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triguy46

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Posts posted by triguy46

  1. Just home from a 1200 mile trip in my 2003 Boxster, with 46K, from Oklahoma to Santa Fe. I had had some anxiety about this first long trip in it, but let me assure those reading here that it came off without a hitch. Got between 27 and 30 MPG. Most of drive was on I-40, drove sensibly for the most part 5-7 over posted speed. In New Mexico that is 75, so did a lot of miles in the low 80's. Only prob I noticed was the Garmin had me going about 2 mph slower than the digital speedo. Trip max speed was 98 mph, had a Camry and Accord pass me as I was doing 81 and just wanted to see how fast they were going.

    In preparation for the trip did an oil change, brake fluid flush, changed the belt. The only tools I took were those needed to change the belt, and the old one I took off.

    It was plenty comfortable for wife and me, plenty of room for bags.

    All in all a great road trip in a great road car.

  2. Sensors yes? Sensors no? New ones, or existing, or just unhook them altogether?

    Looking around the web, it appears that changing the pads on a 2003 Boxster is quite easy. What's your opinion? Is it as easy as it appears? Any warnings/suggestions?

    thanks :D

    You might want to look at trygve instructions here: Boxster brake pad R/R

    Take care, :cheers:

    Roy T

    While you are at it....Change the brake fluid. Easy and really easy with these tools...All you really need is the tube with the valve.

    Start with Passenger rear, outside, inside, then drivers rear, outside, inside, passenger front outside, inside, drivers front, outside, inside.

    http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=37201

    http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=98864

  3. When I saw the caliper stays on, I assumed it would be easier than most of the cars I've done brakes on.

    Looking around the web, it appears that changing the pads on a 2003 Boxster is quite easy. What's your opinion? Is it as easy as it appears? Any warnings/suggestions?

    thanks :D

    Yes its easy. If you've ever changes pads before, your boxster should be a breeze. It takes me longer to jack the car and R&R the week then it does to change the pads.

  4. Gotcha. Thanks :D

    I've had the top cover off to change air filter and to nose around. Have read the DIYs on changing the serpentine belt and would like to open the front to inspect (2003 w/43K). Any trick to getting the front off? Can't see it mentioned anywhere. Top cover off first?

    The thick carpet thing behind the seats comes off - it has 5 or soe of those flat plastic nuts along the top that need to be removed, and then it tucks in tightly on teh sides - you just pull it out.

    Once that is off, you will see the panel that removes. there are 10 or so screws around the perimeter, and then two nuts right in the middle where the transmission cables pass through. all 10mm if i remember correctly

    Move boths seats as far forward as possible and then lean them forward to get access to the panel.

  5. 2003 Boxster, 38K miles, I've owned it for 3 months. The owners maint. book is signed off by the Porsche dealership in Wichita for the 30000K service, but that was 18 months ago. Right off, I've changed the oil and filter, and air filter. I've hooked up the Durametric an have no codes, only 58 ignitions at redline, about 40 above redline, so not obviously abused.

    Here's my strategy, at least what I've done with many other cars with pasts unknown: take care of the little stuff that can shut you down away from home. In this case, a 6 year old vehicle with no details known, I plan on:

    Replace serpentine belt

    Replace radiator hoses and flush radiator

    Replace brake fluid

    Change spark plugs

    Check oil fill vacuum to determine status of AOS

    Please advise if you feel any of these are a waste of time, and any glaring omissions. With only 38000 miles under normal use (about 2 years for me), I wouldn't do all of this. But this car is 6 years old and somethings age regardless of use.

    I welcome your comments and thank you in advance.

  6. Sorry, but I need to know: I've had my 2003 for 2 months, 37000 miles and is spotless. Runs great, looks great, Porsche serviced with no documented probs. I"m 2nd owner.

    So I come here daily and read the terrifying stories of dropped valves, cracked blocks, astronomic service etc and I am wondering if I shouldn't just dump it and buy back my Miata.

    Is it because people primarily post problems here? Or is it because this thing is going to break?

    2003, 6 years, 139,000 miles...never had an issue with the engine or performance. Regular maintenance. Best car I've ever owned...

    Bill B)

    DING DING DING DING That is the correct answer I needed to hear!!! Thanks :P :P :P :P It is certainly the best car I've ever owned!

  7. TriGuy -

    I have a 2004 986S that has been driven exclusively (after break-in) on the track for 19,000 miles.

    A track car has a hard life - some people say one track mile is equivalent to 6 street miles. I'm not so sure about that, but the idea of a ratio helps illustrate the wear-and-tear a track car gets.

    I know for certain it spends more time at 4000 to 7000 RPMs than it does under 4000 RPM. And the number of times I have red-lined it, would make a Porsche warranty guy go into spasms.

    At Sebring International Raceway, it is under under at least 1.5 lateral Gs 17 times a circuit. (I know from my data acquisition system.) Never had oil starvation problems. ( I did overwhelm the AOS because the Gs, but a replacement with Porsche Motorsports AOS solved that.)

    Knock wood - I have never had a serious issue. My engine oil analysis guy says the internal wear I am experiencing is ideal.

    Transmission, clutch - all original, and it shifts like new.

    I just rebuilt my brake calipers, figuring the bore seals were shot - nope - they were fine.

    It runs at the same temp in January at Sebring as it does in August. I've never added a drop of coolant - hasn't needed it.

    In the last few years, I can only think of four things that have "broken":

    * upgrade to the Porsche Motorsports AOS mentioned above (attributable to track use)

    * the parking brake switch in the console that triggers the top failed

    * a roll spring came out of my brake caliper (attributable to track use)

    * and the horn failed in the first 1000 miles, and fixed under warranty

    I take care of it with an accelerated maintenace schedule versus what it would get as a street car, and it continues to run great.

    Thanks, that sounds pretty convincing.

  8. A $1000 engine repair is just as devistating for the average Vw owner as a $5000 repair for a newer porsche owner.
    We're talking 986s, though- they're not exclusive cars anymore, they're squarely in the price range of anyone with more than a fast food job. You can buy a 99 or 00 for less than it costs for a dealer engine replacement, and that's pretty damned devastating to most Boxster owners. It's equivalent to a $15k repair on a Toyota Yaris.

    I'd hope anyone buying a Porsche does so with the understanding that parts are 3x more expensive than for a mainstream car and a trip to the dealer's repair bay is going to set you back $1000 before they even turn the car off, but the engine failures that do occur go way above and beyond the basic Porsche tax.

    You're right, for the age and miles, the cost was very reasonable. Even more so when compared to what some pay for behemoth pick ups.

  9. My 04 is running great, no problems! I haven't started many threads lately about it, though ;)

    Well, besides the CD player on the fritz, but odds and ends are going to break on a 4+ year old car and Porsches are no exception. Frankly, if you can drive this car for 2 months and then think about selling it for a miata... you don't deserve it! :P

    I see the same question on my Saab and Vw posts from new owners. They all want to know why everyone is complaining and there are so many problems. If you take the time to study the comments there are only a few (but major) big concerns and the small ones are consist and easy DIYr, like all cars.
    VWs don't usually cost $15k to repair if a seal lets go, though...

    The cost of the repair doesn't matter in this discussion or my response in my opinion. Each car and each vehicle should have a sliding scale of the economics of the buyer. I am on the lower end of income for a newer Porsche owner but as a solid DIY'r I'm willing to take that chance.

    A $1000 engine repair is just as devistating for the average Vw owner as a $5000 repair for a newer porsche owner.

    I agree with your comment about the Miata comment but I'll take it a step further. If you do decide to buy a Porsche, you need to do your research and understand it's not a cheap car to own especially if someone is not a DIY'r. Those who bought such w/o research may deserve the surprises they may receive.

    Yep. I'm prepared to maintain this car. Ironically I'm not a materialistic person and do not obsess over 'things', so think I can handle this.

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