Porsche Boxster (No. 3!)
Discussion
Hello everyone,
Thought I'd do a write up on my new car.
Last Spring I sadly sold my Aston Martin Vantage in order to fund a house project. I thought I wouldn't miss having a sports car too much and planned to buy something once the house was complete. However, the longer I went without something fun, the more I realised how much I missed having a nice car again. With the house not going to be complete for some time I decided life is too short to wait and to start looking for a (cheaper) replacement for the Aston.
As with every time I have looked for a car, the budget varied from day to day and budget creep began to appear. I looked at a Jaguar F-Type and loved it, but then had a sensible caption and realised I might has well have kept the Aston. So, I reduced the budget and tried to have some self-control, looking for something less expensive. The only thing I knew I wanted was to go back to a convertible, having had several before. I thought about going back to a TVR but this was the only car my wife said she would not want to have again (as much as I liked my Chimaera). As this was going to be a car she would drive to I had to listen to her this time! Being tall and long in the leg leaves me restricted with some sports cars. I could not fit comfortably in the S2000 I looked at and couldn't fit full stop in the Abarth roadster! I did fit and try an Audi TTS convertible but just didn't find it fun enough, but it was a nice car if I was going to drive it every day. I then got close to buying a very nice BMW Z4M roadster, but there was just something I didn't love about it - and I cannot put my finger on it. I think they are great looking cars and the engine was brilliant, but the more I thought about it the more I realised it wasn't for me. Running out of options now, the car I had been deliberately not looking at was pretty much the only option left - the Porsche Boxster. I've had 2 of these before (a 986 2.7 and a 987 3.4 S Sport Edition). I absolutely loved them but thought it would be boring to go back to the same car. But this seems to be a routine for me (I've had 3 MINIs, 2 BMW 3 series...). There are plenty of Boxsters on the market so it was just a case of waiting for a good example to come up for sale. I looked at a really nice 986 S but after driving it remembered how cramped the driving position is. Seeing as I will be using this car for a big road trip over Summer I decided it would have to be a more modern 987. I searched all the selling websites and joined a Boxster forum to look for the perfect car. Then, a few weeks ago, an advert appeared for what sounded like a perfect Boxster, but there were no pictures. Sadly, the same day I called up about the car and to request some photos the car was sold! I was disappointed as it sounded like such a good car, but the search had to continue. Then, a week ago, the same dealer called up to say the sale had fallen through and was I still interested in the car? That's why I now have this sitting on the drive...
It is a 2006 Boxster 987 2.7 with 56k miles. The reason I wanted this one is because it has some fantastic options:
GT Silver paintwork (my favourite)
Full cocoa leather interior
Centre console in body colour
Sports seats with Porsche crest
Sport package - which adds a 6 speed gearbox and PASM
19' Carerra alloys with coloured crests
BOSE stereo
Satnav
Cruise control
Boxster S exhaust tips
Wind deflector
The only thing it's missing that I did want is heated seats. But I've had the roof down a lot since I bought it and haven't really missed them. The heater does a great job.
The car is just what I was looking for. I was worried the car would feel too slow having had a few more powerful cars recently. It doesn't feel 'fast' but I would still call it 'quick' - and it's nice to be able to drive down a country road using the gears and all of the rev range without worrying about losing my license! For the money I paid I think it is an awful lot of car for the money, and I feel just as excited about this than I do about the idea of having something more expensive, like a new Boxster. The full cocoa leather interior makes it feel like a really special place to be.
The first plan for the car is to put a sports exhaust on it. My old 3.4 S had a Porsche Sports Exhaust and that was one of the main reasons I bought it, so will be looking for something as soon as I can. Other than that I just plan to drive the car and will be looking forward to a European adventure in it!
Thought I'd do a write up on my new car.
Last Spring I sadly sold my Aston Martin Vantage in order to fund a house project. I thought I wouldn't miss having a sports car too much and planned to buy something once the house was complete. However, the longer I went without something fun, the more I realised how much I missed having a nice car again. With the house not going to be complete for some time I decided life is too short to wait and to start looking for a (cheaper) replacement for the Aston.
As with every time I have looked for a car, the budget varied from day to day and budget creep began to appear. I looked at a Jaguar F-Type and loved it, but then had a sensible caption and realised I might has well have kept the Aston. So, I reduced the budget and tried to have some self-control, looking for something less expensive. The only thing I knew I wanted was to go back to a convertible, having had several before. I thought about going back to a TVR but this was the only car my wife said she would not want to have again (as much as I liked my Chimaera). As this was going to be a car she would drive to I had to listen to her this time! Being tall and long in the leg leaves me restricted with some sports cars. I could not fit comfortably in the S2000 I looked at and couldn't fit full stop in the Abarth roadster! I did fit and try an Audi TTS convertible but just didn't find it fun enough, but it was a nice car if I was going to drive it every day. I then got close to buying a very nice BMW Z4M roadster, but there was just something I didn't love about it - and I cannot put my finger on it. I think they are great looking cars and the engine was brilliant, but the more I thought about it the more I realised it wasn't for me. Running out of options now, the car I had been deliberately not looking at was pretty much the only option left - the Porsche Boxster. I've had 2 of these before (a 986 2.7 and a 987 3.4 S Sport Edition). I absolutely loved them but thought it would be boring to go back to the same car. But this seems to be a routine for me (I've had 3 MINIs, 2 BMW 3 series...). There are plenty of Boxsters on the market so it was just a case of waiting for a good example to come up for sale. I looked at a really nice 986 S but after driving it remembered how cramped the driving position is. Seeing as I will be using this car for a big road trip over Summer I decided it would have to be a more modern 987. I searched all the selling websites and joined a Boxster forum to look for the perfect car. Then, a few weeks ago, an advert appeared for what sounded like a perfect Boxster, but there were no pictures. Sadly, the same day I called up about the car and to request some photos the car was sold! I was disappointed as it sounded like such a good car, but the search had to continue. Then, a week ago, the same dealer called up to say the sale had fallen through and was I still interested in the car? That's why I now have this sitting on the drive...
It is a 2006 Boxster 987 2.7 with 56k miles. The reason I wanted this one is because it has some fantastic options:
GT Silver paintwork (my favourite)
Full cocoa leather interior
Centre console in body colour
Sports seats with Porsche crest
Sport package - which adds a 6 speed gearbox and PASM
19' Carerra alloys with coloured crests
BOSE stereo
Satnav
Cruise control
Boxster S exhaust tips
Wind deflector
The only thing it's missing that I did want is heated seats. But I've had the roof down a lot since I bought it and haven't really missed them. The heater does a great job.
The car is just what I was looking for. I was worried the car would feel too slow having had a few more powerful cars recently. It doesn't feel 'fast' but I would still call it 'quick' - and it's nice to be able to drive down a country road using the gears and all of the rev range without worrying about losing my license! For the money I paid I think it is an awful lot of car for the money, and I feel just as excited about this than I do about the idea of having something more expensive, like a new Boxster. The full cocoa leather interior makes it feel like a really special place to be.
The first plan for the car is to put a sports exhaust on it. My old 3.4 S had a Porsche Sports Exhaust and that was one of the main reasons I bought it, so will be looking for something as soon as I can. Other than that I just plan to drive the car and will be looking forward to a European adventure in it!
SiT said:
Absolutely LOVE cocoa leather, looks great with silver paint! Do these not suffer the common issues being the 2.7?
What is the default choice of sports exhaust on a Porsche?
Looks really special, fair play!
Si
Hi yes the 2.7 does suffer from the IMS issues but being a later 2006 car some say there is less risk on these (I stand to be corrected). I never had an issue on my previous cars but didn't want the talk of issues to put me off - fingers crossed this is a good one. When I get the clutch done at some point I will do the IMS upgrade.What is the default choice of sports exhaust on a Porsche?
Looks really special, fair play!
Si
I'm not sure on which sports exhaust - looking into that right now but it's always quite hard to judge sound from video clips!
Quick update - approx. 8 months on...
This has been an expensive car to own and run! Since purchasing the car I have spent money on the following; new front pads and discs (to be fair this was expected when I bought the car), new aircon condensors when the originals sprang a leak due to age, new coil packs and most recently a fix to a minor coolant leak that was picked up on the MOT. The grand total for that lot comes to just shy of £3000.... So, while these cars look more and more affordable, they can hit you with some high running costs. My previous two cars hadn't cost me anywhere near as much to maintain, but then again they were newer cars.
I would be very cautious of a 'cheap' Boxster - you could soon find yourself paying a significant chunk of the value to keep it running.
But, they are still fantastic cars! The mileage I have done in this one has purely been for fun. Living near Wales means there are some great roads right on the doorstep. I love lowering the roof whenever possible - it changes the car so much!
If I could change anything, it would probably be to go for the S over the 2.7. I intentionally looked for a 2.7 car as I liked the way you can use more of the power more of the time. However, having had some more powerful cars now, I do miss that extra push.
I've decided it is time to move on from the Boxster - so have put the car up for sale. Our house project is progressing so it's probably sensible to sell the car. When the house (and garage) is finished, I will be on the hunt for a suitable replacement.
This has been an expensive car to own and run! Since purchasing the car I have spent money on the following; new front pads and discs (to be fair this was expected when I bought the car), new aircon condensors when the originals sprang a leak due to age, new coil packs and most recently a fix to a minor coolant leak that was picked up on the MOT. The grand total for that lot comes to just shy of £3000.... So, while these cars look more and more affordable, they can hit you with some high running costs. My previous two cars hadn't cost me anywhere near as much to maintain, but then again they were newer cars.
I would be very cautious of a 'cheap' Boxster - you could soon find yourself paying a significant chunk of the value to keep it running.
But, they are still fantastic cars! The mileage I have done in this one has purely been for fun. Living near Wales means there are some great roads right on the doorstep. I love lowering the roof whenever possible - it changes the car so much!
If I could change anything, it would probably be to go for the S over the 2.7. I intentionally looked for a 2.7 car as I liked the way you can use more of the power more of the time. However, having had some more powerful cars now, I do miss that extra push.
I've decided it is time to move on from the Boxster - so have put the car up for sale. Our house project is progressing so it's probably sensible to sell the car. When the house (and garage) is finished, I will be on the hunt for a suitable replacement.
CornedBeef said:
Glad you've enjoyed the ownership at least, and haven't let the bills spoil the fun. Reckon it would be worth holding on until spring for the sale for the value?
I can agree regarding costs, I've got a 996 and it throws regular bills - they're never less than £500!
Bills haven't spoilt it - always a risk with older cars, and after a TVR I'm used to upkeep costs! I put it up to see if anyone was browsing before the New Year - had a couple of enquirers but the car is still here. If I don't sell before Christmas I'll keep it and try again in Spring, and enjoy the few sunny days we might get! Or I keep it long-term - like the 996 can't see them going down much? I can agree regarding costs, I've got a 996 and it throws regular bills - they're never less than £500!
ollyh1988 said:
Quick update - approx. 8 months on...
This has been an expensive car to own and run! Since purchasing the car I have spent money on the following; new front pads and discs (to be fair this was expected when I bought the car), new aircon condensors when the originals sprang a leak due to age, new coil packs and most recently a fix to a minor coolant leak that was picked up on the MOT. The grand total for that lot comes to just shy of £3000.... So, while these cars look more and more affordable, they can hit you with some high running costs. My previous two cars hadn't cost me anywhere near as much to maintain, but then again they were newer cars.
I would be very cautious of a 'cheap' Boxster - you could soon find yourself paying a significant chunk of the value to keep it running.
But, they are still fantastic cars! The mileage I have done in this one has purely been for fun. Living near Wales means there are some great roads right on the doorstep. I love lowering the roof whenever possible - it changes the car so much!
I had similar experience with my 986 2.7 - loved it but with c. £12k needing spending on it (at Porsche Centre prices) I just couldn't justify it. Hope to get another for the Summer though.This has been an expensive car to own and run! Since purchasing the car I have spent money on the following; new front pads and discs (to be fair this was expected when I bought the car), new aircon condensors when the originals sprang a leak due to age, new coil packs and most recently a fix to a minor coolant leak that was picked up on the MOT. The grand total for that lot comes to just shy of £3000.... So, while these cars look more and more affordable, they can hit you with some high running costs. My previous two cars hadn't cost me anywhere near as much to maintain, but then again they were newer cars.
I would be very cautious of a 'cheap' Boxster - you could soon find yourself paying a significant chunk of the value to keep it running.
But, they are still fantastic cars! The mileage I have done in this one has purely been for fun. Living near Wales means there are some great roads right on the doorstep. I love lowering the roof whenever possible - it changes the car so much!
Any idea what you're going for next yet?
Luke. said:
£12k! Jesus. What needed doing?
Everything. 
Rear discs/pads, brake lines, top mounts, control arms (all round), steering rack, exhaust system plus triangles & clamps, A/C condensers, etc.
Obvs, sourced elsewhere by a competent home mechanic a fraction of the price. Porsche Centre however, a butt-clenching quotation.
LordGrover said:
I had similar experience with my 986 2.7 - loved it but with c. £12k needing spending on it (at Porsche Centre prices) I just couldn't justify it. Hope to get another for the Summer though.
Any idea what you're going for next yet?
All depends on what I can afford after the house workAny idea what you're going for next yet?
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