Used Boxster advise, please

[R Skill]

Hi all, I'm looking at a boxster s between 05/07 I think a 987 model? Can anyone tell me the difference if any between the 3.2 and 3.4 versions? Also what the chrono package is? They is so much talk about it but nothing to tell you what it actually is! I did test drive a 2.7 at the weekend and loved it, but thought it lacked power slightly because at first I was going to go for one as they are cheaper to run, insure etc. also is their any other extras that are a must? As I'm looking long and hard before spend my hard earned. All advice and comments appreciated. Cheers

[gl20]

R Skill said:

Hi all, I'm looking at a boxster s between 05/07 I think a 987 model? Can anyone tell me the difference if any between the 3.2 and 3.4 versions? Also what the chrono package is? They is so much talk about it but nothing to tell you what it actually is! I did test drive a 2.7 at the weekend and loved it, but thought it lacked power slightly because at first I was going to go for one as they are cheaper to run, insure etc. also is their any other extras that are a must? As I'm looking long and hard before spend my hard earned. All advice and comments appreciated. Cheers

Hi

Yes 07 would be a 987 (series 1)

I had the 3.2 for two years and borrowed a 3.4 for a day. Difference is notable at top end but not huge and torque wise I recall them not feeling that different. Cars are the same apart from this. Difference from 2.7 to 3.2 is more notable. The 2.7 needs to be worked quite a bit more but some prefer this to te lazier feel of the 3.2. Also a more delicate drive whereas the 3.2 somehow has a more weighty feel to the back. The 3.2 is an S model so has 6 gears whereas the non S 2.7 almost certainly will be a 5 speed. Try them both

Sports chrono comprises the stopwatch on top of the dashboard and a button that makes the throttle more sensitive while loosening off the stability control. I have it but don't think it is critical.

Re other options. I don't think anything is critical but everyone has different ideas as to what is important or what impacts resale. For a 5 year old car I would simply think about what options you like the idea of. For me it is the core product that is special. What can impact resale is an unusual colour option. If you think easy resale is important then you need to go with silver, grey or black.

Good luck!

[RichB]

Have you looked at the 2.9 987 GenII or is that out of budget? It's got the performance of the 3.2S, has the 6 speed box and will of course be newer.

[R Skill]

Thanks didn't realise the 2.7 wasn't 6 speed and I've driven one! Haha. I think the 2.9 started on 09 and their just off budget. The one I've seen has sat nav and the 19" Carrera wheels that's basically my preference oh and an S. it's 1 owner and full porsche history. Now just needs to drive 280 miles to look at it!!! Think it'll be worth it

[BIRMA]

I had to get a flight from Southampton to Newcastle to buy the RS60 with the exact spec that I wanted but did really enjoy the drive home though.

[gtphile]

R Skill said:

Thanks didn't realise the 2.7 wasn't 6 speed and I've driven one! Haha. I think the 2.9 started on 09 and their just off budget. The one I've seen has sat nav and the 19" Carrera wheels that's basically my preference oh and an S. it's 1 owner and full porsche history. Now just needs to drive 280 miles to look at it!!! Think it'll be worth it

You may well have driven one with a 6 speed box! It was an option, though not many took it up, mainly due to the fact it puts it in a higher tax bracket.

Personally a 2.7 with a six speed box would be worth considering, the ratios are much better suited to the smaller engine.

[richrack]

I was in the same position a few months ago, and tried both a 2.7 and a 3.4 S. Maybe its my driving style, but I prefer a torquey engine, so i found the 2.7 a bit slow - it needing revving to get the most out of the engine, whearas the S had more "instant acceleration" available, which I like!

Regarding the spec, you should go for whatever colour and extras you want, (within reason) otherwise you will regret it later. I know silver and black are "popular" colours, but I find them boring - so I went for Guards Red. If that means its more difficult to sell on later, it also means its probably also cheaper to buy in the first place.

Optional extra's are very individual, I would always go for leather, and I also think 18" wheels are better for UK roads. Its a sports car, so I was not too bothered about sat-nav or music upgrades, (keep that for the wifes car), however unusually the extra I'm most pleased with is "Park Assist" - during these dark and miserable winter days, parking is a doddle, as normally you can't see much out of the back.

Good luck with your purchase, I enjoyed my buying exorience, although I sufferred from "budget creep" and ended up with a Gen2 3.4S, which is probably the best "optional extra" going!

[walm]

It's not a huge amount in the grand scheme but remember that pre-March 2006 registration (IIRC) you pay less tax.
So I think that means all the 3.4s are in the higher tax bracket. £500 a year not £270.

IMHO other essentials to get:
- Heated seats.
- Bose.
- PCM if you want your iPhone to play music - it's a £500 retrofit to the standard CDR22 sound setup.
- PSE - VERY HARD TO FIND but absolutely awesome.
- Remember if you like the 19in wheels - the rubber is more.
- PASM sounds good but I am not sure about the benefits. (PSM is standard so don't think it's an extra.)
- A/C is also standard but Climate is extra and has digital temp readouts for both passenger and driver.

Also remember there is 20k between services so account for that in the price.
Lastly rubber at £1,000 should make a difference to the price too. Knock someone down for leggy rubber.

Have fun looking!

[RiccardoG]

walm said:

- PCM if you want your iPhone to play music - it's a £500 retrofit to the standard CDR22 sound setup.

Could you elaborate on this? I have PCM on my 997 but wasnt' aware it could interact with an iPhone?

[kingston12]

RiccardoG said:

Could you elaborate on this? I have PCM on my 997 but wasnt' aware it could interact with an iPhone?

I think it can on the PCM3, but not on PCM2.1 without a Dension type device.

[Actus Reus]

kingston12 said:

I think it can on the PCM3, but not on PCM2.1 without a Dension type device.

Spot on.

Also, PASM is a form of active suspension - PSM is a traction/stability control device. PSM is standard, PASM is not. PASM is always running, but has two 'maps' if you like - the sports map is so firm it's no use at all on most UK roads, but may be handy on track. The 'normal' setting is slightly softer than standard, non-active, suspension, so on 19" rims is considered quite useful as it makes the car ride better. I have it on my Cayman and would definitely look for it in future.

PCM won't work with an iPhone without the Dension Gateway, and it's all a bit of a faff - if that's important to you look for a newer Gen.II car with an iPod link. If music isn't a big deal at all, most cars have Bose, but Bose is, at best, pretty average - I could easily not bother with this in future.

Good luck (oh, and get a 3.4! You'll pay more tax than an older 3.2 though).

[kingston12]

Actus Reus said:

PCM won't work with an iPhone without the Dension Gateway, and it's all a bit of a faff - if that's important to you look for a newer Gen.II car with an iPod link.

I know what you mean, but I have got to say that my Dension has been faultless and easy to use both for music and calls.

That said, I tend to either listen to complete albums or have the whole thing on random - if I liked listening to individual tracks all the time I'd have to control it from the ipod/iphone and not the PCMas I do now.

[walm]

kingston12 said:

RiccardoG said:

Could you elaborate on this? I have PCM on my 997 but wasnt' aware it could interact with an iPhone?

I think it can on the PCM3, but not on PCM2.1 without a Dension type device.

That's what I meant, sorry.

If you want iPhone you need the right PCM, OR someone who has already paid £500 for the Dension gubbins.

I disagree on Bose though - it is a MASSIVE improvement on the standard noise. Still not great for sure - but a LOT better.

[RiccardoG]

I see, thanks for the feedback guys.