986 or 987 Boxster S

[VladD]

petej said:

I went for a 987s so I can't offer any insight into the 986.

All I can do is recommend the 987 as IHMO it has a more modern cabin, but also has a timeless design (no fried egg headlights make a huge difference to me). I picked up a high spec 3.4. It's a fantastic car, great performance and oozes confidence when pushing.

The 986 is affected by IMS bearing failures and the 987 (3.4) is affected by bore score.. My only experience of this is the scare mongering threads on the net.

What I can say is this is the first time fuel consumption has played on my mind.. Driven harder your under 20mpg. Tyre wear on the rear is approx .5mm per 1000 miles mixed driving (pair done in around 8000 miles) and the VED (tax) is stupid on the 3.4 at £490 ish PA.

But, I love my Porsche experience.. I have no intention to letting this car go... It's in really great condition, goes really well and has some great options fitted at factory. Loved every moment of ownership and Sunday morning hoons have never been better

A pic to whet the appetite

Edited by petej on Friday 28th November 20:07

Is that on standard suspension?

[dtriggs]

I was looking for a late 986 with a max budget of £10k - was trying for a 'S' but it was hard getting a good one. In the end I lucked out (well I think so) and found a 2.7 987 within budget with 33k miles and in perfect condition. When I saw the 987 interior it changed my mind and I wouldnt have been happy with the 986 - driving it just confirmed that (although the only 986s I drove were much higher miles). So very happy with my 2.7 987 !

[Trev450]

TREMAiNE said:

So - on the hunt again for 987's - though it means I will have to save for a little longer which is disappointing.

I've seen a quite a few with the same wheels as the 997 Turbo. Would these having been fitted by the owners or were they an optional extra?
Also, are there any other options on these cars that I should be looking at? Aside from Sat Nav...

The 997 turbo wheels were offered as an option, but could equally have been fitted by a previous owner.

Options are very subjective and you will get a wide variety of opinions, but to get the ball rolling, these are my prefered ones:

full leather
sports seats
sport chrono
PSE

[markoc]

I picked up a 987S (gen1) last week. Previously I'd had a 986S (gen2) with the gap between them filled by an Elise 111S.

My thoughts on the 986 is that the interior looked dated when I had mine, and I don't think they've fared too well. However the layout is very driver-centric and still a comfortable place to be even without sports seats. If I was buying a 986 I'd look for an Anniversary model as they really are fully loaded with kit, sports exhaust and if memory serves a small power hike. Probably hold their value better than any other 986. Horror stories abound, but show me a performance car without them? I had my RMS done under warranty. IMS was fine.

My 987S is a clone of my 986S (Silver with black leather). For me it's a much nicer place to be on the inside, and I find the sports seats fantastically comfy. The steering is noticeably lighter - probably made moreso by coming from the Lotus with no PAS.

12k budget kind of divides them both to be honest. I'd have thought 12k was good money for an anniversary 986 (Or decent S), but low for a decent 987. Buy on condition not on miles. Consider dropping your budget for a 986S and a fighting fund. Oh, and don't be put off by the 2.7 - the handling on these is fantastic, it's not all about grunt.

Plenty around in the classifieds - wait for your perfect spec. You won't regret either.

[boxsey]

I can't quite put my finger on the reason why but I much more enjoyed my 986 2.7 than I did my 987 3.4. The former I kept for nearly 7 years, the latter I was glad to see the back of after 18 months.

[TREMAiNE]

markoc said:

Oh, and don't be put off by the 2.7 - the handling on these is fantastic, it's not all about grunt.

I appreciate this, however, my current daily is an RX-8 R3 and for the last 18 months I've traded off grunt for handling - if I go down the Boxster route, I want more than just handling, hence why I'm only looking at the 3.2 S (or 3.4 S now that I've decided 987).

I've test driven both the 987 2.7 and 3.2 (admittedly I did waste the dealers time, I didn't plan on buying either car at the time but wanted to see what they were like before committing to save!) and I felt that the 3.2 had just the right amount of power. Fast enough to have fun, make progress and put a smile on your face but not so fast that you can't really use it properly without taking it on the track.

The 2.7, on the other hand, whilst still enjoyable didn't feel any faster than the RX-8 so I don't really want to spend all my money just so that I can lose the roof.

---

Looking in the Classifieds now, decent 987 S' seem to be around the 14-15k mark (where are these £12k ones people keep mentioning!?) within a 100 mile radius of where I live (Essex, CM13) - obviously I'd be ok with searching nationally once I've got the last few grand ready to buy the car.

I am a little tempted to finance the last couple K - just so I could by it before the warmer months... I know finance gets a bit of a bad rep on PH but the monthly payments would be less than what I'm saving each month anyways...

Its getting exciting now its actually become real... For the last 12 months of been struggling to decide between a Chimaera and Boxster and made a dozen posts for both... The Boxster is definitely the one for me though. I'm drawn to them now! I definitely regret calling them a poor mans Porsche when I was in my teens!

[edc]

Less than £10k http://www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6292...

Check ebay too.

[NicD]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

My 987.2 S PDK with lots of options is light years ahead of my 03 facelift S.
this is even though the 986 was a gorgeous colour combo with full leather and sports suspension.

the 03 was better than the 2000 S which was better than the '97 2.5

All but my current 987 were spec'ed new by me (I finally tired of the depreciation)

so my experience is the opposite of you guys.

[BIRMA]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's some history with the Boxster, just as a matter of interest have you tried a 981 Boxster and if so what do you think of it.

[ianwayne]

When I was looking 12 months ago, I had the same conundrum. I eventually got a 2003 Boxster S for just under £7k (iffy paint on the front mind) but FSH. (2003-04 facelift models have heated glass rear screen and clear indicators as standard, although the ambers may be fashionable again soon!)

However, I have now sold it. Under 2000 miles in 12 months. Niggles with trim, sub 20 mpg and general suspension groans. (Passed MoT easily though) Also, fear of the clutch letting go (original I think at over 86k miles) and the IMS bearing issue I now know more about, led me to sell.

At the time, I couldn't really see why a 2005 981S could be justified at more than £4k more for an extra 20 bhp. However, I was slightly disappointed with the build quality of the 986 (maybe it was just mine) and the 987 seems a step forward rather than just a rehash. If I have another one, it'll be a 987.

I did enjoy driving it, but for now, the TVR Chimaera has won out. In the same time and c. 2000 miles, it has cost less to run. Different beast really but I've noticed a few other PHers have Porsche and TVR but for now, I've reverted to the dark side.. or left it .. ?

Edit: Admittedly the difference in price has dropped. If you can accept 90k miles +, a 987S is under £10k now.

Edited by ianwayne on Monday 1st December 21:19

[NicD]

BIRMA said:

That's some history with the Boxster, just as a matter of interest have you tried a 981 Boxster and if so what do you think of it.

I am indeed a Boxster fan, had one of the first ones alongside a '73 RS - chalk and cheese


I haven't tried a 981 because either I would want one right away, or the steering would disappoint me, and I wouldn't want one at all.

One of the areas where a 987.2 is years ahead of a 986 is the DFI engine response and note, even without Sports exhaust. i love it. And I drive it nearly every day.

[petej]

VladD said:

Is that on standard suspension?

Spec'd for PASM which also comes with 10mm reduced ride height.

[Mike Brown]

Go for the 987S , finance the last bit and buy the model you want, I have had 986s Carrara 4s and I like and enjoy my 3.4s more than any of those, The Boxster is imho so unfairly underrated especially by those who do not know what they are talking about..
On the point of road tax, as mentioned earlier it's two tanks of fuel, I believe it's unfair to have to pay 495 , when you can tax a56 seat coach for less, but it is what it is, fwiw mine is 495 and worth every penny for the benefit of having the model I want with the in my case warranty that comes with the newer model, I.e not over 10 years old, good luck. Mike

[NicD]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I know your views on this as you have made them many times.

Each time I read them, I wonder if yours (or mine) is a true and deep analysis, or merely rationalisation.
I do admire people who are very happy with older and cheaper. Unfortunately, I was born with consumer spoon in my mouth.

Moving on, one thing that got me about my 2.5 (and to a lessor degree, the 3.2), the minimal torque below 2k. If I wasn't concentrating, could easily stall it during manoeuvres.

Nic

[M3333]

I have owned a late 996 C2, an early 3.2s 986 Boxster and my brother in law has a 987.1 3.2s Boxster.

Out of the three my preference is the 986 and today i am about to catch a train to Glasgow to collect a face lifted 2004 986 with 60k miles. I have bought privately so it is a bit of a gamble but it has a lot of history with it and has a big spec, xenons, bose, heated sports seats, cruise, etc etc. It needs a major service and a few other bits and pieces.

No offence to 987 owners but i find the interior far too VAG for my liking and i hate the cheap looking door cards, I don't get the hype. The 987 interior is certainly more appealing on the eye but i am not convinced it is 'better'. The extra premium demanded for a 987 doesn't appeal to me personally for what essentially is a weekend toy. The face lifted 986 interior with glovebox and much better quality finish is not a bad place to be.

Anyway, the main thing is we all enjoy our Porsches, i am hoping for some dry weather for a top down blast back along the A68 to Durham!

[edc]

NicD said:

the 03 was better than the 2000 S which was better than the '97 2.5

I had a 2000 S 58k to 75k miles and now have a 2004 550 from 105 to 112k miles. Better is very subjective. Newer and fresher can be better. But the fundamental mechanicals are pretty much all the same. The later car has some nicer 'luxuries', more options and slightly different exterior cosmetics but the old car with it's new suspension was for me better.

For my day to day drive I've had over the past few years the latest BMW and Audis. I never feel short changed in a 986/996 interior though. Indeed, I kind of look forward to it! The LCD/graphics on climate and dash are 'improved' in newer cars but the rest doesn't feel behind the times quality wise or ergonomically. For me I find the opposite of what some people think and find the 987 interior more plasticky and not as nice a place to be as a 986 one.

[billzeebub]

I had a budget of around £15k for my second Boxster purchase, however would have gone to around £20k for a second hand car. I was also vaguely considering a new 981 on 50% finance.

My first Boxster was a 2000my 986S Manual that I bought from the second owner at 58k miles. The second owner had bought it from OPC. It had full Porsche history and didn't have a mark on it. Having been garaged from new. I absolutely loved it and the Zenith Blue paint, the amber lights. It just felt so right/tight. It had the Metropole Blue leather which I really liked (not full/dash etc). The only things I didn't like was the plastics rear screen (having to do the 'boxster chop') and the lack of cup-holders/glovebox (always drinking a takeaway coffee on the go). I now have a 2004my 986S Anniversary Manual. This is the updated car with glass rear screen and top spec. It has almost every desirable 986 option and with 68k on the clock it has had around £5k of preventative in last 2 years. Hence, it drives superbly and should continue to do so for a long time to come. I love my current car as the pinnacle of the 986 but still have a hankering for my first car and regret selling. Things about my current car I don't like? Number one is the bloody seat-belt warning bong! Even at crawling/car park speeds it's effing bonging away! Earlier cars don't have this irritating feature. Also thought the car handled sweeter with the 17" wheels. I am not a huge fan of the colour either, or the grey wheel centres. It's all very subjective stuff.

Before I bought my latest car I looked at and drove a few 987 S. I decided I preferred the 986 as a more engaging drive and prefer the interior of a full-leather clad 986. I have also had a 981 as a courtesy while and although impressed by the quality and the exterior styling I don't like the amount of tech or the electric steering. I'm in no hurry to get out of my 2004 986 for any other Boxster.

[jakesmith]

billzeebub said:

I had a budget of around £15k for my second Boxster purchase, however would have gone to around £20k for a second hand car. I was also vaguely considering a new 981 on 50% finance.

My first Boxster was a 2000my 986S Manual that I bought from the second owner at 58k miles. The second owner had bought it from OPC. It had full Porsche history and didn't have a mark on it. Having been garaged from new. I absolutely loved it and the Zenith Blue paint, the amber lights. It just felt so right/tight. It had the Metropole Blue leather which I really liked (not full/dash etc). The only things I didn't like was the plastics rear screen (having to do the 'boxster chop') and the lack of cup-holders/glovebox (always drinking a takeaway coffee on the go). I now have a 2004my 986S Anniversary Manual. This is the updated car with glass rear screen and top spec. It has almost every desirable 986 option and with 68k on the clock it has had around £5k of preventative in last 2 years. Hence, it drives superbly and should continue to do so for a long time to come. I love my current car as the pinnacle of the 986 but still have a hankering for my first car and regret selling. Things about my current car I don't like? Number one is the bloody seat-belt warning bong! Even at crawling/car park speeds it's effing bonging away! Earlier cars don't have this irritating feature. Also thought the car handled sweeter with the 17" wheels. I am not a huge fan of the colour either, or the grey wheel centres. It's all very subjective stuff.

Before I bought my latest car I looked at and drove a few 987 S. I decided I preferred the 986 as a more engaging drive and prefer the interior of a full-leather clad 986. I have also had a 981 as a courtesy while and although impressed by the quality and the exterior styling I don't like the amount of tech or the electric steering. I'm in no hurry to get out of my 2004 986 for any other Boxster.

I got my indy garage to turn off the warning bong, did it on two cars, once free, once £10. If it's the biggest issue u have with your car, happy days!

[billzeebub]

jakesmith said:

billzeebub said:

I had a budget of around £15k for my second Boxster purchase, however would have gone to around £20k for a second hand car. I was also vaguely considering a new 981 on 50% finance.

My first Boxster was a 2000my 986S Manual that I bought from the second owner at 58k miles. The second owner had bought it from OPC. It had full Porsche history and didn't have a mark on it. Having been garaged from new. I absolutely loved it and the Zenith Blue paint, the amber lights. It just felt so right/tight. It had the Metropole Blue leather which I really liked (not full/dash etc). The only things I didn't like was the plastics rear screen (having to do the 'boxster chop') and the lack of cup-holders/glovebox (always drinking a takeaway coffee on the go). I now have a 2004my 986S Anniversary Manual. This is the updated car with glass rear screen and top spec. It has almost every desirable 986 option and with 68k on the clock it has had around £5k of preventative in last 2 years. Hence, it drives superbly and should continue to do so for a long time to come. I love my current car as the pinnacle of the 986 but still have a hankering for my first car and regret selling. Things about my current car I don't like? Number one is the bloody seat-belt warning bong! Even at crawling/car park speeds it's effing bonging away! Earlier cars don't have this irritating feature. Also thought the car handled sweeter with the 17" wheels. I am not a huge fan of the colour either, or the grey wheel centres. It's all very subjective stuff.

Before I bought my latest car I looked at and drove a few 987 S. I decided I preferred the 986 as a more engaging drive and prefer the interior of a full-leather clad 986. I have also had a 981 as a courtesy while and although impressed by the quality and the exterior styling I don't like the amount of tech or the electric steering. I'm in no hurry to get out of my 2004 986 for any other Boxster.

I got my indy garage to turn off the warning bong, did it on two cars, once free, once £10. If it's the biggest issue u have with your car, happy days!

Music to my ears! Thanks for that, will get it done

[Lox]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agree with that. My 986 was almost like three engines in one. Loved the way it changed character as I went up through the revs and I do miss that.

But both my 987s have been leagues ahead in handling. First one with PASM and the current one a Spyder, so maybe not valid comparators though. When I first drove a friend's non-PASM 987 (when I still had my 986) I was struck more by the similarities than the differences.