- Seller: Jesse M
- Location: Boise, Idaho
- Mileage: 116,377 Shown
- Chassis #: WP0CB29863U661119
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 3.2 Liter Flat-6
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Over the past decade, we’ve had more than a few Porsche 914s pass through Barn Finds HQ. They are great sports cars with incredible handling, but finding affordable and solid examples is getting harder. It recently dawned on us that it’s been over 25 years since the Boxster debuted and it might be a reasonable 914 alternative, so we thought it was about time we gave one a chance! When this 2003 Boxster S popped up locally, we decided to take a look. Long story short, we ended up buying it. We’ve had a blast zipping around town in it, but we need to refocus our attention on other projects, and this one has been too much of a distraction. We want to see it go to someone who will enjoy it as much as we have, so we are offering it here as a no-reserve auction!
Having not experienced the mid-engined Boxster, we didn’t realize how much homage it pays to the 914. Yes, it’s modern and more powerful, but how it handles and feels is reminiscent of the 914. The car feels planted as you head into a corner and slingshots through without fuss or drama. With all of the 914s we’ve experienced, our number one complaint is the lack of power, but that isn’t an issue with this Boxster. Since it’s the S variant, it received the more powerful 3.2 liter 6-cylinder with the 6-speed manual, serving up more than enough power. Visually, you might not connect the Boxster with the 914. Supposedly, the Boxster was inspired more by the 550 Spyder than anything else. One design feature it shares with the 914 is dual trunks, a “frunk” up front, and a normal trunk in the rear.
Having covered 117k miles, this example isn’t exactly low mileage, but it’s held up well. One of the things that’s kept us from giving this era of Porsche a chance has been the interiors, as we just weren’t sure how they would hold up. For a 22-year-old car, this one has fared quite well. The carpets cleaned up nicely, the soft-touch plastics are in decent shape, and the seats are free of damage. The driver’s seat bottom appears to have been replaced, the gear pattern decal is missing from the shift knob, and the cupholder cover trim is missing. All the buttons and systems work, including the stereo, power top, and heated seats. Speaking of the top, it’s equipped with a glass window with the defrosting element. We have noticed one small split seam in the top, but it looks like it could be restitched.
The 3.2-liter flat-six is a low-displacement version of the engine found in the 996 911. For model year 2003, the Boxster was treated to a facelift and a slight boost in performance. With the update, the S saw power increase from 225 to 258 horsepower. This one fires right up, idles nicely, and pulls great. The brakes work as they should, the transmission shifts beautifully, and the A/C blows cold. We have receipts from the previous owner showing the car received new parts in 2022, including an IMS bearing, water pump, thermostat housing, axles, wheel bearings, coil-overs, control arms, sway-bar links, and a B&M Short Shifter.
Cosmetically, this car isn’t perfect. It looks nice from a distance, but once you get closer, you notice paint cracks on both bumpers and discoloration from one side of the car to the other. According to CarFax, damage to the passenger side door was reported in 2015, so we assume that side of the car was treated to new paint. We haven’t found many Boxsters in Carrera White, so we don’t know how it holds up, but the original paint may have faded more than the touch-up. It’s hard to see in photos, so felt we should mention it.
We’ve been pleasantly surprised with how fun this Boxster is. Coming from air-cooled Porsches, it’s easy to dismiss the 986, but it’s hard to beat the performance you get for the money. Maybe it’s the upgrades or the fact that it’s an S, but this car is a blast to drive. Whatever the reason, once you are behind the steering wheel, you can’t help but smile. So, if you’d love to be this Boxster’s next owner, cast your high bids below.
Bid On This Auction
R-Everett bid $11,100.00 2024-11-08 11:59:26
Oldgtracer bid $8,000.00 2024-11-08 10:24:52
JeffM bid $7,500.00 2024-11-08 10:15:46
MattATL bid $7,250.00 2024-11-08 10:10:52- Oldgtracer bid $7,000.00 2024-11-08 10:04:14
- MattATL bid $6,750.00 2024-11-08 08:59:23
- JeffM bid $6,500.00 2024-11-08 07:04:47
- MattATL bid $6,250.00 2024-11-07 16:49:16
- JeffM bid $6,000.00 2024-11-07 12:54:24
Bucketlist bid $5,500.00 2024-11-07 08:58:40- Oldgtracer bid $5,000.00 2024-11-07 08:27:56
- JeffM bid $4,000.00 2024-11-06 17:13:20
Jack bid $3,000.00 2024-11-04 19:45:14
Hidesertmusic bid $2,651.00 2024-11-02 13:43:16
RoadTripRevivals bid $2,400.00 2024-11-01 21:51:05
Air-cooled bid $1,800.00 2024-11-01 19:40:59- RoadTripRevivals bid $800.00 2024-11-01 13:25:56
Hawkalizer bid $550.00 2024-11-01 13:22:59
I’ve had two 944s and loved them greatly. ’83, I had 30 years and finally gave it to a friend pastor. It was 5 speed manual shifter. The other was a ’86 auto trans. and was wonderful, but traded it on a Shelby car. Would have liked a Boxster but never bought one. Would have been a great Porsche to have had. This one looks really great. May bid on it later.
I’ve always thought if Porsche had continued the 914 and not gone the 924/944 route the car would have evolved into the Boxster..which, IMHOnwould have been a great thing.Looks like a nice car that should be enjoyed for years to come..personally I love the early Spyder..if only it was air cooled!
What is this…a Craiglist ad?! No picture of the engine. 🤣
The engine is very hard to get a picture of, most major service is done with it lowered i believe
That IMS bearing is a big expense. Having this done eases any reliability doubts. If that one, or two row original bearing fails, the motor is kaput.
There’s no mention that the IMS bearing has been replaced, but I’d agree with Jack Quantrill that it should be done. The failure rate in the early Boxsters (to 1999) with the two-row IMS bearing is only 1%. The later single-row IMS (2000 to 2009) have an 8% failure rate. I have a 98 Boxster with 133,000 miles and the original two-row IMS bearing and it’s still going strong.
Overall, early Boxsters are the best Porsche bargain out there. The deep-pocket Porsche snobs look down their noses at them as “the girlfriend’s car”, but everyone else correctly sees them as more Porsche excellence.
The extra power in the Boxster S is nice but not necessary for the pleasurable driving experience of a Porsche. Everyone should buy a Boxster.
What do you mean? It says in the write-up that the IMS and a bunch of other service work was done in 2022.
Sorry. I missed that IMS replacement mention in the write up – I was just adding to Jack Quantrill’s comment. And I now see the Pelican order tracking sheet with the IMS kit. Looks like a lovely car. Bidding should pick up near the end of the auction.
I owned a 2003 tiptronic for 3 years and still dream of it as i loved it ! I drove it like i stole it but had to sell to cover a real estate project that turned out really good !
Mine was not an S , the added brakes and power are certainly welcome and the build quality is great , these are cars that can cost an arm and a leg to maintain , so you must get your tools out and your fingers searching for online help , the forums are a great help , i would do it again but the grandchildren need a place to sit !
YOLO
Someone is going to get to experience the sweet performance of a Porsche that’s had most of the important service done for a very affordable price.This will be an excellent sunny weekend cruiser. I think it’s a good deal. I love a white sports car especially a Porsche.