How do I make this long new (to me) boxster story short.

[WhipE350]

$12.5 and a 2500 mile trip...life could not be better. That is an awesome price and a great car to take the trip in. I went through that worry phase too, but only briefly. Enjoy the car get the IMS upgrade when you are ready, at the price you paid for the car it would only increase it's value.

Congrats!!

[jwade]

Wouldn't hesitate to buy it and make the trip. At that low price of admission, you are getting a great deal! The IMS issues are known but I will say that if I ever have one, I will most likely upgrade the car to a 3.6 anyhow.

Have fun on your trip!

[AZCanna]

Originally Posted by jwade

The IMS issues are known but I will say that if I ever have one, I will most likely upgrade the car to a 3.6 anyhow.

I assume you mean swap out the engine entirely...forgive my noobosity. Which engine is the 3.6, later S's? I've heard of the subaru replacement, which is intriguing but I don't think for me if it came to that...if I wanted to drive a subaru...I'd get a subaru.

I'm thankful for the encouragement. I agree that a 2500 mile cross country trip is a great way to become acquainted with a new car, and life could be a whole lot worse. I'm sure my balls will re-drop once I'm in the driver's seat and apprehension will fade to just bliss. Pics over the weekend...I know from other forums that words can only go so far before you have to bring out the porn (so to speak)

[jwade]

'S' models have a 3.2 for all 986 models. Search "engine swap" or "3.6" and you will see what others have done.

Also go to flat6innovations.com to read interesting information. This is the people I would go with if my engine blows.

Basically turns the car into a 911 killer that should have been an option from the factory.

No way I would put a Subaru engine in a Porsche!

[mikefocke]

even a new car.

Having said that, the risk of an IMS failure is probably 1-2% per year per car. Outweighed by the 20 or so other potential failure modes that could happen. There are people who have 200k+ miles with little trouble, and others where serious replacements were needed before 10k. No way of knowing.

Having owned 2 and been following on all the Boxster forums for years, here is what I'd do.

I'd buy the car and arrange to drive it locally for a day or so at varying speeds to acquaint yourself with the car and to see if there were any out-of-hibernation failures that would crop up in the first few miles out of hibernation. I'd get the oil changed and then begin my trip. I'd have a copy of the AAA towing guide and a list of dealer locations with me (not because I think you'll need them but I'm one who likes to take reasonable and cheap precautions).

As to if you should do the IMS upgrade, I don't know your risk tolerance or ability to financially and emotionally deal with a big failure. But after all you are buying a 10 year old car and not a new econo-box with warranty so you must have some tolerance. How much to spend on preventative maintenance is always a tough question.

Hope you enjoy the new to you car.

[AZCanna]

So I was recently sent these pics of the car I will be buying. She was freshly detailed and is now in the garage awaiting pickup.

Going to be the longest 10 days of my life...

[WhipE350]

Awesome, what a steal! Congrats, let us know how the drive goes.