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Another 356A owned by a friend, and "sister" to your parking lot buddy next to my '66 at a vintage car rally in the South of France in September 2016.
These early Porsches have only a fraction of the horsepower of our 2nd generation Corvettes, but in capable hands they can move, especially in mountain passes where they are much more nimble than a C2.
A guy wants to sell me a one-owner 2003 Boxster with 34,000 miles on it for under 5-digits....no hit with a 6-speed...
I'm slightly interested but I don't know squat about them, their reliability, any historical trends with motor/tranny problems, etc... Or even if they handle decently....I haven't driven a rear engine car since my Corvair days...
A guy wants to sell me a one-owner 2003 Boxster with 34,000 miles on it for under 5-digits....no hit with a 6-speed...
I'm slightly interested but I don't know squat about them, their reliability, any historical trends with motor/tranny problems, etc... Or even if they handle decently....I haven't driven a rear engine car since my Corvair days...
Cayman's & Boxter's are mid engine unlike 911's which are rear engine. Cayman's are basically Boxter coupes. The handling on these cars are incredible! I've read that there were issues w/ IMS bearing failure causing catastrophic engine damage but from what I've read that is very rare. You might want to google that and check out some different opinions on that matter...they are all over the map. I haven't run across anyone who had this issue personally.
Boxter's and Cayman's are mid engine not rear engine. The older ones like you are referring to are expensive to repair when the intermediate shaft bearing goes. They are a problem in most of the earlier years. They don't get enough oil fed to that bearing. Unless it's been upgraded to the newer type positive oil feed, I would skip it. But, you can put an LS3 or LS7 in them with Renegades conversion kit. A guy here in SC has one that I rode in and it is a screamer... The LS3 is lighter than the Porsche flat six, imagine that.
Boxter's and Cayman's are mid engine not rear engine. The older ones like you are referring to are expensive to repair when the intermediate shaft bearing goes. They are a problem in most of the earlier years. They don't get enough oil fed to that bearing. Unless it's been upgraded to the newer type positive oil feed, I would skip it. But, you can put an LS3 or LS7 in them with Renegades conversion kit. A guy here in SC has one that I rode in and it is a screamer... The LS3 is lighter than the Porsche flat six, imagine that.
From what I have read less than 2% off Boxter's manufactured and distributed worldwide had this problem. That's why I said google it because opinions on this subject are all over the map. I've never heard of an LS3 conversion kit for these?? Damn! Now I'm going to have to look into this!!
Renegade in Las Vegas sells the LS kits or they do the full on conversion if you want. They almost always have a car for sale with an LS in it. There is a little surgery required, but it doesn't look too bad based on what my friend did. Google them, there are lots of You Tube videos on the subject. The handling is still great. Cheers Michael
A guy wants to sell me a one-owner 2003 Boxster with 34,000 miles on it for under 5-digits....no hit with a 6-speed...
I'm slightly interested but I don't know squat about them, their reliability, any historical trends with motor/tranny problems, etc... Or even if they handle decently....I haven't driven a rear engine car since my Corvair days...
Hey Frankie. An ‘03 base Boxster will not have the power you are used to but it will ride and handle great. It is actually a mid-engine car as the engine sits under the top stowage compartment, right behind the seats. No, there is no heat transfer into the cabin and it’s a very neutral handling car. It is like any used car however in that the horn may quit working or windows sag, etc. And it seems every used car I ever bought needed a battery! You should check to see if the intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) has been replaced. Failure of that bearing goes with no warning and turns the engine into a boat anchor. All flat six powered Porsches from about ‘98 through ‘08 or so were susceptible except turbos and GT3s. Happens rarely but you don’t want it to happen to you. Air/oil separators can be a maintenance item and rear main seals (RMS) can leak. The only really awful thing is the IMS and there are preventive fixes for it. Replacement IMS will run about $1K or so. Lots of folks do the clutch at the same time since they are “in there anyway” with an add to that $1K. These really are great fun cars. I have had two, an ‘06 and ‘13 both of which were the S variant with bigger brakes and more power and no problems. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions. It could be a very good deal.
Look me up on my page 339 on the million hit thread on Pelican “King of Mulholland”
We have and had some very fast ones in our family!
My Dad as he was nearing the end of his life, had sold his 1963 356B with S engine and aluminum drum brakes (owned from the mid 70s to around 2014 I think)! The OP’s picture could be it! I have the Vin on some old paperwork and a ton of pictures!
Last edited by TCracingCA; 08-11-2018 at 12:16 AM.
Hey Frankie. An ‘03 base Boxster will not have the power you are used to but it will ride and handle great. It is actually a mid-engine car as the engine sits under the top stowage compartment, right behind the seats. No, there is no heat transfer into the cabin and it’s a very neutral handling car. It is like any used car however in that the horn may quit working or windows sag, etc. And it seems every used car I ever bought needed a battery! You should check to see if the intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) has been replaced. Failure of that bearing goes with no warning and turns the engine into a boat anchor. All flat six powered Porsches from about ‘98 through ‘08 or so were susceptible except turbos and GT3s. Happens rarely but you don’t want it to happen to you. Air/oil separators can be a maintenance item and rear main seals (RMS) can leak. The only really awful thing is the IMS and there are preventive fixes for it. Replacement IMS will run about $1K or so. Lots of folks do the clutch at the same time since they are “in there anyway” with an add to that $1K. These really are great fun cars. I have had two, an ‘06 and ‘13 both of which were the S variant with bigger brakes and more power and no problems. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions. It could be a very good deal.
I did some research on the IMS failures and 2003 was a prime year for problems and numbers are all over the place for failure rates from 2% to 20% and everything in between. I'll pass.
Unless I find a boxster with and LSx conversion for cheap....now THAT would be something....
My wife ordered this '15 Boxster GTS from the factory, because she couldn't find one on any lot in anything but an automatic. She wouldnt hear of it. Its a nice little car.
07-31-2018, 10:46 AM
