03' boxster 5 spd, plain jane worth it ?, That many possible problems..!! |
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03' boxster 5 spd, plain jane worth it ?, That many possible problems..!! |
flmont |
Aug 3 2017, 09:15 PM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 879 Joined: 21-October 08 From: Tucson,Az Member No.: 9,676 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I was looking at a clean 03' plain jane boxster has 40 K miles on it,..as I start to read up on that era car,..I was surprised it had so many possible issue's I knew of the IMS,and oil separator, but what's with the D chunking of cylinders, possible cracks in the heads ,..Etc Etc I realize not every car would have these issues but Damn I am surprised that Porsche's quality control could be that bad,Or they hired some rookie engineer's,..But , is it worth the 14 K the dealer is asking !! Thanks Frank (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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arne |
Aug 3 2017, 09:32 PM
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#2
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Serial Rescuer of old vehicles... Group: Members Posts: 743 Joined: 31-January 17 From: Eugene, Oregon Member No.: 20,799 Region Association: None |
14k is top dollar for a car like that, compared to the ones here in Oregon. They seem to trade for 10k around here.
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thelogo |
Aug 4 2017, 12:03 AM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,510 Joined: 6-April 10 Member No.: 11,572 Region Association: None |
Its a gamble plain and simple
Why would you buy a car that you know has a higher potential For catastrophic failure And will be expensive to repair and maintain Why dont you your just jump completely off the clif And get a 03 ,911 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) And see how it holds up |
EdwardBlume |
Aug 4 2017, 12:33 AM
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#4
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California |
I had a non-S 5 speed for awhile. It was fun, but needed more power.
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jmitro |
Aug 4 2017, 06:06 AM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 713 Joined: 23-July 15 From: Oklahoma Member No.: 18,986 Region Association: None |
just like everything on the internet, those issues have been widely debated and unnecessarily exaggerated.
You could probably get the car for $12k an have a really nice car for 1/4 of the new MSRP |
My 914 |
Aug 4 2017, 06:50 AM
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#6
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Casual Member Group: Members Posts: 560 Joined: 23-April 16 From: Massachusetts Member No.: 19,928 Region Association: North East States |
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Porscheguy912 |
Aug 4 2017, 07:07 AM
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#7
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porscheguy912 Group: Members Posts: 46 Joined: 10-April 14 From: Summit, NJ Member No.: 17,236 Region Association: North East States |
I just purchased a 2001 Boxster S for $11,000 with newly replaced IMS bearing. I would recommend only an "S" with updated IMS. EBay has many for sale.
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csdilligaf |
Aug 4 2017, 07:25 AM
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#8
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Member Group: Members Posts: 106 Joined: 18-April 12 From: San Diego CA Member No.: 14,397 Region Association: None |
While building my 914 I wanted something to drive and enjoy so I hunted for a Cayman S watching Craiglist like a hawke. A 2007 Cayman S with 93K miles popped up for $18.5K and I grabbed it. I could not be more impressed. It is a little under powered meaning as I shift through the gears I can have it floored and be waiting for the rev's to climb for the next shift. But I simply love the car over all and assume the Boxster S to give the same smile. Wait for the right deal and be ready to jump on it.
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IronHillRestorations |
Aug 4 2017, 08:07 AM
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#9
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I. I. R. C. Group: Members Posts: 6,729 Joined: 18-March 03 From: West TN Member No.: 439 Region Association: None |
I read an article a few weeks ago that said to find a nice clean S that needed a clutch or was nearing a clutch replacement and factor that with an IMS replacement to swing a deal. Providing you can do the work yourself, you might get into one without too much pain
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DRPHIL914 |
Aug 4 2017, 08:19 AM
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#10
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Dr. Phil Group: Members Posts: 5,768 Joined: 9-December 09 From: Bluffton, SC Member No.: 11,106 Region Association: South East States |
some may say that's too much but remember its not 140k miles its 40 k miles and that makes a huge difference! if you put 5k miles a year on it that's worth an extra 15 years of driving vs buying a high miles car- yes you would do the IMS and with a dealer yo might negotiate a lower price as that is top dollar- I had a 2000S I had for 3 years- bought for $12,500 drove for 3 years put 28k miles on it and sold it outright for same price as I paid for it!!!!! because I didn't want to do the IMS and clutch and tune etc that was due at 90k miles- but great car!
6 months ago after looking again for a few years for another one, I picked up a 97 base 2.5 L car with only 35 k miles- I paid a very low price for the car- mint on the inside, top like brand new because the owner used the hard top or no top at all - its really clean with a few dings but mechanically previous original owner had the vac lines belts etc all done before listing it for sale - I just put new tires on it - fun car but its a bit under powered - I will upgrade the brakes and shocks- oh, and the IMS in early cars is a dual row, less than 1% failure rate- much better than the 04-05 cars larger bearing. but if it goes you can always do a LS conversion! for half the price of a new Porsche motor- lots of cars out there so you don't have to rush- the O/A thing is no big deal , did mine on the S myself- also look at the option list - my S had a base price of $49k, and $12K worth of options!! yet on resale and second hand you can get all that ess for free- Good luck with your search- if the car is pristine clean car fax good maintenece history I would offer them $10k, see what the say- but for that mileage $12k will be a good deal. Clutch wont need it until 80 k miles so drive and enjoy! |
Mark Henry |
Aug 4 2017, 08:39 AM
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#11
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
just like everything on the internet, those issues have been widely debated and unnecessarily exaggerated. Tell that to the guy who's '04 C4S engine I pulled out two days ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Any '00-06 single row bearing I say get the IMS done now. Attached image(s) |
Mark Henry |
Aug 4 2017, 09:05 AM
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#12
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
but if it goes you can always do a LS conversion! for half the price of a new Porsche motor- Well that statement is a little misleading. Apples to apples A full on 996 pro rebuild using nickies with install is going to run you around $30K, but to get Renagade to do you a full LS3 conversion is also going to cost you $30K. Even DIY using Renagade kit (full kit almost $7K) will run you at least $12-15K depending on the engine. If you are super talented, can fab everything, use a LS1 5.3 (used) you might be able to come out sub $10K...just maybe. Building a 996 engine right now and also researching the conversions, so I know I'm not too far off on this. |
billh1963 |
Aug 4 2017, 09:27 AM
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#13
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Car Hoarder! Group: Members Posts: 3,402 Joined: 28-March 11 From: South Carolina Member No.: 12,871 Region Association: South East States |
but if it goes you can always do a LS conversion! for half the price of a new Porsche motor- Well that statement is a little misleading. Apples to apples A full on 996 pro rebuild using nickies with install is going to run you around $30K, but to get Renagade to do you a full LS3 conversion is also going to cost you $30K. Even DIY using Renagade kit (full kit almost $7K) will run you at least $12-15K depending on the engine. If you are super talented, can fab everything, use a LS1 5.3 (used) you might be able to come out sub $10K...just maybe. Building a 996 engine right now and also researching the conversions, so I know I'm not too far off on this. Did you attend Raby's M96 class? I did and it was excellent....pretty much a prerequisite if you want to rebuild a 996. |
jmitro |
Aug 4 2017, 11:59 AM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 713 Joined: 23-July 15 From: Oklahoma Member No.: 18,986 Region Association: None |
Tell that to the guy who's '04 C4S engine I pulled out two days ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) you just proved my point. the failures are all over the internet, but how many people with non-failures are out there enjoying their M96 engine with no problems? sucks for the 1/1000 that have a catastrophic failure, but let's be real....how many catastrophic M96 failures are out there? |
Ferg |
Aug 4 2017, 03:48 PM
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#15
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,948 Joined: 8-January 03 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 116 Region Association: None |
Tell that to the guy who's '04 C4S engine I pulled out two days ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) you just proved my point. the failures are all over the internet, but how many people with non-failures are out there enjoying their M96 engine with no problems? sucks for the 1/1000 that have a catastrophic failure, but let's be real....how many catastrophic M96 failures are out there? More than 1/1000, sure tons of owners got lucky and during the ownership period had no issues, but how comfortable are you dropping 15-25k on a sports car knowing that is has a flaw that could maybe possibly cost you 20k if not addressed. |
Mark Henry |
Aug 4 2017, 04:10 PM
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#16
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
Tell that to the guy who's '04 C4S engine I pulled out two days ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) you just proved my point. the failures are all over the internet, but how many people with non-failures are out there enjoying their M96 engine with no problems? sucks for the 1/1000 that have a catastrophic failure, but let's be real....how many catastrophic M96 failures are out there? Enough... I also have a '99 C2 in here 130K km (80K miles) thrust bearing shot, damaged crank, cylinders #5 and 6 scratched and over .006" out of round. I can also see from a previous repair that it has an almost new replacement head on one side. But hey...the IMS bearing looked good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
Racer |
Aug 4 2017, 06:29 PM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 787 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Northern Virginia Member No.: 1,073 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I ran a 2000 base model 5spd with some fancy sport package (18" wheels, interior upgrades etc. plastic rear window) . The car was a hoot. I was looking for a "modern" 914 with AC and heat and this was it. It understeered a bit much and didn't want to rotate as much as the older cars but was a good "weekend" car for me. However, I could never shake the feeling that the engine was just waiting to fail on me. Had it about 1 year.
From what I've read on the interweb, not all IMS fixes are a be all end all cure. Then again, not every car's engine blows up catastrophically. If you can live with the risk, you might like the reward! |
Spoke |
Aug 4 2017, 08:15 PM
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#18
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,991 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
After reading this thread and not knowing what IMS is, I read up on the IMS used in Porsche engines. What a dumb piece of engineering to put sealed ball bearings inside the engine. I don't think I'd want to come anywhere close to owning one of the MY cars affected.
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boxsterfan |
Aug 4 2017, 08:34 PM
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#19
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914's are kewl Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 6-June 03 From: San Ramon, CA Member No.: 791 Region Association: Northern California |
At least the interior on the 03 and earlier look good. Personally, I don't really care for any of the interiors of the Porsches after that year.
As my screen name implies, I had a 2002 2.7L Boxster 5-speed. It was a fun car. Certainly, not a straight-line racer but could hold it's own from 3rd gear up with a 2003 Bullit Mustang that my friend drove. It was a great car to cruise long distances in for me (Phoenix to LA at the time). My back was younger then too. However, today I would get the 6-speed S with 252 HP and one that has had all the big issues remedied. In some ways, a car with more mileage may be in better shape. |
arne |
Aug 4 2017, 08:46 PM
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#20
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Serial Rescuer of old vehicles... Group: Members Posts: 743 Joined: 31-January 17 From: Eugene, Oregon Member No.: 20,799 Region Association: None |
I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that the IMS issue is more common on low mileage cars, cars that sit a lot. Cars that are driven regularly don't seem to be as prone to this, from what I've seen.
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