RE: Porsche Boxster: Market Watch

RE: Porsche Boxster: Market Watch

Monday 23rd March 2015

Porsche Boxster: Market Watch

Bag yourself a Boxster bargain ... but which one? Check out our model-by-model guide!



When Porsche's first 986 Boxster hit UK shores the reaction was mixed. Die-hard Porsche purists belittled the roadster's softer image, some labelling it a 'poor-man's 911.' And a few traditionalists even derided the mid-engined (rather than rear-engined) layout. But those who actually drove the car almost always loved it. Some even say it even saved Porsche from financial oblivion.

First-gen 986s are cracking value for money
First-gen 986s are cracking value for money
What is certain is that the original Boxster's combination of premium build quality (the 986 shared much of the contemporary 996's front end), a charismatic 2.5-litre flat-six engine, predictable yet engaging handling and an electric soft-top roof gave the new Porsche an edge rival roadsters simply couldn't live with.

Performance wasn't remotely in the 911 league though, but a switch to more powerful (and more reliable) 2.7 and 3.2-litre units in 2000 closed the gap considerably. These engines boasted real character too, daily usability combined with real thrills on the open road meaning Boxster snobs had to eat humble pie.

And despite going through a series of further evolutions - with a new 987 model in 2005 and the latest 981 in 2012 - Porsche has always managed to retain that original Boxster's unique character.

Second-gen 987 has more modern looks
Second-gen 987 has more modern looks
As a big-selling model used examples are numerous, but not all have proved utterly virtuous in terms of reliability. So make sure you research forums and buying guides thoroughly before buying one.

But assuming you've done your homework, what you really need to know is which Boxsters are likely to become collectable in the future, and which are more likely to fade quietly from the collective memory? Which make the finest track-day tools? And, perhaps most importantly, which Boxsters make the best buys right now?


Introduction
Porsche Boxster (986 - 1996-2004)
Porsche Boxster (987- 2005-2012)
Porsche Boxster (981 - 2012-present)


Many thanks to Porsche Club of Great Britain, The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club, JMG Porsche Ltd, Specialist Cars of Malton and Glass’s Guide for their help with this feature

Photos: (986) Dan; (987) Porsche; (981) Tom Begley

Author
Discussion

trj88888

Original Poster:

44 posts

124 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
Boxster Spyder & GTS are the future "must have" classics.

georgeq

110 posts

125 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
After reading some reviews it seems like the 987 Boxster Spyder has the best attributes to become a collectible...

It's light, "analog", relatively unique at the price point, looks different, not that many were built, N/A flat sixes are going the way of the dodo and if the reviews are to be believed it's one of the best drivers cars of the time.
Also it's last of the old Boxster line until the radical redesign of the 981, this may not be a big deal now because the 981 looks far better than the 987, but in 20 years collectors might prefer the older, softer lines to the more muscular look of the newer car.

I also believe that very clean early 986s (1996/1997) have bottomed out a while ago and will be classics eventually.

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
I've had my eye on 987s for a while now. Is one for under £10k really going to be 'poor'? They've been a few crop up for that sort of money recently and they generally look tidy albeit with perhaps above average mileage.

tigerstew

5 posts

116 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
The best boxster is without a doubt the 987 gen 2 boxster s (2009-2011)

mph

2,316 posts

281 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Are you sure the 981 Boxster S you found for £32,975 isn't a 987 ?

Goofnik

216 posts

139 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Judging by the timing of this market watch, I'm guessing we should consider the 981 Boxster Spyder all but confirmed for April reveal?

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
A very tempting prospect, but don't early ones have engine destroying 'issues' ?

k-ink

9,070 posts

178 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Piston Heads said:
not all have proved utterly virtuous in terms of reliability. So make sure you research forums and buying guides thoroughly before buying one.
Such a useful guide, thanks hehe

Timfy

318 posts

118 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
georgeq said:
I also believe that very clean early 986s (1996/1997) have bottomed out a while ago and will be classics eventually.
I can see very clean early 986 becoming mildly sought after, but I doubt their prices will be increasing dramatically for quite some time, I'm pretty certain in the foreseeable future they'll stay where they are. The article is bang on IMO about the sheer volumes of them made, and the fact many have been well looked after meaning there's absolutely loads of them still about.

I love my 986, easily the best motoring decision I've made (OK, maybe the bike license is up there with it...) but I can't see it as an investment. The best I can hope for is for mine to hold it's value reasonably well and for the 987 S to depreciate a little bit more so that good ones come within reach.

We have one practical car in the household, but as a childless couple there's not much we use it for that wouldn't fit in the Boxster, including big supermarket trips, a weeks camping kit, lugging fishing kit, taking my very frail grandmother out and about & handling 500+ mile trips in comfort.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with 987 values. smile

Mogul

2,925 posts

222 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
I've only read the 986 section so far but what pish!

In fact, as a self-confessed die hard 986 fan, I can report that my piss is actually boiling and I may spring a leak (with a replacement expansion tank being the only cure).

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the 986 I would wager that that it will kick off a resurgence of interest in the early 2.5L cars.

Mark Mullen / SCOM are either misquoted here or have gone down in my book...


Falsey

449 posts

138 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Not a very thorough buyers guide..

Still, think Id rather have a Cayman.

daveco

4,122 posts

206 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Mogul said:
I've only read the 986 section so far but what pish!

In fact, as a self-confessed die hard 986 fan, I can report that my piss is actually boiling and I may spring a leak (with a replacement expansion tank being the only cure).

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the 986 I would wager that that it will kick off a resurgence of interest in the early 2.5L cars.

Mark Mullen / SCOM are either misquoted here or have gone down in my book...
Not only that but referring to the 2.5L as slow is absurd. When was 0-60 in just over 6 seconds slow??

eglin

16 posts

117 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
I can't say I'd be too keen on buying a 987 RS60 Spyder if one of the additions over the standard car is a dashboard plague.

Hellbound

2,500 posts

175 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
eglin said:
...one of the additions over the standard car is a dashboard plague.
For that added element of danger!

Anyway for the amounts we're talking about, say £5k-£12k, I think BMW have a trio of cars that are on the up; The Z4M Roadster, Z4M Coupe and the often talked about PH favorite, the E46 M3. Okay perhaps the M3 isn't in the same category, but it's almost an icon and values for clean examples are holding firm to rising. I think the rather normal 'M3 CS' is going to his £20k one of these days, and the Z4M Coupe has already reached those lofty heights.

I'd increase the budget a little and go for the Z4M Roadster. Rarity alone makes it more desirable for me, and to me it seems even more 'analog' than the Porsche.

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Hellbound said:
The Z4M Roadster, Z4M Coupe and...
Obviously, the roadster delivers the traditional top-down sports car experience, but it must also be said that the coupe is a looker. Such a gorgeous neo-classical shape, that roof line and rear deck.

Would definitely consider a first-gen Z4 / Z4M coupe.

juansolo

3,012 posts

277 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
The gen-II 987 Spyder will be the RS/GT3 of the Boxster models. There are only a little over 100 of them in RHD, many of them were specced to the hilt misjudging the cars completely, meaning the near stock ones (the best) are in a serious minority. There can only be about 30-40 Goldilocks cars, ...and they really are that good. Proven by the fact that you can still sell them for what they cost 5 years ago currently, if you can get someone to part with one.

snowley

183 posts

125 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
unsprung said:
Obviously, the roadster delivers the traditional top-down sports car experience, but it must also be said that the coupe is a looker. Such a gorgeous neo-classical shape, that roof line and rear deck.

Would definitely consider a first-gen Z4 / Z4M coupe.
I agree that the Z4m will hold up better than the roadster but obviously does not offer the roof down experience. For me, the roadster may hold firm in price, but I'd find it hard to justify over a boxster.

Mr Whippy

28,944 posts

240 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
Market Watches, adverts in disguiseeeeee (sing it like the original Transformers theme hehe)

I really like these cars but the prices are very strong for mass-marketed stuff.


That Spyder version looks like a good punt at the moment though, if you have the cash to splash on that kinda car right now I'd be getting one!

Dave

J4CKO

41,283 posts

199 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
£2750 for a running, driving Boxster for £2750, was Cat D in 2000

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-R-PORSCHE-BOXSTER-2...

Think that it has a knackered engine and the seller is trying to get shut ?

Could be a bargain if its not.

BIRMA

3,803 posts

193 months

Monday 23rd March 2015
quotequote all
eglin said:
I can't say I'd be too keen on buying a 987 RS60 Spyder if one of the additions over the standard car is a dashboard plague.
They have a bit more than just the plaque, if like me you were looking for an S with PASM, PSE, Litronics etc they were very thin on the ground. But when I checked out the RS 60 Spyder it had the lot, I was also very lucky insofar as mine had Carbon Ceramic brakes too. I like the GT silver and still like the red interior as my RX7 Bathurst had a red interior which I find I can live with.
They are cracking cars and sold my late Esprit V8 to buy the Boxster and it's lovely knowing that once warmed up properly you can fully exploit the performance without the worry of things falling apart or breaking. Unusually for me I've had the car for coming up to three years now and I've never kept a car more than a year.
And the only car that I feel can replace it is a 911 Gen 2 Turbo S soft top so that's what it will be next.

Edited by BIRMA on Monday 23 March 17:48


Edited by BIRMA on Monday 23 March 17:51


Edited by BIRMA on Monday 23 March 17:51