How soon are you looking to buy a Porsche Boxster?

Within a week

Within a month

Within 90 days

*This will help us personalize your experience.

Great News: We found some top-ranked Porsche Boxsters near you

Which Years Of Used Porsche Boxsters Are Most Reliable?

in Reliability
Yellow Porsche Boxster

Source: Pixabay

The Porsche Boxster is such a fun and snazzy car that has been very popular from the brand. One of their first roadsters that was introduced in 1996, they’ve had many different makes and models through the years. If you’re considering investing in a Boxster, you’re going to want to take notes about the more reliable year of Porsche Boxster to choose from so you can pick the very best. 

Knowing the most reliable years of this sweet ride will help you make the most of your investment and ensure you get a great car. There are many different choices with models dating back more than 25 years ago. In this guide, we share the top years to consider in your search as well as the models to avoid. Read on to learn more before you purchase a used Porsche Boxster

Most Reliable Years For The Porsche Boxster

When you think about the Porsche Boxster, what is it that attracts you to it? Is it the need for speed? Or perhaps you’re drawn to the sleek design of the two-seater. You can just get out and enjoy the open road with a playful build and plenty of capability. It holds all the delights of the Porsche brand and standing apart, even against the ever-famous Porsche 911. 


DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP

The CoPilot car shopping app is the smartest way to buy a car. Get a curated list of the best cars for sale in your area, as well as notifications if a similar vehicle is listed nearby at a lower price. CoPilot is the smartest way to shop for used cars. 


But not every year is created equally. We’ve put together a quick list to share the most reliable years for the Porsche Boxter to consider. 

  • 2012 Porsche Boxster
  • 2005 Porsche Boxster
  • 2019 Porsche Boxster

If you’re wanting the best of the best, most people recommend the 2012 Porsche Boxster as the #1 pick. You can likely choose any of the 987 model, which ranged from the 2005-2012 time range, with 2009-2012 being the best. This second-generation model really brought the vehicle into the spotlight. That model saw a classic facelift as well as engine improvements that made a huge difference in quality. 

The earliest models of the first generation saw a lot of challenges that they attempted to fix in 2003. However, the next generation really brought the car to life. 

Is the Porsche Boxster a Reliable Car? 

Porsche certainly has a reputation to uphold and when you pit this sleek roadster against models like the 911, you need something to rise to the challenge. While not every model has been a really great build, overall the Porsche Boxster has delivered in terms of reliability. However, some years are definitely better than others. 

And while you might think that the newest years would be the most reliable, that’s not actually the case with this vehicle. Are the new models good? Sure! But they lose some of the major appeal in style and power as opposed to the second generation models that are the most popular choice of all Boxsters. 

If you’re going to spend the money on a Porsche Boxster, you need a reliable choice that isn’t going to have malfunctions or engine problems right after you purchase it. The best way to get a reliable Boxster is to be sure to have the vehicle looked over by a professional, but also to make sure you purchase from the most reliable year models. 

According to Repair Pal, your expectations for annual repairs and maintenance will be an average of $952. Of course, this will vary. Some of the most common issues found include internal oil leaks and issues with the power windows. However, these are often one-time fixes so your car won’t be in the shop for major repairs very much. 


THE BEST TWO-SEATER CARS

If you’re in the market for a speedy two-seater, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best two-seater cars on the market today.


What Is The Least Reliable Year For Porsche Boxsters? 

As you’re checking out the options and looking for a really great ride, it’s a good idea to know what years to avoid. There are certainly favorite years, which we shared above. However, you will find that even in the different generations, there are some years that are simply better than others. Whether they fix a known issue from one year to the next or they simply had a bad year, these details can be helpful. 

These years are the least reliable years and the ones that you may want to avoid:

  • 1999 Porsche Boxster
  • 2000 Porsche Boxster
  • 2001 Porsche Boxster
  • 2002 Porsche Boxster
  • 2003 Porsche Boxster
  • 2016 Porsche Boxster

The 2016 brought the third generation of Boxsters to the markets and there were quite a few issues to iron out. It took them a couple of years to perfect that model. The earliest models were plagued with a lot of engine issues, which is why there are several early years among the least reliable choices. Oil leaks have long been one of the biggest issues and one you may still find, depending on the model you choose. 

However, in our most reliable years, you will see fewer issues like these, as well as fewer engine issues that some early models faced. 2003 was said to be one of the worst years ever for the Porsche Boxster as that year brought a lot of recalls to the table as well as some electrical issues that no other year struggled with. 


THE PORSCHE BOXSTER YEARS TO AVOID

No car is perfect, so careful consideration is wise before putting one of these German convertibles in your driveway. With this in mind, we’ve compiled information on what Porsche Boxster years to avoid.


What Are The Most Common Issues Of The Porsche Boxster? 

The years that had issues all varied quite a bit, but you also see some similar issues from year to year with the Porsche Boxster. If you avoid the years we mentioned above, you will hopefully avoid the most costly problems known to these vehicles. However, no model is absolutely perfect. 

These are some of the most common issues you might come across with a Porsche Boxster. 

  • Oil leaks
  • Coolant leaks
  • IMS bearings
  • Brake ticking noises

Whether or not you experience these issues will simply depend on the year you purchase and the state of that vehicle. 

Is A Used Porsche Boxster Worth It? 

While there are some years with the Porsche Boxster that have some troubles, there are also some really great years out there. This vehicle has been on the market for more than 25 years, which tells us they must be doing something right. It’s more affordable than the Porsche 911 and yet it still gives you sporty roadster vibes when you choose a good year. 

The Boxter is definitely worth it when you choose the reliable years for your used model. 


WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY

Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.


Final Thoughts

When you buy from one of the most reliable years of Porsche Boxster, you get a really great car. It’s sleek and snazzy with quality performance. Overall, it’s a great vehicle with Porsche branding and quality. Avoid the years with known major problems and you will have a stellar play car on your hands. 

We hope you find this guide helpful to choosing your used Porsche Boxster!



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.