Here Are The Porsche Boxster Years To Avoid
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Car shoppers seeking the Porsche name at a lower price frequently look at the Porsche Boxster. This compact, mid-engine roadster offers Porsche driving dynamics without the expense of the legendary 911. But 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.
Read on for details about the Achilles heel of early Boxsters and a generation-by-generation overview.
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What’s an IMS Bearing and Why Should I Care?
Before diving into the essentials of each Porsche Boxster generation, we’ll cover one crucial topic you may encounter during your research. This deals with the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing on 1997-2008 Boxsters. What’s an IMS bearing? Without getting too technical, it’s an engine component that helps transfer power from the crankshaft to the drivetrain. These years of Boxsters have a notorious reputation for IMS-bearing failure.
It’s important to understand that failure of the IMS bearing can cause catastrophic engine damage. In older Boxsters, a new engine can cost as much as the car is worth. So much so that engine replacement is a common remedy in these situations.
Does this mean that 1997-2008 are Porsche Boxster years to avoid? In general, no. If your Porsche shopping involves these models, look for a car that’s already been fixed. Or, build the cost of the IMS bearing repair (about $3,000) into your budget. However, some Porsche owners consider the issue overblown and are willing to accept the risk.
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First-Generation Porsche Boxster: 1997-2004
The first Boxster launched Porsche’s renewed efforts to offer an affordable sports car with genuine performance credentials (the 1970s-era 914 was vilified for being a glorified Volkswagen). The first-gen Boxster features an all-new engine design that it shares with the 911. This 201-horsepower six-cylinder powerplant boasts Porsche’s first use of water cooling and improved engine management technology. For 2000, Porsche introduced the more powerful Boxster S with 250 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Even the base Boxster got an 8% boost in horsepower.
According to carcomplaints.com, the most problematic first-generation Boxster is from the 2003 model year, concerned with engine failure and the IMS bearing issue. The 2002 Boxster also pops up with the same trouble. Electrical issues surface for these years as well. Reports of the IMS-bearing problem can be seen even earlier. In addition, there are reports of casting problems with engines through the 1999 model year, so it’s best to begin your search starting with the model year 2000 or newer Boxsters. In other words, pass on 1997-1999 models.
While recalls don’t necessarily mean you should avoid an affected model year, knowing about these safety issues is essential to ensure you’re buying a corrected car. A significant recall for 1999-2003 Boxsters involved fixing the transmission to prevent the vehicle from inadvertently rolling away if the parking brake wasn’t engaged.
Second-Generation Porsche Boxster: 2005-2012
The second-gen Boxster was launched for the 2005 model year with more styling cues from the 911, like new headlights and larger air intakes. Other changes included a new manual transmission, improved braking and handling, and bigger side windows. Engine improvements were also part of the upgrade, with the base Boxster making 240 horsepower while the Boxster S producing 280 horsepower. For the first time, both Boxsters could reach 60 mph (from zero) in under six seconds. Throughout the second-gen Boxster, the car receives periodic power increases, with the Boxster S eventually offering 310 horsepower and the base Boxster making 255 horsepower.
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IMS-bearing troubles are still a problem for Boxsters through the 2008 model year, so be alert for this during your shopping. Data for other second-generation issues is limited, so flagging a particular year for potential pitfalls is challenging. It could mean there are few issues or so few Boxsters from these years that reporting is limited. A small number of owners of 2010-2011 Boxsters detail electrical problems. But, even Consumer Reports doesn’t have enough information to predict reliability for this era of Boxster. In addition, there were no major recalls for this generation of Boxster.
Third-generation Porsche Boxster: 2013-2016
With only a few model years of production, the third-gen Boxster represents the briefest lifespan of any Boxster generation. The newest entry-level Porsche ditches a bulbous body for a crisp and modern style that befits the brand. The base Boxster gets a new 2.7-liter flat-six engine making 265 horsepower, while the Boxster S engine (a 3.4-liter flat-six) gets a modest five horsepower increase and a 0-60 mph time below five seconds.
Other than a handful of engine-related complaints (ticking noise and burning odor) for the 2016 model year, there are no significant complaints about the Boxster. Consumer Reports gives the 2014-2015 models a thumbs up for reliability (no data is reported for the other years from this generation). 2014-2015 Boxsters were affected by a hood latch recall, and the 2016 Boxster was recalled for defective airbags. Overall, the third-generation Boxster is uneventful, making it difficult to specify any Porsche Boxster years to avoid.
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Fourth-Generation Porsche Boxster: 2017-Present
In addition to a new, more aggressive body, the fourth-generation Boxster features two new engines. These are turbocharged four-cylinder powerplants that say goodbye to six cylinders for the sake of efficiency. The base model gets a 2.0-liter with 300 horsepower, while the Boxster S gets a 2.5-liter, offering 350 horsepower. While the loss of cylinders offers different engine sounds, the driving experience is not diminished.
Because this edition of the Boxster is so new, there’s no significant reporting about reliability issues. Consumer Reports offers no insights either. However, the 2017 Boxster was hit with five different recalls; this is nothing unexpected given its status as an all-new car. The issues mostly involved fuel system and airbag issues. While recalls generally aren’t a single reason to avoid a particular vehicle, skipping the 2017 Boxster as the first year of a new design (and the gremlins that pop up) may not be a bad idea.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE PORSCHE BOXSTER
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.
Common Porsche Boxster Problems
Unfortunately, Porsche Boxsters aren’t reliable cars and often require major and unforeseen repairs. While it’s known for its stellar looks and performance, the Boxster has several reliability issues you should know about:
- Oil separator leaks: Owners of 2007-2010 Boxsters reported leakage at the oil separator, which occurs at around 80k miles. Frustrated owners complained about excessive oil consumption and smoke while driving. In some cases, drivers had to pull over because the smoke from the car became too thick.
- Airbag warning light: The 2007-2010 Boxsters were reportedly bugged by illuminating airbag warning lights. This widely reported issue came from faulty wiring, poor seat belt buckles, and faulty air bag modules. This was a significant safety issue that you anyone couldn’t overlook.
- Faulty or failing ignition switch: Several Boxster models struggled with electrical problems caused by faulty ignition switches. A defective switch can result in numerous symptoms like preventing the ignition from going into run mode and electronics malfunction.
- Drained batteries: According to Boxster owners, their car batteries would be completely drained in as little as 1-3 weeks. This issue even occurred in a newly bought car and would require a jumpstart.
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