986 Boxster S

2003–2004

3.2 flat-six · 6-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic S · Mid-engine RWD · Hydraulic steering

The one roadster exception.

Buy zone

Estimates, not appraisals. Check each figure's source and date.

Odometer: ~70,000–120,000 mi; Estimate
Market range: $9,000–$16,000; Placeholder
Condition bar: documented

Must have

IMS retrofit paperwork or documented bearing type
No rear main seal weep
Roof drains and top mechanism working
0 reported accidents

● sold (sourced) · ○ asking (estimate)

¹ Market range: sold and asking comps compiled by us, no live feed · as of Sat Oct 24 · placeholder

² Odometer band: our mileage sweet-spot model · as of Sat Oct 24 · estimate

Price range not researched; the band uses the base Boxster's price curve.

As of Sat Oct 24. Not live listings. Past prices don't predict future ones. Nothing here is financial advice.

Listings that fit

#1 pickLive

2003 Porsche Boxster S

$14,097

52,298 mi · Graystone Metallic · Yakima, WA

1 accident reported
- ✓ Listing live
- ✓ Accident history seen
Checked 3h ago
Open listing(new tab)
#2 pickLive

2004 Porsche Boxster S

$15,170

115,316 mi · Gray · San Jose, CA

2 accidents reported
- ✓ Listing live
- ✓ Accident history seen
Checked 3h ago
Open listing(new tab)

We don't sell cars or take commissions. Statuses can be out of date. Confirm with the seller. Transmission and body are read from the listing page.

1Inspect before buying

Check these on the car or in the paperwork before you pay.

IMS bearing statusAsk which bearing the car has and whether it was retrofitted or monitored. Cars from roughly 2000 to 2005 have the more failure-prone single-row design; verify the type for this build date rather than assuming.
Rear main seal and oil leaksCheck underneath for oil at the bell housing and the coolant pipes.
Convertible top and rear windowOperate it. Torn plastic rear windows and sluggish hydraulics are common.
Coolant systemLook for cracked expansion tank, brittle pipes and low coolant.

2Prevent after buying

Do these in the first weeks to start from a known baseline.

Oil and filter plus drain-plug checkUse the right spec oil; check the filter for metal. $200–$350
Coolant expansion tank and hosesReplace the tank cap and tank if aged. $300–$700
Tiptronic fluid serviceDo it even if the manual says sealed. $350–$600

3Prepare for

Long-term costs and the mileage where they tend to arrive.

IMS bearing retrofitDo it if no retrofit is documented and you plan a long hold. On a Tiptronic car it needs the transmission out. $2,500–$4,500~90,000 mi
Rear main sealLikely leaker as the car ages. $1,200–$2,200~100,000 mi
Top and rear window replacementConvertible top wear. $1,500–$3,000~100,000 mi

Inspect before you buy. These lists are a starting point, not a pre-purchase inspection. Guide items are drafted from general owner knowledge and marked as estimates until cited.