First Gen Boxsters - Pitfalls?

"LoremIpsum010101" (loremipsum010101)
10/03/2015 at 01:33 • Filed to: None

I’m in the market for a car. I have no kids. I don’t commute by car. I live in Southern California. So, obviously, I’m buying a two-seat convertible! Despite the obvious rationality of a Miata, or the bang-for-the-buck of a C5 Corvette, I’ve had my eye on some first-gen Boxsters. For example, this 2003 with 38,000 miles for sale for $17,000. Classy, German, possibly temperamental, but also plenty fast and fun.

So what are the general pitfalls of Boxsters? Any problems to be aware of? Random things that cost a ton to repair (wait...its a Porsche...don’t answer that.) Can you at least fit two people’s luggage for a weekend getaway in the trunk/frunk? Any Oppo expertise would be appreciated.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ctd/522442…

DISCUSSION (9)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > LoremIpsum010101
10/03/2015 at 01:39

IIRC, IMS issues were there, but you can get a kit that will replace the IMS before it grenades.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
10/03/2015 at 01:57

IMS was 996 911, no?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/03/2015 at 01:58

http://boxsterguide.blogspot.ca/2010/09/interm…

911e46z06 > LoremIpsum010101
10/03/2015 at 02:28

No idea, but I drove one once and liked it very much.

DrScientist > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/03/2015 at 08:39

same engine, detuned.

E92M3 > LoremIpsum010101
10/03/2015 at 09:06

They have IMS failures.. A $17k car could quickly be in need of a $30k engine.

SpeedSwede > LoremIpsum010101
10/03/2015 at 12:51

The cayman (which has a very similar trunk/frunk layout) easily fits two peoples luggage in either the trunk or frunk. They don’t have a lot of space in the cabin but the storage space is surprisingly big.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > E92M3
10/04/2015 at 15:31

Porsche engines are expensive, but not $30K for a standard replacement... unless one is swapping a GT3-RS engine and associated accoutrements into it, and making it a killer race car.

E92M3 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
10/04/2015 at 16:36

If you bought a salvaged boxer, and swapped the engine yourself that would be the cheapest route. A rebuild or replacement at a Porsche dealer is almost $30k with labor.