NHTSA Complaint #10405356 — 2000 PORSCHE BOXSTER S

I WAS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 2000 PORSCHE BOXSTER S. I TOOK THE CAR TO A PORSCHE DEALER TO HAVE A PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION PERFORMED AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE 53,000 MILE CAR ACTUALLY HAD A FACTORY REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT ACTUALLY INSTALLED THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES FOR AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION REPORTED THAT A FEW MINOR ISSUES NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED BUT OVERALL THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR AND WITHIN 2,000 MILES OF MY OWNERSHIP, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARING BOLT FAILED DESTROYING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER PORSCHE BOXSTER OWNERS AND THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, EVEN ON ENGINES WITH 20,000 MILES ON THEM. AT THE MOMENT, THE ONLY FIX FOR THIS ISSUE IS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $8,000-$13,000. *TR