987 Advice for upcoming owner
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Wondered if anyone could help share your knowledge and experience on gen.1 987 2.7 Boxsters.
I’m looking to purchase one in the very near future and I need some help on what to look for. I’ve looked at the Buyers Guide on the forum but the link doesn’t seem to work.
Should I be concerned with a high number of previous owners, even though service history is comprehensive?
Being able to turn off the airbags on the passenger side is key. The car I test drove today didn’t have that facility, yet the manual illustrated a switch on the edge of the dashboard. Was this an option box that needed to be ticked? If not fitted, is there another way to deactivate the airbag? Must admit I didn’t check the drivers side, only the passenger side for this switch.
Other than the obvious things on a 2nd hand car, what things should be on my radar. Any thing to consider with the IMS? I’m looking at 05-06 2.7 models.
Again, on the car I drove today there was a ticking coming from the engine on cold start and was evident until warm. This was a March 06 model with 52k on the clock, with 5 previous Pawnees which, to be honest, concerns me. Otherwise, apart from a few age typical marks that are easy to sort, it was in great condition. Oh, and the stone chip film on the N/S by the rear wheel was missing, but the O/S was there. Suspect a respray but couldn’t see any obvious indicators.
Appreciate all your help on this, I will be doing as much reading of my own as possible, but it’s beneficial to strike up a rapour with owners.
Wondered if anyone could help share your knowledge and experience on gen.1 987 2.7 Boxsters.
I’m looking to purchase one in the very near future and I need some help on what to look for. I’ve looked at the Buyers Guide on the forum but the link doesn’t seem to work.
Should I be concerned with a high number of previous owners, even though service history is comprehensive?
Being able to turn off the airbags on the passenger side is key. The car I test drove today didn’t have that facility, yet the manual illustrated a switch on the edge of the dashboard. Was this an option box that needed to be ticked? If not fitted, is there another way to deactivate the airbag? Must admit I didn’t check the drivers side, only the passenger side for this switch.
Other than the obvious things on a 2nd hand car, what things should be on my radar. Any thing to consider with the IMS? I’m looking at 05-06 2.7 models.
Again, on the car I drove today there was a ticking coming from the engine on cold start and was evident until warm. This was a March 06 model with 52k on the clock, with 5 previous Pawnees which, to be honest, concerns me. Otherwise, apart from a few age typical marks that are easy to sort, it was in great condition. Oh, and the stone chip film on the N/S by the rear wheel was missing, but the O/S was there. Suspect a respray but couldn’t see any obvious indicators.
Appreciate all your help on this, I will be doing as much reading of my own as possible, but it’s beneficial to strike up a rapour with owners.
I don't think 5 owners in 14 years is particularly high and to be honest, it's not a "collectable" Porsche and so I wouldn't get too hung up on things like that. I'd be more interested in how long the current owner has had it and if they are moving it on after a few months, then I'd want to know why.
They're great cars so do your research, buy carefully, and enjoy!
They're great cars so do your research, buy carefully, and enjoy!
I’ve had a 3.2S for about 7 years now & love it. Great car & always brings a smile to my face when I drive it.
Like you, I was always weary of multiple ownership & tended to steer clear of these cars when looking. However the other way to look at it is that generally with the high end stuff it’s resold through a dealer network & with Porsche this means a 2 year warranty is put on it with anything needed doing done before sale. Plus, a new owner will tend to fix any other niggles.
Things to look out for:
- Brake discs tend to suffer from inner face corrosion especially on the front discs & this is not obvious as the front faces can look perfect. Not cheap to replace as costs mount with wear sensors / damping plates etc
- Air con rads leak, easy job if you DIY, cost under £200 but main dealer will be near £800. Check it works as a good bargaining point.
- Common issue now is front coolant crossover pipes seaping - check by putting front wheels on full lock & look for the coolant hoses in the front of wheel arch - the hoses have a steel collar which fit into aluminium pipes, hence the problem. This can be expensive as by all accounts the front subframe has to be dropped.
- alloy wheels corrode on inner barrels
- check that the hood pushrods haven’t broke & punctured the rain drain tray in the rear under the clamshell - open roof half way & have a good look.
- exhaust clamps corrode, simple job to sort
- IMS - I think the 2.7 is considered to be the lowest risk, but happy to be corrected.
- good service history / condition is a must, as these cars are expensive to sort of something isn’t right
- 987’s have a 2 year / 20k mile service schedule. Generally preferred to have OPC / decent independent history
- Boxanet is a good source of additional info
Good luck!
Like you, I was always weary of multiple ownership & tended to steer clear of these cars when looking. However the other way to look at it is that generally with the high end stuff it’s resold through a dealer network & with Porsche this means a 2 year warranty is put on it with anything needed doing done before sale. Plus, a new owner will tend to fix any other niggles.
Things to look out for:
- Brake discs tend to suffer from inner face corrosion especially on the front discs & this is not obvious as the front faces can look perfect. Not cheap to replace as costs mount with wear sensors / damping plates etc
- Air con rads leak, easy job if you DIY, cost under £200 but main dealer will be near £800. Check it works as a good bargaining point.
- Common issue now is front coolant crossover pipes seaping - check by putting front wheels on full lock & look for the coolant hoses in the front of wheel arch - the hoses have a steel collar which fit into aluminium pipes, hence the problem. This can be expensive as by all accounts the front subframe has to be dropped.
- alloy wheels corrode on inner barrels
- check that the hood pushrods haven’t broke & punctured the rain drain tray in the rear under the clamshell - open roof half way & have a good look.
- exhaust clamps corrode, simple job to sort
- IMS - I think the 2.7 is considered to be the lowest risk, but happy to be corrected.
- good service history / condition is a must, as these cars are expensive to sort of something isn’t right
- 987’s have a 2 year / 20k mile service schedule. Generally preferred to have OPC / decent independent history
- Boxanet is a good source of additional info
Good luck!
LennyM1984 said:
I don't think 5 owners in 14 years is particularly high and to be honest, it's not a "collectable" Porsche and so I wouldn't get too hung up on things like that. I'd be more interested in how long the current owner has had it and if they are moving it on after a few months, then I'd want to know why.
They're great cars so do your research, buy carefully, and enjoy!
Thanks Lenny, my late Grandfather was in the trade and he always told me, “never buy the first one you see”. They're great cars so do your research, buy carefully, and enjoy!
Even though today’s example has got me seriously thinking, I need to do more research to ensure I buy well. This car is for sale at Kerridges in Needham Market (Suffolk), they’re a specialist in sports cars, they sold this to the previous owner who kept it for two years before chopping it in for an MX5. Can’t understand why...
Boxstercol said:
I’ve had a 3.2S for about 7 years now & love it. Great car & always brings a smile to my face when I drive it.
Like you, I was always weary of multiple ownership & tended to steer clear of these cars when looking. However the other way to look at it is that generally with the high end stuff it’s resold through a dealer network & with Porsche this means a 2 year warranty is put on it with anything needed doing done before sale. Plus, a new owner will tend to fix any other niggles.
Things to look out for:
- Brake discs tend to suffer from inner face corrosion especially on the front discs & this is not obvious as the front faces can look perfect. Not cheap to replace as costs mount with wear sensors / damping plates etc
- Air con rads leak, easy job if you DIY, cost under £200 but main dealer will be near £800. Check it works as a good bargaining point.
- Common issue now is front coolant crossover pipes seaping - check by putting front wheels on full lock & look for the coolant hoses in the front of wheel arch - the hoses have a steel collar which fit into aluminium pipes, hence the problem. This can be expensive as by all accounts the front subframe has to be dropped.
- alloy wheels corrode on inner barrels
- check that the hood pushrods haven’t broke & punctured the rain drain tray in the rear under the clamshell - open roof half way & have a good look.
- exhaust clamps corrode, simple job to sort
- IMS - I think the 2.7 is considered to be the lowest risk, but happy to be corrected.
- good service history / condition is a must, as these cars are expensive to sort of something isn’t right
- 987’s have a 2 year / 20k mile service schedule. Generally preferred to have OPC / decent independent history
- Boxanet is a good source of additional info
Good luck!
Very helpful, thank you!Like you, I was always weary of multiple ownership & tended to steer clear of these cars when looking. However the other way to look at it is that generally with the high end stuff it’s resold through a dealer network & with Porsche this means a 2 year warranty is put on it with anything needed doing done before sale. Plus, a new owner will tend to fix any other niggles.
Things to look out for:
- Brake discs tend to suffer from inner face corrosion especially on the front discs & this is not obvious as the front faces can look perfect. Not cheap to replace as costs mount with wear sensors / damping plates etc
- Air con rads leak, easy job if you DIY, cost under £200 but main dealer will be near £800. Check it works as a good bargaining point.
- Common issue now is front coolant crossover pipes seaping - check by putting front wheels on full lock & look for the coolant hoses in the front of wheel arch - the hoses have a steel collar which fit into aluminium pipes, hence the problem. This can be expensive as by all accounts the front subframe has to be dropped.
- alloy wheels corrode on inner barrels
- check that the hood pushrods haven’t broke & punctured the rain drain tray in the rear under the clamshell - open roof half way & have a good look.
- exhaust clamps corrode, simple job to sort
- IMS - I think the 2.7 is considered to be the lowest risk, but happy to be corrected.
- good service history / condition is a must, as these cars are expensive to sort of something isn’t right
- 987’s have a 2 year / 20k mile service schedule. Generally preferred to have OPC / decent independent history
- Boxanet is a good source of additional info
Good luck!
Other things whilst I think of it...
- suspension can get tired & costs to replace, various arms / forks etc. Any evidence of recent spend in this area not a bad thing
- also check for water ingress - you don’t want water in the passenger footwell / under seat as this is where the control unit sits. Expensive to sort if it gets wet in this area.
- door membranes fail, letting water into cabin, run hand around carpet at bottom / underneath door card to check. On 987’s these membranes are a metal panel which bolts on to the door under the door card. Fiddly job to change & some people bodge with sealant instead of replacing the whole membrane.
- suspension can get tired & costs to replace, various arms / forks etc. Any evidence of recent spend in this area not a bad thing
- also check for water ingress - you don’t want water in the passenger footwell / under seat as this is where the control unit sits. Expensive to sort if it gets wet in this area.
- door membranes fail, letting water into cabin, run hand around carpet at bottom / underneath door card to check. On 987’s these membranes are a metal panel which bolts on to the door under the door card. Fiddly job to change & some people bodge with sealant instead of replacing the whole membrane.
Boxstercol said:
Other things whilst I think of it...
- suspension can get tired & costs to replace, various arms / forks etc. Any evidence of recent spend in this area not a bad thing
- also check for water ingress - you don’t want water in the passenger footwell / under seat as this is where the control unit sits. Expensive to sort if it gets wet in this area.
- door membranes fail, letting water into cabin, run hand around carpet at bottom / underneath door card to check. On 987’s these membranes are a metal panel which bolts on to the door under the door card. Fiddly job to change & some people bodge with sealant instead of replacing the whole membrane.
Thanks, one thing I did note today is that the steering felt a little vague...I assumed the steering should be pretty pin-point sharp?- suspension can get tired & costs to replace, various arms / forks etc. Any evidence of recent spend in this area not a bad thing
- also check for water ingress - you don’t want water in the passenger footwell / under seat as this is where the control unit sits. Expensive to sort if it gets wet in this area.
- door membranes fail, letting water into cabin, run hand around carpet at bottom / underneath door card to check. On 987’s these membranes are a metal panel which bolts on to the door under the door card. Fiddly job to change & some people bodge with sealant instead of replacing the whole membrane.
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