993 owner looking for Boxter advice

[Mike M]

Hi all, I'm a 993 owner myself but I'm looking for advice from fellow Porsche comrades on the Boxter for a friend. Shes currently looking at a Bronzy silver 03 plate 2.7 with about 50k on the clock and full history for around £12999. I know points to check on a 993 but no idea about its cousin so any advice would be appreciated in what to look for. The car will get an indy inspection but I want to check some of the basics before she takes it further. Things like the 993 has a lable stuck to the underside of the bonnett with all the options the car has on it, should the boxter have this as if its missing its generally a sign that something may of happened to the front end ( the front end is really clean, no chips etc so it may of just had a tart up, but an excellent one!) any re-calls or things to spot like hoods due to fail at that age, so I have a few decent things to check. Any advice would be appreciated, what should the price ranges be??
I look forward to your advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

There's a 996 Buyer's Checklist here which will cover quite a few of the common features of the Boxster: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=260109

HTH

 

[colinbythesea]

Things that have gone on my year 2000 2.7 in the 18 months I have had it.

1) Coolant tank split, a common problem but no signs on purchase.
2) There is clunking at the front left at low speed when cold. This, I hear, is the suspension drop links but it has all but gone now the weather is warmer.
3) Interesting one has been a vibration that came in at exactly 3050 revs and then tailed off. Most noticeable in top gear which is about 80 MPH, cruising speed on French motorways so I noticed it on holiday. It might be difficult to notice in normal driving as you go through the narrow band of vibration whilst accelerating. The problem was the front engine mount the rubber had decayed away. But an obscure fault that almost had me having the engine taken out to check the dual mass flywheel.

Apart from these they are superb cars.

 

[Mike M]

Thanks for that Richard, it was exactly what I was looking for.