Porsche Boxster 986 2.5 - Is it just me???

[mrpenks]

nickfrog said:

Yorkshire Lad said:

mrpenks said:

About 9 months ago I stumbled upon a mint, low mileage silver Boxster 2.5 being sold privately whilst looking for a car to use at weekends as a break from the diesel boredom of motorway mile munching. The owner had maintained it fastidiously and it looked showroom fresh. I read up as much as I could and was put off by claims it was slow, unreliable and had the wrong engine. Yet when I test drove it I found a rapid, fantastic handling car that would run rings around most other 'fast' cars. So I took the plunge and purchased it for under £4k. The owner even included a hard top in the sale. I was certain it must have had an engine swap to 2.7 or have been tuned yet on inspection I found the engine was original.

Fast forward to today. I popped out for a spring blast yesterday and couldn't help thinking is it just me or is the 2.5 Boxster the bargain of the century and a true drivers champ. 150mph, 60 in 6.7 seconds, 30mpg, wind in hair driving, amazing chassis balance and great build quality. Mine is 17 years old and has no faults, no rust and the engine is like a Swiss watch. Moreover the 2.5 doesn't suffer with ims failure issues contrary to myth.

So I've turned to PH for a reality check. Am I mad, sad or blinkered in my view that my weekend motor is a great car or a wannabe Porsche undeserving of the badge that I'm viewing through rose tinted spectacles?

Was it the 2.7 version that suffered with the engine issues or was this just exaggerated? These are a real bargain at the moment; very tempted

Edited by mrpenks on Saturday 16th April 11:19

I have driven those 3 on the road and track and they are vastly less special in the areas that are important to me (looks and badge count for nothing for me):
Handling thx to an incredibly balanced chassis, low cog and the typical mid engine low polar moment of inertia. The steering feel and "pointiness" of the front end are something to behold too, if that counts. Not to mention how smooth the engine is and how sweet it sounds. 4 pot Brembo brakes will take a lot of track abuse where the other 3 will cook their pads in 2/3 hot laps. Damping and suspension kinematics on an other level too. Better practicality and boot space, etc etc I could go on. The Boxster as a driving tool will make those 3 feel like wheelbarrows. S2K has character though! Z4 and 350Z really are not in the same league.

That is interesting and goes some way (and is more objectively worded) to explain why I question my own opinion that Boxster 2.5 doesn't deserve the negativity. Cheers

[TheJimi]

nickfrog said:

Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car...

Meant to pick up on this but forgot.

Highlights of my experiences of cars range from single seat race cars to 911 GT3, with stuff like supercharged Atoms and various 400+ bhp/tonne kit cars inbetween.

So no, a 2.5 986 Boxster isn't going to be any kind of epiphany.

As Shnozz says, if money is an issue, I'm not buying a 5k car that has a high probability of throwing a 5k bill back at me, and if money isn't an issue, I'm not in the market for a cheap Boxster anyway.

I'd maybe go for it if the car really did it for me, and blew me away every time I drove it, but this isn't that car.

Edited by TheJimi on Friday 22 April 11:31

[nickfrog]

TheJimi said:

nickfrog said:

Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car...

Meant to pick up on this but forgot.

Highlights of my experiences of cars range from single seat race cars to 911 GT3, with stuff like supercharged Atoms and various 400+ bhp/tonne kit cars inbetween.

So no, a 2.5 986 Boxster isn't going to be any kind of epiphany.

As Shnozz says, if money is an issue, I'm not buying a 5k car that has a high probability of throwing a 5k bill back at me, and if money isn't an issue, I'm not in the market for a cheap Boxster anyway.

I'd maybe go for it if the car really did it for me, and blew me away every time I drove it, but this isn't that car.

Edited by TheJimi on Friday 22 April 11:31

I am glad to hear you're lucky enough to own or to have owned GT3, Atoms etc... But sadly, I haven't. We're talking about ownership proposition here and most people haven't owned those cars. Or are you saying you have just driven those cars at Palmers ?

[heebeegeetee]

Shnozz said:

350Z. S2000. BMW Z4 3.0.

I am afraid I agree with TheJemi here. I also think the <1% figure is massively inaccurate from the threads I have myself witnessed and experience of people I know personally.

Taking that risk on a car that isn't all that special

I agree that the numbers produced means they're common, but imo it's interesting that the only flat-mid-engined car on the market (produced by one of only two companies that has ever created such a thing?) is described as not special while being compared to utterly conventional cars which follow a layout that has been mass produced for decades.

[mrpenks]

heebeegeetee said:

Shnozz said:

350Z. S2000. BMW Z4 3.0.

I am afraid I agree with TheJemi here. I also think the <1% figure is massively inaccurate from the threads I have myself witnessed and experience of people I know personally.

Taking that risk on a car that isn't all that special

I agree that the numbers produced means they're common, but imo it's interesting that the only flat-mid-engined car on the market (produced by one of only two companies that has ever created such a thing?) is described as not special while being compared to utterly conventional cars which follow a layout that has been mass produced for decades.

I had never thought of the uniqueness of the flat engine mid-mounted, a really interesting point!

[mrpenks]

Shnozz said:

egor110 said:

TheJimi said:

nickfrog said:

OK a bit of an exaggeration - what I meant to say is : based on a decent (although probably not representative) stats on boxa.net, you probably have less than 1% chance of your 2.5 engine exploding, particularly if it's past 60k, which most have. So is such a risk of losing a £5k asset that "terrifying" ? Would it be life changing (albeit unpleasant) ? Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car, as abundantly demonstrated in this thread. But I guess it is indeed a matter of opinion and we all have varying attitudes to risk. You don't know what you're missing though, but at least you help keep values low ;-).

It's not just attitude to risk, a 986 2.5 just isn't special or fast enough for me to risk incurring a healthy 4 figure bill if it borks itself.

Before any of you jump on me, note I said "for me".

What else for 4-5k is going to be more special/fast?

350Z. S2000. BMW Z4 3.0.

I am afraid I agree with TheJemi here. I also think the <1% figure is massively inaccurate from the threads I have myself witnessed and experience of people I know personally.

Taking that risk on a car that isn't all that special (albeit quite pretty and with a nice badge on the front for the money) wouldn't interest me if money were an issue. If it wasn't, well £5k for a nice looking use daily all rounder isn't so bad to lose in its entirety and you'd probably see a few grand back even with a fooked engine on ebay. But then its the hassle factor....and if the money wasn't an object, I'd spend more and buy something else anyway.

I respect your preference for one of these 3 alternatives although I'm not sure I share your view. I suppose my only question would be where can you buy any of these with one owner, FSH, sub 70k mileage, soft top variant with a hard top, accident free for sub £5k?

[coopedup]

Rsdop said:

coopedup said:

Rsdop said:

Nearly went for one of these recently and still might if the right car pops up. I think the early 2.5 is the best looking of all the Boxsters, something really clean about it and definitely less horror stories about the 2.5 engine, although still enough to be scary!

I agree, I had a VERY long look at these a couple of years but did not have enough brave pills to go ahead, went with a boring BMW instead

Z4 by any chance?! That's my backup plan.

Sadly not, E46 330ci convertible, rather wish I had gone for the Z4 now, but that was 2 years ago

[TheJimi]

nickfrog said:

TheJimi said:

nickfrog said:

Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car...

Meant to pick up on this but forgot.

Highlights of my experiences of cars range from single seat race cars to 911 GT3, with stuff like supercharged Atoms and various 400+ bhp/tonne kit cars inbetween.

So no, a 2.5 986 Boxster isn't going to be any kind of epiphany.

As Shnozz says, if money is an issue, I'm not buying a 5k car that has a high probability of throwing a 5k bill back at me, and if money isn't an issue, I'm not in the market for a cheap Boxster anyway.

I'd maybe go for it if the car really did it for me, and blew me away every time I drove it, but this isn't that car.

Edited by TheJimi on Friday 22 April 11:31

I am glad to hear you're lucky enough to own or to have owned GT3, Atoms etc... But sadly, I haven't. We're talking about ownership proposition here and most people haven't owned those cars. Or are you saying you have just driven those cars at Palmers ?

Not owned, driven on road and track.

This is as far as I'm willing to go on this tbh - I've said my reasons, you don't agree - that's fine. Let's just leave it at that

[Craikeybaby]

My parents ran one for these for 6 years/60,000 miles, only getting rid of it when it needed brakes/tyres/suspension bits at the same time, which would have cost more than the car was worth to sort out. So using man maths my Dad replaced it with a 987 S!

Even though they are now on their third Boxster, my parents still talk fondly about the 2.5 they had. I drove it a few times and loved the flat 6 sound and the mid engine handling and it seemed to get similar mpg to my 1.8l MX-5. However, a few years ago when I was in the market for a sports car at around £5k, I didn't even consider Boxsters due to the potential for expensive bills (having said that I've just had a £700 bill on my MR2), it looks like the OP has got a good car though.

[Shnozz]

mrpenks said:

Shnozz said:

egor110 said:

TheJimi said:

nickfrog said:

OK a bit of an exaggeration - what I meant to say is : based on a decent (although probably not representative) stats on boxa.net, you probably have less than 1% chance of your 2.5 engine exploding, particularly if it's past 60k, which most have. So is such a risk of losing a £5k asset that "terrifying" ? Would it be life changing (albeit unpleasant) ? Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car, as abundantly demonstrated in this thread. But I guess it is indeed a matter of opinion and we all have varying attitudes to risk. You don't know what you're missing though, but at least you help keep values low ;-).

It's not just attitude to risk, a 986 2.5 just isn't special or fast enough for me to risk incurring a healthy 4 figure bill if it borks itself.

Before any of you jump on me, note I said "for me".

What else for 4-5k is going to be more special/fast?

350Z. S2000. BMW Z4 3.0.

I am afraid I agree with TheJemi here. I also think the <1% figure is massively inaccurate from the threads I have myself witnessed and experience of people I know personally.

Taking that risk on a car that isn't all that special (albeit quite pretty and with a nice badge on the front for the money) wouldn't interest me if money were an issue. If it wasn't, well £5k for a nice looking use daily all rounder isn't so bad to lose in its entirety and you'd probably see a few grand back even with a fooked engine on ebay. But then its the hassle factor....and if the money wasn't an object, I'd spend more and buy something else anyway.

I respect your preference for one of these 3 alternatives although I'm not sure I share your view. I suppose my only question would be where can you buy any of these with one owner, FSH, sub 70k mileage, soft top variant with a hard top, accident free for sub £5k?

I don't know how the values stack up to be honest and was using ball park figures without detailed research. There will no doubt be few direct comparisons as none of my examples are as old as the 2.5 Boxster so by that will be more expensive.

The Boxster engine might be considered something unique and special to some. It's not in my eyes. Perhaps I am just a luddite. I am not even that fond of the sound. When I had my 3.2 S my then girlfriend had an E46 M3 and the engine in that felt special. The Boxster engine felt distinctly average. Hey ho, one man's meat and all that.

[mrpenks]

Shnozz said:

mrpenks said:

Shnozz said:

egor110 said:

TheJimi said:

nickfrog said:

OK a bit of an exaggeration - what I meant to say is : based on a decent (although probably not representative) stats on boxa.net, you probably have less than 1% chance of your 2.5 engine exploding, particularly if it's past 60k, which most have. So is such a risk of losing a £5k asset that "terrifying" ? Would it be life changing (albeit unpleasant) ? Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car, as abundantly demonstrated in this thread. But I guess it is indeed a matter of opinion and we all have varying attitudes to risk. You don't know what you're missing though, but at least you help keep values low ;-).

It's not just attitude to risk, a 986 2.5 just isn't special or fast enough for me to risk incurring a healthy 4 figure bill if it borks itself.

Before any of you jump on me, note I said "for me".

What else for 4-5k is going to be more special/fast?

350Z. S2000. BMW Z4 3.0.

I am afraid I agree with TheJemi here. I also think the <1% figure is massively inaccurate from the threads I have myself witnessed and experience of people I know personally.

Taking that risk on a car that isn't all that special (albeit quite pretty and with a nice badge on the front for the money) wouldn't interest me if money were an issue. If it wasn't, well £5k for a nice looking use daily all rounder isn't so bad to lose in its entirety and you'd probably see a few grand back even with a fooked engine on ebay. But then its the hassle factor....and if the money wasn't an object, I'd spend more and buy something else anyway.

I respect your preference for one of these 3 alternatives although I'm not sure I share your view. I suppose my only question would be where can you buy any of these with one owner, FSH, sub 70k mileage, soft top variant with a hard top, accident free for sub £5k?

I don't know how the values stack up to be honest and was using ball park figures without detailed research. There will no doubt be few direct comparisons as none of my examples are as old as the 2.5 Boxster so by that will be more expensive.

The Boxster engine might be considered something unique and special to some. It's not in my eyes. Perhaps I am just a luddite. I am not even that fond of the sound. When I had my 3.2 S my then girlfriend had an E46 M3 and the engine in that felt special. The Boxster engine felt distinctly average. Hey ho, one man's meat and all that.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with choice and preference! They're good choices you made, they're all good cars. The thing is, I see the Boxster as slipping into MX5 Z3 SLK MGF price territory and if you're after a decent open sports car at this age/price it does make a decent case for itself.

Edited by mrpenks on Friday 22 April 15:09

Edited by mrpenks on Friday 22 April 15:12

[mrpenks]

Craikeybaby said:

My parents ran one for these for 6 years/60,000 miles, only getting rid of it when it needed brakes/tyres/suspension bits at the same time, which would have cost more than the car was worth to sort out. So using man maths my Dad replaced it with a 987 S!

Even though they are now on their third Boxster, my parents still talk fondly about the 2.5 they had. I drove it a few times and loved the flat 6 sound and the mid engine handling and it seemed to get similar mpg to my 1.8l MX-5. However, a few years ago when I was in the market for a sports car at around £5k, I didn't even consider Boxsters due to the potential for expensive bills (having said that I've just had a £700 bill on my MR2), it looks like the OP has got a good car though.

yes, it's averaging late twenties early thirties mpg which I always find surprising given its sole purpose is to entertain me and gets a lead foot every time I use it :-)

[Rsdop]

mrpenks said:

Shnozz said:

egor110 said:

TheJimi said:

nickfrog said:

OK a bit of an exaggeration - what I meant to say is : based on a decent (although probably not representative) stats on boxa.net, you probably have less than 1% chance of your 2.5 engine exploding, particularly if it's past 60k, which most have. So is such a risk of losing a £5k asset that "terrifying" ? Would it be life changing (albeit unpleasant) ? Surely not as life changing as discovering the delights of such a great car, as abundantly demonstrated in this thread. But I guess it is indeed a matter of opinion and we all have varying attitudes to risk. You don't know what you're missing though, but at least you help keep values low ;-).

It's not just attitude to risk, a 986 2.5 just isn't special or fast enough for me to risk incurring a healthy 4 figure bill if it borks itself.

Before any of you jump on me, note I said "for me".

What else for 4-5k is going to be more special/fast?

350Z. S2000. BMW Z4 3.0.

I am afraid I agree with TheJemi here. I also think the <1% figure is massively inaccurate from the threads I have myself witnessed and experience of people I know personally.

Taking that risk on a car that isn't all that special (albeit quite pretty and with a nice badge on the front for the money) wouldn't interest me if money were an issue. If it wasn't, well £5k for a nice looking use daily all rounder isn't so bad to lose in its entirety and you'd probably see a few grand back even with a fooked engine on ebay. But then its the hassle factor....and if the money wasn't an object, I'd spend more and buy something else anyway.

I respect your preference for one of these 3 alternatives although I'm not sure I share your view. I suppose my only question would be where can you buy any of these with one owner, FSH, sub 70k mileage, soft top variant with a hard top, accident free for sub £5k?

Boxster may be more of a gamble and not be faster than the Z4/350Z/S2000 but surely it's more special? It's a Porsche, although I guess that comes with the associated running/parts costs too.
For 5k it's a lot of car. Brave to run one on a budget or as a daily, but as a second car with some money in reserve for running it seems like a bargain to me. I cant see well maintained standard 2.5s being as cheap as they are for long.
As a daily driver the other three probably the better options though!

[Rsdop]

coopedup said:

Rsdop said:

coopedup said:

Rsdop said:

Nearly went for one of these recently and still might if the right car pops up. I think the early 2.5 is the best looking of all the Boxsters, something really clean about it and definitely less horror stories about the 2.5 engine, although still enough to be scary!

I agree, I had a VERY long look at these a couple of years but did not have enough brave pills to go ahead, went with a boring BMW instead

Z4 by any chance?! That's my backup plan.

Sadly not, E46 330ci convertible, rather wish I had gone for the Z4 now, but that was 2 years ago

Great cars, my daily is also an E46 330ci. Love the engine, I'd imagine it would be even better in a Z4 where you could hear it a bit more.

[Paul S4]

Although I admire the Boxster, and the build quality etc, I would like to add my opinion here...

A few years ago I had my first Alfa 156, a very well sorted 1.8TS with a cat back stainless steel exhaust, and I used to drive up from the North East up to a pals in Scotland, who had a 2001 Boxster S. Having arrived after a 'spirited' drive up through the Borders, my pal said I could give the Boxster a wee run out before tea ( or dinner as some would say!)

So I jumped straight out of my Afla into the Boxster, and took it out for a 20 minute drive on some excellent roads.

I was a bit disappointed TBH, as I was expecting a lot more ! The Boxster felt very solid and almost 'heavy', but my instant thought was I actually preferred my Alfa (!).

Before anyone jumps on this .... it is only my opinion !!

Perhaps if I had been on a track day it would have been a lot different I'm sure.

I am a bit biased it has to be said, as I am on my second Alfa, this one is a remapped 156 150Mjet with about 190BHP and I have done a couple of track days with that, and it was amazingly good.

[mrpenks]

Paul S4 said:

Although I admire the Boxster, and the build quality etc, I would like to add my opinion here...

A few years ago I had my first Alfa 156, a very well sorted 1.8TS with a cat back stainless steel exhaust, and I used to drive up from the North East up to a pals in Scotland, who had a 2001 Boxster S. Having arrived after a 'spirited' drive up through the Borders, my pal said I could give the Boxster a wee run out before tea ( or dinner as some would say!)

So I jumped straight out of my Afla into the Boxster, and took it out for a 20 minute drive on some excellent roads.

I was a bit disappointed TBH, as I was expecting a lot more ! The Boxster felt very solid and almost 'heavy', but my instant thought was I actually preferred my Alfa (!).

Before anyone jumps on this .... it is only my opinion !!

Perhaps if I had been on a track day it would have been a lot different I'm sure.

I am a bit biased it has to be said, as I am on my second Alfa, this one is a remapped 156 150Mjet with about 190BHP and I have done a couple of track days with that, and it was amazingly good.

I understand in part, as a serial Alfa owner I can tell you it's not a criticism of the Porsche, it's the ability of the Alfa - I ran a 146, spider and GTV and they are also really special to drive, contrary to the reputation they have

[coopedup]

Rsdop said:

Great cars, my daily is also an E46 330ci. Love the engine, I'd imagine it would be even better in a Z4 where you could hear it a bit more.

I really want to open up the sound somewhat, just don't know how to, any ideas?

Sorry to go off thread OP, still enjoying your take on the pork

[Rsdop]

coopedup said:

Rsdop said:

Great cars, my daily is also an E46 330ci. Love the engine, I'd imagine it would be even better in a Z4 where you could hear it a bit more.

I really want to open up the sound somewhat, just don't know how to, any ideas?

Sorry to go off thread OP, still enjoying your take on the pork

Think the only real option is an aftermarket exhaust, which isn't cheap! For me the 330 is my sensible car and I'd hate to make it too noisy. I have a noisy weekend car so sometimes it's nice to have a bit of refinement. I think they actually sound ok outside the car but they are well insulated on the inside. Possibly the best option would be to get just a custom back box made up by a specialist instead of dropping £600ish on a full system. You could also try an induction kit, but would need a housing with a cold air feed or it would probably do more harm than good.

[coopedup]

Rsdop said:

coopedup said:

Rsdop said:

Great cars, my daily is also an E46 330ci. Love the engine, I'd imagine it would be even better in a Z4 where you could hear it a bit more.

I really want to open up the sound somewhat, just don't know how to, any ideas?

Sorry to go off thread OP, still enjoying your take on the pork

Think the only real option is an aftermarket exhaust, which isn't cheap! For me the 330 is my sensible car and I'd hate to make it too noisy. I have a noisy weekend car so sometimes it's nice to have a bit of refinement. I think they actually sound ok outside the car but they are well insulated on the inside. Possibly the best option would be to get just a custom back box made up by a specialist instead of dropping £600ish on a full system. You could also try an induction kit, but would need a housing with a cold air feed or it would probably do more harm than good.

TBH I was thinking more of cold air induction rather than spending a lot on an exhaust system that would not do much more than hit me in the wallet, just wish I still had my 400se for the noise

[ooid]

I got mine more than 4 years ago (986 2.7) on a very similar story. I think they are very undervalued. As a secondary car, it did not need any big servicing or cost until this year when I finally decided to update IMS and rebuild some necessary parts in the engine. (earlier inspection of the engine costed me less to be honest, it could have been worse)

If you really enjoy driving them, and if the car you are buying is OK condition then I do not think they are a big gamble with the current prices.

- Some of my female colleagues/friends have more expensive shoes and bags than a boxster to be honest