Shamu

Having owned couple of m96 based cars the IMS issue exists but is way overblown. There are aftermarket fixes for IMS on M96 now. I have put over 100k miles on those motors with no issues. Given you can buy nice 986 Boxsters for less than $10k they are screaming deal and much better out of the box track car than a 370z.

I have also bought used low mile M96 motors in great shape for under $3000. So no need to spend $20k on motors? If youre worried about IMS failure just spend money on upgrade kit.

The newer M97 motors are much better as well. Very few Caymans or 987 boxsters have seen same issues as m96 cars. And the new caymans and Boxster have incredible motors.

I also would dispute expensive to maintain statements. For people who know their way around Porsches they are cheaper than many other cars as stuff on p cars lasts so long. They just aren't car for uneducated porsche owner who expects dealer or expensive shops to fix their cars. Smart Porsche owners forge good relationships with salvage yards. Then just need to find reasonable independent porsche mechanic if you don't want to do your own work. But for informed owner Porsche maitence can be quite cheap.

I certainly wouldn't use that as justification to over pay for a newer 370z?

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Grant