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

[mrpenks]

ooid said:

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

How much did it cost you to update your ims if you don't mind me asking? I'm wondering if it's best to update anyway when I next service it.

[Shnozz]

Rsdop said:

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

Indeed. It's only the badge that makes it more special. Some may argue that the engine is unique and hence another factor but if you peel off the badge, in my mind its no more special than the other 3 listed. Perhaps that is just me though.

I'm not having a pop at the Boxster. It's a great car. But if I were on a budget limited to £5k, with their reputation? No. The fact that one's budget is limited to £5k indicates its not £5k they want to effectively put on black.

Funnily enough I had a similar chat with the previous owner of my Evora. He was selling to fund a house extension and we chatted about his ideas for a cheap but fun replacement. I tried to talk him out of the £8k Boxster S he was eyeing up for the same reasons as above. If you search on ebay for Boxsters his is the grey one starting at £2k with engine failure.

[heebeegeetee]

Shnozz said:

Indeed. It's only the badge that makes it more special. Some may argue that the engine is unique and hence another factor but if you peel off the badge, in my mind its no more special than the other 3 listed. Perhaps that is just me though.

For fairly obvious reasons I'm going to say that I think that's a bit unfair to the car.

Peel away the badge and you're left with a flat-six, mid-engined sports car, and not a very big one at that by today's standards.

The only people who ever made anything like that was Porsche, back in the '50s and '60s. Ferrari made some flat-12 mid-engined sports cars and Porsche made a rather famous racing car in that layout.

All the other sports cars follow a generic, age-old pattern, using engines, suspensions and other parts from saloons and hatchbacks, I believe (might be on iffy ground here ).

Sure, there are shopping cars that are faster, but such cars being faster than sports cars have been around for quite some time.

[Shnozz]

Fair enough mate - I respect your view and it raises an interesting and strong argument that makes a lot of sense re it being unique. When i look at what you say its convincing. I think its perhaps from the driver's seat that it didn't feel dynamically unique to support the design concept.

All fair points though - perhaps its the driver here that doesn't feel the deft touches that make it stand ahead of the competition

[mrpenks]

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?

Edited by mrpenks on Saturday 16th April 11:19

So, I've read the feedback, ignored baseless opinions and think my question is answered. The 2.5 is a good car, not without fault, special, good handling, excellent value for money, risky (but less so than later m96 engines), over chassied yet a little down on power for a Porsche but actually pretty rapid in the real world. Plus it divides opinion like few other motors. Thanks everyone for replying. I'm really enjoying the car and hope the thread helps others considering buying one.

[nickfrog]

mrpenks said:

So, I've read the feedback, ignored baseless opinions

Always useful on PH ;-) - a quick test drive will be totally misleading, particularly when it comes to judging how pointy the front end is. Most road drivers will find it disconcerting and will initially/instinctively associate the lightness of the front end to low bite when it is precisely the opposite. They will have driven it at 5/10ths, in other words.

[markirl]

Still enjoying the car OP? Out of interest, what's your daily and what in your car history compares to the Boxster?

I'm currently lost in an abyss of what to buy next. I've always fancied a Porsche and am struggling to reason why I shouldn't buy an early Boxster considering how the rest of Porsche prices have gone. It would have to be a second car as I couldn't deal with the stress of having to rely on something like this daily.

Any idea what they're like for DIY/parts support?

[ooid]

markirl said:

Still enjoying the car OP? Out of interest, what's your daily and what in your car history compares to the Boxster?

You might also wanna check boxa.net (running reports section). Loads of UK owners, with massive history 5-10 years running report including mine there.

Yes ideally, the first generation boxster 2.5 would be a great choice if you can find a low-miles with a clean history, they are quite rare nowadays. I could not find a decent one 5 years ago so went for 2.7 but the cars I've looked, 2.5 mainly, they are still on the road as far as I know. Good luck!

[Yazza54]

Impressed at what you can get for the money with these, but I guess the stigma is because it's seen as more of an entry level Porsche. Also cars are getting faster and faster, there's probably lots of hot hatches out there that could out accelerate a Boxster. I'd much rather have one than an MX5, MR2 or similar though.

[edc]

Yazza54 said:

Impressed at what you can get for the money with these, but I guess the stigma is because it's seen as more of an entry level Porsche. Also cars are getting faster and faster, there's probably lots of hot hatches out there that could out accelerate a Boxster. I'd much rather have one than an MX5, MR2 or similar though.

If you care about stigma then perhaps a 986 isn't for you. Any perceived stigma does not detract from the absolutes and driving qualities of the car itself.

In terms of the latest generation of hot hatches then a well looked after 986S is certainly no faster than the latest offerings of Golf R, Megane 265/275, new Civic Type R. Indeed, it is out-gunned in the outright power stakes and lacks a turbo. In terms of outright grip and cornering ability then in the right hands they too can be faster. But, let's not forget there is 10+ years between them and they will be wearing fresher suspension unless you as a Boxster owner freshens that up too.

[mrpenks]

markirl said:

Still enjoying the car OP? Out of interest, what's your daily and what in your car history compares to the Boxster?

I'm currently lost in an abyss of what to buy next. I've always fancied a Porsche and am struggling to reason why I shouldn't buy an early Boxster considering how the rest of Porsche prices have gone. It would have to be a second car as I couldn't deal with the stress of having to rely on something like this daily.

Any idea what they're like for DIY/parts support?

Hey there, yes still running the Boxster and enjoying every weekend. The car is great, only fault I've had in over a year was my own fault - I folded the roof but forgot I had a large box on the parcel shelf. I feared the worst when it got stuck in the mechanism but the mechanism has sacrificial plastic joints. £25 for a replacement and 10 minutes work to sort! Basic servicing is really simple - I've changed the oil and filters and replaced the plugs earlier this year. Again really easy to do.

I've covered about 4500 miles, mainly weekend driving and nothing has gone wrong.

I bought it thinking it would be worth trying and bought on condition and history. I didn't expect too much but can honestly say its been the best used car I've ever owned. Its pretty basic spec wise (no aircon or traction control) but I think that adds to the appeal. Every single thing in the car works as it should, and even the leather still looks good and fresh.

The 2.5 is much less prone to the IMS issue (although most would have you believe otherwise) and mines been fine. Engine pulls like a train still although again people will try and convince you a 2.5 is slow. For me, a 150mph mid engined good handling car that can crack 60mph is 6.5 seconds is plenty quick enough. Going for a drive with my local pistonheads group and doing a track day taught me that the car is faster than most think because its so dynamically sorted, I've no issue with keeping a pace (and then some) with most hottish stuff.

I can't think of anything else I could've bought that ticks so many boxes but each person has their own preferences. If you can see past the bull***t and find a good one, I promise you'll enjoy it. I'll never sell mine. Parts still still plentiful although as they get rarer that may change of course

[scottp3000]

Just caught up on this thread - miss my old 2.5 so much, remember being so nervous about taking the plunge after all the internet neigh sayers: one of the best cars I've bought

Apart from the usual control arms it was bombproof and seemed to fly - lots of low down torque. Stupidly traded it for a 3.2s thinking more would be more. The 3.2 was faster but never connected in the same way, 6 speed gear box was less precise and the 2.5 package just seemed better matched to the chasis - plus the engine sounded more old school Porsche. lots of whines and growls

Driving a 987 2.7 now, and its good - but still doesn't capture the old magic. 987 is more capable, more competent a mile muncher but they seem to have rounded the edges in the wrong places...

[mrpenks]

The Porsche is out of hibernation! Dusted off, topped up the tyres then drove to the local garage. MOT passed with an advisory on a brake line slightly coroded. Quick oil and filter change and back from a brilliant 100 mile blast. I love unreliable money pit cars???!!!!

Edited by mrpenks on Sunday 9th April 08:59

[henrydoggy11]

Great car all round love mine 1999 2.5. sounds wicked.