£10k - 987 Boxster
Discussion
Afternoon all.
I've been researching the next car purchase over the past few months. I'm pretty set on finally having a proper 'sports car' - so typically I went to MX5s, focusing on the Mk 3.5. I then started looking at quicker options, and have been browsing S2000s - a car I wish I'd bought years ago and especially given the strong current values.
However in roughly the same budget (which isn't really set in stone, but the titular figure is probably a ballpark) - I've seen a few nice 987 2.7 Boxsters.
Now I knew that Boxsters were affordable, but rightly or wrongly I've tended to overlook them as potentially being money pits in this price rang... and I've always had my heart set on a 911 (997.2 or 964).
Anyway, a brief search of 987s turns up some nice examples, such as: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Now I accept that running and (potential) repair costs are going to be quite a bit more than a Mazda or Honda, but realistically, what would I be getting myself into with something like this?
Any and all advice or suggestions more than welcome, even as an 'idiots guide to 987 Boxsters' style!
I'm trying to be pragmatic and not look through Porsche-tinted glasses, which admittedly, isn't easy...
I've been researching the next car purchase over the past few months. I'm pretty set on finally having a proper 'sports car' - so typically I went to MX5s, focusing on the Mk 3.5. I then started looking at quicker options, and have been browsing S2000s - a car I wish I'd bought years ago and especially given the strong current values.
However in roughly the same budget (which isn't really set in stone, but the titular figure is probably a ballpark) - I've seen a few nice 987 2.7 Boxsters.
Now I knew that Boxsters were affordable, but rightly or wrongly I've tended to overlook them as potentially being money pits in this price rang... and I've always had my heart set on a 911 (997.2 or 964).
Anyway, a brief search of 987s turns up some nice examples, such as: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Now I accept that running and (potential) repair costs are going to be quite a bit more than a Mazda or Honda, but realistically, what would I be getting myself into with something like this?
Any and all advice or suggestions more than welcome, even as an 'idiots guide to 987 Boxsters' style!
I'm trying to be pragmatic and not look through Porsche-tinted glasses, which admittedly, isn't easy...
Your safest option is to go for a well looked after model year 2007-2008. This covers late 56 plates upto 08 plates with a 2.7 engine. 245bhp 5 speed box. With that you get cheaper road tax (which I believe is useful on a car in this price bracket) but more importantly the better intermediate shaft bearing which has proved to be the most robust of all generation 1 cars.
Generation 2 987 boxsters will be more expensive probably starting at 15k for a good reasonable low mileage/spec car.
Check on things like brakes, air con rads and that it drives with no noises coming from front suspension and you can run one of these cars fairly reasonably using local garages/ independents.
The car you have linked to is a 2005 car and looks pretty basic spec. Might still br a good car but it depends what you want for your money.
One further thing the later model year 2007 on cars dont suffer with the climate heating controls material wearing either!!
Good luck
Generation 2 987 boxsters will be more expensive probably starting at 15k for a good reasonable low mileage/spec car.
Check on things like brakes, air con rads and that it drives with no noises coming from front suspension and you can run one of these cars fairly reasonably using local garages/ independents.
The car you have linked to is a 2005 car and looks pretty basic spec. Might still br a good car but it depends what you want for your money.
One further thing the later model year 2007 on cars dont suffer with the climate heating controls material wearing either!!
Good luck
Thanks chaps definitely some useful info there. I'll have to keep looking around and see what prices are looking like for examples in those parameters.
I don't mind going basic spec-wise to be honest and the 245bhp is probably enough for me. The key would just be finding the best nick for the money and hopefully avoiding any big expenses.
Good point about the road tax too - I think the early 2.7 was coming up at around £330, which is bearable, compared to the later S2000 which is an eye-watering £555/year!
I don't mind going basic spec-wise to be honest and the 245bhp is probably enough for me. The key would just be finding the best nick for the money and hopefully avoiding any big expenses.
Good point about the road tax too - I think the early 2.7 was coming up at around £330, which is bearable, compared to the later S2000 which is an eye-watering £555/year!
Road tax wise, upto something like 26th March 2006 its the cheaper band, then top band until late 56 plate my2007 cars which have slightly lower co2 which are lower band again unless 6 speed box (sport edition models) which is a shame as they are good looking cars!!
Realistically though buy the best condition one you can find in spec you like!
Realistically though buy the best condition one you can find in spec you like!
Ive literally just moved from an S2000 to a 2.9pdk 987.
Road tax is indeed much lower but realistically not even a tank of fuel pm so pales into insignificance compared to the other running costs.
S2000 is much more involved, Sharper on the turn in and frantic when driving flat out in vtec, its addictive to say the least !
I changed as I'm spending more time on A roads and Motorways than country lanes (its my daily) and the Boxster is just more refined at every level, Just being able to have a conversation at 80MPH is refreshing.
Both different cars and you will undoubtedly have fun in either just need to decide which way you want to jump.
Road tax is indeed much lower but realistically not even a tank of fuel pm so pales into insignificance compared to the other running costs.
S2000 is much more involved, Sharper on the turn in and frantic when driving flat out in vtec, its addictive to say the least !
I changed as I'm spending more time on A roads and Motorways than country lanes (its my daily) and the Boxster is just more refined at every level, Just being able to have a conversation at 80MPH is refreshing.
Both different cars and you will undoubtedly have fun in either just need to decide which way you want to jump.
siwil1 said:
Ive literally just moved from an S2000 to a 2.9pdk 987.
Road tax is indeed much lower but realistically not even a tank of fuel pm so pales into insignificance compared to the other running costs.
S2000 is much more involved, Sharper on the turn in and frantic when driving flat out in vtec, its addictive to say the least !
I changed as I'm spending more time on A roads and Motorways than country lanes (its my daily) and the Boxster is just more refined at every level, Just being able to have a conversation at 80MPH is refreshing.
Both different cars and you will undoubtedly have fun in either just need to decide which way you want to jump.
This is definitely a consideration as I currently do a decent amount of motorway driving each day.Road tax is indeed much lower but realistically not even a tank of fuel pm so pales into insignificance compared to the other running costs.
S2000 is much more involved, Sharper on the turn in and frantic when driving flat out in vtec, its addictive to say the least !
I changed as I'm spending more time on A roads and Motorways than country lanes (its my daily) and the Boxster is just more refined at every level, Just being able to have a conversation at 80MPH is refreshing.
Both different cars and you will undoubtedly have fun in either just need to decide which way you want to jump.
Personally I'm probably not willing to give up a manual gearbox just yet (perhaps for a PDK in the future but not a Tiptronic, from my limited experience anyway..) but the early 987 has a 5-speed so I'd be curious as to how that's geared for motorway cruising, say 80mph in 5th..
smithyithy said:
This is definitely a consideration as I currently do a decent amount of motorway driving each day.
but the early 987 has a 5-speed so I'd be curious as to how that's geared for motorway cruising, say 80mph in 5th..
It's fine no problem at all. You just have to adapt what gear you are in compared to what you would normally be in in a modern 6 speed box.but the early 987 has a 5-speed so I'd be curious as to how that's geared for motorway cruising, say 80mph in 5th..
Can't comment on the 987 but I had the 986.2 2.7 and absolutely loved it, a truly superb car imo. Comparisons were 2 e46 m3's, a VX220, 2 e92 330i M sports (1 manual, 1 auto) and the Boxster was the perfect blend of all of them. Mine had 78k when bought and in 2 years of ownership it didn't need anything other than replacement rear tuning fork arms (which made a huge positive improvement to handling!)
I have also driven an S2000 and found it too raw in comparison to the Porsche but that's purely personal preference + the Honda was on Meister R coil overs which no doubt had an impact on 'rawness'.
The IMS problem although noted seems to effect less than 1% of cars from my reading, no idea if it still effects the 987's.
I loved my Boxster and miss it a lot. If you get a nice one I'm sure you won't regret it.
I have also driven an S2000 and found it too raw in comparison to the Porsche but that's purely personal preference + the Honda was on Meister R coil overs which no doubt had an impact on 'rawness'.
The IMS problem although noted seems to effect less than 1% of cars from my reading, no idea if it still effects the 987's.
I loved my Boxster and miss it a lot. If you get a nice one I'm sure you won't regret it.
I've had S2000, 2x 986 and a 987.2S.
All are special cars. I'd say the Boxsters definitely have a broader spread of abilities and are more forgiving to drive (up to a point).
The S2000 is in many ways more 'special' due to availability of good ones and their character. It is a little more 'one dimensional' but once into that dimension, it is a quite unique little thing. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
But both are getting on in years and you would need to go into Porsche ownership with your eyes open. Even a non-major mechanical failure can be expensive to put right if you go to the wrong people. A snag list of 4 or 5 relatively minor issues can run into £-four-figure repair bill.
In comparison, having done my own spannering on both, the S2000 is a very, very simple car to run and maintain. Just check the gearbox and diff are okay and, most of all, be very wary of corrosion.
All are special cars. I'd say the Boxsters definitely have a broader spread of abilities and are more forgiving to drive (up to a point).
The S2000 is in many ways more 'special' due to availability of good ones and their character. It is a little more 'one dimensional' but once into that dimension, it is a quite unique little thing. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
But both are getting on in years and you would need to go into Porsche ownership with your eyes open. Even a non-major mechanical failure can be expensive to put right if you go to the wrong people. A snag list of 4 or 5 relatively minor issues can run into £-four-figure repair bill.
In comparison, having done my own spannering on both, the S2000 is a very, very simple car to run and maintain. Just check the gearbox and diff are okay and, most of all, be very wary of corrosion.
A point I considered is that although I had no issues with the actual ownership prospect of a 2.7, it seemed when I was searching that it was a slow seller. With one eye on future resale, I ended up buying the 3.2 which has little more to worry about in terms of reliability, has virtually all of the on road performance of the 3.4 with little of that car's inherent engine issues, and seems to be the easiest model to move on. Also attainable in your budget.
There are a few high mileage gen 2 models coming up now, with seemingly no real inherent issues, maybe worth considering if you can live with a spot of budget creep and the car's a keeper. I keep looking at replacing my '05 plate 3.2 with one of these, and if I buy another Boxster will more than likely be what I go for.
There are a few high mileage gen 2 models coming up now, with seemingly no real inherent issues, maybe worth considering if you can live with a spot of budget creep and the car's a keeper. I keep looking at replacing my '05 plate 3.2 with one of these, and if I buy another Boxster will more than likely be what I go for.
Absolutely yeah, if one could potentially lose less over the course of my ownership then it's another thing to consider. I didn't think I'd be in a position to buy any Porsche any time soon to be honest but I guess I'd not paid enough enough attention to models like the 987..
Would be a huge box to tick so I'll definitely start doing my homework and scoping out the market, appreciate all the advice guys
Would be a huge box to tick so I'll definitely start doing my homework and scoping out the market, appreciate all the advice guys
If you are prepared to do some work on it yourself (they really aren't as complicated as some- mainly OPC - would like you to believe) they can be kept in good order for not too much money. That said, as Cmoose says above, any 10-12 year old car could end up throwing up some problems and parts for a Porsche are typically a little more expensive (despite the fact that many of them actually seem to be VAG parts).
I've had a 986 Boxster and now a 987 Cayman (if you can stretch to a Cayman I'd highly recommend it - they are sublime) and so far neither has cost me more per year than my daily driver (peviously a VW Scirocco and now a Jaguar XE).
Cost and (potential) reliability aside, I'd highly recommend one. They are fantastic cars and they really get under your skin.
I've had a 986 Boxster and now a 987 Cayman (if you can stretch to a Cayman I'd highly recommend it - they are sublime) and so far neither has cost me more per year than my daily driver (peviously a VW Scirocco and now a Jaguar XE).
Cost and (potential) reliability aside, I'd highly recommend one. They are fantastic cars and they really get under your skin.
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