Not exactly cheap to get back it back to pristine running condition, but once there, the ride is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face every time. Nice, solid feel.
Teenage boys and insecure, over-compensating men consider if a car is "girly" or not. Real men appreciate what really makes a car "great." They aren't concerned with how they'll look driving it to other men insecure with their own endowment. I like the MX-5 and can appreciate the Boxster. I'd love to drive both. All that matters to me is the driving experience. I could care less about whether or not it's a "chick" car. Thinking about picking up a MR2 Spyder soon. Maybe an MX-5. Maybe a Saturn Sky Redline. Maybe a TT. I like the Boxster, but the repair costs terrify me...this coming from a guy driving an Audi S5 as my daily. It's a constant nail-bite.
Never in my life would I ever think I would hear these words told to me by a salesman as he was shaking my hand and handing me my keys... "Welcome to the Porsche family".
Through 2008, there are two main major problems with the Boxster (and Cayman): 1) the Intermediate Shaft (IMS) Bearing failure, the risk of which is overstated in forums, but which can result in a $12,000 repair bill (engine replacement) if it happens, and 2) failure of the water pump. These two problems have some similar sounds: a gravely grinding or rattling noise that changes with RPM. The IMS bearing can create a ticking sound in the early stages of failure. If you are going to buy a Boxster (I did, and I recommend it), listen to the engine at idle and at speed, for any rattle or grinding or loud ticking. If you hear them, move on to the next car. If you hear those noises in a Boxster you own, do an oil change and tear the old filter apart. Look for sparkly bits of metal in the filter paper. If you see more than just a couple of little flecks of metal, you may have a bearing failure, which requires getting all the way down to the clutch. If you see no metal, have your mechanic examine the water pump, which is easy to diagnose (and $1200 to replace). If you have to replace the IMS bearing, have the water pump and thermostat replaced in the same service, since the mechanic has to remove it, and it's still probably the Boxster's weakest point.
Ian Ivey How is it possible to have a $12,000 repair bill when the car costs $7,000 Total? You could buy another one and save $5,000 with that logic lol
Ian Ivey Having my mechanic (me) do something is really cheap, because I don’t charge myself a whole lot. All joking aside, people shouldn’t own older sports cars for cheap unless they know how to work on them. It’s not hard to learn, people don’t put in the effort and then cry when it breaks.
I have a 2000 Boxster. It's a really dependable and well built car. Yes, I did have the water pump go out. The factory pump has a plastic impeller. I replaced with a German aftermarket pump that has a metal impeller. It was a bitch to change out. However, I believe that the IMS issue is not really an issue. It seems that the failure rate is extremely low. The incidents seem to happen on cars that are garaged and seldom driven. Anyway, my car is 18 years old, it's still absolutely kick ass. The quality is amazing!
Never answered the question, "WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!?", which is too bad because anyone considering buying one of these cars had better know the answer to that question or they are likely to wind up owning a shiny, two seat sofa!! The primary issue is THE IMS!! Start by having that upgraded, then make sure you have the clutch replaced and the installation on it done competently, as a sloppy clutch job on this or a 996 can lead to major drivetrain headaches down the line. They ARE great cars, that can provide years of happiness, but they are not Civics and need to be treated with the respect and consideration they deserve. BTW, this guy was a cheapskate who wants Champagne on a Beer budget, he will quickly regret introducing a Porsche into that equation.
I agree. Like I said above I don't fear the IMS like everyone says. Now. That's not that it's not a problem. Just not the epidemic the internet makes it out to be. I have 130K very rough miles on an original IMS bearing (I will be upgrading in the next year when the clutch is done again) Other Items watch out for are: Coolant reservoir. (These crack as they age in hot environments) Reservoir cap. (This can lead to overheating) Alternator. Water pump. (Old plastic impeller blades can break off with age) Beaten Suspension. (Bearing plates) Clutch. Flywheel. (Chances are if the clutch is beaten this is ruined too.) Motor mount. (You will replace this) Transmission mounts (You will replace this). Rear Main Seal (Make sure it doesn't leak oil) I think you'd find this a very good check list to take with you before buying a Porsche (986/996) Definitely pay more if the car has the IMS upgrade.
Todd Felege you may have post this a long time ago but I would like to comment that all the items you list to watch out for are things you would watch out for on any used car with 130k miles on it. Lol. So basically what you have done was answer this videos question. Yes, the Boxter is in fact a reliable car. THanks :)
On my 2005 Boxster S I just had the cracked coolant tank replaced, along with the water pump and thermostat. The other break down issues I had were the air/oil separator (2) and the shift cables. I still just love the car and drive every day.
old post but your right i got lucky tho i bought a 2000 boxster 2.7 90k miles runs like a champ....but soon i will change clutch and ims bearing even tho its already been done but its about that time agian do to it is my daily driver cuz i do plan on keeping her its a porsche i have a benz aswell but i drive the porsche wayyy more.
I think that the IMS is something that has been blown way out of proportion! The manufacturers of aftermarket IMS "upgrades" perpetuate this! Hints: Change you oil religiously and only use high quality lubricants. Drive the car, don't let it sit for long periods of time (not driving ruins a car)! Keep the engine revved and not let it get bogged down! These are great cars! They will have some issues as would any older car!
I have a 99...I have worked on it and my friends 98 boxster. They are relatively easy to work on if you have a lift. I did replace my IMS bearing with the LN solution...new clutch flywheel..and exhaust...added carrera wheels...anyway...I suggest you add about $4000 to your purchase price to allow for servicing the car the right way. But if you buy around 7-8000 and spend another 5k...you will have an awesome $12-13k car.
Why not buy an E36 M3? It's quicker it has 50:50 weight distribution has more room and you can choose between a coupe, sedan or convertible? Also the S50 and S52 are pretty solid engines.
I've owned about 9 different Porsche and my '97 boxster is my go to car, because it's very user friendly, and just fun. I drive it way more than my 996 turbo which is a monster
The performance bargain of the century !, no other genuine mid-engined car with a transaxle can be bought for such a small price, the front half of the Boxster is a 911 !
I just bought a 99 and it was delivered today, it looks pretty nice and seems to run fine. I just drove it for a short distance tonight. It has about 111,500 miles on it and was a 1 owner locally owned car. My only complaint so far are the sun visors keep falling down, I'll have to look at that tomorrow. It's actually quicker than I thought it would be too. I have the original bill of sale and window sticker, it was about $46,000 new, so I only had to wait 16 years to be able to afford to buy one, lol. Hopefully the maintenance won't kill me.
i had a 99 boxster for almost 10 years. bought it used with almost 60k miles. when i sold it, it had 135k. ran good. i did replace a water pump and a few other things over the years, but it never left me stranded. the first person that came to look at it, bought it. wasn't real quick, but it handled great and was fun to drive. no real complaints.
thaks for the video. I agree with him 100%. Boxsters are fantastic cars that should be purchased when you locate one that is worth keeping. Its true that a very small percentage of Boxsters were not well cared for = shameful. However, there are a multitude available that can be certified by Porsche and bought for a small sum of money....when compared to other sports cars, these cars stand out and are an absolute blast to drive. I prefer the 03 Boxster S 6 speed.....love that year of styling and the S was especially tuned to take 19 inch rims. They come stock with Brembo brakes, cross drilled rotors, etc. You cannot beat buying a used Boxster S convertible or Cayman.
Iv driven a scion and a boxter 2.5.its day and night. The boxter feels powerful down low in every gear the scion needs to be revved and the gears are too far apart.there is no simularity in driving experience.but the scion is reliable and boring
I bought 2 of these recently, both 1996 cars. One was in good condition the other is not, but I'll keep them maintained. Amazing value for what they are. All the good bits of a 911 but with the engine in a better location, and a quarter of the price.
Slickpete83, not quite right there. The Boxster was developed in tandem with the 911 to reduce R&D costs. Having owned both a 911 and a Boxster I can say that there were not "so many recalls" or lemons - not many recalls at all in fact, and as for lemons, well the engine problems affect about 1-2% of the cars made. This is no different to any other manufacturer. As for the costs - the manufacturing costs are similar, but the mark up on the 911 is a lot more, and the 911 also has some more expensive aspects, such as leather dash and door cars vs the Boxster's pleather, which are not standard on the Boxster, along with alcantara roof, & a slightly different dash amongst other things. These don't add up to the price difference, but the rest is mark up and about maintaining the desirability of the 911 and as such the boxster cost nearly as much to make, and the development costs were identical.
Becareful of the gearbox. 2nd gear tends to die in the ass pretty quickly. The geartooth will come off easily if you don't shift/clutch properly for whatever reason.
I own a 2011 Audi tt and my roommate just bought a 2001 Porsche Boxster. The TT has superior speed and interior if you're looking for comfort, but overall drive quality and fun factor, the Porsche takes the cake by a long shot. I'm jealous of his Porsche. Got it for a flat 5,000 dollars too.
New to Porsches, but this car caught my eye! What should I look for before buying one off ebay or craigslist? Don't want to spend more than 8 grand total.
Just look for the cleanest car you can find with service records. Since you are new to these cars, I would highly recommend getting any car that you are interested in checked out by a Porsche mechanic, before you purchase it.
Kevin Diep IMS bearing? New engine? New gearbox? Also some owners say the steering rack is too slow and gearing is too long; both of which are not issues in a S2000. :)
+Kevin Diep Spend time looking and find a one-owner with all service records. Call the service shops and ask about the car's history - some shops will divulge quite a bit of info. Talk to the owner, if he's obsessive - that's a good start :) When you find the right car - no accidents, one owner, great service history - BUY IT! These cars are AMAZING! The quality, accessories, the looks you'll get from admirers :) It's a GREAT car!
I will answer the question. I just bought one with 190k miles. Why? Because I like a challenge. First thing you need to be aware of is the intermix issues. Before 2003 the head was prone to overheating and cracking. I got lucky with mine and the intermix was caused by the oil cooler. The next issue is The AOS system. The boxster uses low friction rings therefore the air oil filtering system can cause serious problems when faulty. Another serious issue can be the emission system. The primary cats on the later models are in the headers. That means when they fail they are expensive to replace or you will need to add a mid pipe with cats and move your O2 sensors. There are other issues such as the top uses a motor hooked up to geared transmission that can be expensive if broken. The OEM struts are seriously expensive. The oil capacity is close to 10 quarts of expensive oil. My final verdict on buying this car used is if you are mechanically inclined go for it. If you will be taking it in to a shop for repairs stay away from it. It is a very fun car that gets attention but it requires love that you have to be able to give it.
Hey I really enjoy your videos. The 928 was so bad ass. I really want one but i am very afraid of the cost. The Boxster seem like great option. Please keep updating on the up keep for the Boxster. Like I said i want one but I am afraid of the cost of repairs with a Porsche. What is your advise?
Thanks, I'm glad you like the videos. That is a great idea, to do updates on the Boxster. We will do just that, and make an update video in the next month or so. The Boxster is still running great, but it did have one problem that had to recently be repaired. The ignition was really tough to turn and the ignition had to be replaced. 928s are awesome cars, just buy a good one and make sure you can afford the up-keep.
Engine problems? No problem, swap a more-powerful, same-size LS engine. As far as swaps go it's relatively simple and serves the dual-purpose of horsepower mod and reliability mod. If you opt for something that will keep you under 400whp you might not even need a 911 transaxle and other supporting mods. The tune of an LS over the stock engine is more than enough reason to swap in the first place.
So many uneducated haters out there. My father has a 997 and I own an NB as my dd and can vouch that the Miata is a giant killer and handles just as well as any Porsche if not better. If you want to beat the Miata's handling you'll have to go for a Lotus.
Brandon Hughes Dude. Really? I've driven a good dozen Miata and S2000's and they both are Asian POS's....tinny, hi rev, no torque, tiny transmissions, terrible gearage, and clutches that feel like your foot is in a bowl of jello. Good lord man...they are not even comparable on a good day.
I've driven both cars. The Miata handles amazing, but so does the boxster. I like the Boxster because of its build quality, 2 trunks, more power, and larger interior. A Miata is fun!
Cool video...and we d love an update....what's it been costing to run? Pretty car and for seven grand your driving a mid engine beautiful Porsche...thanks
My opinion if you want a 150mph capable highway cruiser that is a RWD is a Lexus GS300, nothing else comes close to that car as far as reliability, top speed and not to mention they are cheap as fuck, basically a Toyota, and it looks decent. If you buy a $7k Porsche you will get nothing but problems and attention from wrong people.
I would suggest to paint or blackout orange thing in front of headlight! So it look like 996! Because orange thing made it look ugly! And get 3 spoke wheel(if you have early 2001 boxster) and muffle delete it
I love me a porsche, but definitely not early boxsters. I prefer the Honda roadster s2000 all the way thoroughly, that particular vehicle was designed with a more special attention. But to each their own, enjoy the spirit of driving whatever car you seek for the pleasure of driving
+Truthseeker Speaking from my personal experience, you should realistically budget about $2000-$3000 on top of the purchase price. Chances are the brake rotors, pads, and tires need to be replaced ($1500-$2000). You'll probably also need an alignment ($100). If you get one of the older ones, there are also quite a few plastic parts that are old and/or broken or missing that need to be replaced (Let's just say $200). Check the headlight switch. They get worn out after a few years and won't turn on unless you crank it on and off a few times. A used replacement switch is about $40 on eBay. And then there's the oil change. That engine takes 10 quarts of motor oil so if you put in the Mobil 1, that's another $100.. Cabin and engine air filters get old and nasty, which is another $100. Since it's a convertible, the previous owner(s) due to the wind noise probably cranked the stereo up really loud and slightly blew out the door speakers (about $100 for the dash speakers and the door speakers). The stock stereo head unit is also pretty ancient and needs to be replaced ($100). And this assumes that the clutch is in good shape. If that needs to go, probably another $1500 parts + labor.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I've got a 2001 which I thoroughly enjoy. These cars are for those that really appreciate the driving experience. As you mentioned in the video, the handling on these machines is superb. In regards to the IMS issue, Porsche used a dual row intermediate shaft bearing from 1997 to 1999 (this is the same robust IMS that Porsche reverted to with 2006 and later models). The single row ball bearing was used starting in 2000 and ending in 2005 (this is the IMS everyone likes to talk about). The years 2000 and 2001 were crossover years (both IMS types were used during this time which means a prospective buyer should inspect/check the VIN etc.) So your car is not really even in the IMS discussion. Dual row IMS has about a 1% failure rate and single row IMS has about an 8% failure rate (according to the Eisen IMS class action lawsuit). As I discussed earlier - what many people aren't aware of, is that Porsche did not completely switch over to the more problematic single row IMS until the 2002 model. My 2001 actually has a dual row IMS (lucky me). So you and I my friend can keep the RPM's up, get regular oil changes, and enjoy the spectacular ride that our Porsches deliver knowing that we fall in that little 1% failure rate spectrum. :-).
I have a lot of (high-rev) miles behind the seat of a (newer than the one in the vid) 986 Boxster. Nothing of any significance has ever failed me. Period. I have changed the voltage regulator on the alternator, cheap fix with some tinker time in the garage. IMS bearing and rear main seal (RMS) were both upgraded (both perfectly fine when replaced, I did the IMS due to known failures and wanted to avoid them. I did the RMS because I was already in there and it was dirt cheap to slap a new one on. While it was opened up, the clutch was replaced, still had ~50% life but did it because the car was already opened up. Other than this, I have replaced only oil, tires, brake pads, battery. The plastic mirror cover on the visor was broken by some idiot detailing the car, but likely brittle from top-down sun exposure. The plastic cup holder flap thing is loose from my limited usage, but closes back up nicely and you can't see it when not being used. The Porsche badges on the wheels seem to evaporate into thin air. Guessing the culprit may be kids with sticky fingers in parking lots... or maybe they fall off on the hway, not sure but replacements online. Another con is the price of replacement remotes. The rubber button fell off my remote from usage. A real PITA to replace. At ~$200 plus some programming $, it's the only unavailable Porsche "luxury" experience (=$$$) cost. Cosmetically, the canvass top has some scuffs on it and the front headlights have yellowed a bit, but this isn't Porsche-specific, any canvas and 10 year old headlight will do that. Find another 10+ year old car and I'm sure the list of problems will be much more expensive and expansive. The 986 Boxster is really a great value. Plus when you start wanting some more HP, you can look at sending it to a number of places to get the 3.4 or 3.6L upgrade.
Cute little sports car for 7 grand....I see a ton of these Porsche boxster s for sale....how much does it cost to maintain? That's the part that scares the crap out of those who don't wrench...I see them laying in people's driveways and never moving...
The Porsche engine is JUNK! I had the IMS bearing fail. It is NOT worth a dime without the engine. Besides, the Vette I have now can run circles around the P-car and I have not had a lick of problems....Porsche Perfection is a hoax! I paid $25k to learn that the HARD way! You might get lucky and get a good one....but then you might not!
Nope. Not easily. You have to drop the engine, crack the case and even if you can see it there is NO WAY to determine IF or WHEN it will time bomb on you. Even if they gave the car away it would cost you more in repairs ($6-12k) to repair the engine. Mine had metal everywhere....now I own a Vette and it blows the P-car away everywhere! My C6 puts out 500 HP at the wheels with just an intake, headers and exhaust! The engine is bullet-proof too! Pass on the Porsche, sorry.
+Mark Ingrum iam on my forth boxster, mark tough luck on the ims, 9% in europe, i find them an easy car to work on quite straight forward, things break so dont bitch on about it. just done a clutch, really easy and was done on my drive with a good tool kit, a bit long winded but easy, so scratch the itch and buy a boxster always plenty of experts on youtube who actually know fuck all. get onto a forum with people with a real passion for the cars they drive and real world opinions
Never buy a used 2000 to 2002 Porsche without paperwork for the IMS being done. Having said that a car of that age with its original bearing is very unlikely to fail 16 to 18 years later. If you were stupid enough to buy a car without checking it’s history then more fool you. Paperwork there proceed with care, no paperwork no go.
Joe Delk Not necessarily it depending on the condition modifications of our condition and mileage you should be able to find one for half the price was somewhere around 100+ thousand miles on it if you want to get into a cop was a lot less mileage than you are likely to have to spend a lot more make sure it comes with the service history
great car if you are willing to take on the repairs that come with it. Everyone knows about the IMS, but just in general german (performance) parts are pretty expensive. Car handles like nothing else and is alot of fun to run through the gears. also dont buy an automatic.
Yeah, they early ones (2.5l) had 201 hp and not as much torque as a 2.0t VW, while weighing about the same.Plus they are geared SUPER tall. My 01 S will do about 5.5 and does 71 in 2nd gear, and 103 in 3rd, or about the same as a dodge viper. Needs a lower rear end for sure, like the ones the carreras got.
Driven a few boxsters and my mx5 is just more fun not as fast or desirable for sure but it cost bugger all to fix and you can do most of it yourself and I don't have in the back of my mind what's going to break and cost a fortune
Why buy a Porsche when they cost so much to maintain? Pretty little sports car but a corvette c5 cost about the same to purchase, the performance kills the competition and the maintance is jotting but oil changes and tires....for hundreds of thousands of miles.,why not spend the money you want on improving the interior leather ... ? I always like the Porsche product but what's with the very expensive costs? German import duty or just duty?
Wouldn't waste my time......The Boxster 1997 to 2007 models had engine issues with IMS bearing failure, crankcase porosity, cylinder heads know to crack and D chunk failure of the cylinder liners. It also applied to the 996-997 versions (Non Turbo) of the 911 as well, a wake up call for Porsche.
Correction: 1996 to 2001 models had these issues, the rest were fine, but I suggest year 2003 and up due to the many features and improvements that were added to the car in 03.
***** Looks like you guys have spent a lot of time on the forums. You can't get those later cars for $7,000. We have had a 1999 and 2002 996 and 6 early 986 Boxsters and none have had IMS problems. The problem with the pouris heads happens when the cars have less than 30,000 miles so that really isn't something to worry about when buying a car with high miles.
Driving While Awesome no time reading forums, personally, but I am very interested in early Boxsters, as it is affordable, fun and you get the quality. I agree with you about the issues mainly creeping up within low miles. In any case, it is always good to check for service records.
I agree ***** service history is a must, as is a PPI from a trusted mechanic. The early S models are a lot of fun and can be had for around $12,000. We also have a 2002 Porsche 996 right now and it has been extremely reliable. We haven't had to do anything to this car in the 5 years we have owned it besides change the fluids and brake pads.
Problem with the Boxster... the IMS Bearing.. when it explodes and it will, it send shrapnel all through the motor. Engine replacement is more than the cost of the car, that is why you see so few of these still on the road, or they are really cheap.
What could go wrong ! well revving the nuts of it immediately after starting should help to kill the engine early ! I mean give the oil pump a chance to lubricate it first !!!!
With the exception of the IMS and water pump issues, the Boxster engines have been pretty bullet proof. Get one of these and you'll very likely have a low-maintenance car that performs better than just about anything else you can get for the same money.
Yeah I got an 04 g35 and for a 4 door the thing pulls pretty hard lol, and haven't had to spend a penny on maintenance so far (aside from wiper fluid and oil, but that's a given) not sure exactly what it gets but I think it's supposed to be in the ball part of 6 seconds 0-60, so comparing the speed you get from this car to the price isn't all that valid, maybe more just the fact that it's a Porsche and it's probably really fun to drive, but not its numbers
Well I did it, just bought a stunning 987s with loads of upgrades, full Porsche history, the lot!.....enjoying it so much so my advice is....DONT F**CKIN BUY ONE!...car has been trying to kill itself every day, hit a badger 5 days in, £3000 of damage...today cracked the brand new bumper aswell, not my driving at fault, people on the road become total dicks, trying to race you, cutting you up.....still, it feels like nothing else to drive, just stunning.
Be very, very careful! 1997-2001 Boxsters have a lot of problems associated with the Flux Capacitor, a lot more expensive and a lot more common than IMS issues!
what? only 201 hp....honestly, you might as well just get an si. RELIABLE, gas effecient, modern technology, more comfotable...AND is just as fast.ish.
lol they are cheap and deprecated to shit for a reason. A no income 16 year old wouldn't even be able to afford anywhere near the costs of the many engine problems and IMS failures that come with the car. The boxster is right up there with the 914 in shittiest cars with a Porsche badge.
Owning a Porsche For a 1st car at 16 is awesome! Even if it needs a little work and you are in to cars, then you will really enjoy it! Boxsters are very easy to do your own maintenance on and learn how to work on cars with. Don't believe all the panic about "IMS" failures. In fact, high mileage cars are least likely to have them. Get a pre-inspection,change the oil often, take good care of it and you will enjoy it. A 98 Boxster is still more enjoyable to drive then lots of modern day sports cars. Just a warning.The Porsche bug bites hard. I should know, I own 4 Porsche's now and a 98 boxster was my 1st ;^)
- TSLA you're an absolute idiot - Boxter is listed as top 5 sports cars in the world on just about every list. The 911 barely beats the Boxster in terms of handling and is only marginally faster. The Cayman is modelled on the Boxter because it can barely be improved upon, the new Boxters look better than the 911's. Porsche only came up with a new convertible in 2013 to take over from the Boxter, the 911 Cabriolet and its $60,000usd MORE than the Boxter to beat it.
Not exactly cheap to get back it back to pristine running condition, but once there, the ride is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face every time. Nice, solid feel.
I have learned that: there is no new or old Porsche but a new owner.
Uhhhhh What?
FiltyfrankTV He’s basically saying Porsche’s age very well
disliked for never answering title question
Its a rhetorical question ?....dont buy this car you should spend money on school
exactly
What's with the funeral music?
its making you realize that you just died and you're in the funeral home about to be buried. Porsche is the last thing on your mind.
Teenage boys and insecure, over-compensating men consider if a car is "girly" or not.
Real men appreciate what really makes a car "great." They aren't concerned with how they'll look driving it to other men insecure with their own endowment.
I like the MX-5 and can appreciate the Boxster. I'd love to drive both. All that matters to me is the driving experience. I could care less about whether or not it's a "chick" car.
Thinking about picking up a MR2 Spyder soon. Maybe an MX-5. Maybe a Saturn Sky Redline. Maybe a TT.
I like the Boxster, but the repair costs terrify me...this coming from a guy driving an Audi S5 as my daily. It's a constant nail-bite.
smiles per gallon and me liking the car is all that matters
Jween Tech who tf says a boxster is a girly car
Scroll through the comments in this video alone.
"teenage boys and insecure men" apparently
real men appreciate the fact that about 2 days after i bought my 987 Boxster i was getting my dick sucked ;)....buy a Porsche
Never in my life would I ever think I would hear these words told to me by a salesman as he was shaking my hand and handing me my keys... "Welcome to the Porsche family".
Through 2008, there are two main major problems with the Boxster (and Cayman): 1) the Intermediate Shaft (IMS) Bearing failure, the risk of which is overstated in forums, but which can result in a $12,000 repair bill (engine replacement) if it happens, and 2) failure of the water pump.
These two problems have some similar sounds: a gravely grinding or rattling noise that changes with RPM. The IMS bearing can create a ticking sound in the early stages of failure. If you are going to buy a Boxster (I did, and I recommend it), listen to the engine at idle and at speed, for any rattle or grinding or loud ticking. If you hear them, move on to the next car.
If you hear those noises in a Boxster you own, do an oil change and tear the old filter apart. Look for sparkly bits of metal in the filter paper. If you see more than just a couple of little flecks of metal, you may have a bearing failure, which requires getting all the way down to the clutch. If you see no metal, have your mechanic examine the water pump, which is easy to diagnose (and $1200 to replace). If you have to replace the IMS bearing, have the water pump and thermostat replaced in the same service, since the mechanic has to remove it, and it's still probably the Boxster's weakest point.
oh my god man......unless you OWN a Porsche and have had this happen, please stop repeating internet garbage.
I do.
Ian Ivey How is it possible to have a $12,000 repair bill when the car costs $7,000 Total? You could buy another one and save $5,000 with that logic lol
Ian Ivey Having my mechanic (me) do something is really cheap, because I don’t charge myself a whole lot. All joking aside, people shouldn’t own older sports cars for cheap unless they know how to work on them. It’s not hard to learn, people don’t put in the effort and then cry when it breaks.
I have a 2000 Boxster. It's a really dependable and well built car. Yes, I did have the water pump go out. The factory pump has a plastic impeller. I replaced with a German aftermarket pump that has a metal impeller. It was a bitch to change out. However, I believe that the IMS issue is not really an issue. It seems that the failure rate is extremely low. The incidents seem to happen on cars that are garaged and seldom driven. Anyway, my car is 18 years old, it's still absolutely kick ass. The quality is amazing!
Never answered the question, "WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!?", which is too bad because anyone considering buying one of these cars had better know the answer to that question or they are likely to wind up owning a shiny, two seat sofa!! The primary issue is THE IMS!! Start by having that upgraded, then make sure you have the clutch replaced and the installation on it done competently, as a sloppy clutch job on this or a 996 can lead to major drivetrain headaches down the line. They ARE great cars, that can provide years of happiness, but they are not Civics and need to be treated with the respect and consideration they deserve. BTW, this guy was a cheapskate who wants Champagne on a Beer budget, he will quickly regret introducing a Porsche into that equation.
I agree. Like I said above I don't fear the IMS like everyone says. Now. That's not that it's not a problem. Just not the epidemic the internet makes it out to be. I have 130K very rough miles on an original IMS bearing (I will be upgrading in the next year when the clutch is done again)
Other Items watch out for are:
Coolant reservoir. (These crack as they age in hot environments)
Reservoir cap. (This can lead to overheating)
Alternator.
Water pump. (Old plastic impeller blades can break off with age)
Beaten Suspension. (Bearing plates)
Clutch.
Flywheel. (Chances are if the clutch is beaten this is ruined too.)
Motor mount. (You will replace this)
Transmission mounts (You will replace this).
Rear Main Seal (Make sure it doesn't leak oil)
I think you'd find this a very good check list to take with you before buying a Porsche (986/996)
Definitely pay more if the car has the IMS upgrade.
Todd Felege you may have post this a long time ago but I would like to comment that all the items you list to watch out for are things you would watch out for on any used car with 130k miles on it. Lol. So basically what you have done was answer this videos question. Yes, the Boxter is in fact a reliable car. THanks :)
On my 2005 Boxster S I just had the cracked coolant tank replaced, along with the water pump and thermostat. The other break down issues I had were the air/oil separator (2) and the shift cables. I still just love the car and drive every day.
old post but your right i got lucky tho
i bought a 2000 boxster 2.7
90k miles runs like a champ....but soon i will change clutch and ims bearing
even tho its already been done but its about that time agian do to it is my daily driver
cuz i do plan on keeping her
its a porsche i have a benz aswell but i drive the porsche wayyy more.
I think that the IMS is something that has been blown way out of proportion! The manufacturers of aftermarket IMS "upgrades" perpetuate this! Hints: Change you oil religiously and only use high quality lubricants. Drive the car, don't let it sit for long periods of time (not driving ruins a car)! Keep the engine revved and not let it get bogged down! These are great cars! They will have some issues as would any older car!
I have a 99...I have worked on it and my friends 98 boxster. They are relatively easy to work on if you have a lift. I did replace my IMS bearing with the LN solution...new clutch flywheel..and exhaust...added carrera wheels...anyway...I suggest you add about $4000 to your purchase price to allow for servicing the car the right way. But if you buy around 7-8000 and spend another 5k...you will have an awesome $12-13k car.
You traded a 993 for a boxster?
I have a boxster, I love it but dude wtf
The Boxster out performs the early '70s 911 Targas.
Why not buy an E36 M3? It's quicker it has 50:50 weight distribution has more room and you can choose between a coupe, sedan or convertible? Also the S50 and S52 are pretty solid engines.
GL trying to come across those in decent conditions. E36 m3s are like used evos and wrx, they're abused and used to the point of destruction
because it ain't a Porsche
I've owned about 9 different Porsche and my '97 boxster is my go to car, because it's very user friendly, and just fun. I drive it way more than my 996 turbo which is a monster
The performance bargain of the century !, no other genuine mid-engined car with a transaxle can be bought for such a small price, the front half of the Boxster is a 911 !
I just bought a 99 and it was delivered today, it looks pretty nice and seems to run fine. I just drove it for a short distance tonight. It has about 111,500 miles on it and was a 1 owner locally owned car. My only complaint so far are the sun visors keep falling down, I'll have to look at that tomorrow. It's actually quicker than I thought it would be too. I have the original bill of sale and window sticker, it was about $46,000 new, so I only had to wait 16 years to be able to afford to buy one, lol. Hopefully the maintenance won't kill me.
The visors fail but it is cheap to get a new one!
i had a 99 boxster for almost 10 years. bought it used with almost 60k miles. when i sold it, it had 135k. ran good. i did replace a water pump and a few other things over the years, but it never left me stranded. the first person that came to look at it, bought it. wasn't real quick, but it handled great and was fun to drive. no real complaints.
Will we one day be saying "Remember when you could get a Boxster for just $7000 USD?
They sell for $5k where I'm at in SoCal.
I got mine 2001 Boxster for 2,000 bucks. Had it for 2 years and runs great :)
thaks for the video. I agree with him 100%. Boxsters are fantastic cars that should be purchased when you locate one that is worth keeping. Its true that a very small percentage of Boxsters were not well cared for = shameful. However, there are a multitude available that can be certified by Porsche and bought for a small sum of money....when compared to other sports cars, these cars stand out and are an absolute blast to drive. I prefer the 03 Boxster S 6 speed.....love that year of styling and the S was especially tuned to take 19 inch rims. They come stock with Brembo brakes, cross drilled rotors, etc. You cannot beat buying a used Boxster S convertible or Cayman.
Iv driven a scion and a boxter 2.5.its day and night. The boxter feels powerful down low in every gear the scion needs to be revved and the gears are too far apart.there is no simularity in driving experience.but the scion is reliable and boring
I so wish it could stay a secret, the less people that know, the lower prices will stay.
Okay good I'm gonna go buy one tomorrow now thanks
I bought 2 of these recently, both 1996 cars. One was in good condition the other is not, but I'll keep them maintained. Amazing value for what they are. All the good bits of a 911 but with the engine in a better location, and a quarter of the price.
Slickpete83, not quite right there. The Boxster was developed in tandem with the 911 to reduce R&D costs. Having owned both a 911 and a Boxster I can say that there were not "so many recalls" or lemons - not many recalls at all in fact, and as for lemons, well the engine problems affect about 1-2% of the cars made. This is no different to any other manufacturer. As for the costs - the manufacturing costs are similar, but the mark up on the 911 is a lot more, and the 911 also has some more expensive aspects, such as leather dash and door cars vs the Boxster's pleather, which are not standard on the Boxster, along with alcantara roof, & a slightly different dash amongst other things. These don't add up to the price difference, but the rest is mark up and about maintaining the desirability of the 911 and as such the boxster cost nearly as much to make, and the development costs were identical.
Becareful of the gearbox. 2nd gear tends to die in the ass pretty quickly. The geartooth will come off easily if you don't shift/clutch properly for whatever reason.
I own a 2011 Audi tt and my roommate just bought a 2001 Porsche Boxster. The TT has superior speed and interior if you're looking for comfort, but overall drive quality and fun factor, the Porsche takes the cake by a long shot. I'm jealous of his Porsche. Got it for a flat 5,000 dollars too.
With a newer Porsche I would spend a bit more and get a certified pre-owned with a warranty.
Wasn't there an issue with cylinder blocks cracking?
I'm dying to get one , but being scared away with the IMS thing . Should I take the change ???
have you checked the IMS?
I am rolling with the LN Engineering IMS retrofit (dual row) on my 2001 Boxster S for a complete season now and it rolls very well!
New to Porsches, but this car caught my eye! What should I look for before buying one off ebay or craigslist? Don't want to spend more than 8 grand total.
Just look for the cleanest car you can find with service records. Since you are new to these cars, I would highly recommend getting any car that you are interested in checked out by a Porsche mechanic, before you purchase it.
Kevin Diep IMS bearing? New engine? New gearbox? Also some owners say the steering rack is too slow and gearing is too long; both of which are not issues in a S2000. :)
+Kevin Diep
Spend time looking and find a one-owner with all service records. Call the service shops and ask about the car's history - some shops will divulge quite a bit of info. Talk to the owner, if he's obsessive - that's a good start :) When you find the right car - no accidents, one owner, great service history - BUY IT! These cars are AMAZING! The quality, accessories, the looks you'll get from admirers :) It's a GREAT car!
dont buy anything until you personally drive/inspect it
Been there, done it. Fabulous car to drive but worth remembering that cheap expensive cars are still expensive cars underneath.
I will answer the question. I just bought one with 190k miles. Why? Because I like a challenge. First thing you need to be aware of is the intermix issues. Before 2003 the head was prone to overheating and cracking. I got lucky with mine and the intermix was caused by the oil cooler. The next issue is The AOS system. The boxster uses low friction rings therefore the air oil filtering system can cause serious problems when faulty. Another serious issue can be the emission system. The primary cats on the later models are in the headers. That means when they fail they are expensive to replace or you will need to add a mid pipe with cats and move your O2 sensors. There are other issues such as the top uses a motor hooked up to geared transmission that can be expensive if broken. The OEM struts are seriously expensive. The oil capacity is close to 10 quarts of expensive oil.
My final verdict on buying this car used is if you are mechanically inclined go for it. If you will be taking it in to a shop for repairs stay away from it. It is a very fun car that gets attention but it requires love that you have to be able to give it.
I can't wait to finish replacing clutch and ims bearing on my project boxster. I have a 996 turbo and I might keep the boxster once it's fixed.
good shit bro
Tom Brady 4 President I got it running and drive it more than my 996 turbo
Hey I really enjoy your videos. The 928 was so bad ass. I really want one but i am very afraid of the cost. The Boxster seem like great option. Please keep updating on the up keep for the Boxster. Like I said i want one but I am afraid of the cost of repairs with a Porsche. What is your advise?
Thanks, I'm glad you like the videos. That is a great idea, to do updates on the Boxster. We will do just that, and make an update video in the next month or so. The Boxster is still running great, but it did have one problem that had to recently be repaired. The ignition was really tough to turn and the ignition had to be replaced. 928s are awesome cars, just buy a good one and make sure you can afford the up-keep.
Engine problems? No problem, swap a more-powerful, same-size LS engine. As far as swaps go it's relatively simple and serves the dual-purpose of horsepower mod and reliability mod. If you opt for something that will keep you under 400whp you might not even need a 911 transaxle and other supporting mods. The tune of an LS over the stock engine is more than enough reason to swap in the first place.
Have you driven a Miata? It handles better than the Boxster...I have a Boxster S by the way and I had a Miata a while back.
what a dumb thing to state.....a Mazda isn't 1/10th of the car a Porsche is.....oh my goodness man.
So many uneducated haters out there. My father has a 997 and I own an NB as my dd and can vouch that the Miata is a giant killer and handles just as well as any Porsche if not better. If you want to beat the Miata's handling you'll have to go for a Lotus.
Brandon Hughes Dude. Really? I've driven a good dozen Miata and S2000's and they both are Asian POS's....tinny, hi rev, no torque, tiny transmissions, terrible gearage, and clutches that feel like your foot is in a bowl of jello. Good lord man...they are not even comparable on a good day.
Pardon me, but do you have any grey Poupon?
I've driven both cars. The Miata handles amazing, but so does the boxster. I like the Boxster because of its build quality, 2 trunks, more power, and larger interior. A Miata is fun!
Cool video...and we d love an update....what's it been costing to run? Pretty car and for seven grand your driving a mid engine beautiful Porsche...thanks
I paid $5950 for a '98 because that's all I brought with me, he was asking 6,500, I haven't turned on the stereo. Great car.
Can we please have an analysis of the words "Trusted Mechanic" that is going to be a very, very in depth discussion indeed. Are there any?
My opinion if you want a 150mph capable highway cruiser that is a RWD is a Lexus GS300, nothing else comes close to that car as far as reliability, top speed and not to mention they are cheap as fuck, basically a Toyota, and it looks decent. If you buy a $7k Porsche you will get nothing but problems and attention from wrong people.
And the two cars are completely different cars in every way. How can you compare the two? We get it, you have a GS300 and you like it.
Hi bro if I live in another country what can I do?
in my country used 1997 Boxster costs arround 7000Euros, is that much?
That is about normal price. It's worth paying a bit extra for a Boxter S though. The standard car is not very quick.
Why so many dislikes?
Nice Boxster the headlamps look nicer than the ones on any other porsche !
0:15 what is a sports car sedan??
I would suggest to paint or blackout orange thing in front of headlight! So it look like 996! Because orange thing made it look ugly! And get 3 spoke wheel(if you have early 2001 boxster) and muffle delete it
I love me a porsche, but definitely not early boxsters. I prefer the Honda roadster s2000 all the way thoroughly, that particular vehicle was designed with a more special attention. But to each their own, enjoy the spirit of driving whatever car you seek for the pleasure of driving
Have a chance to buy a 1996 Boxster with 53,000km's (33,000 miles) , immaculate throughout for $18g's CDN .
I’ve found one of these for 4000 on the local Craigslist. Considering picking it up. It’s a 98, white with red interior .. not sure though 🤔 .
Thinking about trading my guitar with one of these. I wonder how much it costs to maintain monthly/yearly? Ball park figure would do.
+Truthseeker Speaking from my personal experience, you should realistically budget about $2000-$3000 on top of the purchase price. Chances are the brake rotors, pads, and tires need to be replaced ($1500-$2000). You'll probably also need an alignment ($100). If you get one of the older ones, there are also quite a few plastic parts that are old and/or broken or missing that need to be replaced (Let's just say $200). Check the headlight switch. They get worn out after a few years and won't turn on unless you crank it on and off a few times. A used replacement switch is about $40 on eBay. And then there's the oil change. That engine takes 10 quarts of motor oil so if you put in the Mobil 1, that's another $100.. Cabin and engine air filters get old and nasty, which is another $100. Since it's a convertible, the previous owner(s) due to the wind noise probably cranked the stereo up really loud and slightly blew out the door speakers (about $100 for the dash speakers and the door speakers). The stock stereo head unit is also pretty ancient and needs to be replaced ($100). And this assumes that the clutch is in good shape. If that needs to go, probably another $1500 parts + labor.
Trigger Warning: Extreme Porsche Dork at 1:30.
Says the youtube commenter
The guy either knows shit all about cars or he's doped up lol
Driving While Awesome Says the op Responding to said comment
Why does he talk so slow?
used 2008 911 carrera 2 door in black dream car hands down
This should be every miata guys first "upgrade" lol
rambow70 Miata’s used to be gems but tube become overrated and over priced, if u want a good condition 1st gen it’s like 6 grand
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I've got a 2001 which I thoroughly enjoy. These cars are for those that really appreciate the driving experience. As you mentioned in the video, the handling on these machines is superb. In regards to the IMS issue, Porsche used a dual row intermediate shaft bearing from 1997 to 1999 (this is the same robust IMS that Porsche reverted to with 2006 and later models). The single row ball bearing was used starting in 2000 and ending in 2005 (this is the IMS everyone likes to talk about). The years 2000 and 2001 were crossover years (both IMS types were used during this time which means a prospective buyer should inspect/check the VIN etc.) So your car is not really even in the IMS discussion. Dual row IMS has about a 1% failure rate and single row IMS has about an 8% failure rate (according to the Eisen IMS class action lawsuit). As I discussed earlier - what many people aren't aware of, is that Porsche did not completely switch over to the more problematic single row IMS until the 2002 model. My 2001 actually has a dual row IMS (lucky me). So you and I my friend can keep the RPM's up, get regular oil changes, and enjoy the spectacular ride that our Porsches deliver knowing that we fall in that little 1% failure rate spectrum. :-).
Do you mean the Vin Number. How would you know if the car has a dual row or a single?
Yes, just go to the following official Porsche webpage and enter the VIN: recall.porsche.com/prod/pag/vinrecalllookup.nsf/VIN?ReadForm .
I have a lot of (high-rev) miles behind the seat of a (newer than the one in the vid) 986 Boxster. Nothing of any significance has ever failed me. Period. I have changed the voltage regulator on the alternator, cheap fix with some tinker time in the garage. IMS bearing and rear main seal (RMS) were both upgraded (both perfectly fine when replaced, I did the IMS due to known failures and wanted to avoid them. I did the RMS because I was already in there and it was dirt cheap to slap a new one on. While it was opened up, the clutch was replaced, still had ~50% life but did it because the car was already opened up. Other than this, I have replaced only oil, tires, brake pads, battery. The plastic mirror cover on the visor was broken by some idiot detailing the car, but likely brittle from top-down sun exposure. The plastic cup holder flap thing is loose from my limited usage, but closes back up nicely and you can't see it when not being used. The Porsche badges on the wheels seem to evaporate into thin air. Guessing the culprit may be kids with sticky fingers in parking lots... or maybe they fall off on the hway, not sure but replacements online. Another con is the price of replacement remotes. The rubber button fell off my remote from usage. A real PITA to replace. At ~$200 plus some programming $, it's the only unavailable Porsche "luxury" experience (=$$$) cost. Cosmetically, the canvass top has some scuffs on it and the front headlights have yellowed a bit, but this isn't Porsche-specific, any canvas and 10 year old headlight will do that. Find another 10+ year old car and I'm sure the list of problems will be much more expensive and expansive. The 986 Boxster is really a great value. Plus when you start wanting some more HP, you can look at sending it to a number of places to get the 3.4 or 3.6L upgrade.
you rock my friend
0-60 is low 6s on the 2.5.the brz gt86 is way slower in a drag race and in the corners
Cute little sports car for 7 grand....I see a ton of these Porsche boxster s for sale....how much does it cost to maintain? That's the part that scares the crap out of those who don't wrench...I see them laying in people's driveways and never moving...
same
Jonathan Brown "How much does it cost?"... All your money.
Great cars, ims/rms aside. Get one, do the ims bearing retro if not done and enjoy.
0-60 is tested at 6.0 nothing like the brz.big difference
The Porsche engine is JUNK! I had the IMS bearing fail. It is NOT worth a dime without the engine. Besides, the Vette I have now can run circles around the P-car and I have not had a lick of problems....Porsche Perfection is a hoax! I paid $25k to learn that the HARD way! You might get lucky and get a good one....but then you might not!
+Mark Ingrum ..Is there any way to check to see if the IMS, is ok ??? I want a 2002 911 and am scared because of the IMS.
Nope. Not easily. You have to drop the engine, crack the case and even if you can see it there is NO WAY to determine IF or WHEN it will time bomb on you. Even if they gave the car away it would cost you more in repairs ($6-12k) to repair the engine. Mine had metal everywhere....now I own a Vette and it blows the P-car away everywhere! My C6 puts out 500 HP at the wheels with just an intake, headers and exhaust! The engine is bullet-proof too! Pass on the Porsche, sorry.
+Mark Ingrum
iam on my forth boxster, mark tough luck on the ims, 9% in europe, i find them an easy car to work on quite straight forward, things break so dont bitch on about it.
just done a clutch, really easy and was done on my drive with a good tool kit, a bit long winded but easy, so scratch the itch and buy a boxster always plenty of experts on youtube who actually know fuck all. get onto a forum with people with a real passion for the cars they drive and real world opinions
Vette schmet!....I bet that broken Porsche still looks better than a dodgy Vette sitting on the drive....only joking by the way, i love Vettes ;)
Never buy a used 2000 to 2002 Porsche without paperwork for the IMS being done. Having said that a car of that age with its original bearing is very unlikely to fail 16 to 18 years later. If you were stupid enough to buy a car without checking it’s history then more fool you. Paperwork there proceed with care, no paperwork no go.
so THIS is how all these NEW luxury cars end up...wow
Is $14,990 a fair price for a used 2002 model Boxter?? I want a cheap one and that’s the cheapest price I could find.
Joe Delk Not necessarily it depending on the condition modifications of our condition and mileage you should be able to find one for half the price was somewhere around 100+ thousand miles on it if you want to get into a cop was a lot less mileage than you are likely to have to spend a lot more make sure it comes with the service history
There's one for sale down the street from me. 2004 107k miles $8500.
So it's about as fast as a 1994 Ford Taurus SHO
and handles a hell of a lot better.
dudes on quaaludes or somethin at the end
Luuuuudes
The hood doesnt align 2:53
Great detective work! Next you can point out all the dings and scratches.
Driving While Awesome Haha sure thing! Its sad that the hood doesn't align but I appreciate all the mechanical work you've done on it :)
00:14 sedan?
Gene Brotarlo sports car or sedan
Aren't the 996's one of the least desired Porsches due to the scrambled egg front lights?
get the 987, the 986 has a shed load of problems later in life
201 horsepower is pretty weak by modern standards, most hot hatchbacks would show it a clean pair of heels.
what could go wrong???? they never say it but its the ims and the clutch on these cars
The ims bearing be damned, it's an exceptional value for a lifetime sportscar!
Sold a 1975 911S for $14,000? My God the market for those has changed.
A little bit more??? Get real!
great car if you are willing to take on the repairs that come with it. Everyone knows about the IMS, but just in general german (performance) parts are pretty expensive. Car handles like nothing else and is alot of fun to run through the gears. also dont buy an automatic.
Porsche Boxters from 1999 to 2007 had a big problem with their engines. I would stay away from them. You looking at $15K to replace the engine.
6.9 seconds? ouch. my GTI does 0-60 in right around 5.9
Yeah, they early ones (2.5l) had 201 hp and not as much torque as a 2.0t VW, while weighing about the same.Plus they are geared SUPER tall. My 01 S will do about 5.5 and does 71 in 2nd gear, and 103 in 3rd, or about the same as a dodge viper. Needs a lower rear end for sure, like the ones the carreras got.
TheJollyGiant what year is the gti?
Yikes. My 300c awd does 0-60 in 5.4 .
my 944T cost me more than 7 grand...and so did my 85 911..im getting a 2000 Boxster S
I am a 911 only kind of dude! Not bad though Boxster I might research and buy one.
Driven a few boxsters and my mx5 is just more fun not as fast or desirable for sure but it cost bugger all to fix and you can do most of it yourself and I don't have in the back of my mind what's going to break and cost a fortune
The 99 boxter is nothing like the brz 86 at all.
Why buy a Porsche when they cost so much to maintain? Pretty little sports car but a corvette c5 cost about the same to purchase, the performance kills the competition and the maintance is jotting but oil changes and tires....for hundreds of thousands of miles.,why not spend the money you want on improving the interior leather ... ? I always like the Porsche product but what's with the very expensive costs? German import duty or just duty?
1998 Boxster or 1985 928?
go with a 944
Or a 944 Turbo or 944 S2!
or just buy an MR2 Spyder, swap the toyo badge for an old midship one, and save $10,000 a year on maintenance
Toyota?.....i'll keep driving my Porsche thank you
Wouldn't waste my time......The Boxster 1997 to 2007 models had engine issues with IMS bearing failure, crankcase porosity, cylinder heads know to crack and D chunk failure of the cylinder liners. It also applied to the 996-997 versions (Non Turbo) of the 911 as well, a wake up call for Porsche.
Correction: 1996 to 2001 models had these issues, the rest were fine, but I suggest year 2003 and up due to the many features and improvements that were added to the car in 03.
***** Looks like you guys have spent a lot of time on the forums. You can't get those later cars for $7,000. We have had a 1999 and 2002 996 and 6 early 986 Boxsters and none have had IMS problems. The problem with the pouris heads happens when the cars have less than 30,000 miles so that really isn't something to worry about when buying a car with high miles.
Driving While Awesome no time reading forums, personally, but I am very interested in early Boxsters, as it is affordable, fun and you get the quality. I agree with you about the issues mainly creeping up within low miles. In any case, it is always good to check for service records.
And yes, later cars will go for $12'000 at best, more like 14 grand, but it can be worth it. OR just get an older S. Even better.
I agree ***** service history is a must, as is a PPI from a trusted mechanic. The early S models are a lot of fun and can be had for around $12,000. We also have a 2002 Porsche 996 right now and it has been extremely reliable. We haven't had to do anything to this car in the 5 years we have owned it besides change the fluids and brake pads.
Problem with the Boxster... the IMS Bearing.. when it explodes and it will, it send shrapnel all through the motor. Engine replacement is more than the cost of the car, that is why you see so few of these still on the road, or they are really cheap.
What could go wrong ! well revving the nuts of it immediately after starting should help to kill the engine early ! I mean give the oil pump a chance to lubricate it first !!!!
The mechanical work is scary, and the maintenance. That's why I haven't bought one even though I want one.
With the exception of the IMS and water pump issues, the Boxster engines have been pretty bullet proof. Get one of these and you'll very likely have a low-maintenance car that performs better than just about anything else you can get for the same money.
Same reason I refuse to live in a human body. They all break down and are a nightmare to work on.
@@ian-ivey so anything after 2009 for a boxer is low maintenance without any high mechanical costs +
6.9 0-60- are you shitting me, my convertible 95 325, cast iron straight six would do 6.5 and i bought for 3,000 grand on craigslist.
+GrahamCOD NOPE, not even 328i will do that......
are you fucking dumb, oh and im sorry im ment to put 2,000 not 3. My family van will go faster then this .
My Maxima can do it in 5.8
hey those 3.5 maximas are fast i had 04 350z before the bmw. I got left by two car lengths against a maxima.
Yeah I got an 04 g35 and for a 4 door the thing pulls pretty hard lol, and haven't had to spend a penny on maintenance so far (aside from wiper fluid and oil, but that's a given) not sure exactly what it gets but I think it's supposed to be in the ball part of 6 seconds 0-60, so comparing the speed you get from this car to the price isn't all that valid, maybe more just the fact that it's a Porsche and it's probably really fun to drive, but not its numbers
You say it handles good, then turn around and tell us its straight line acceleration. Its a corners car definitely.
Can you cut the damn piano music while you're speaking?
Well I did it, just bought a stunning 987s with loads of upgrades, full Porsche history, the lot!.....enjoying it so much so my advice is....DONT F**CKIN BUY ONE!...car has been trying to kill itself every day, hit a badger 5 days in, £3000 of damage...today cracked the brand new bumper aswell, not my driving at fault, people on the road become total dicks, trying to race you, cutting you up.....still, it feels like nothing else to drive, just stunning.
FRS and BRZ DONT HAVE IMS bearing failures!!!
Be very, very careful! 1997-2001 Boxsters have a lot of problems associated with the Flux Capacitor, a lot more expensive and a lot more common than IMS issues!
05-09 Mustang GT
03-05 SRT-4
06-07 Mazdaspeed6
02-07 Subaru WRX
05-06 Subaru legacy GT
or 89-99 Eclipse GSX for the half of that Porsche
devin Espinoza the Porsche is a mid engines sports car, mustang and others don’t even compare when it comes to balance and handling
I love classical cars
They are amazing
I dont understand how you could compare a 10+ year old porsche's price to a new brz/frs, like why would that need to be mentioned
Because the two cars are very comparable.
what? only 201 hp....honestly, you might as well just get an si. RELIABLE, gas effecient, modern technology, more comfotable...AND is just as fast.ish.
Great video, very helpful, I'm looking for same-
i was going to buy one of these 2003 for $4,000. Crazy.
I am thinking of buying one for $2,400. What could possibly go wrong?
"sportscar sedan" do you know what sedan means? These are like, the opposite of a sedan
Sportscar,(or) sedan
I'm turning 16 in a couple months & I'm saving up to buy one of these for my first car :D
Good for you:D
Always make sure you have a bit of money put away for repairs/maintenance and you will absolutely love it. Look after it and it will run forever.
lol they are cheap and deprecated to shit for a reason. A no income 16 year old wouldn't even be able to afford anywhere near the costs of the many engine problems and IMS failures that come with the car. The boxster is right up there with the 914 in shittiest cars with a Porsche badge.
Owning a Porsche For a 1st car at 16 is awesome! Even if it needs a little work and you are in to cars, then you will really enjoy it! Boxsters are very easy to do your own maintenance on and learn how to work on cars with. Don't believe all the panic about "IMS" failures. In fact, high mileage cars are least likely to have them. Get a pre-inspection,change the oil often, take good care of it and you will enjoy it. A 98 Boxster is still more enjoyable to drive then lots of modern day sports cars. Just a warning.The Porsche bug bites hard. I should know, I own 4 Porsche's now and a 98 boxster was my 1st ;^)
- TSLA you're an absolute idiot - Boxter is listed as top 5 sports cars in the world on just about every list. The 911 barely beats the Boxster in terms of handling and is only marginally faster. The Cayman is modelled on the Boxter because it can barely be improved upon, the new Boxters look better than the 911's. Porsche only came up with a new convertible in 2013 to take over from the Boxter, the 911 Cabriolet and its $60,000usd MORE than the Boxter to beat it.
I would get a e46 m3 convertible