Porsche Boxster 1999 77K miles 3 owners

[Vikas]

Looks like somebody has his heart set on a nice 1999 Porsche Boxster. I drove it too and had a blast during the test drive. The build date is 5/99, so I believe this one does not have the dreaded cylinder liner slip catastrophe waiting to happen. Since we are pretty green on this model, I have asked him to take it to a Porsche specialist in Northern Viriginia for PPI. I could not find anything obviously wrong with it apart from heavy clutch but I was told that Porsche have heavy clutches.

The engine is sweet. The noise it makes it is like music. The engine pulls quite strong from 4K to 5K and even stronger from 5K to 6K! Even at 1800 rpm in 5th gear, it does not protest. The car has twin personality. Drive it in 5th gear and just enjoy the drive with the top down. If you want to be aggressive, stay in 3rd and 4th and have a blast slicing through the road with rev matching! I got used to the clutch quickly and had smooth downshifts and upshifts but did stall couple of times at light :-( This is NOT an "S", so not extremely fast but is very well balanced. It also does not have that turbo kick which he is used to on his Eagle Talon Turbo (will be antique next year!) but he gets convertible and almost as fast as his beloved Talon.

I can understand the allure and the seduction of a Porsche.

Anything before he plunks down lot of change on this mistress?

 

[Mykl]

Does the dreaded IMS deficiency plague that model?

 

[Vikas]

I believe the dreaded IMS affects later models?

"Some Boxster models manufactured between May 4, 2001 and February 21, 2005 have suffered catastrophic engine failure due to a fault with the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing"

Asking a lot, $12.5K to be exact :-(

 

[Mykl]

That's a nice car. It's the correct color. How much for it?

 

[Vikas]

It bugs us a little bit that the emblem on the wheels are in black and white instead of usual yellow/black/red insignia. On the plus side, owner has installed a Kenwood GPS+BlueTooth headunit in the car and looks quite nice.

 

[Mykl]

I'm sure you could find some center caps with the appropriate colors somewhere online.

 

[silverrat]

The centre caps were a $170 option so it shouldn't be an issue replacing those, they do make a nice difference. My favorite colour for this car is silver, like the 550 Spyder.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
My favorite colour for this car is silver, like the 550 Spyder.


YES!

 

[G-MAN]

Does it have a good service record?

 

[k24a4]

$12.5k does not seem exorbitant given the condition, which looks excellent, and the mileage. Are service records available? Nice looking toy.

 

[wings&wheels]

Looks like a nice car, price is not unreasonable for a premium example.

The clutch does take a bit of getting used to as you noticed, like on our 996, it seems to grab a bit high and at an awkward point for your leg when you are just running around town, but the quicker you shift the easier it gets.

All of the early 987, 996 and 997's (until '07 or so? I forget) are susceptible to the IMS and I believe "D-chunk" failures, but they are relatively rare, at least according to the few specialists I know around here. If I remember, the mid 2000's are the worse. That said, I did the IMS retrofit on my Wife's 996 just to be sure...figure 15 years on a sealed bearing inside the engine is enough...and it was fine when replaced. I'd consider it a 50K mile service item.

Aside from the isolated issues, these cars are painless to own..surprisingly so. In 10+ years, besides regular maintenance our 996 has only needed an ignition switch, front hood release cable, spark plug seals and a throttle body mount..that is it. Relatively easy to service for a mid-engine car, maintenance parts costs are reasonable for the car. Component quality is very good; all of our car's door, window and body seals are still intact and soft, none of the rubber or plastic is faded or cracked, leather has a nice patina w/ no wear through or excessive cracking.

Get to know Pelican Parts and Suncoast.

w&w

 

[Vikas]

Unfortunately, no service records :-( I thought the liner failure (is that the same as D-chunk failure) were until build date 4/99. This car has 5/99 build date.

I presume IMS retrofit would involve all the steps involved in replacing the clutch! May be he should just spring for that job before having fun with the car. Is it possible to guesstimate how much life is left on the clutch? Apart from the heavy effort, I did not notice any abnormality with it.

 

[silverrat]

I read on a forum that you can get the clutch, RMS and IMS done for $2400. Not bad to just to it and be sure.

 

[Vikas]

Since he will have the vehicle for overnight before doing PPI, anything else you guys can suggest?

- cover the floor with white paper to see if the car leaves any marks on the pavement while parked
- pop the hood and record the first start
- hose down the car and have somebody inside to look for water intrusion

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Unfortunately, no service records :-(

That's disappointing. If that's the case, the price should reflect that. Is the asking price lower than for a similar car with full service records?

Buying a 15-year-old Porsche, I would like to know that it was regularly serviced. I suppose PPI will uncover some of it though.

Then again, 77k/15 years is only about 5K miles a year. If he was doing annual oil changes, that would have been sufficient, unless that included lots of track time. Just wondering if other fluids (trans, diff, brake, etc.) were tended to on time.

 

[Vikas]

The car has new convertible roof. The picture shows that it *might* have the rear defroster. As far as I know the original 1999 did NOT have glass rear window.

Here is the interior

I think there is even a defroster switch!

 

[Volvohead]

A 15 year old base Boxster without service records for $12.5k?

Regardless of the mileage and cosmetics, I'd pass on it.

 

[wings&wheels]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Unfortunately, no service records :-( I thought the liner failure (is that the same as D-chunk failure) were until build date 4/99. This car has 5/99 build date.

I presume IMS retrofit would involve all the steps involved in replacing the clutch! May be he should just spring for that job before having fun with the car. Is it possible to guesstimate how much life is left on the clutch? Apart from the heavy effort, I did not notice any abnormality with it.


The slipped liner is different from the D chunk. The D chunk is when a D shaped piece of the cylinder cracks off....appears to be related to overheating. Lesson here is to watch your instruments and coolant level. Both appear rare, the only actual one I am familiar with was a D chunk on an abused and neglected early Boxter.

Assuming a clean PPI (should have it done by someone familiar w/ the cars), I would do the RMS, IMS and clutch and then enjoy the heck out of the car.

 

[Vikas]

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=ONL_0&vin=WP0CA2989XS620293

 

[Mykl]

At that price in that visual condition it seems to be worth rolling the dice on.