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Comments
1. 2009 and up is good.
2.The lower the mileage on the car, the higher the risk
3. IMS replacement improves odds significantly but is not a guarantee--it's still, after all, the same engine design.
4. Frequent oil changes improves your odds
5. Revving the engine frequently improves your odds.
6. Failure is catastrophic, and requires an engine rebuilt (currently, OTD about $18,000, or used maybe $6K-$8K)
7. Failure rates vary by year.
That said, I think the ideal Boxster would have about 80K on it, a new clutch already done, IMS replaced, and good service records. Some owners do the clutch and IMS at the same time, since during this operation, the IMS is right out there staring the mechanic in the face. Might as well do it.
What you don't want to do is pay a premium price for one that hasn't had any of this done--because you will be doing some, or all, of it.
So yeah, watch out for slipping clutch, IMS bearing debris in the oil filter, defective air/oil separator, leaking water pump, and real main seal leaks.
They really are very nice cars for the money, if you can get them squared away.
The car I'm considering just had the clutch done, no IMS, full service records though. Asking is just under $10k.
Edit: I need a less expensive hobby...
Here's a beauty but he wants a high premium for exceptional condition:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/6562057257.html
Basically the same car as a 2006 Boxster S for twice the price!
Low miles
Original clutch
Original IMS
High price
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2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
If/when I get one, it will a) live outside; b) be a primary driver; c) be used up over the years until every last drop has been squeezed out of it.
Like I did with the MINI--it's approaching the end of its useful life at 150K, and I've had a lot of fun with it. I've amortized it to nothingness.
No sense for me (or someone like me) to buy a pristine, low mileage car at a premium price--I'm just going to more or less trash it over time, although it will always get regular maintenance.
I like my cars with patina and lots of reliability!
"Thousands for maintenance, and not one penny for car wax".
I'd be interested in the Cayman if it had a rear-seat that I could put Sam in once he's out of car seats. But since it doesn't, I might as well get the convertible I've wanted.
I'm only 5'10 and not especially broad shouldered, so the Boxster is fine for me.
Sam would love the back seat of a 996. He gets to hear the engine up close, too.
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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The guy is driving and his wife and kids are doing other things, sleeping or have their ears on, and he's talking to the camera telling how great it is that they don't know about the money that he gets back...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
(hasn't worked so far)
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My sense is they had a harder time accepting that and finally cutting me loose than I did.
But after speaking with several former owners they basically echoed @Mr_Shiftright and said that the IMS was the least of the issues and they’re known for nickel and diming you to death with small things.
Did I mention the story of the older Porsche that was in front of me for about 1 minute on a twisty fun road I sometimes take on the way home, and a huge black cloud of smoke came out in front of me, very thick, and there on the other side of the smoke screen was the Porsche on the side of the road stopped, as I passed in my reliable Audi.
Could that have been the IMS?
Did I mention my S4 was delivered on the morning after my daughter was born? She went home from the hospital and her first ride was in a brand new 2014 S4.
Now that's a family car!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2012 LaCrosse
2015 Enclave
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Speaking of rides home, I think I was in my dad's 70 Mustang.
Actually I was a large baby. I walked home.
Took my wife to the hospital in her Nissan 240SX, as we weren't sure we were going to make it on time, and there was no way I was letting that happen in my 911. She already threw up in it, once, about two months earlier.
The kid came home in the same vehicle, as it was snowing.
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Woman who owns a very red Alfa Giulia in my building pulled into the garage in a black Giulia. I struck up a conversation with her, asked if it was a loaner. Yes, as her's is at the dealer as the sunroof no longer works. And, maybe, nicer weather approaches here in New England, she would like to be able to open her sunroof. Hmm, an electrical problem? Glad I bought British!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Lots of different ways to grow up in the world, for sure.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD