Few people ever have any serious issues, my first Boxster was a 97 2.5 - didnt bother looking at anything online before purchase - decided i will take it like i would any other car and after 5 years it had cost me peanuts to maintain, Its only when you come online and hear about IMS that the paranoia starts.
Second Boxster a 2002 3.2, no serious issues over the next 4 years or so with it.
Lots of scare stories out there but if the service record is all intact and everything looks and sounds about right - and - it drives very well then i feel there is little else you can do.
Sure you can have an inspection done but that still wont tell you a great deal more than you could establish yourself, though it would identify structural issues, worn bushes etc - but that is not where the really expensive stuff is - that is the preserve of the engine and gearbox, so if it drives good, sounds good and gear changes are slick then its likely to be fine. Second gear does tend to baulk when cold on most of these cars (except the 5 speed boxes) but im not sure if thats a problem as most of us simply change gear a little slower from 1st to second when its all cold - once warmed everything works fine.
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