Price query - starting car hunt
Discussion
Looking to get a fun, affordable open 2 seater: a Boxster popped into my mind at 4 a.m. this morning 
Never thought about owning a Porsche before, rather excited by the prospect
What's the deal...? On Autotrader, many 2.5 and 2.7 models seem 'cheap' to buy, compared to say a similar aged TVR Chim, for example.
Are running costs high perhaps?
Thanks for advice PHers
Never thought about owning a Porsche before, rather excited by the prospect What's the deal...? On Autotrader, many 2.5 and 2.7 models seem 'cheap' to buy, compared to say a similar aged TVR Chim, for example.
Are running costs high perhaps?
Thanks for advice PHers
I had an early 2.5 Boxster and it was awesome but you need to do your research and buy wisely. There are plenty of dogs out there and even those that are nice and shiny on the outside can be a moneypit when you start looking past the shiny paint.
Check for oil leaks (look at the junction between engine and gearbox), check for previous bodges, check suspension parts for squeaks and rattles (if you can do the work yourself this isn't the biggest issue), check for accident damage etc. All the online guides will tell you to have nightmares about IMS bearings but *personally* I don't think this is quite as big a deal as the internet would have you believe. I have spoken to a fair few people who have had Porsches with bore score but I am yet to speak to anybody who actually had an IMS bearing let go on them. Undoubtedly there will be (otherwise it wouldn't be a thing) but it wouldn't be my main concern on a £5k 986
Prcie wise, I have seen a few for sale recently at fairly optimistic prices, but I'd be looking to spend around £4-6k for a 986 2.5 or 2.7 with say 80k miles. I paid £4750 for mine with 60k miles and a full OPC service history. In terms of maintenance it probably cost me ~£1500 in total (2 years) including new tyres and various "optional" upgrades (with me doing the work myself)
If you sign up to boxa.net I am sure there will be somebody local who will be happy to offer some guidance or even vet your potential choices.
Check for oil leaks (look at the junction between engine and gearbox), check for previous bodges, check suspension parts for squeaks and rattles (if you can do the work yourself this isn't the biggest issue), check for accident damage etc. All the online guides will tell you to have nightmares about IMS bearings but *personally* I don't think this is quite as big a deal as the internet would have you believe. I have spoken to a fair few people who have had Porsches with bore score but I am yet to speak to anybody who actually had an IMS bearing let go on them. Undoubtedly there will be (otherwise it wouldn't be a thing) but it wouldn't be my main concern on a £5k 986
Prcie wise, I have seen a few for sale recently at fairly optimistic prices, but I'd be looking to spend around £4-6k for a 986 2.5 or 2.7 with say 80k miles. I paid £4750 for mine with 60k miles and a full OPC service history. In terms of maintenance it probably cost me ~£1500 in total (2 years) including new tyres and various "optional" upgrades (with me doing the work myself)
If you sign up to boxa.net I am sure there will be somebody local who will be happy to offer some guidance or even vet your potential choices.
Edited by LennyM1984 on Friday 21st August 11:54
Edited by LennyM1984 on Friday 21st August 11:56
What's your budget? If you're comparing to Chimeras I'd guess around the £10k mark.
For that you would get some of the very best 986 3.2S Boxsters or 987 2.7 Boxsters. The early 2.5's are great cars, but for your budget I would look for the aforementioned.
Don't rule out the 2.7 either in 986 or 987 form as it is a rev-happy engine and you can drive with your foot flat to the floor and use more of it's performance more of the time. The 3.2 is faster car and has the 6th gear so try and drive both and also drive a 986 and a 987 and see what you prefer - although they are similar cars, they are quite different in terms of the interior design and the 987 is slightly more refined where the 986 feels a little more raw.
I would be looking at a Porsche specialist or prestige car dealer for a car that comes with a warranty (unless you are handy with the spanners and get a cheap deal) for a low mileage example - you should get a 3.2S 986 with under 70,000 miles for £10k but history is more important than mileage with both the 986 and 987.
I've had my 986 2.7 for almost 4 years & 25,000 miles now - originally it was a daily driver and now it's a weekend toy (see Readers Cars thread 2001 986 2.7 Boxster). Still love it.
For that you would get some of the very best 986 3.2S Boxsters or 987 2.7 Boxsters. The early 2.5's are great cars, but for your budget I would look for the aforementioned.
Don't rule out the 2.7 either in 986 or 987 form as it is a rev-happy engine and you can drive with your foot flat to the floor and use more of it's performance more of the time. The 3.2 is faster car and has the 6th gear so try and drive both and also drive a 986 and a 987 and see what you prefer - although they are similar cars, they are quite different in terms of the interior design and the 987 is slightly more refined where the 986 feels a little more raw.
I would be looking at a Porsche specialist or prestige car dealer for a car that comes with a warranty (unless you are handy with the spanners and get a cheap deal) for a low mileage example - you should get a 3.2S 986 with under 70,000 miles for £10k but history is more important than mileage with both the 986 and 987.
I've had my 986 2.7 for almost 4 years & 25,000 miles now - originally it was a daily driver and now it's a weekend toy (see Readers Cars thread 2001 986 2.7 Boxster). Still love it.
EdT said:
Manual for sure. Need to balance my drives with the new DSG Caravelle
Not trying to put you off but at that budget if your not that handy on the spanners I really think you would be better thinking about an MX5 you could get a 30K mile say 2008, 2 litre car for your budget. It will cost a lot less to run if you buy carefully and give you the open air fun motoring you seek.IMO if your looking for a decent Boxster you need to be spending at least £15k and still be prepared to spend a bit on maintenance. That should get you a 987 manual with about 30k say 2006 model.
Just my opinion
Geoff39GL said:
Not trying to put you off but at that budget if your not that handy on the spanners I really think you would be better thinking about an MX5 you could get a 30K mile say 2008, 2 litre car for your budget. It will cost a lot less to run if you buy carefully and give you the open air fun motoring you seek.
IMO if your looking for a decent Boxster you need to be spending at least £15k and still be prepared to spend a bit on maintenance. That should get you a 987 manual with about 30k say 2006 model.
Just my opinion
First year mk4 MX5 are heading towards £10k at a rapid pace...1.5 engine meant to be great.IMO if your looking for a decent Boxster you need to be spending at least £15k and still be prepared to spend a bit on maintenance. That should get you a 987 manual with about 30k say 2006 model.
Just my opinion
Geoff39GL said:
Not trying to put you off but at that budget if your not that handy on the spanners I really think you would be better thinking about an MX5 you could get a 30K mile say 2008, 2 litre car for your budget. It will cost a lot less to run if you buy carefully and give you the open air fun motoring you seek.
IMO if your looking for a decent Boxster you need to be spending at least £15k and still be prepared to spend a bit on maintenance. That should get you a 987 manual with about 30k say 2006 model.
Just my opinion
This ^^^IMO if your looking for a decent Boxster you need to be spending at least £15k and still be prepared to spend a bit on maintenance. That should get you a 987 manual with about 30k say 2006 model.
Just my opinion
Any 986 below £10k will need work.
Just read the Cyman buyers guide on here
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
"The biggest reliability issues with the Cayman centre around the first-gen (987.1) engines built between 2005 and 2008. First problem is the intermediary shaft (IMS) bearing..."
So 2009 onwards to be safe - agree? (Unless car's history shows it's addressed of course)
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
"The biggest reliability issues with the Cayman centre around the first-gen (987.1) engines built between 2005 and 2008. First problem is the intermediary shaft (IMS) bearing..."
So 2009 onwards to be safe - agree? (Unless car's history shows it's addressed of course)
EdT said:
Just read the Cyman buyers guide on here
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
"The biggest reliability issues with the Cayman centre around the first-gen (987.1) engines built between 2005 and 2008. First problem is the intermediary shaft (IMS) bearing..."
So 2009 onwards to be safe - agree? (Unless car's history shows it's addressed of course)
Or by a 3.2 and have the LN IMS Bearing upgraded. This gives you a robust engine without the risk of bore scoring that comes with the 3.4.https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
"The biggest reliability issues with the Cayman centre around the first-gen (987.1) engines built between 2005 and 2008. First problem is the intermediary shaft (IMS) bearing..."
So 2009 onwards to be safe - agree? (Unless car's history shows it's addressed of course)
Magnum 475 said:
Or by a 3.2 and have the LN IMS Bearing upgraded. This gives you a robust engine without the risk of bore scoring that comes with the 3.4.
I've seen a few nice condition (on screen at least) 3.2 986s with replacement IMS bearing. In fact there's a lovely looking one I've bookmarked - a 2002 car. Opinions again pls - too early a car?
EdT said:
I've seen a few nice condition (on screen at least) 3.2 986s with replacement IMS bearing.
In fact there's a lovely looking one I've bookmarked - a 2002 car. Opinions again pls - too early a car?
The 987 black edition that went up for sale today would be well worth considering In fact there's a lovely looking one I've bookmarked - a 2002 car. Opinions again pls - too early a car?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
julian987R said:
The 987 black edition that went up for sale today would be well worth considering
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Lovely - however not a Boxster (I'm after messed up hair) and considerable over budget.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff