Porsche Boxster 986 ULTIMATE BUYER'S GUIDE - (Episode 3: 15 minute inspection)

Thinking about buying a Porsche Boxster? This guide is meant to help you decide if it's the right car for you and what to look for on your search to purchase. This episode goes over the items to bring with you the first time you go to see the car and what to look for during a quick initial assessment.
Playlist for the Buyer's Guide series: • Porsche Boxster 986 Bu...
Flashlight: amzn.to/3dDoSKv
Telescoping Mirror and Magnet: amzn.to/2TmN3WY
101 Projects for your Porsche Boxster book:
amzn.to/2uZOeyO
986 Service Manual:
amzn.to/2JPdgVr
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Disclaimers
Help Me DIY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission.
I am a Do It Yourself, also known as DIY, mechanic. I am NOT a professional mechanic. I do not have any formal training in the automotive field.
Help Me DIY assumes no liability for anything you choose to do to your car, before, or after watching one of my videos or utilizing the content from this web site.
All DIY repairs or modifications you perform to your car are made at your own risk. Sometimes, even if you've done everything the right way, you can destroy or damage one or more things on your car. You must understand this, but by leveraging knowledge and patience, the probability of encountering one or more problems can be reduced.
Also, if for some unfortunate reason, I do give incorrect instructions and something breaks because you followed my instructions, I will NOT reimburse or pay in any way for whatever cost that may be incurred due to following my wrong instructions.
Lastly, please don't do anything to your car unless you yourself feel comfortable and confident in doing so.

[@disturbingkreationz]

This is still a great video. After owning 3 you hit almost everything.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@disturbingkreationz thanks!

[@apexwetdog]

Picking up a 986 today. I really appreciate all the effort you have put into these videos. Gives me confidence in tackling some of these jobs myself. Born and raised in the Triad so nice to see local content!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Jason Barnes hey that’s cool! My wife was too. You’ll have to bring it by sometime

[@stampedetrail2003]

Man your headlights and tail lights are choice!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Brian Miller 🙏 I think so too!

[@onethirdmayo8556]

Underrated AF. Great work

[@HelpMeDIY]

+ONE THIRD MAYO 🙏 yessir!

[@gentianp7383]

Thanks for the videos, really helpful.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Gentian Pervana you’re welcome, thanks for the kind words!

[@garyfoley8547]

Excellent set of DIY guides, keep up the great work.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+gary foley thank you sir!

[@k_wahb7371]

I don’t leave comments but i have to do it for this channel. I am planning to buy a Boxster and i saw most of your playlist about it. You made fixing every part easy. I wanted to buy one in a really good shape but now i am confident to buy a cheaper one and fix it myself. Thank you so much you’re a real hero!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+K _wahb thanks so much! I assume you’re already a subscriber again, so thank you. It’s not a bad car to work on at all!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+K _wahb I’m actually considering selling mine if you’re interested….

[@k_wahb7371]

@@HelpMeDIY i will contact you on Facebook asap

[@kangzau1006]

Super helpful list of things to bring! Saves from "i wish i brought..."

[@HelpMeDIY]

Thanks! 🍻

[@carstenlamping8515]

The taillights are looking nice !! Cheers from Germany

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Carsten Lamping thanks! 🍻

[@kevinkarzinphotography_llc]

Very good! Wish there was something like this before I bought my 2000 Boxster S! However, I bought from a car collector who had it for 19 years in a environmentally controlled garage and only put 42 miles a years on the car (he had a total of 20 cars). The car had 900 miles on it (I am the second owner and have put almost 20,000 miles in two years). I really love my Boxster S and it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Kevin Karzin glad to hear it is being driven now! That’s why these cars were built 😁

[@dennischen31]

Great video as always. I think digits 7, 8, and 12 of the VIN are the model type (986), digit 10 is the year code (W = 98).

[@HelpMeDIY]

+dennischen31 ahhh I think you’re right! Thanks for the clarification.

[@GF-ok5yn]

Thanks for providing info on the Boxster, I have a 2000 S and enjoy top down driving very much. One thing I think you should mention is the potential for an IMS bearing failure. Has the owner replaced the IMS and probably more importantly how often has the oil been changed. I have no intention of getting the IMS changed but do change oil every 4000 km or so. I actually only drive it for about 6 months of the year (in Ontario Canada) so that works out to once a year oil and filter change for me, with full synthetic Mobil 1 and high quality filter. Thanks, keep up the great reviews.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+G F thanks, I hope you’re a subscriber now! I mentioned my thoughts on the IMS issue in an earlier video.

[@timothydriscoll5377]

I’m 19 and currently in the process of buying a 1997 Porsche Boxster. This was a super helpful video!

[@timothydriscoll5377]

I’ve actually watched most of your 986 boxster vids and they’ve been super informative for someone in my position.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Timothy Driscoll awesome! Glad to help 🍻

[@OG-Rarities.UnseenUnreleased]

My 00 manual boxster came with all red interior but I bought red replacements for just about everthing a.c vents e brake steering wheel air bag I bought 400$ carmen style vents, side shirts another 400 but the side skirts have a big vent as well, I bought a red mid console unfortunately another 800 one immobilizer ecu and key remotes plus another 200 for programming I need a new top since mine came with a hole it's a glass rear window idk if a can re use it? Rodents were in my boxster before I bought it, new wiring is a possibility but it seems decent. Might need a new floor board bc windows need new seals outside of the boxster is rusty I bought red panels for doors also silver Handel's plus more bought for 2500

[@OG-Rarities.UnseenUnreleased]

The title is clean next week Im planning on getting a aftermarket bumper but a fancy one, I really need to find out how to remove the ignition and put it back on but that's another story I bout new roll bars the wind deflectors came melted so that's another 100 rear lights are rather cheap but headlight prices are astronomical. Door sills another thing I have to buy I also want red seat belts my car came with heated seats but Mice may have ate away , It came with a Kenwood DVD player navigation system apparently but the previous owner was a Porsche mechanic

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Scorsese Sneakercon Don I just recently heard someone say that mechanics take the least care of their cars 😆

[@standandeliver8376]

Great guide, although I did keep expecting to be called Mr Anderson 😉.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Stan Dan Deliver thanks 😆

[@achan7396]

👍How is the after market bumper holding up, especially close up?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+A Chan bumper is holding up well, other that the crap paint job.

[@achan7396]

@@HelpMeDIY 👍

[@stampedetrail2003]

See? They're practical.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Brian Miller precisely 😁

[@adamsangels9874]

You don’t miss much do u

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Adams Angels glad you think so, but don’t ask my wife! 😂

[@takashiessex116]

When looking for your Boxster, did you test drive an S as well? If so, what did you think about the difference?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Takashi Essex I’ve actually still never driven an S. Bought it from a friend.

[@takashiessex116]

@@HelpMeDIY Understood; thank you! Do you feel at any times that the power of the Base isn’t quite enough? I’m trying to determine whether to get an S or Base. Thanks again!

[@HelpMeDIY]

@@takashiessex116 yes I do. But my other car is an M4 Dinan stage 3, so…

[@takashiessex116]

@@HelpMeDIY lol; understood! My other car is a Prius, so it sounds like the S is the one for me! Lol

[@HelpMeDIY]

@@takashiessex116 😂 yes!