Need some advice deciding which 987 Boxster to buy

Need some advice deciding which 987 Boxster to buy

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ftogpx

Original Poster:

26 posts

84 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
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Afternoon everyone. I'm looking to buy a nice 987 Boxster as a second car and for some summer fun (the highlight of which will be a three week Euro tour this summer with the wife).

Budget is max £20k. The only constraint is that it needs to be auto as the wife will also drive it. My first choice would be a 987.2 Boxster S with the PDK box, but the budget doesn't seem to stretch to one of those.

So I've been looking at the 987.1 3.4S tiptronic as a cheaper alternative. To throw a slight spanner in the works I've been looking at AT, ebay etc and it seems that a few 987.2 2.9 PDK cars also fall in budget which has got me thinking...

So basically I'm after some advice on the merits of the 2.9 PDK compared to the 3.4S tiptronic. The 3.4 is about 40bhp up. But I know the stats can sometimes lie. I'd be interested in any views on how they compare in terms of real world driving, engine/exhaust note etc? Is the PDK much better than the older tiptronic? Is the cabin better in the gen 2 cars? I've read the 3.4S is prone to bore scoring, so the 2.9 may be more reliable?

Any advice would be most welcome :-)

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
If it was me & from what I've read, I would be looking at 2.9's as the 3.4, especially in Tip, is more likely to bore score.

JackReacher

2,118 posts

214 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
I can't comment on the PDK, but I had a 2.9 Cayman and loved it. I went for a 2.9 over a Gen 1 3.4 for the reasons you've stated, and while the engine requires a bit more work it's not that much slower than the Gen 1 3.4. It's still a reasonably torquey engine and it loves to rev. Fit a Carnewal for a bit more exhaust noise. The interior was updated slightly but that wasn't a deciding factor for me.

I should also add we did a 3 week Euro tour it it, averaged 32mpg and drove it fairly hard, including 150mph on the Autobahn. They are not slow, and it was comfortable and takes a lot of luggage if you pack using soft holdalls.

Edited by JackReacher on Tuesday 21st March 14:35

boxsey

3,574 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
The gen 2 2.9 all day long for your budget. Better auto box and will hold its value better than a gen 1 tip. IMHO.

BubblesNW

1,710 posts

182 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
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boxsey said:
The gen 2 2.9 all day long for your budget. Better auto box and will hold its value better than a gen 1 tip. IMHO.
+1

Also great fun to drive the nuts off it without fear of a very long period at her majesty's pleasure...

ftogpx

Original Poster:

26 posts

84 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the thoughts guys. Could I ask your opinion on this car. Does it have the right options and how fairly is it priced? I would like xenons but not many cars seem to have them specced at this price point.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...


ftogpx

Original Poster:

26 posts

84 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Thanks guys. I think I'm definitely going to go for the 2.9 PDK.

Are there any options that are considered 'must haves' on the Boxster?

Any views on the car above I've linked to would be most appreciated.

Ta pals

SV_WDC

679 posts

88 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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PCM 3.0 (Sat nav)
Sport Chrono with Sport +
19" wheels - could go 20" but not advised if you have bad back

ftogpx

Original Poster:

26 posts

84 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
SV_WDC said:
PCM 3.0 (Sat nav)
Sport Chrono with Sport +
19" wheels - could go 20" but not advised if you have bad back
Thanks. What does the sport chrono with sport + option do?

BubblesNW

1,710 posts

182 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
ftogpx said:
Thanks. What does the sport chrono with sport + option do?
In pdk it maxes the revs in all gears and allows more slip before triggering the electronic nanny, basically it's the hooligan button.

boxsey

3,574 posts

209 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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I'm generally not a 'must have options' person. An engine normally satisfies me. biggrin

However, as you need PDK, I would echo the comments above about having Sport Chrono so that you have the sport and sport+ options which will liven it up when you want to have fun. I suspect that not many 2.9s had this option fitted? However the good news is that you may be able to get the sport functions retro fitted (I had them retro fitted to my Cayman R by Porsche for £800). Finding a PDK car with steering wheel paddle shifters rather than buttons is also preferable IMO.

KPE

148 posts

138 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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Must have option for me is heated seats and wind deflector.

Ursicles

1,068 posts

241 months

Thursday 6th April 2017
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Why heated seats and wind deflectors are standard on these cars ill never know!

Person who bought mine new spent a fortune on PCM, crested seats etc etc, but didnt bother with heated seats.

Actually... parking sensors id have liked too as hood up can be a real bh to see the rear.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Thursday 6th April 2017
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£20k is a very tough ask for a PDK with SC, heated seats and full history+ paddles unless you go big mileage ?

I cannot see a car for sale sub 50k miles in that spec for less then £20k

this is the cheapest in spec at £24k
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


SV_WDC

679 posts

88 months

Thursday 6th April 2017
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BubblesNW said:
ftogpx said:
Thanks. What does the sport chrono with sport + option do?
In pdk it maxes the revs in all gears and allows more slip before triggering the electronic nanny, basically it's the hooligan button.
Sport+ also has launch control.

The exhaust note sounds different in Sport modes. I believe Sport + also disables 7th gear & enables gear kick down as soon as you tap the brakes