2008 Boxster RS60 vs 2009 Cayman S vs 987 - Help?!
2008 Boxster RS60 vs 2009 Cayman S vs 987 - Help?!
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Discussion

LittleSheep

Original Poster:

9 posts

118 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Hi all

Need some help here.

I've fallen in love with an RS60 at the local dealer's which has ultra low mileage (13,000km - almost too low) and is in pristine condition. The dealer is happy to do a check with the official Porsche servicing centre before selling.

Have also seen a Cayman S on the Porsche pre-owned site which has the benefit of Porsche warranty. Higher mileage (30,000) but has full service history.

The RS60 is about 15% cheaper.

Am torn between the two... There's just something about the RS60 that appeals to me on an illogical level, but the Cayman seems the safer bet.

The other cheaper alternatives are a 2007 Boxster, well taken care of and serviced every year.... Or a 2005 Boxster which had engine fully replaced only 3 years ago.

What to do and any words of wisdom for a Porsche newbie?

Thanks!!

BIRMA

4,156 posts

214 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Speaking as someone who actually owned an RS60 and really enjoyed using its available power at every opportunity I'd say they are wonderful cars.
In my two plus years of ownership I had no issues whatsoever. OK there is the bore scoring issue hanging over this model but I think you have to put these things into perspective.
The only negative thing I could put forward is the rip off road tax but I used to tax mine for a year and SORN it over the winter months.
On a summers evening with the top down and the sports exhaust on there is not a lot to beat it.

Edited by BIRMA on Friday 12th February 19:41


Edited by BIRMA on Friday 12th February 19:41

TheAnimal

3,473 posts

213 months

LittleSheep

Original Poster:

9 posts

118 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
Thanks all.

Very helpful info.

I've narrowed the choice down to the RS60 (13,000km, but not driven for a few years) and a 2005 Boxster S which had engine fully replaced by Porsche in Dec 2013 (15,000km on new engine, regularly driven and serviced).

The RS60 is listed at around US$47500 vs the 05 987 which is 50% cheaper.

Is the RS60 worth the premium? My heart says yes, but wallet tugging the other way....

Jibaro

210 posts

201 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
I've always liked the RS60, and the 550 Anniversary before it. SFO on here had a lovely RS60, I've only ever seen one on the road and it looked great. If the dealer will put it through the OPC 111 point check then a Porsche warranty can be put on it, that's the way I'd want to go assuming happy enough with the price and the low mileage premium. Some would bemoan the lack of use and how it may or may not affect reliability, but no getting round the fact that lower mileage cars are sought after, especially if limited run models. It wouldn't be easy to find another RS60 with that mileage whereas 2005 Boxsters which have had an exchange engine aren't that rare smile

BIRMA

4,156 posts

214 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
LittleSheep said:
Thanks all.

Very helpful info.

I've narrowed the choice down to the RS60 (13,000km, but not driven for a few years) and a 2005 Boxster S which had engine fully replaced by Porsche in Dec 2013 (15,000km on new engine, regularly driven and serviced).

The RS60 is listed at around US$47500 vs the 05 987 which is 50% cheaper.

Is the RS60 worth the premium? My heart says yes, but wallet tugging the other way....
Is the RS60 worth the premium?
Well, if like me you liked the active suspension and the PSE you had a job finding a car with both or at least that was the case when I was looking.
I was also a fan of the colour scheme too which again is subjective. I also managed to get one with the PCCB's at no greater premium so getting a manual one with all that was exactly what I wanted.
Have a good look around for one because they don't really seem to go for very much more than the standard cars. I sold mine within two days of it being advertised here but I did price it sensibly.
As mentioned above I was lucky to buy mine with a recent 111 point check and the balance of the Porsche warranty intact because I bought it privately, if you can find one with a similar package it will be worth the wait/hunt.
As someone who normally only keeps a car for a year mine lasted just over two years and the only reason I sold it was because my head was turned by an AMG SL63.

billzeebub

3,887 posts

219 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
As a 550 owner I would have to say the RS60

Boxsterjon

84 posts

118 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
TheAnimal said:
Hey, that's my car! Don't worry Animal, I'm taking good care of it! Has the Spyder arrived yet?

Awesome car - go with whatever your heart tells you, but the RS60 is pretty special.

TheAnimal

3,473 posts

213 months

Sunday 14th February 2016
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Boxsterjon said:
Hey, that's my car! Don't worry Animal, I'm taking good care of it! Has the Spyder arrived yet?

Awesome car - go with whatever your heart tells you, but the RS60 is pretty special.
Hi Jon hope you are well! I miss the RS60 so I hope you are enjoying it smile

My Voodoo Spyder arrives at the end of March. Saw three white Spyders yesterday, two at East London and one at JZM and they all looked stunning - so I'm looking forward to it...!

smith94

147 posts

168 months

Wednesday 17th February 2016
quotequote all
I'm in a similar position and considering either:

987.1 S or 987.2 2.9 (£19-21k)

A middle ground of an RS60 (£22k)

Or going all out and getting a 987.2 S (£23k+)

All cars low miles >40k

All would be OPC warrantied, so which would you go for PHers?

Over over under steer

762 posts

143 months

Friday 19th February 2016
quotequote all
smith94 said:
I'm in a similar position and considering either:

987.1 S or 987.2 2.9 (£19-21k)

A middle ground of an RS60 (£22k)

Or going all out and getting a 987.2 S (£23k+)

All cars low miles >40k

All would be OPC warrantied, so which would you go for PHers?
Before I turned more towards a Caterham I was looking at these. I decided, based on far too many hours of research, that with circa £25k to spend the best bet was a 10 plate ish 987.2 S with manual and a PSE.

I think that is the wise choice. Lots say the 987.2 engine loses a bit of the hard edged fizzy character of the gen 1, but I don't think it's a huge difference.

BIRMA

4,156 posts

214 months

Friday 19th February 2016
quotequote all
Over over under steer said:
smith94 said:
I'm in a similar position and considering either:

987.1 S or 987.2 2.9 (£19-21k)

A middle ground of an RS60 (£22k)

Or going all out and getting a 987.2 S (£23k+)

All cars low miles >40k

All would be OPC warrantied, so which would you go for PHers?
Before I turned more towards a Caterham I was looking at these. I decided, based on far too many hours of research, that with circa £25k to spend the best bet was a 10 plate ish 987.2 S with manual and a PSE.

I think that is the wise choice. Lots say the 987.2 engine loses a bit of the hard edged fizzy character of the gen 1, but I don't think it's a huge difference.
I'd agree with you there, the Gen2 S in manual with PSE would be my choice. 1 rip off road tax a tad cheaper, 2 don't think bore scoring was an issue with this engine.