bit. I drove it in a downpour in preference to a 4WD. Took it on 260+ mile trips, drove it to work, got nice remarks from kids waiting at the school bus stop, took it to Porsche meet and greets .... And when I moved and had 3 cars and didn't use it enough it was gone in 4 hours. I miss it.

[10/10ths]

I bought my 2004 “50 years of the 550 Spyder edition” Boxster S in 2015 with 25,000 miles on her.

I have spent $20,000 on preventative maintenance.

BUT, the car has been amazing and worth it.


I had a 1993 Miata for 23 years as my only car.

We just got back from a 5,200 mile drive from our Louisiana home to Rennsport Reunion 7 in Monterey and back.

Car was perfect.


I have spent a LOT of money on preventative maintenance.

But, it was worth it To Me.


My wife and I drove two laps at Laguna Seca, then the entire PCH from San Francisco to San Diego, and back to Louisiana


What price do you put on that?

I have the “IMS Solution” from Flat 6, now LN Engineering. New water pump every four years, replaced all the things that fail.


I haven’t touched the suspension, but it needs replacing now. I got a big “clunk” on the Corkscrew at Lagun Seca. I have a vibration. I need to tackle the suspension.

So, that more money.


Priceless.

[10/10ths]

A car hit 80,000 miles on this trip.

[dukeferris]

About 5 years ago I sold my 2001 s2000 with 190k miles on it and bought a 2001 Boxster S with 45k miles.

I bought it on craigslist from a dead guy's family (he was old), so I cannot be sure what all was done. Obvious was the wheels, intakes, an aftermarket front bumper with side marker delete, Cayman spoiler, and custom exhaust. It also came with the removable hardtop, which I highly recommend.

He might have done the IMS or not, but to be honest, it's a rare enough occurrence that I would have taken that gamble and not done it either way.

I replaced all the fluids and checked everything I could. Replaced the water pump that was working, but starting to seep a little.

I put in a new double DIN touchscreen with backup camera, did more subtle black badging, and removed the secondary cats. I've been considering a short shift kit (I miss the S2000 shifter) but the reviews for shortshift kits seem mixed.

Other than what I did above, the only issue I have had so far is the air/oil seperator.

I am very happy with my decision. The Boxster is both faster and more solid. It also had 150k fewer miles and shows it. Car nerds were always more interested by the S2000 but regular people are far more excited by the Porsche. I get a lot of compliments, and have a lot of fun here on the backroads of Sonoma, California.