Those cars go for 20K € (same as USD these days), typically, as of 2022, in Portugal (yes, the 1997 986, even if it is the 2.5L). But our salaries are much lower than in the US (20K is an slightly above average yearly salary, but gross, you have to take out taxes: regular folks, such as teachers and software developers, take home about 1000-1200 USD a month, few people make more than 2000/month). It breaks my heart to see the 986's selling for 7 or 8 K in places such as the US or the UK, and being bought by spoiled students as their first "cheap" car. It was my dream to have one of these. I would never drive it with the top on ;) the day seemed perfect to drive roofless there. The "argument" for selling the car of your wife's friend (being to low among the SUV's) makes me realize how such a diverse world we live in... Even recently, I was with a friend couple at a coffee, and I showed them the 986, in my phone, and told them how much I would like to have one... The wife was hypercritical of my interest on the 986, telling me the car seemed extremely uncomfortable, and that she would never drive a car without a non-removable roof, because she likes to be "inside" and not exposed to the elements... But what makes me "suffer" (relatively speaking) is people being able to give less that 10K for a 986, which for their standard of living is like I having it for some 4 or 5K, and choosing not to. I drive a fun Suzuki Grand Vitara from 2006, 3p, 4x4. I got it for about 8K, and I like the damn thing. But I dream of one day having a 986. Not a 987. Not (any) 911. Not even a 718. It is that car that I fancy. Even more so a early, 1996 or 1997, model. The car that saved Porsche, and a car I suspect that Porsche's founder would choose as a representative of the soul of the Company. I would just not be bored by those "dents" or the smaller things. You don't need something to tell you the temperature, you feel the temperature. And you don't need A/C, you just make sure that roof mechanism works *every time* it is not raining. Sorry about the length of this comment. :D

I sold my blue ‘98 Boxster with 173000 miles on it. Everything worked fine despite being driven on rough roads. The ims had never been done. I recently bought a red 2002 Boxster S with 120000 miles on it. The ims has been done. Both used as daily drivers.

1997 has the double rollers IMS and has like a 1% failure rate, so it's unlikely to cause any issue. The later Boxster went to a single and those are more susceptible to failure. Your model year came with the 2.5-liter engine, the smallest in the Boxster lineup, and therefore the least powerful at 201-hp. Spirited it how I'd describe it. The dings, especially the "outie" ding on the frunk, can be removed by a good PDR specialist.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the tires. I had new rear tires fitted to mine and it really didn't like them. The handling changed dramatically and I was experiencing that very strange shimming. The rear end felt so nervous and It almost felt like it was wanting to rotate at speed. I then changed all four tires to a Dunlop SP Sport and it went back to feeling amazing again. I never would have thought that tires could effect the handling so much but it was the difference between feeling almost unsafe to feeling normal again. I would definitely change all four at once and stick with quite aggressive sporty tread patterns.

I know about the shimmy you're talking about. I thought it was tires but it's not. It still shimmies going over bumps. Only thing I can think is it's normal for this car. I have new Bilstein's, new tires and bushings so it must be just part of this car's personality I suppose.

I have a 2006 i love it will never sell mine is a s it has almost 300hp they are very good cars and worth fixing up

996 took styling from 1996 boxster.😉. U said it backwards...

Hello! Cheers from south Florida, October 2023.. I just bought the same vehicle.. cobalt 1997. 49,680 miles. May I ask what you paid for yours?

You have a really low threshold of what is great, I mean I f you paid 500 dollars for it I would agree but it really is a bag of crap,,, good luck though

It's BLUE!! I would suggest that you see beyond the color, because your snappy comeback, "I'm your man!" is something you will live to regret. The entire review was an endless list of things that need to be fixed. Even if it was free, you paid too much. When you look back on this money pit, I can tell you exactly how you're going to feel: BLUE!! (I am deeply sorry for this reality check. Find someone else who buys a car for its color and cut your losses immediately.)

both are correct.