986 or 987 - what to buy?
Discussion
My 964 C2 Tip is currently being brokered. I've owned it for 3 years and enjoyed driving it, but increased values and the fact that I'm driving my Z4 2.2 roadster a lot more than the 964 means it's time for a change. I've got an E61 as a daily driver, so the other two cars get driven for fun, or when it isn't raining. I figured that a Boxster could pretty much replace both the 964 and Z4, for a lot less money.
Question is, what Boxster to get? £10 to 12K will get me a really nice 986 3.2S facelift from a respected specialist. An early 987S will be quite a bit more from the same source, or I could take my chances buying privately or from a non-specialist.
Whatever car I get, I'd prefer a Tip. I had a test in a 986 3.2 Tip, and loved it.
Although the 987 is a little nicer to sit in, I'm not sure it's worth spending several £k more. There's also the depreciation of a newer car to consider. I think that a good 986 will lose less than an average 987.
So, what to do:
"Perfect" 986S and put a few £K away for maintenance?
"Average" 987S and keep my fingers crossed?
Blow my budget, and get a "perfect" 987S?
BTW, I'm 57 and semi-retired, so my income is a bit on the low side. I can't really justify keeping 3 cars!
Question is, what Boxster to get? £10 to 12K will get me a really nice 986 3.2S facelift from a respected specialist. An early 987S will be quite a bit more from the same source, or I could take my chances buying privately or from a non-specialist.
Whatever car I get, I'd prefer a Tip. I had a test in a 986 3.2 Tip, and loved it.
Although the 987 is a little nicer to sit in, I'm not sure it's worth spending several £k more. There's also the depreciation of a newer car to consider. I think that a good 986 will lose less than an average 987.
So, what to do:
"Perfect" 986S and put a few £K away for maintenance?
"Average" 987S and keep my fingers crossed?
Blow my budget, and get a "perfect" 987S?
BTW, I'm 57 and semi-retired, so my income is a bit on the low side. I can't really justify keeping 3 cars!
If you've got a comfortable daily or other car then for me a nice 986S with the M030 sports suspension works well as a weekend/occassional/hoon/tour car. Like you, I can afford to spend more but choose to stick with the £7-9k range of 986, which I have done for a second time after my first Boxster which was a 2000 S.
I prefer to buy a middling price one and do a few mods and maintenance myself as I work on the basis that no matter how much you spend on the initial purchase there is always going to be something to spend on a 10+ year old car. The later and lower mileage 986 are only going to need the same maintenance as the earlier 986 and I prefer to do preventative maintenance rather than fix it when it breaks.
I prefer to buy a middling price one and do a few mods and maintenance myself as I work on the basis that no matter how much you spend on the initial purchase there is always going to be something to spend on a 10+ year old car. The later and lower mileage 986 are only going to need the same maintenance as the earlier 986 and I prefer to do preventative maintenance rather than fix it when it breaks.
I went for a really good 986 rather than an average 987. I also prefer the older model generally. If you can find one thats had the IMS/Clutch done, lowish miles with a good spec and on its 2nd or 3rd careful owner that is the holy grail of these cars. I absolutely love my 550 Anniversary which fulfilled all of the above criteria and I paid less than 311k for it last year
I don't think anybody is going to disagree with the logic that a lesser used and lower mileage car will likely have a better condition interior than a higher miler which has been sat in and used more extensively. However, if you are patient and with a bit of luck you can find them! I've had a few comments that my 105k at purchase interior is better than other 550s at 40k miles. The one bit that does let it down is the seat belt buckle scuff on the centre console but when I want to that's only £100 for a remove and repaint as I did on my previous car. Also the OP has a 964, not exactly the newest and most virgin or interiors either (depending on use of course). It's all just a matter of preference. Some people will look at you with incredulity when you say you prefer the 986/996 interior to the 987/997 one which I do!
Interior condition bothers me a lot, probably more than exterior condition (parking scrapes, rather than serious damage). I'm guessing it's probably cheaper to get the corners resprayed than it is to replace a shedload of scuffed interior trim?
Most of the 986s that I've seen at local dealers have been pretty rough on the inside, but they were priced at the lower end of the market. I looked at two last week. Both were late pre-facelift cars. The cheaper one was a bit dog-eared inside, but the one for £9k was like new. For an extra grand, I'd take the one with the better interior.
If I get a 986, it'll have to be a facelift car. Glass rear window is a must for me, and I'm not keen on the ambers either.
I'm a fairly recent convert to autos. The 964 was my first (except for a Mk3 Granada back in the day), and I have to say I rather like them. It may be my age, but it's one less thing to be thinking about on the back lanes. I can keep both hands on the wheel, and pay full attention to any potential hazards on the narrow lanes around here. Gives me the confidence to press on a bit harder.
The one downside of the autos that I currently drive is overtaking. I'm always wondering how quickly they will respond, and how many gears they will downshift. The Tip in the 986 seemed a lot more predictable in full auto, and the steering wheel buttons were easier to use than moving the lever across the gate then flipping it forwards or backwards. It's made even worse in my current cars because Porsche and BMW do it differently - forwards for down in one, backwards in the other. Or, is it move the lever to the left to engage manual in one. right in the other? I have to look at the lever to remember, because the cars all do it a different way! Should be a lot easier to remember with buttons on the wheel!
I did prefer the interior of the 987, but the improvement over a really good, late, 986 wasn't as great as I'd expected. Full leather in the early car helped a lot. As for the exterior, in many ways I prefer the cleaner lines of the 986 - except for the headlights.
The dealer had just aquired a very early 986 - a dealer launch model in orange. It's had one owner, and only covered 1400 (yes, fourteen hundred) miles. Looks like the owner only drove it once a year, to get it serviced. Absolutely perfect in every way.
Most of the 986s that I've seen at local dealers have been pretty rough on the inside, but they were priced at the lower end of the market. I looked at two last week. Both were late pre-facelift cars. The cheaper one was a bit dog-eared inside, but the one for £9k was like new. For an extra grand, I'd take the one with the better interior.
If I get a 986, it'll have to be a facelift car. Glass rear window is a must for me, and I'm not keen on the ambers either.
I'm a fairly recent convert to autos. The 964 was my first (except for a Mk3 Granada back in the day), and I have to say I rather like them. It may be my age, but it's one less thing to be thinking about on the back lanes. I can keep both hands on the wheel, and pay full attention to any potential hazards on the narrow lanes around here. Gives me the confidence to press on a bit harder.
The one downside of the autos that I currently drive is overtaking. I'm always wondering how quickly they will respond, and how many gears they will downshift. The Tip in the 986 seemed a lot more predictable in full auto, and the steering wheel buttons were easier to use than moving the lever across the gate then flipping it forwards or backwards. It's made even worse in my current cars because Porsche and BMW do it differently - forwards for down in one, backwards in the other. Or, is it move the lever to the left to engage manual in one. right in the other? I have to look at the lever to remember, because the cars all do it a different way! Should be a lot easier to remember with buttons on the wheel!
I did prefer the interior of the 987, but the improvement over a really good, late, 986 wasn't as great as I'd expected. Full leather in the early car helped a lot. As for the exterior, in many ways I prefer the cleaner lines of the 986 - except for the headlights.
The dealer had just aquired a very early 986 - a dealer launch model in orange. It's had one owner, and only covered 1400 (yes, fourteen hundred) miles. Looks like the owner only drove it once a year, to get it serviced. Absolutely perfect in every way.
Actually the 986 interior is perfectly acceptable compared to the 987 when in perfect nick. In fact I'd say less chintzy looking than a 987. It's just most don't look beneath the knackered 986 stereotype or miss guided peer pressure banded around ... tut tut.. I'm going to spend some good money on my interior ....
Darn, or maybe just get a C2...
Now I'm confused..
Darn again..
Also got to say, I got out of a 36k Carrera S the other day at mid sussex Porsche and got straight back into mine and ... wow... does my car feel that more solid... seriously?!.... Really made me think!
It might have been the light clutch and brakes in the CS but... hmm.
Or the colour.
Darn, or maybe just get a C2...
Now I'm confused..
Darn again..
Also got to say, I got out of a 36k Carrera S the other day at mid sussex Porsche and got straight back into mine and ... wow... does my car feel that more solid... seriously?!.... Really made me think!
It might have been the light clutch and brakes in the CS but... hmm.
Or the colour.
Edited by buttercreamt on Thursday 2nd April 23:49
Edited by buttercreamt on Thursday 2nd April 23:51
Edited by buttercreamt on Thursday 2nd April 23:52
Edited by buttercreamt on Thursday 2nd April 23:54
Edited by buttercreamt on Friday 3rd April 00:01
A good point about the 987 interior being maybe a bit flashy. I've got a feeling that the 986 (with full leather) will look "classic" in 10 years, while the 987 will look old hat, style over function. Style won't carry it's age as well as funtion will.
My 964's interior is in very good condition, but it is incredibly old-fashioned compared to many cars of similar age. That's all part of it's charm though.
I used to own a 2004 Mini Cooper S convertible. The interior intially looked good, but it was hard to live with. The flashy bits were fake, painted plastic pretending to be aluminium. It was all bit too styled, and it creaked and rattled. Drove me nuts.
The Z4 that replaced it is incredibly plain and simple in comparison, but it is well screwed together.
On balance, I prefer an interior that is functional and well built, with buttons and knobs that fall readily to hand. I think a full leather 986, with a few bits painted body colour, will suit me fine.
My 964's interior is in very good condition, but it is incredibly old-fashioned compared to many cars of similar age. That's all part of it's charm though.
I used to own a 2004 Mini Cooper S convertible. The interior intially looked good, but it was hard to live with. The flashy bits were fake, painted plastic pretending to be aluminium. It was all bit too styled, and it creaked and rattled. Drove me nuts.
The Z4 that replaced it is incredibly plain and simple in comparison, but it is well screwed together.
On balance, I prefer an interior that is functional and well built, with buttons and knobs that fall readily to hand. I think a full leather 986, with a few bits painted body colour, will suit me fine.
Indeed. The ali in these Porsche's I think looks like plastic anyway but have grown used to it 
I would say that the only colour that doesn't work in a 986 though is black. If it's on the tatty side... yuk. Grey works (but not in a 987/997). Any other shade actually, tan even. Mine works really well to my eye but in a 987/997! Steering wheel has to be black regardless. I'm going for a decent Nappa in a slightly darker orange/red than the one in the pic - beautiful, way better than a 987.
Those in the know will know the secrety secret about 986's (winkity winky wink wink...) Eh eh! A true classic in the making. I'm specking up my new GT5 from the proceeds of selling my 986 to some hungry puppy as we speak.
Just for reference, I am in no way bigging my interests up in any way with regard manipulating potential parties that might benefit me from profiting from such blatant self promotion with regard my motor. (it is going for a song though so get in touch so you don't miss out)
I would say that the only colour that doesn't work in a 986 though is black. If it's on the tatty side... yuk. Grey works (but not in a 987/997). Any other shade actually, tan even. Mine works really well to my eye but in a 987/997! Steering wheel has to be black regardless. I'm going for a decent Nappa in a slightly darker orange/red than the one in the pic - beautiful, way better than a 987.
Those in the know will know the secrety secret about 986's (winkity winky wink wink...) Eh eh! A true classic in the making. I'm specking up my new GT5 from the proceeds of selling my 986 to some hungry puppy as we speak.
Just for reference, I am in no way bigging my interests up in any way with regard manipulating potential parties that might benefit me from profiting from such blatant self promotion with regard my motor. (it is going for a song though so get in touch so you don't miss out)
Well, I was all set to look out for a facelift 986S Tip, but I had a test drive in a 987 S manual, 55 plate, yesterday. Although I struggled a bit with the gearbox (wobbly left leg, and not quite sure if the short throw lever was actually in first gear) having not really driven a manual for 3 years, I soon got the hang of it.
I'm not sure if it was just the colour (speed yellow), but I really liked the car, and was sorely tempted to put down a deposit, despite the 964 not having sold yet.
The seats seemed to suit me better than the 986 (which were a little narrow in the backrest), and the interior was definitely a bit more modern.
The car was up for sale at a local dealer for £16k, with 35k miles on the clock. Xenons, Bose, heated seats, yellow centre console, yellow stitching. Comes freshly serviced, with nearly new tyres and full MOT.
Fair price?
I'm not sure if it was just the colour (speed yellow), but I really liked the car, and was sorely tempted to put down a deposit, despite the 964 not having sold yet.
The seats seemed to suit me better than the 986 (which were a little narrow in the backrest), and the interior was definitely a bit more modern.
The car was up for sale at a local dealer for £16k, with 35k miles on the clock. Xenons, Bose, heated seats, yellow centre console, yellow stitching. Comes freshly serviced, with nearly new tyres and full MOT.
Fair price?
Nice. Nothing like a bit of colour to ramp it a bit.
16k! I guess I would be tempted with "nice" leather (yellow stitching
) Yellow consol.. Wheels? Tricky on yellow... PCM..............? Toys etc etc.
Edit: To my eye lobster is the best look on a yellow 987.
What's the book say.
16k! I guess I would be tempted with "nice" leather (yellow stitching
) Yellow consol.. Wheels? Tricky on yellow... PCM..............? Toys etc etc.Edit: To my eye lobster is the best look on a yellow 987.
What's the book say.
Edited by buttercreamt on Monday 6th April 00:41
Hi clockworks
I am just going through the same decision process and was about to post a similar thread. I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your post.
I am also looking for either a 986 or 987 and have the budget for a "perfect" 986. I have been offered a late model 986 that has had a Hartech rebuild around 11k miles ago (due to IMS failure) and a very comprehensive service history. The seller is asking 12k for it. It has all the options I'd want on it and hence is perfect spec wise.
I'd be interested to know if people would swing for this or spend a few k extra and get a "perfect" 987? My budget is anywhere up to 15-20k. I've read a few posts on people going from a 986 to 987 and prefering the 987. I wonder if anyone has gone back to the 986?
I am just going through the same decision process and was about to post a similar thread. I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your post.
I am also looking for either a 986 or 987 and have the budget for a "perfect" 986. I have been offered a late model 986 that has had a Hartech rebuild around 11k miles ago (due to IMS failure) and a very comprehensive service history. The seller is asking 12k for it. It has all the options I'd want on it and hence is perfect spec wise.
I'd be interested to know if people would swing for this or spend a few k extra and get a "perfect" 987? My budget is anywhere up to 15-20k. I've read a few posts on people going from a 986 to 987 and prefering the 987. I wonder if anyone has gone back to the 986?
clockworks said:
Interior condition bothers me a lot, probably more than exterior condition (parking scrapes, rather than serious damage). I'm guessing it's probably cheaper to get the corners resprayed than it is to replace a shedload of scuffed interior trim?
Most of the 986s that I've seen at local dealers have been pretty rough on the inside, but they were priced at the lower end of the market. I looked at two last week. Both were late pre-facelift cars. The cheaper one was a bit dog-eared inside, but the one for £9k was like new. For an extra grand, I'd take the one with the better interior.
If I get a 986, it'll have to be a facelift car. Glass rear window is a must for me, and I'm not keen on the ambers either.
I'm a fairly recent convert to autos. The 964 was my first (except for a Mk3 Granada back in the day), and I have to say I rather like them. It may be my age, but it's one less thing to be thinking about on the back lanes. I can keep both hands on the wheel, and pay full attention to any potential hazards on the narrow lanes around here. Gives me the confidence to press on a bit harder.
The one downside of the autos that I currently drive is overtaking. I'm always wondering how quickly they will respond, and how many gears they will downshift. The Tip in the 986 seemed a lot more predictable in full auto, and the steering wheel buttons were easier to use than moving the lever across the gate then flipping it forwards or backwards. It's made even worse in my current cars because Porsche and BMW do it differently - forwards for down in one, backwards in the other. Or, is it move the lever to the left to engage manual in one. right in the other? I have to look at the lever to remember, because the cars all do it a different way! Should be a lot easier to remember with buttons on the wheel!
I did prefer the interior of the 987, but the improvement over a really good, late, 986 wasn't as great as I'd expected. Full leather in the early car helped a lot. As for the exterior, in many ways I prefer the cleaner lines of the 986 - except for the headlights.
The dealer had just aquired a very early 986 - a dealer launch model in orange. It's had one owner, and only covered 1400 (yes, fourteen hundred) miles. Looks like the owner only drove it once a year, to get it serviced. Absolutely perfect in every way.
pm me details of the orange car pls if its still for saleMost of the 986s that I've seen at local dealers have been pretty rough on the inside, but they were priced at the lower end of the market. I looked at two last week. Both were late pre-facelift cars. The cheaper one was a bit dog-eared inside, but the one for £9k was like new. For an extra grand, I'd take the one with the better interior.
If I get a 986, it'll have to be a facelift car. Glass rear window is a must for me, and I'm not keen on the ambers either.
I'm a fairly recent convert to autos. The 964 was my first (except for a Mk3 Granada back in the day), and I have to say I rather like them. It may be my age, but it's one less thing to be thinking about on the back lanes. I can keep both hands on the wheel, and pay full attention to any potential hazards on the narrow lanes around here. Gives me the confidence to press on a bit harder.
The one downside of the autos that I currently drive is overtaking. I'm always wondering how quickly they will respond, and how many gears they will downshift. The Tip in the 986 seemed a lot more predictable in full auto, and the steering wheel buttons were easier to use than moving the lever across the gate then flipping it forwards or backwards. It's made even worse in my current cars because Porsche and BMW do it differently - forwards for down in one, backwards in the other. Or, is it move the lever to the left to engage manual in one. right in the other? I have to look at the lever to remember, because the cars all do it a different way! Should be a lot easier to remember with buttons on the wheel!
I did prefer the interior of the 987, but the improvement over a really good, late, 986 wasn't as great as I'd expected. Full leather in the early car helped a lot. As for the exterior, in many ways I prefer the cleaner lines of the 986 - except for the headlights.
The dealer had just aquired a very early 986 - a dealer launch model in orange. It's had one owner, and only covered 1400 (yes, fourteen hundred) miles. Looks like the owner only drove it once a year, to get it serviced. Absolutely perfect in every way.
nshooter35 said:
Hi clockworks
I am just going through the same decision process and was about to post a similar thread. I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your post.
I am also looking for either a 986 or 987 and have the budget for a "perfect" 986. I have been offered a late model 986 that has had a Hartech rebuild around 11k miles ago (due to IMS failure) and a very comprehensive service history. The seller is asking 12k for it. It has all the options I'd want on it and hence is perfect spec wise.
I'd be interested to know if people would swing for this or spend a few k extra and get a "perfect" 987? My budget is anywhere up to 15-20k. I've read a few posts on people going from a 986 to 987 and prefering the 987. I wonder if anyone has gone back to the 986?
No problem joining in with this thread.I am just going through the same decision process and was about to post a similar thread. I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your post.
I am also looking for either a 986 or 987 and have the budget for a "perfect" 986. I have been offered a late model 986 that has had a Hartech rebuild around 11k miles ago (due to IMS failure) and a very comprehensive service history. The seller is asking 12k for it. It has all the options I'd want on it and hence is perfect spec wise.
I'd be interested to know if people would swing for this or spend a few k extra and get a "perfect" 987? My budget is anywhere up to 15-20k. I've read a few posts on people going from a 986 to 987 and prefering the 987. I wonder if anyone has gone back to the 986?
I never realised that buying a Boxster could be so difficult! So many variations and potential "problems" to consider, and asking prices seem to be all over the place!
Looking at other 987s advertised, it seems that the yellow S that I looked at on Saturday was priced a little on the high side, but it was in very nice condition. There's also the "Cornwall Car Premium" to consider. Just about everything down here is priced at the top end, because there isn't that much choice, and it's a right pain to view cars up country. Bristol and back is a day out, especially at this time of year.
He seemed confident that the car will sell at his price, and he's probably right.
Also, I'm not sure about blasting around in a bright yellow car. Very easily spotted if you annoy someone with a bit of spirited overtaking!
I think, on reflection, that I'll go for an early 987 3.2S manual, and buy on condition/history rather than mileage/options/colour.
There are plenty out there between £10 and £15K, so I'll leave it to the broker to find me a good one.
Got to sell the 964 first. I think it's up for £40K.
evojam said:
If your 964 sells for for 40K why not look at a nice low miles 981 Boxster? Had one for a day while my 987 was in at the OPC and by the end of the day it had really grown on me and after jumping back in mine easy too see where Porsche have moved the game on with the 981 Boxster...
I can't justify spending that kind of money on a depreciating car. That's more than 2 years gross income for me now that I'm semi-retired. The idea is to put my original "investment" back in the bank, and spend the profit, plus whatever I get for my Z4, on a car. That means £15k max realistically.clockworks said:
evojam said:
If your 964 sells for for 40K why not look at a nice low miles 981 Boxster? Had one for a day while my 987 was in at the OPC and by the end of the day it had really grown on me and after jumping back in mine easy too see where Porsche have moved the game on with the 981 Boxster...
I can't justify spending that kind of money on a depreciating car. That's more than 2 years gross income for me now that I'm semi-retired. The idea is to put my original "investment" back in the bank, and spend the profit, plus whatever I get for my Z4, on a car. That means £15k max realistically.clockworks said:
evojam said:
If your 964 sells for for 40K why not look at a nice low miles 981 Boxster? Had one for a day while my 987 was in at the OPC and by the end of the day it had really grown on me and after jumping back in mine easy too see where Porsche have moved the game on with the 981 Boxster...
I can't justify spending that kind of money on a depreciating car. That's more than 2 years gross income for me now that I'm semi-retired. The idea is to put my original "investment" back in the bank, and spend the profit, plus whatever I get for my Z4, on a car. That means £15k max realistically.Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff