Discussion
After owning my BMW 130i for close to three years I was starting to get itchy feet, it's a great all round car the 130i but it doesn't give me that get up and go for a drive feeling so I started to look at new cars. All manner of things were considered, sell the BMW and put a big deposit down on something like an M2 or FK8 Type R, get another Clio 182 to run alongside the BMW. We were on our way back from the coast and a lovely 3.0 Z4 passed, my wife suggested I should look at one of those. I've always fancied a sport car but the Z4 would be too similar to the 130i in my opinion so I started to look at the alternatives. It had to be manual, rear wheel drive and have more than four cylinders which left me with the Boxster and the 350Z to choose between, I very quickly discounted the 350Z and set about trying to find a well cared for 986.
I went to view a black 3.2s that was rough to say the least, the listed description turned out to be a million miles away from the actual truth, every panel needed attention, the steering was a bit baggy and the engine wasn't making the right noises. Despite this a brief moment on the test drive sold the Boxster to me, just not this one. I walked away and kept my eye on the classifieds, it didn't take long for a nice looking car to pop up on Autotrader, I contacted the seller and arranged a viewing the following day. The test drive went perfectly, the service history was impeccable and I gave him asking price at a little over £7,000.
The car's been maintained incredibly well, in the last five years it's covered around 1,000 miles a year, at 60,000 miles it had the upgraded IMS bearing, RMS, clutch and flywheel fitted by Revolution Porsche in Leeds and it's been looked after by them throughout the previous owners ownership. It went in for a service and suspension refresh less than 500 miles ago and it drives absolutely beautifully.
It's well documented that these cars can be a rather expensive ownership experience in comparison to it's small cost to purchase so I'm fully expecting some sizeable bills to come my way, it will be worth it though it's reminded me that driving can still be fun.
A few photos from a brilliant drive around some of my favourite B roads.
I went to view a black 3.2s that was rough to say the least, the listed description turned out to be a million miles away from the actual truth, every panel needed attention, the steering was a bit baggy and the engine wasn't making the right noises. Despite this a brief moment on the test drive sold the Boxster to me, just not this one. I walked away and kept my eye on the classifieds, it didn't take long for a nice looking car to pop up on Autotrader, I contacted the seller and arranged a viewing the following day. The test drive went perfectly, the service history was impeccable and I gave him asking price at a little over £7,000.
The car's been maintained incredibly well, in the last five years it's covered around 1,000 miles a year, at 60,000 miles it had the upgraded IMS bearing, RMS, clutch and flywheel fitted by Revolution Porsche in Leeds and it's been looked after by them throughout the previous owners ownership. It went in for a service and suspension refresh less than 500 miles ago and it drives absolutely beautifully.
It's well documented that these cars can be a rather expensive ownership experience in comparison to it's small cost to purchase so I'm fully expecting some sizeable bills to come my way, it will be worth it though it's reminded me that driving can still be fun.
A few photos from a brilliant drive around some of my favourite B roads.
Congratulations, lovely car. I’ve been looking at these a lot lately as they seem like such a bargain, silver paint with red leather for the win! Yes they’ve got their known issues but they are cheap, great to drive, great to look at and, at the end of the day, a rwd, manual gearbox, 6 cylinder Porsche!
Bright Halo said:
Really nice.
I have considered one but was always unsure of running costs and the “Porsche tax” on spares etc. However if you can bag a good one with great history at a good price like you have done then it surely makes sense.
I’ve often heard of this “Porsche tax” and it undoubtedly exists for owners unwilling to shop around for either parts or labour. I’ve been lucky enough to own a 3.2 Carrera, a 3.2 Carrera Sport, a 964 C2, a 986S and I’m currently running a 987.1 3.2S. I’m of the opinion that careful shopping whether when purchasing the car or parts and labour can result in a perfectly acceptable experience, especially over the medium to long term. Of course, if you are unfortunate to buy a car which needs a lot of putting right, then sell it after a year, things get expensive, but then If you bought a new Vauxhall every year it wouldn’t be cheap, eitherI have considered one but was always unsure of running costs and the “Porsche tax” on spares etc. However if you can bag a good one with great history at a good price like you have done then it surely makes sense.
Edited by Patrick1964 on Friday 7th May 19:43
Looks a great buy. I got mine back in October (just a 2.7) and have totally regained my love of driving because of it(I've been in big Jags for the previous 4 years). The exhaust note above 4.5k rpm in particular is fantastic.
I'm budgeting for around £1500 a year in maintenance/repairs which, I think, is not bad value as depreciation is going to be pretty minimal. Good luck with it. Apologies for pic-whoring mine.
I'm budgeting for around £1500 a year in maintenance/repairs which, I think, is not bad value as depreciation is going to be pretty minimal. Good luck with it. Apologies for pic-whoring mine.
Thanks everyone, I think they represent excellent value at the moment if you can get over the potential borkage. They look great to my eye's and the way they get down a b road is compelling, everything from the steering feel and the suspension to the pedal weighting is just perfectly judged, nothing is overly assisted and it gives the driver a very real experience. The engine is a peach too, plenty enough real world power and the noise is somewhat addictive, so much car for the money.
My 130i doesn't really compare in terms of involvement so it will be used for work and school runs from now on, leaving the Boxster to just do the fun stuff.
The silver and red is such a lovely combination and will be highly desired in years to come with the concept car being in the same colours, I was hoping to find one myself but ultimately the condition of this car couldn't be ignored, I will add some interior photos when I get the chance.
My 130i doesn't really compare in terms of involvement so it will be used for work and school runs from now on, leaving the Boxster to just do the fun stuff.
The silver and red is such a lovely combination and will be highly desired in years to come with the concept car being in the same colours, I was hoping to find one myself but ultimately the condition of this car couldn't be ignored, I will add some interior photos when I get the chance.
ATM said:
What now
I thought a new key is 165.quid?
Probably a blank fob or skeleton? I thought a new key is 165.quid?
Lovely car OP - I sold used Boxster's for several years and always thought they represented incredible value for money in terms of a raw unfiltered driving experience. I always felt far more confident pushing a Boxster / Cayman than a 996 or 997.
ATM said:
What now
I thought a new key is 165.quid?
The three rubber buttons tend to perish and become detached from the plastic housing, meaning crappy button pushes and chance for moisture to creep in. I thought a new key is 165.quid?
A replacement version of the half with the rubber buttons is £14 - all internal elements and the remaining good parts can be utilised. Good as new for the price of a bottle of wine...
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