Porsche Boxsters: Are They Reliable? According to RepairPal, the Porsche Boxster frequently needs significant and unanticipated repairs. It ranks 12th out of 15 vehicles in the same category with a 2.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating. The Boxster, however, consistently delivers in terms of performance, handling, and ride quality.
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Porsche Boxster, third generation: 2013–2016
The third generation Boxster had the shortest lifespan of any Boxster generation, lasting only a few model years. The newest entry-level Porsche does away with a bulbous body in favor of a clean, contemporary design appropriate for the company. The Boxster S engine (a 3.4-liter flat-six) gains a small five horsepower bump and a 0-60 mph pace under five seconds, while the standard Boxster receives a new 2.7-liter flat-six engine delivering 265 horsepower.
There aren’t many significant complaints regarding the Boxster outside a few engine-related issues (ticking noise and burning stench for the 2016 model year). The 2014-2015 models receive a thumbs-up from Consumer Reports for dependability (no data is reported for the other years from this generation). Hood latch recalls for the 2014–2015 Boxsters and an airbag recall for the 2016 Boxster both affected these models. It is challenging to identify any Porsche Boxster years to stay away from because the third generation Boxster is unremarkable overall.
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Overall Reliability Scores: How Reliable Is The Porsche Boxster?
Overall, the Porsche Boxster’s reliability is unclear, which lowers its reliability. The exact rankings of this car in relation to various other cars are shown in the chart below, however as a point of reference, the average overall rating is 57.
This information is based on a combination of looking at the cost and frequency of maintenance, warranty coverage, and long-term reliability by looking at how long these vehicles are normally kept on the road. Remember that not just compact or subcompact vehicles in the same class as the Porsche Boxster are being compared; all automobiles are being considered.
You may notice that these numbers differ significantly from those in J.D. Power or Consumer Reports. Most publications look at complaints made to the dealership within the first few months of ownership (like JD Power) or solicit biased feedback from owners regarding longer-term cycles of their new cars. Instead, this study examines data from wholesale auctions and repair businesses on actual repair prices and frequency.
Engines in Porsche Boxsters are they reliable?
Although adequate maintenance and oil changes are essential, and there have been complaints of concerns with the quality of the paintwork, engines are often dependable
Porsche Boxsters: Are they worth it?
What Makes the Porsche Boxster Great? The Porsche 718 Boxster is a fantastic premium sports vehicle, no doubt about it. This roadster is among the best in its class for driving appeal because to its powerful engines, blistering acceleration, and agile handling. Its inside is more “fine” than “average.”
Which Porsche Boxster model year is the most dependable?
As with any new cars, the Porsche Boxster experienced some issues after its 1996 release during the following few years. The best year for the Porsche Boxster was 2012, following a few redesigns, when Porsche found their sweet spot.
A used 2012 Porsche Boxter can be the perfect vehicle for you if you want to drive a two-seater sports car from Germany but don’t want to break the bank. They offer two powerful engine options, are fairly priced, and have excellent handling qualities.
Are vintage Porsches dependable?
A used Porsche model is perfect for you if you want your next premium sports car but prefer to stay to a tighter budget. Even when you buy used, Porsche vehicles are among the most dependable on the market in addition to having good value retention. Now, if you’re considering purchasing a used car, you might be asking which Porsche is the greatest option. This short guide is intended to assist.
Do Porsche Boxsters have high maintenance costs?
We looked at how frequently the vehicle required major unplanned repair over a three-year period to determine the frequency of major maintenance. This “serious” maintenance item is a costly system breakdown that needs to be repaired (often a part or component costing above $1,000).
It should be emphasized that even while we analyze this data by make and model, driving style, vehicle condition, and mileage undoubtedly affect outcomes. Different frequencies of maintenance are needed depending on the vehicle. While newer cars can go longer between services, older vehicles may require more frequent maintenance.
The frequency score can be used to determine how long a vehicle can go without maintenance. A frequency score reveals how frequently a certain vehicle needs major repair over a three-year period. If an automobile has a maintenance frequency score of 3, for instance, it needs major repairs every year because the score is calculated over a three-year period. The longer it can go without major maintenance services, the closer the frequency score is to 0.
The frequency score for a Porsche Boxster is 1.7399999999999998. This indicates that the Porsche Boxster performs much poorer than average given that the industrial average is 1.3. The breakdown of all manufacturers and models is shown in the chart below.
It’s important to note that there are many trustworthy cars that could also need frequent, yet reasonably priced maintenance. For instance, many domestic brands have higher maintenance visits but lower overall costs (since labor and parts expense are typically cheaper for domestic brands). This doesn’t imply that cars break down less frequently, but it does show that when they do, the problems are usually fairly simple to remedy, which is perhaps even more significant.
How durable are Porsche Boxsters?
If properly maintained, a Porsche Boxster will last approximately 200,000 miles, though they can live much longer; some have even exceeded 300,000 miles. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, you can have 13 years of dependable service before the cost and practicality of repairs become too great.
Are Porsche Boxsters suitable for daily use?
The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 has several important characteristics of a daily driver inside. While 911 models may give older bodies cramping, the 718 Boxster is much more pleasant to drive on lengthy trips and in daily traffic. When you combine the front and back luggage compartments, you’ll get 270 liters of packing capacity.
Although the seating is designed with competitiveness in mind, our posteriors discovered that it was soft enough to ease any discomfort brought by by extended periods of driving while yet providing a reasonable amount of lateral support when necessary.
For the Porsche infotainment system to be completely user-friendly, there has always been a lot of room for improvement. Fortunately, Porsche recently carried out numerous effective modifications targeted at improving the system’s usability, and it is now easier to operate.
If you don’t add anything further on top, the 2021 Porsche Boxster 4.0 GTS will cost you $97,600 in total. Which is a significant sum of money for what was formerly thought of as a “entry-level Porsche.” But those times are long gone when the Boxster was viewed like a Porsche without its high-performance capabilities. With the GTS emblem on it, this model is exceptionally powerful and friendly.
What model year Porsche Boxsters experience IMS issues?
The intermediate shaft bearing, commonly known as an IMS bearing, has a significant failure rate in the Porsche 911 and Porsche Boxster from model years 1997 to 2005. Its build and design cause the bearing to prematurely fail, which causes a catastrophic engine failure.
Why are vintage Boxster S so affordable?
Most cars with 50k miles on the odometer are at or below the mid-price range when compared to a brand-new car. A bargain at half the price…
With that, shall we begin? For instance, the starting price of a Boxster now is $85k.
Therefore, let’s assume that your budget is somewhere between $45 and $55,000. Finding a 40k-mile 911 with only 50k miles on it will be difficult.
I won’t discuss the dependability or shortcomings of these vehicles; instead, let’s look at what really makes them stand out at a fraction of the cost.
A Porsche often gets in the low twenties in terms of mileage. Therefore, a Porsche with 50,000 miles will be at least four years old if you purchase it. The child is often older than six years old.
Notably, most conventional banks won’t finance a car that is seven years old or has traveled more than 75,000 miles.
As a result, a lot of 2008 Porsche Boxsters are being sold for $40–$50k. Who has the funds to reimburse them is the key question.
You can use your equity line of credit or possibly a higher-risk loan, so the question is if the person contemplating this option really wants to do so.
Potential buyers are currently swarming out the door like flies. This indicates that the price is reasonable and within the buyer’s means.
This applies to all premium vehicles, not just Porsches. Think about the price of an S-class car.
Everyone would purchase the same vehicle if it was offered for $30k, pushing the price/demand to $45–50k and restoring balance.
Pro tip: The manufacturer’s warranty period for many high-end vehicles expires after 50,000 miles.
As a result of the unknown danger of purchasing a used car, values typically experience a significant reduction shortly after the warranty has expired.
Early Porsche 911s and Boxsters from the model years 996 and 997 are valuable due to two reasons:
Early engine troubles (RMS and IMS issues), Porsche enthusiasts’ resistance to water cooling, and the resemblance of the 911 and Boxster front ends.
The 911 and Boxster are nearly identical from the front bumper to the windscreen.
For purists, this as well as the “blobby” headlights found on the 996 and Boxsters were a big no-no.
Every Porsche has weaknesses, even the air-cooled models. You may see some of the great reviews that major car magazines gave these automobiles when they originally came out in the archives.
The Porsche 911s from 1998 to 2004 are a deal if they have been treated well and not mistreated. No Porsche repair is affordable.
Despite being outstanding vehicles, the Porsche 911 models 997 and 991 are excessively expensive to buy.
Water-cooled Porsches are considerably superior to air-cooled Porsches in almost every regard due to their superior comfort and liveability.
Despite being stunning, the air-cooled Porsches and 356s of that era are relics of their time.
When did Porsche experience engine issues?
The dreaded intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing failure is the most noticeable and well-publicized problem you’ll encounter on the used market. An IMS bearing failure can result in a loss of the engine timing, which would completely destroy the engine. A Porsche engine replacement is not inexpensive, as you might expect.
The M96 and M97 flat six-cylinder engines used in 911s, Boxsters, and Caymans between 1997 and 2008 frequently experience IMS bearing failure.
However, the 996-era Porsche 911s and 986 Boxsters experienced the most significant IMS bearing issues up to 2006. Despite the significantly lower IMS bearing failure rate in the later year samples, it is still feasible.
Before buying a car, it’s crucial to check the VIN and service records. It is best to budget for an urgent replacement of the IMS bearing if you locate a car in this time frame that you are interested in purchasing. It might cost up to $2,500 to have an IMS bearing replaced by a skilled mechanic.
The cost of replacing an engine, though, can be more than triple that. As a result, it is imperative to replace the bearing before anything else.
You would be hard-pressed to identify any significant failure areas of Porsche flat engines if the age of IMS bearing problems were excluded. Given their great performance, Porsche engines are known to be remarkably durable whether they are new or old.
Some more recent models hardly ever have “bore score,” which is the engine cylinder walls scraping together as a result of inadequate lubrication.
However, if a Porsche has been well maintained, you won’t likely encounter any significant problems.