2005 Porsche Boxster S (987) Manual

Highlights

• Desirable ‘S’ model with manual transmission

• Attractive Seal Grey over Ocean Blue specification

• Excellent service and maintenance record

• Well-chosen, reversible upgrades and updates

• Dyno-tested at just over 300bhp

Overview

“Buy a Boxster” or, to be more accurate, “buy a Boxster S”. That has long been the standard advice any petrolhead will give someone looking to get the most enjoyment, quality and ‘bang for their buck’ from a roadster or small sports car.

And we don’t have much to add to that, to be honest. The Boxster S has, for a couple of decades now, been the last word for anyone looking to enjoy the perfect blend of pace, handling, ride, quality and sheer, unadulterated driving enjoyment. It’s the centre of the Venn.

However, there’s always been the feeling that it could be even further enhanced. Nudged a little more toward perfection. The Cayman R really showed how complete a small Porsche could be, and it’s irked us no end that there has never been a Boxster equivalent. 

Apparently, it irked the owner of this beautiful machine too, because they’ve spent the last 5 years pouring love, attention and money (north of £20,000) into effectively building a ‘Boxster R’. Has it worked? You bet your hind teeth it has. 

Modifications have been kept light, reversible and have often used OEM parts from within the wider Porsche family. The end result is a car that looks and feels right, drives exceptionally well and has a deliciously ‘OEM+’ feel. The service and maintenance record is impeccable, the specification inside and out is delightfully well-judged and restrained. We’d go as far as to say that we’re not sure we’ve seen a more desirable example. If you’re looking for the perfect car to enjoy the long, hazy, warm days of summer, but still have the ability to annihilate a circuit if it takes your fancy, then look no further.

In this case then, we need to update the advice a little. It’s no longer “buy a Boxster S”. No, it’s now “buy this particular Boxster S, because by goodness it’s a delight”.

History and documentation

• First registered in July 2005

• Current keeper since 10 February 2020, 5 former keepers

• Invoices detailing more than £20,000 spent on preventative maintenance, servicing and upgrades since 2020

• Stamped service book and invoices, showing services from main dealers and independent specialists as follows: May 2007 @ 4,752; October 2010 @ 24,464; June 2012 @ 31,764; August 2012 @ 32,765; April 2014 @ 46,884; May 2016 @ 57,036; June 2018 @ 65,376; February 2021 @ 76,341; February 2022 @ 80,977; March 2023 @ 83,776; December 2023 @ 84,247; October 2024 @ 86,075

• Full document pack and two keys

• Comprehensive collection of invoices for servicing and maintenance, as well as old MOT certificates

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 5 March 2026

• Superb MOT record, with no advisories since August 2019

• 86,432 miles on the clock

• The vendor has kept the car off the road and garaged it during winter

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Gorgeous Ocean Blue leather upholstery, with contrast white stitching

• The leather all appears to be in very good order for its age, with some warm patination and a little creasing to the seats (particularly the driver’s outer bolster), but no significant wear, sagging, damage or tearing we could identify

• Ocean Blue carpeting through the cabin, with OEM branded black over-mats, all of which show very well, with no notable wear

• Electric windows and door mirrors

• Air conditioning

• The instrument binnacle, switchgear and general interior trim all looks to be in fine fettle, with some wear commensurate to the car’s age and mileage

• Factory upgrade Bose speaker and subwoofer package

• In May 2024, the vendor retained Cambridge Car Audio to update the in-car entertainment system to a modern double DIN Kenwood system

• Kenwood DMX8021 with DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• The original head unit is included with the sale

• As with all Boxsters, there is a generous boot at the rear as well as a ‘frunk’, both are very clean and tidy, trimmed with black carpet and provide ample room for a few bags or a couple of small cases

• The vendor tells us that all of the cabin features and functions work just as they should, with no faults or issues reported

Exterior

• Seal Grey Metallic paintwork, presented in very good condition

• In October 2020, the car was sent in for extensive respraying and paint correction, at a cost of £3,000

• There are a few minor stone chips to the front bumper and bonnet edge, but otherwise the paint shows very well indeed

• All of the bodywork appears to be clean, straight and undamaged, with no corrosion, ripples, misalignment or damage we could discern

• The fabric hood is finished in Metropole Blue material, and looks to be in good condition, with one or two slightly faded spots, but no damage or tearing apparent

• In December 2023, the roof top arms were renewed and a new black front grill set fitted

• The roof operates smoothly and quickly, just as it should

• The light units all look to be clean and clear, free from misting and with no major cracks or chips on show

• All of the external badging and trim looks to be present, correct and in good order, with no notable UV damage, wear or warping

• At the rear there is an electrically deployed automatic spoiler, which can be over-ridden from the cabin

• We’re told that the car was last Lanoguard treated underneath in November 2023

• The 18-inch aluminium wheels were refurbished in February 2021 and still look to be in excellent condition, with no lacquer peel, kerb rash or other damage we could see

• A full set of new black logo centre caps was fitted when the wheels were refurbished

• A matched set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres has been fitted – 265/40 rear and 235/40 front – which all look to have clean, undamaged sidewalls and good tread levels

Mechanical

• 3,179cc naturally-aspirated flat-six with VarioCam

• Mid-engined, rear-wheel drive

• Six-speed manual transmission

• New clutch fitted under warranty c.72,000 miles

• Power-assisted steering

• Anti-lock braking system

• Parking sensors

• Cruise control

• PSM

• Dyno-tested at 301bhp / 299lb-ft by Dynotech RS (standard car offers 276bhp)

• Engine upgrades include: IPD plenum, GT3 throttle body, performance air filter, remap

• Dec 2019: New rear main crankshaft oil seal, IMS bearing guide seal, brake discs, pads and handbrake shoes

• Mar 2020: Milltek performance exhaust system fitted, new Bosch starter motor

• Feb 2021: Suspension refresh including - Powerflex polybushes, bump stops, Bilstein dampers, HR lowering springs, coffin arms, four-wheel alignment

• Mar 2022: Rolling road remap by Dynotech RS (with data sheet)

• Mar 2023: New alternator and Goodrich braided brake lines

• Jun 2023: EBC Bluestuff brake pads fitted all round

• Dec 2023: Calipers rebuilt and repainted, GT3 quick shifter fitted, new air mass flow meter

• We’re assured that the car starts “on the button”, runs beautifully, sounds great and stop on a the proverbial dime

• No mechanical faults or issues are reported

Summary

Sometimes you get a feeling about a car. You can tell it’s happy, that it’s been well cared for, maintained properly and lavished with love. It just feels… right. That’s precisely the feeling we get with this Boxster, and there’s a raft of evidence to back up that feeling.

Beautifully preserved and maintained, handsomely specified and presented with some of the best thought-out and well-chosen enhancements we’ve seen on a Boxster, this is one hell of an overall package.

If you love a taut, powerful, razor-sharp handling sports car that delivers aural delights and plenty of excitement but you also need something genuinely usable and practical, then look no further. We have a feeling you’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this one…

Non-concierge cars: To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Royston, Hertfordshire.