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And because ain't nobody respects the egglamps and are turned off the bearing, it's likely to stay kinda cheap for a while, at least until more Porschephiles get desperate.
I saw a Buick Roadmaster wagon yesterday that was plum with a plum interior. It was faded and worn in they typically 90s gm way so it had to have been factory.
I bought a boxster for $6000 last year, some maintenance was deferred, but a few trips to my local pick and pull and $2500 later(new headlights, roof, and a couple body panels), I had a very good date night car
I worked at a Porsche dealership as a lot boy when these were still new, and I knew I’d never really get to 911 Status. Heck, I figured I’d never get to Porsche status. But I found a base one around 6 years ago with 120k+ miles and was able to make it happen. I’m glad I did. Only had it for about a year since we had a newborn shortly after, but I can check it off my list. Honestly loved it and didn’t care about what the 911 folks would say, but it was used up enough to be my daily driver in all Central Illinois seasons. Winters were interesting, but my 25 mile work commute was one of the best parts of my day.
I think people chasing status symbols dislike it because it's a more affordable way to get into the 911 brand. I'm not sure if anyone else cares. And most non-car people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Boxster and a 911.
I drove one for a week it had 800 miles on it ! I drove it so hard the center caps melted off ! I had so much fun and pulled so much potang ! It gripes !
11:54 About the IMS bearing, every time I hear someone worry about it, I always say: just replace the damn thing! Reliable aftermarket replacement parts are readily available. Just have one of them installed, and you'll never have to think about the IMS bearing again. Edit: I've given some basic info on what to look for in the replies, please do your own research for more details.
@@ItzzzBeamo Depends on what replacement parts you choose. LN Engineering in particular is regarded as having the best parts by far. They offer a few options. The first two are bolt-on kits with new bearings themselves that you intall instead of the OEM bearing, and no other changes to the engine are needed, they cost $800 or $950. The other option is a kit that includes an oil-fed plain bearing (similar to what air-cooled Porsches had), a metal pipe that connects it to the oil filter and an adapter for the oil filter. This option is reportedly the most durable and should last forever. It costs $1900. A special toolkit is also needed regardless of the option you choose (because Porsche), but I think it's included in the package. And even with the labor cost included (unless you are skilled enough to do it yourself), it's still cheaper than a new engine or rebuilding the original engine. Edit: EPS also has good replacement bearings.
The 2.7 has the longest gears out of all the Boxsters but even still nice to see you enjoyed it for what it was, 987s are supposedly even nicer to drive with a louder exhaust, lower seat and a notchier gear change but these 986s have been looking pretty spicy to me recently too. I *have* kind of resigned myself to not being able to stretch for a 996 but this is the same interior, same sort of noises and the same sort of vibe for half the price. Some say when they finally got their 996/997 they missed the sportier vibe of the Boxster, chasing redlines rather than cruising the wave of torque those have. Also, some bozo on Instagram claimed these were NA Miata priced new as an """"entry level Porsche"""" vs the supposedly "much more expensive new ones" and holy hell good to see you call out how expensive they really were in their day; socially in Greece this was the yuppie E30 for the 00s, an excess toy but it's so much more clever than that when you give it a little bit of thought. I really could see myself in one. I love Porsches.
That's why I'm looking for a 2.5, shortest gearing of the bunch and the only one with a cable throttle. Throw in a short throw shifter and 987 seats and you've got a car with all the great characteristics of both.
I've got a 987 S Manual, never driven a 986, but can tell you the 987 is well worth the money!! Best fun I've ever had in a car, and because it's not break-the-bank inflated-911 expensive, I love sharing it with whoever (almost) wants to have a go.
Have owned 2x 986-gen Boxsters, an early base model and a late Boxster S. Both have been enjoyable, but the step up to Boxster S was drastic. Like a different car, especially with the 6-speed and short(er)-throw shifter. Absolutely a blast anytime the wife lets me behind the wheel.
These are great. Especially the S versions. My friend has a 2001 S and I LOVE to borrow it. It's one of the best cars I have ever driven. I love convertibles.
haha loved that intro and damn! what a lovely interior. im sure the s2000 is a better sports car and the 911 is faster but i feel like the boxster is plenty fun and probably more comfortable and accessible. S2000's are just sooo snappy. this is probably better for more people if you can deal with the maintenance. my dad would love one of these. you could totally daily drive one of these too. i Daily a miata and love it but its def not as comfortable overall.
As I've finally gotten a Porsche (a 'lowly' Cayman), your reading of the manual is what I think of all those 'that guys' that own Porsches. I struggled for years even owning one. But first rip on the back roads in mine, you get it. Love the writing in the final 'chapter' here.
God that is such a weird interior color, it's so nasty that I almost like it. Boxters remind me of the good ol days playing NFS Porsche Unleashed (Porsche 2000 here in Europe).
Thanks for outing the only affordable Porsche, that people say “isn’t a real Porsche” and I’ve been saving to buy before anyone else noticed. Yeah, thanks a lot!
I never actually knew that about Toyota but for some reason based on my preconceptions of Germans it's crazy to think that a country that was at one point prided on efficiency had to reach out to another country/company that is known specifically for efficiency maximization.
Germans aren't anywhere close to that preconceived notion. 75% of our machines are Germanic, and they come over sometimes to finish the build out. There is much cussing, sawing and complaining, but in a clean sort of way. Watching these guys work is borderline painful because they bought into their own Kool-Aid. And unlike the Japanese, their shit breaks down three times a day. They have no idea what the American idea of "Mass Production" actually looks like, but they will happily sell us a smaller, lighter machine that supposedly "makes rate" with a 36 cavity machine. And our American machines are 100 cavity machines built in Michigan that blast out product at a mindboggling rate with minimal maintenance or expertise. It works in Germany. The Americans and Japanese are laughing at them. But people with "preconceived notions of superior precision" keep buying their junk.
@@Gazdatronik Oh no, I no longer have that notion anymore. I'm old enough now and have seen enough German cars to know they're absolutely shit. They're designed as if they never break but then break twice as much as anyone else.
I thought this video came out a while ago. Strange that I came very early to a brand new video and it was for something I was vicariously researching online for the past month.
I owned a boxster S a few years back. One of my favorite cars i've owned. To me it was like a Miata and a BMW had a baby. Most of the fun of a Miata but all the comforts of a BMW. My weekend car is now an AW11 and sometimes I yearn for my boxster's comfort but you can't beat the popup headlights and toyota door buzz.
Do it!! Its a great car., also with a Porsche try to get a pre purchase inspection, the only expensive failure point is the motor and its like $15k to get a new one, so make sure someone borescopes the engine to make sure its not on its last leg before buying.
@@scatpack1381 I honestly haven't really pushed my boxster s yet, just got it and getting caught up on some maintenance. From the couple of rides it's feels way more planted and a lot more willing to get out of corners, but still on street tires. The Miata is pure driving feel and fun, much more go cart like but mine is also pretty much built for the track.
@@scatpack1381 I never tuned my Boxster S but after redoing the suspension on my AW11 (new bushings and a set of decent coilovers) the ride quality feels about the same. The Boxster definitely had more power and felt more stable due to wider tires and about 100 more HP. Body roll and cornering is comparable though. The Boxster had a limited number of off the shelf tuning available unless you were willing to spend big $. If I can recall you can get about a 20 hp gain from a few bolt ons but the engine is pretty well tuned from Porsche. As for the AW11 tons of suspension and the toyota parts bin goes deep. Engine swaps are documented and parts are available but whether your building the original engine or swapping youre spending the same amount of money to double(or more) the HP of the MR2. I plan on doing a motor swap in the 2 next year or so, or if the 200k miles 4agze decides to give out earlier. All in all both cars are great the Porsche definitely felt more solid and well constructed but there's a charm of 80s toyotas that i love.
Wouldnt care for a early silver regular booster BUT THAT GREEN INTERIOR WITH THE OPTIONS MAKES IT! i absolutely love that interior and is first silver one i ever am fond of
I remember back in elementary school, one of the playground aids pointed to the parking lot where a Porsche Boxter sat and said, "that's my car, it's a one-hundred thousand dollar car". I had no idea what a Boxter was (other than it being a cool looking car) or how much $100k was, but it all makes sense now. I still don't get how she afforded it though lol.
Great feature. I bought a '99 two years ago and it's a lovely thing. My ride home yesterday was exactly as Mr Regular described at the end. Have had a couple of "oh, I see you can't afford a 911" comments, to which I just reply "yes." People are so scared of the engine imploding that values are surpressed. But a similar-era 911 is probably more likely to lunch itself, it doesn't rot like a Miata/MX5... and read about the Triumph Stag if you want some perspective.I found it difficult to find one with uncloudy headlights.
You'd think that people would be over the "it's not a 911" snobbery. The Cayman/Boxter have a different driving experience but they're still Porsches. Porsche has never built a bad-driving car. Engine issues are known and can be remediated before issues happen. Parts are readily available. If it makes the driver happy, who cares that it's not a 911?
Trapper Keeper Green makes me Feel like I got all my long division done on the bus ride home so I can watch Tailspin. That really spoke to me. And I have a 986S :p
I never would've guessed that a fuckin Porsche would be an easier more affordable introduction into sports cars over Toyotas, Hondas, and Mazdas but I guess here we are on this bitch of an earth where BringATrailer exists
Boaters are great! Me and my hubs bought me a new Cayman GT4 and I looooooooooooove it! I got rid of my TRD pro Tacoma for something with slightly better fuel mileage and way more fun to drive. My GT4 gets around 38mpg on long highway trips which is damn near double what the Tacoma got! The car is a hoot to drive but I’ll say get rid of the stock tires IMMEDIATELY! They will get you hurt/killed in inclement weather. I replaced my tires with Michelin all seasons and the car drives better, is quieter, gets better mileage, and handles like it’s on rails rain or shine! We had the same tires on our wide body Hellcat and they were good in the snow too, but I haven’t got to try these in the snow yet. Unfortunately what you said about Porsche people is true and I’ve had people be rood to me just because I’m a woman in a Porsche, they assume I’m stuck up. It’s unfortunate because me and hubs both love cars and hell we drag race every weekend he’s off of work! Mr. Regular than you for a fair and honest review of the Boxter. If you can get a hold of a 2013-2016 Cayman, they are similar but in a lot of ways they are WAY different! IMO Cayman is superior in every way except putting the top down. But I still love and want a Boxter too. Sorry I know this is long but I hope it finds you well! If you’re ever in the north west message me, we have a few interesting cars for you to review!
I've wanted a 911 since before I was 10. Got a steady job and decent income, and saw a 2005 Boxster S manual for sale. Thought I'd just go for a test drive for a bit of a giggle, knowing that I'd rather save up for a 911. Jokes on me, because I fell in love in less than two blocks. I've considered trading up to a 911 a few times.. But every time I drive this car I fall in love all over again. Roof down on a summers night at any speed, amazing.. And if you're half mechanically minded, they're not that hard to work on either. Changed the clutch and a few other things myself. Access from that top hatch though is a pain in the asshole.
I had a 97 years ago. I made the mistake of buying the “cheap one” on eBay. It still was an amazingly well balanced car and was a hoot to drive. Maintenance killed me and I sold it at a loss. Fast forward 20 years and I’m happily in a 997. (Let me know if you want to review it) The learning experience of the Boxster taught me how to buy a Porsche. If the IMS hasn’t been done, budget $2k to get an updated version and you won’t need to worry again. In a world where 944s are going for $20k, Boxsters are a compelling buy. Get a nice one and you can enjoy it for a few years and get your money back when you’re ready to upgrade.
This is uncanny...I just bought a 1997 Boxster less than two months ago and wanted to submit it to RC. My car is the same but different but also the same. Mine is less 'tarted' up, it's pretty base (2.5 engine) with a manual and cruise, not even a trip computer (it was an option). The engine compartment is easily opened (it's explained in the manual), takes about 2-3 minutes once you've done it. That's where the MAF and air filter are. You check/add oil and coolant from the trunk. Despite the 'snob' veneer of this car I always wanted a Porsche (I'm 59), and I don't give a rat's ass what people think when I drive it. IT MAKES ME HAPPY. It's just a simple, well-built, good looking top-down car. I won't be streetlight racing it, auto-crossing it or showing up at car shows. It drives wonderfully to me, after decades of FWD cars and minivans. This car is where I decompress. I don't even turn on the stereo. It's a wonderful little car that always puts a smile on my face, even if others wince or eye roll. Oh, and the early years used a better made IMS bearing that is not a problem. It's an issue for some Boxsters but not really the apocalypse as some people claim.
Similar story here. I’m in my early 40s and less than a month ago bought a 2000 boxster base with like 39k miles on it. I had 911 posters on my wall when I was a kid. I still want a 911 someday. But this car is really so. Much. Fun. You don’t know until you’ve lived with it, gotten to know it.
I had to get rid of my motorcycles (for reasons) and a more recent Cayman T replaced it. I know some people think I’m a douche, and the rest think I’m too poor for a 911 (true). But who gives AF? It’s such an amazing drive.
I worked at a Mazda dealership when I was 17 (2003) and one of the low level sales managers had this car. He thought it was amazing so I made a point to always remind him it's the least desirable Porsche next to the 914
I've had two 986S two 996 in C2 and 4 in 3.4 and 3.6. and a turbo 996... you lost me at IMS. I'd worry far more about bore scoring in the cylinders post 2001. and that S2000 argument is banal. i have been in both. love the S2000. but it's NOT worth the money when a 986S will RAVAGE a base S2000. yours looked a little touched. fix that shifter throw with a numeric racing shift linkage. btw ravage was a joke... s2000 and 986S are about equivalent in different ways. 8:32 ring times. you want to immediately improve that 986... remove 2 of the 4 catalytic converters. there's power to be had there.
This and the MRS/MR2 Spyder are so similar that they evoke the same emotions. You look at them and think to yourself “who tf would drive this hideous monstrosity?” Then you look at it some more, and some more. You begin to notice how the over exaggerated rounded lines evoke a sense of nostalgia back to the early 2000s. You view it is as beautifully simple. And then you drive it. It takes every corner you throw at it with a great eagerness, almost as if it is begging you for more. Next thing you know, you’re in love. You’re in love with a frog looking monstrosity with awful luggage space and all around ergonomics. This goes for both the MRS and the Boxster, and i unfortunately fell for it.
This was the car all the young sub-prime loan traders bought back before 2007. At the time, the wheels were rare and tire choices were limited to high performance tires that did not last long. I had a friend with one of these and the tires would wear out under normal conditions in about 10,000 miles. He would drive it like a grandma to try to get at least 6 months of commuting out of a set of $1200 tires. So, check tire options before before buying one of these.
To access the engine Put the top halfway up. Disconnect the hold down straps and pull the rear window(all glass on the 03) forward. t Then there are four knobs/keys(?) You twist in a screw like fashion. Then you can lift off the carpeted insulated cover and access the engine bay.
I love how you're both composed and articulate, while also being utterly insane. Its like listening to myself. Disturbing. But entertaining. Love it. haha! Oh and those were excluuuuuusive options. Not executive ;) Oh and I have a cx500T, and may have a spare for sale if you reeeaaally want to get back on a factory turbo bike!
My step dad has the same year boxster S, black on black with aluminum trim, and it came with the 3.2L making 258HP, and the 6 speed really helps the driving experience. It also came with self-adjusting HIDs.
I just bought a Japanese Market 1998 Boxster 2.5 for about $6,000. It's in great shape and a lot of fun for the money. I've been making videos on the small projects that have been needed to get it all sorted out. Thanks for the obnoxious video ;) as always.
Flat 6 Porsche with a manual transmission, hydraulic steering and manual parking brake but is looked down on because it’s not built like a vw bug and has a proper layout. Porsche logic.
Did they get a new camera? Or program? Highway rolling shots are crisp, defined, and follow the target in such a clean way. Maybe I'm just now noticing it with this Porsche. Looks great!
Looked for one of these for a couple years after I sold the vanagon westy I had owned so long it became too valuable for me to keep. (I had a severely rusted 10 years old 914 in my last year of HS, another cheap mid engine compromise roadster that saved the company during hard times.) A pandemic came. All the cheap 1st Gen boxsters disappeared then returned at +50% prices, and my friend's dad was killed by the virus. His Z4, bought new when he retired in 03, was offered to me at a price I could not refuse. But I really wanted a boxster.
The problem with PA Oil and Chips is that they only apply it during the heights of "summer driving season". So July and August are off-limits to nice cars.
I love my 2001 boxster S. It handles great, sounds awesome, it's fast enough. Boxsters are generally more reliable than their 911 counterparts. And now that the GT4RS is a thing, people are willing to admit that boxsters can be quick. It's really the last enthusiast car that hasn't exploded in value yet.
Oh and when I drive my 986, I get the wave from really really expensive 911 drivers. GT2, GT3, even a 918 once... I think generally porsche people don't really care if you're driving a boxster as long as you're enjoying yourself.
The best thing about these cars is that they can be had DIRT cheap. Like literally 6-8k in decent condition. With the fried egg headlights and the IMS issues (which aren't as widespread as people would have you believe), everyone avoids them, but you have to ask yourself, for the same money do I want a 2000s 220+hp Porsche or a 90s 95hp Miata? It's an interesting choice these days.
Jeremy Clarkson did irreparable damage to this thing's rep. I've loved Porsches ever since I got the issue of Road and Track with the 959 vs F40 article when I was 8. This was overpriced when new but they're great cars and the only reasonably priced Porsche remaining since everyone caught onto the 924,944, and 928s being pretty great. Like the C4 they'll stay that way until attrition kills off the bad ones and people fix up the good ones. Last chance for a mid engined bargain. MR2s are too much and even Fieros are getting pricey. They are kinda ugly though.
The IMS was a non issue in the 2.5 cars but when they jumped to the 2.7 it had like an 8% failure rate. In 2023 though any of these cars with a bad ims probably aren't on the road
I looked into buying one ~8 or so years ago and remembered coming away less than impressed. I like expected more in the power and handling department, the interior felt cheap and I couldn’t justify the price. Maybe the S model was more what I was looking for?
Glad to see the Boxster get a review. Back in 2020 I was in the roadster market and was down to finding an ancient Z3, Boxster, or Miata. I decided on the Z3. I don't regret my choice at all. The wife and I love little weekend getaways with it.
Pretty much every serious Porsche person of many years has multiple Porsches, and all but the most class conscious will have a boxster or a cayman.. They are absolutely that good.
