Interesting car

I think it was at the Great Canadian VW show in Langley 2? years ago and I wasn't really crazy about it. It looked well done, but the 356 shape is kind of iconic and all those additions/changes take away from the classic, simple lines of the car. Just because you can doesn't always mean you should. Al

Looks like a bad birthing gone ...bad

Call me crazy but I kinda like it. It reminds me of a PGO.

Intermeccanica has built similar customs before.

You could probably lose the bumpers for a more traditional wide body look.

Fair price. I'd roll it.

Terry:

I thought PGO as well. I'd like to see a PGO in person, but I don't think they import to the U.S., do they?

The 356 evolution to the 911 and newer body styles could have gone the direction of the Langley car, but I'm glad it didn't.

Everybody to their own taste.

Now if you want to see something really different, go to the PGO site and look at the Hemera coupe. 

I don't totally hate it.  Like Terry said, maybe lose the bumpers.  I would be concerned about the amount of leg room.  Unless those seats are positioned all the way forward and can be moved back, there isn't going to be much leg room for anyone over 5 feet tall!

At one time the fellow who is selling this car worked at Intermeccanica.  He went out on his own with the intention of starting his own company.  As far as I know, this is the only car he's built (so far).

I sort of like the car too, but as mentioned, the bumpers make the car look a bit strange.

Doesn't look like you could remove the bumper without having to reglass everything . . .

I emailed him and he assures me there is plenty of leg room.  Bought it for his wife who does not like to drive it.  If you like the configuration with that Jake Raby motor, power windows etc I think it is a buy.  If I could get $15k for my 90% Completed  CMC  wide body I would buy it.  Offers?  I for one like orphans.

i saw that car in person at the great Canadian VW show last year (2 shows ago).  it's nice.  very nice.

puny motor though.  it was hella dirty considering the outside.

it had cool side windows.  like troys cruizing windows.

IMO - that is a SMOKIN deal for that car.

plus - it's more red than it shows in those pics.

While nosing around I came upon this that would take care of both by requirements.  Roadster when I want it and Coupe if I bought a hard top.  Only hesitation is that 1999 motors had issues, worst was RMS.

I wish I did not inherit that car obsession gene from my father!

http://sandiego.craigslist.org.../cto/4047857799.html

Bluz-

If you can be satisfied with a modern Porsche to scratch the itch, I'd recommend going in that direction. That Boxster is probably the nicest pre-'05 non-S I've ever seen. For that money, you're going to have a hard time getting hurt really badly should your interests change.

As far as the custom wide-body, I'm not a fan of wide-bodies in general... but if a wide-body is an "evolution" of an icon, then this one takes that to the 993 conclusion. I don't mind it from that perspective. It's got a lot of modern accouterments, and seems well-executed. It does not, however, have a Raby motor as you indicated-- it's got a Gene Berg 1835, which (depending on your desires) may leave you looking for "more". Berg was the grandfather of the hobby, but time has not stood still and 1835 ccs is not very robust.

Bluz, the new 05 and newer Boxsters had a lot of improvements and the interior is much nicer.   You get 245HP and a better Trans.  2007 and later engines had rarely seen IMS failure.  The sounds the engine makes and handling are superb.  

I had a red beauty that I sold to get into my IM.  "My name is Marty and I got the 356sickness".  Sandy still misses that one and reminds me often.  Spend a 4-5K more and you'll be really Happy.    

That's good advice from Marty. All the Porsche guys say, "buy the newest, best car you can afford".

The only reason to get a speedster is if nothing else will do. That's the ONLY reason. It's a sickness.

Yeah, and I have not found the cure.

Some guys look at on line erotica.  I look at porsches.  I should be satisfied with my 993 and my CMC.  And I am when I do not start clicking on the links here.  My 91 yo mother was telling me why my dad "had" to have a car every two years.  He claimed it would get too rusty and would not be worth much on a trade-in.  I had to laugh.  This was over a German dinner of rolladen, red cabbage and mashed potatoes and gravy that I spent two hours making that afternoon.

As to buying the newest car you can afford, I have to humbly disagree.  996s and 997s have issues that the average guy can't afford.  My 993 is bullet proof.

Marty, the motor is a 1999 which was the worst however if the RMS was taken care of with the factory upgrade it should be ok.  I emailed the guy but i think he will just wait for someone who knows not very much.  The only other thing that I hesitate with a Boxter is the mid engine.  I have only owned one ---a 914 and I found it trying to work on it.  Not that my 993 is much better....  I just want to own one of every one that appeals to me  ; - )

Loved both my speedster and both of my Boxsters.  Just had the IMS bearing upgraded in my 03 and now have peace of mind.  The handling is superior and the mid engine is not bad to work on.  You can create any sound you want with the car with mods and add a little HP.  You keep saying rms but I believe you mean IMS...great little cars.

my loud box exhaust 

http://youtu.be/tQZDFTQ9FdA

Todd, on teh 996 engines it is the RMS  rear main seal which is a major job.  Porsche just settled a class action lawsuit for RMS.  RU saying that a the 3.4 boxter is different than the 996 motor?

Sorry man but the class action suit is IMS.  The rms gets changed and does leak but it is just a 30 dollar seal.  The intermediate shaft bearing is what explodes in the motor.  All MY96 motors up until 2009 have an IMS bearing and can fail and that includes all size motors in Boxsters, 996 etc.  have to trust me...I I have owned two and just got my class action papers in the mail.  And like I said, just did the LN Engineering IMS bearing swap.

http://www.imsporschesettlement.com/

I stand corrected.  

Nah, I just want to make sure anyone doing homework to potentially buy one has it.  The rms leaking is about as costly to change out as the IMS bearing.  anytime clutch, etc is changed out, the RMS is as well.  even the upgrade IMS is not lifetime And should be done as a maintenance item.  Our own Jake Raby and his team developed the IMS upgrade.

Several of my friends from the working days have had late model Porsches and all of them say that the ONLY way they would own one is if it's still under warranty - the cost of dealer shop time (and even non-dealer shops) is just too expensive.  I can just imagine what a clutch/RMS job costs on a Boxster S....

Clutch is 400 and rms/IMS is about 1000.  It's getting the tranny out to get to it all that costs so much.  The parts aren't bad but labor is brutal.

I have been very seriously thinking of a used Boxster but with the RMS, IMS bearing issues...I'll pass.

I am glad to at least, even if my information was not totally accurate, that it gave someone something to think about whenn considering a used Boxter.  Another reason I have stayed away from the Boxter is that our local indie shop tells us that the power top has issues and it can get expensive.  If it is anything like the 90s model Benz there are several top related relays, motors etc and the scanner does not indicate which so a  tech can spend a lot of time hunting it down.  That is not for me cause I still think electricity and electronics are magic  ; - )

Sorry to hear that Alan.  They really are great little cars.  But a lot of people feel that way and if you have the means to upgrade the IMS they are that much better.

I have a base Cayman (prefer coupes) and it is a hoot.  Not as powerful as a 911 but handles better than any car I have ever owned or driven.  I imagine the Boxster is just as precise.  I have never had any trouble with a Porsche...knock on wood.

I do keep them as simple as possible...no turbos , no autos , no AWD ect...

Bart--I love that Cayman myself.  Isn't it pretty much the coup version of the Boxter?  Not many exotic cars out there at such a bargain price as the Cayman.

... which is why they are cheap. I mean DIRT cheap.

The 993 is an excellent car, but has all of the complexity of a late-model 911/Cayman/Boxster. If you're tying into whatever is going on under that deck-lid, you're a better man that I am. That 993 might not be broken now, but at some point, one of the 10,000 vacuum lines, etc, is going to crack and need some tender-lovin' care. I'd rather not be the guy to give it.

I try to cleanly divide my cars into two camps: cars I love and work on, and cars I use and treat like expensive appliances. Stuff always gets frustrating when I attempt to combine the two.

If taking the car to somebody else to do the work is how a guy rolls generally (as Vince Manto perpetually advocates), then it makes no difference. A pre-987 Boxster just needs the upgrades (IMS, RMS), and can get done while doing the clutch it will doubtless need anyhow. Just find an independent European auto service place, and not a dealership.

I believe so...the Boxster is even more affordable. I also have a 97 993 C2 and it is actually appreciating in value, 65,000 miles and no trouble as yet.

The power seat module went out on my 2007 Boxster and it cost a cool grand before it was out of the shop.  The warranty expired about one month before.  I guess you got to pay to play

I am really looking forward to the JPS Coupe...not only cuz I like the 356 look but because I think (hope) it will be much less expensive to insure, maintain, or repair.

You can buy a 996 for about the same money, but god forbid if something breaks.

Besides, I am too old to be going 100 mph or more...not prudent.