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Porsche Boxster 986 (1st Generation)

1996–2004 · 986 · convertible

Original Boxster, launched 1996 (1997 MY in US). The car that pulled Porsche out of its 1990s financial trouble. 2.5L / 2.7L / 3.2L flat-six (base / Boxster / Boxster S). Shares front end and many parts with the 996 — same M96 engine, same IMS bearing concern.

Watch out: IMS bearing failure on 1997-2004 cars (same M96 engine family as 996). RMS (rear main seal) leaks are nearly universal — annoying but rarely a deal-breaker. LN Engineering IMS retrofit is the standard preventive fix; budget accordingly on purchase.

Full clubhouse — owner Garage Lineage, common problems, year-by-year notes, and product picks — is on the build list.

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