2001 Porsche Boxster S - Ownership Review

August marks Charlie's third full year of ownership on his 2001 Porsche Boxster S. Come check out a great example of the car that saved modern Porsche, and see what it's like to own a 19-year old example.
Please hit that subscribe button if you enjoy! If you have any questions on the car or any cars you'd like to see, let us know in the comments.
Check out our website for written reviews and content: thedailymotor.com
This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!
#PorscheBoxsterS #2001Porsche #PorscheReview

[@sunset986S]

My '02 S is in winter storage until mid-April and I haven't heard the howl of that flat six until I watched this...thank you!

[@rkestes1955]

OK, watched, enjoyed, Subscribed! Still deliberating between a Z4, a TT an SL55 or a Boxster S. The struggle is real !

[@DailyMotor]

Thanks! Even outside of personal bias, I think the Boxster is the best driving car out of those. But they're all cool, so I feel your struggle too :D after I tested a Z4, I knew the Boxster was the right choice.

[@rkestes1955]

@@DailyMotor Hi Charlie. I really do appreciate your reply. I have a local BMW dealer watching for a clean, pre-owned Z4 for me to test drive. I owe it to myself to be sure and actually Drive them all before I buy. PS - I ride a lovely 2012 Ultra Limited, so I can relate to your time spent riding. At 66 I know my time for riding Scooters will eventually end, hence my search for a fun Cabriolet. I will be following your videos. Be safe !

[@peterchang7646]

I've owned a '01 Boxster S since June 2009, love it... been pretty hazzle free ride.

[@ajyoung4530]

Its stock exhaust honestly sounds really good. In my opinion

[@tonychiarizzi7574]

Nice review! Looks well cared for. Any IMS bearing issues?

[@DailyMotor]

Thanks! Nope, none. It's been warned up properly and driven assertively its whole life.

[@patmcmahon482]

Where did you get the matching center console cover? Or is it painted to match? I just bought an 01 S and the center console is showing some scratches and wear. Really the only imperfections of the interior.

[@AlanDavid]

love the color, hard to find anything but silver or black.

[@gregpark1359]

Very nice. Shame your selling it and didn’t detail it before doing the review to really show it off to it’s best. I suppose it does show how you love it for what it is and not storing it away for someone else’s pleasure.

[@danielpan5147]

Can I ask what kind of SSK you have? Is it the Genuine Porsche (used in the GT3) or an aftermarket one? Thx...

[@sync232]

I love runny egg!

[@ceansilorcaso5820]

Have you fix/replace the IMS ?

[@rkestes1955]

He did answer somewhere in the thread, that NO IMS issued and NO, not worked on. Stated he 'warms the motor up properly and drives it as intended, as well as 'Prayed to German car gods'" to avoid issues, which I found interesting.

[@AlexiaVon]

What do you drive ? A Honda!, And what do you drive ? A Porsche ! Fck the S200 lol

[@wolvertonlecensura9541]

can you say what you sold it for?

[@DailyMotor]

$12k, but I sold it to a friend.

[@JohnDough1776]

The downshift midcorner kinda hurt my soul

[@drivingprophet]

I shouldn't have clicked on this. I don't need a boxster. I don't need a boxster..... ugh

[@DailyMotor]

You're right, you don't. Because you'd rather have a Cayman.

[@drivingprophet]

@@DailyMotor I very much would, but caymans are twice to three times the price

[@DailyMotor]

@@drivingprophet I heard Miatas can be found pretty cheap

[@rkestes1955]

@@DailyMotor True, but then ... you drive a MIATA ;>(

[@gsk5161]

Love my 2001 MR2 Spyder. Used to see them in the wild but not anymore.

[@thorandmoljnir]

Where is this? looks really nice there.

[@Senza_1]

toe thongs and ear muffs wtf man

[@DailyMotor]

❤️

[@gsk5161]

Lost me when you put on EAR MUFFS

[@study-tesh9542]

Are the earmuffs for us? Lol

[@raven-jz6cv]

Thinking of pulling on one found it wirh very low miles 38k and the belge interior. Took it for a spin it blows my previews ride (s2000) away. Thought it was gonna be slower but is actually faster feels lighter too. And them classic looks

[@finlaysupercars1683]

I went for a ride in one today, and was able to have a clear conversation at highway speeds, there is minimal wind noise inside the cabin. Great car!

[@apirmoh2202]

Hi Charlie - awesome content and good looking 986 S. Just wanted to see if the sale went through. I’m in the market for that exact color and it seems to be very well taken care of with just the right mods. Thanks!

[@robinkamolz1311]

"Manuell" xD Greetings from germany, very good video ^^

[@DailyMotor]

Glad you enjoyed, welcome!

[@kylelewis319]

I found a really good one that’s $9k with 85k miles but I’m so torn about getting it or not

[@DailyMotor]

That seems like a good price at this point, depending on how it's been owned.

[@lifetree4623]

Good driver - I like how you rev-matched going into those turns.

[@torreyinnewyorkcity334]

I just want to own one before I die. Ha ha . I thinking about getting ride my Lexus to buy the same year. My Lexus is just been amazing zero maintenance other than preventative maintenance thanks for your contact

[@NoxiousPond]

Nice! just picked up a similar boxster to this. Same blue boxster S 6 spd with the turbo twists but mine has the beige interior and a blue top.

[@stephenmcdowell9210]

Dont understand your doing a video on a car your selling 'must be something wrong with it or you wouldn't be selling 'I don't know anyone that sells a vehicle that running perfectly ''it just doesn't make sense '

[@DailyMotor]

I've got 3 motorcycles, 2 press cars every week, and only one butt to share between them all.

[@ttv.snakez1x402]

If something was wrong with it he wouldn’t be driving it like that 😂it’s 20 years old maybe he wants something newer

[@robertromero8094]

It's always the broke people talking about other people's cars.

[@mogsyman]

I had a brand new 2002 Boxster S and loved it.......for all of 7 months and then went to a new 996 C2 Cab. The cab was a great car (it was a 911 after all) however to this day I still miss my Boxster 😢 It was a great car however I never appreciated how good it was until it was gone. Great review, thanks. One silly factoid........the air inlets on the left and right hand rear wings are slightly different shapes............I have no idea why, but I guess Porsche know what they’re doing!

[@MK-su6eg]

Thanks for personal experience, I will never sell my 2006 Boxster S ! Keeping it forever, and my 2 adult daughters will have it , so I will get a Cayman next?!! No one will be left out! Peace and Aloha from Hawaii!

[@dennischen31]

Hi Charlie, great video. Question: which blue was this car? Lapis blue? Ocean blue? Cobalt Blue? I could not read color code on the label under the hood in the video. Thank you.

[@Doritos-7]

I'll feel like 007 driving this

[@dudeonther1978]

Nice video, how tall are you? I’m 6’2”. I was wondering if I’m too tall

[@MrOmgfreak]

why do people buy this car just to sell it !! i dont get that .. i mean.. if ya need another car just buy one!! its a dummy move to sell an awsome car like that. its a lifer car. i bought my 2000 boxster in 1999 its 2021 now and i still have it . along with my benz E350 AMG sport and my tesla model s i drive my porsche the most its just a car ya dont get rid of!!! i 'll never get rid of mine. and it has almost 200k on her and it still runs great. and still a head turner. and as a guy you know some times we like driving by ourselves just to get away from family in that 2 seater just to feel single again lol even if its only for a couple of hours. then she calls you.... where are you!.. what are you doing ohhh how i hate that.

[@shauns06rubi]

I'm about to buy one soon. Have you had to do any major repairs on it? I also plan on keeping mine long term.

[@MrOmgfreak]

its not that it needed any repairs its called better safe than sorry repairs!! like it needed nothing after all this time ..ran great still does but im driving this car to florida in may so i did, clutch ims AOS water pump tires pads and rotors altenator and serp belt thermostat and it didnt even need all that stuff. but im not tryin to have any issues on that stretch of highway at all. but to answer your question its a very reliable car didnt do anything to it but change the oil and with 200k on it it was time oh run 15w 40 in the car the rod bearings love it. but depends on what year you get from 97 to 2000 it had the double row ims bearing which is a good thing anything after 2001 had the single row bearing ummm not so good.. they blow up more. the safe zone was after 2008 but then your talkin way more money but the earlier years like from 98 to 2001 were the best!! lots of part for it still! but if you want to buy a 2003 up to 2006 change the ims right away like soon as you buy it then your good. cuz those yrs have the single row.

[@shauns06rubi]

@@MrOmgfreak thanks for the quick reply, yes I'm going to get one with the single row bearing, and I did plan on doing the ims,clutch, and such as soon as I got it.

[@MrOmgfreak]

kool then you will have no problems

[@neopix6229]

haha I'm getting one! Feeling the last bit!

[@googlesearches240]

Great video. I just picked up a 2.7, 2002 boxster here in the UK. Enjoying it so far, but it really does feel every bump in the road - holy crap - it's a bumpy ride.

[@DailyMotor]

Lol yup, bumpy is direct! Enjoy!

[@ajyoung4530]

13:34 you do NOT have to get a new axle Cv shafts are suuuper easy to replace All by yourself.

[@mbergheaud]

Looks like it was well maintained, and it aged very well. Good luck, what are you planning to buy? A Volvo V60 Wagon??

[@DailyMotor]

I picked up a new motorcycle. Between the bike and the press cars, I don't have much need or want for a fun car. - Charlie

[@mbergheaud]

@@DailyMotor Congrats!

[@LordCowbxyRDR]

U think this would be a good second car for me at 18?

[@disturbingkreationz]

Great video. I’m building Porsches

[@SpencerF6]

Ive just bought one, should be able to collect it in a few days time. Can't wait.

[@Cosmicgardening]

Laughed a little at the section about how the convertible is quiet while the sound slowly creeps into the video and he slowly speaks louder. It's something we do unconsciously but it's absolutely not quiet. This might've just convinced me not to pick one up :| You sit in a modern coupe and it's just night and day quiet compared to this. You absolutely cannot have a high fidelity phone call or listen to rich sounding music in one of these. (I owned this generation 911 and I solid it partially because commuting was kind of bad).

[@forzetheking1078]

Did you know that your boxster has a pop-up spoiler?

[@DailyMotor]

Yup! Fun little bit of engineering

[@kylechellino2579]

Who's Beemer is that you drove on the Winding Road channel today?

[@DailyMotor]

My father's old car, just sold it last week. We've got a POV test drive of his old Xterra coming as well. - Charlie

[@kylechellino2579]

@@DailyMotor Dude are you and Elisa going live today? I'd like to hang out, my cousin was just in a bad motorcycle accident yesterday and we don't think he's gonna make it.

[@speedyak5301]

@@kylechellino2579 did he make it ?

[@kylechellino2579]

@@speedyak5301 Unfortunately no he did not. He was 51 years old.

[@speedyak5301]

@@kylechellino2579 I’m sorry for your loss.

[@eastprestonclassics3963]

Hello from England just purchased a 2002 facelift nice cars 👍🏻

[@Hamo830]

I love it :)

[@CanadaLuke]

People sleep on the 986/987. NA flat 6 that sings, great 6MT, mid engine balance, hydraulic steering. It's just about perfect. The only complaint I have for my 987 S is the road noise on longer trips, it's a little obnoxious depending on the pavement type. After buying mine I've pretty much stopped window/internet shopping for cars.

[@jessg.9368]

Really????? Why did you stop window shopping??? I’m curious because I can relate to that..

[@CanadaLuke]

@@jessg.9368 There are definitely better/more fun cars out there, but within a budget of say $40k or lower, I just don't see another car that I like better. People have different preference and expectations for cars though so take that for what it's worth :) I've had faster cars but the 987 S is just so good for having fun at or near legal speeds.

[@FridaysTheBomb]

What brand axles did you install?

[@eddherring4972]

Is that your brake fluid level warning light or ABS warning light?

[@rkestes1955]

He mentioned that it is a Brake Wear indicator, and text showed that it was just a disconnected wire.

[@Hamo830]

Nice car

[@tomaszs5954]

Autoglym milk for plastic trims works extremely well on the under windscreen plastic cover in 986s.

[@Braglemaster123]

I have a 2002 S ‘

[@jungness]

Shot shocks? Sounds a bit harsh over rough road

[@nat0106951]

damn wow why so cheap in your country

[@luisluiscunha]

Thank you so much for the ride :) That is appropriate Porsche driving... Kind of frightening to be honest (a few times), but just great to see (and hear).

[@julz2419]

how much does it cost monthly for insurance.

[@cruzi9475]

Where’d you get the new soft top from?

[@YAMIYAD]

I cant choose! Audi TT MK2 or Porsche Boxter!! Aargh

[@Kooaid-9]

I’m seriously considering buying a 2013 Boxter for about 30k but how are maintenance costs? Is it any more expensive than a Benz? Also im barely turning 21 next week so how would insurance be? Probably not the most convenient car lol but man it looks fun to drive thanks to anyone who can answer some questions!

[@dadude6619]

Sounds like a bad investment to me

[@93455Driver]

Mixed bag on the insurance, COVID means less driving, less accidents so lower premiums. Two seat, young driver, driving a sports car will hurt :/. Maybe consider an older Boxster? You would get the hydraulic steering if you go older, cheaper insurance, and cheaper to buy. Maintenance.....find a local independent mechanic, I would say Merc and Porsche are in the same ball park. Definitely consider a pre purchase inspection, will help gauge your future maintenance and avoid a money pit.

[@dr.lyleevans6915]

I had one at 17, and insurance wasn’t nearly as bad as you might think. Not saying it is corolla cheap, but still. About the same as the Corvette Z06 I traded it for, and both were far less than the 350Z I later owned

[@dr.robertt.mullaneiii1561]

Did you change the infamous IMSA bearing, pal?

[@DailyMotor]

Nope! Warmed it up properly, revved it out each drive, cruised above 2000 rpm, prayed to the German car gods

[@dickjohnson5025]

You can bleed the brakes without dealing with the ECU for the PSM. The PSM can basically be ignored. There is so little fluid in the unit that it’s not worth bleeding. In fact most techs don’t even bother.

[@DailyMotor]

Good to know!

[@charliepurdum2327]

Still for sale?

[@gregoryweaver3135]

How many miles when you sold it?

[@bernard1137]

A Porsche é feia

[@harrymason5087]

Stinger

[@i_read_bad_reviews]

So how hard is it to work on this thing.

[@DailyMotor]

Hard enough that I don’t think it’s worth it for a casual fun car.

[@i_read_bad_reviews]

@@DailyMotor I was afraid of that.i swear there is no cars with decent power, light and easy to work on.

[@DailyMotor]

@@i_read_bad_reviews I didn't consider it before I bought the Boxster, but the C5 Corvette is a great choice.

[@ivannarvaez367]

Nice car. What are you planning to get?

[@DailyMotor]

A new motorcycle :D - Charlie

[@Aosmaner]

you have some exhaust mods on this thing?

[@yvesk2650]

Sorry, this video is not very interesting and seems a bit improvised and amateurish 😕

[@DailyMotor]

All very accurate, thanks!

[@imrichbtch1995]

I had to leave when you said you like to leave your car stock 🥴