AADD strikes again - learn me 986 Boxster

Looks like a potential (ie within my price range) low mileage (52k) 986 Boxster has put in an appearance on Autotrader. Haven't heard back from the owner yet so I don't know if it's still available.

Pretty much all the buyers guides I've read suggest that the main expensive headaches with these are the IMS bearing and the RMS, but what else is there to look for on a 2002 Boxster S if I don't want to throw my whole disposable income at one?

The one thing this car is lacking is the hard top but it seems those are noticeably cheaper than the one for an S2k, which is a good thing in my book. Plus, my wife seems to prefer at least the looks of the Boxster over the S2k.

This book will help you see what you're up against:

As I recall, some of them have leaky coolant tanks. Not a huge problem, but check for it. Make sure you get at least two keys for it. They're about $400 each.

This will be me in about 3 months as well. I found out yesterday that some little plastic boats I collect are worth over $3500 now, so I'm selling them, the 944, and anything else I can live without until I have Boxster S money...

Check the condition and operation of the top. Supposedly there is a company that has developed a process to test the IMS and has a warrantied fix. I've heard the RMS fix is $600 parts and labor. Airbag lights are common. Porsche made it difficult to upgrade stereos. Seat bottoms tend to bake hard. Wind blockers tend to rattle. On some cars the pedals are stiff but I haven't found the diagnosis or fix yet.

They are truly awesome sports cars. And the trunks swallow much more than you initially think.

David

My understanding is that the RMS fix is the same work as a new clutch, which the car has had already. I hope that they changed that seal at the same time.

I'm not sure that the IMS can be fixed permanently, most of the fixes seem to include regular replacement of the bearings. I guess I'll just have to budget for that work within the first couple of months' ownership.

Intermediate Shaft Bearings are a permanent problem. it's a bit like Herpes. You can work hard for the rest of your life to make the symptoms less prevalent, but you will always have flare ups when it is least convenient.

Can anything else really be said after that

Which 986 did you have, the early 2.5?

Boxsters are far from rare, but when you start shopping for one, you will discover that they are, at least, uncommon. Once you've checked out the two or three local cars for sale, you can go a while before finding another one pop up.

There are only a few local ones in my price range, but there seem to be quite a lot down in the Bay Area and obviously around LA.

Nevertheless there seems to be more of a steady stream of S2000s available for sale.

the only complaints I've heard of for them (aside from the IMS/RMS and stupid switches), was that once they get some miles on them, they tend to rattle and buzz from badly fitted interior bits and the usual flexy chassis 'vert issues.

Had a friend that owned one briefly and really liked it, but then he bought an S2K and loves it even more. Plus the S2K seems to be much more reliable for him than the Boxster. The only trick is finding an S2K that hasn't been "riced" which seems to happen to some of the ones I've seen around here.

I had a friend sell his S2k and keep his Boxster S. There is a big difference between the standard Boxster and the S. Seems some people like to lump them all in the same cateogory.

Well, I just drove a local 2001 Boxster S - I did like (a little better than the two S2ks that I checked out today), but I can see the appeal of both. So far my preference looks like Boxster S - S2k AP1 - S2k AP2 so depending on how the owner's ebay auction goes and if I can arrange a PPI in time, I might actually go for the Boxster.

Guess I have until Monday morning to make up my mind because that's when I've told people I'll get back to them.

I have had a 2004 Boxster 2.7 since 2007 and it has been amazing, even with hundreds of auto-x runs, several lapping days and a couple of long drives to SCCA Solo tours and Nationals events. The only problems we have had is we have gone through 3 of the little plastic pieces at the bottom of the shifter, probably due to aggressive shifting at auto-x. Also, the drivers side CV bolts come loose if you run R-Comps-catch that problem before the axle comes off.