Mister Quickie

I am starting to toy with the idea of getting another Porsche.
Now that I have a little garage space I’m going to be doing a lot more DIY.
I’ve never had a Boxster but I’ve had a 2004 996.
I’m wondering, for those who have had both, Which would you consider easier to DIY?
I realize this varies by generation and I am considering a pre-2000 Boxster or a post-2008 Boxster or 911

Marine Blue

I would consider the 997 and 987 as equals when it comes to performing maintenance. Much of the maintenance happens from underneath the car rather than the top. Both use similar assembly hardware and tools. Neither car is maintenance intensive as long as the have been maintained.

saabin

I have both a 981 CS and a 997TT.

I have done a fair amount of wrenching on the 997 and basic stuff on the 981.

I'd say for me (I have a scissor lift in my garage) the 997 is *easier* in that with the engine out back I have easier access to the underneath parts.. I did an engine drop on the 997TT to pin the coolant pipes which was not bad with my lift.. I haven't measured it yet, but I'm not sure I could pull off an engine drop in the mid-engine Cayman.

I have yet to pull the firewall on the 981 to access the belts/hoses, but I can't imagine that is really that much harder than anything else I've done.

The key is to have a good set of tools.. Good tools make most of my jobs dare I say, "fun"

9eight7

What kind of diy do you see yourself doing?

As marine mentioned, typical maintenance items are similar between the models such as oil changes, brake fluid, brake pads/rotors, air filter, and coolant. Differential/gear fluid will be slightly different depending on transmission 9_7.1 auto, 9_7.2 pdk, or manual (being the easiest).

Exhaust swaps are slightly more challenging on the 911 models only because you need to remove the rear bumper.

Interior diy is the same.

Mister Quickie

Doing a cursory review on pricing I think I'll be limited to a '97-'99 Boxster

cobalt

Pretty similar to work on all depends on how mechanically inclined you are. Although we have seen a number of 997 turbo's lately street driven that require the coolant pipes updated/welded and the cams pinned. A recent tubo was lightly street driven and we were doing the coolant pipes when the owner wanted the cams pinned. Glad we did as we found the one intake cam had spun a little out of timing. This is a large undertaking. Otherwise it is just mechanics and nothing as annoying to work on like the 991.2's.

garfunkle

987 and 991. They are both a pain to DIY but the 987 is easier. A 997 would be even easier. Quickjacks help.

garfunkle

ekam

You can't even change the air filter without moving the whole bumper!!!

garfunkle

That's right. It's not a terrible job but still a PITA.

SpyderSenseOC

Those jacks just scare the hell out of me. Might I ask what brand of flooring that is?

garfunkle

swisstrax.

Quickjacks are rated for 5K pounds. My 3000 lb car isn't taxing it.

cobalt

I guess you guys never worked on the air-cooled cars especially the turbos? Removing the rear bumper is an easy process just annoying you have to do it. The 991.2's are even more work with all the additional plumbing.

Atlas 987

i have the 7000 lb Quick Jack so I can work on my Grand Cherokee too. It’s solid once the locks are in place. It’s much better than working under jack stands. It lifts higher and Is very stable.

garfunkle

There are certainly better ones for a little more $ but that is a slippery slope that leads to a full blown life. QJ are the best value I found when I was looking.