Boxster

Yes, it's GM worldwide rationalisation for what it's worth. The engine may have originated in Germany (Opel).

Off the back of some reading (so not a great deal), and being in a similar situation, I'd have thought a (post-2005) 987. I gather the interiors are a lot better, and the intermediate shaft bearing failure issue is all but eliminated.

Early 987s are probably the worst ones to buy - whilst the bearing was supposedly uprated, you cannot replace it without stripping the engine, which rules out any kind of preventative maintenance.

Personally, I don't like the 987 interior, it's very 'generic premium German' - the 986 feels more 'Porsche'.

While not at all Porsche specific, I'd always go for the runout of one model over the first of a new one - the bugs have been sorted and it avoids the premium for the newer model.

Are they still a problem then - requiring preventative maintenance? I understand a Porsche specialist can grade the bearing (1-4). Flip knows how they do that in any event for an external(ish) bearing. I'd have thought you're completely stuffed with a fragile internal.

As they're 'only' £1500 to fit, I am surprised more ads don't mention it. It's the sort of thing I'd build into the purchase price (hence thinking about a 987). In fact, I've never seen a reference to a replaced upgraded IMS bearing.

Yes, that's a good point. For 12k the OP (and me when I was looking) could be looking at a 2007/8 2.7.