So.....986.1/986.2/987.1/987.2/996.1...owner input required
Discussion
Apologies for the lengthy post, but I need the help of the Pistonheads collective car knowledge.
I'm in a quandary, a pickle, a 'tight spot' if you will, Jeeves.
Last year, I sold my 996.1. It was quite simply the best car I have ever owned. I bonded with it immediately, it was in exceptional condition (even more so after I generously provided it a new IMS/RMS and a valet (the price of which made my pub going friends genuinely query my sanity).
Due to my age, it was 'my poster car' (yes, someone, somewhere had a poster of an Arctic silver, 18" wheeled 996 as a 16 year old) - the water-cooled goodness from Pinky Lai was, for my generation the latest and greatest, the start of a new era of 911 (as yet untroubled with bore score, IMS and laconic headlamp envy).
So i bought it. I loved it. I even sold it for a small profit (if we pretend that running costs exist only in your mind).
So why? Well, I needed the money for something else, and I'm not a huge fan of borrowing money.
However. i've made a mistake. I accept that now. And that is where you step in!
I know I need another Porsche (i'm lucky, I have a nice company car for the daily drudge) - it doesn't need to be practical, it doesn't need to be sensible, but im 99% sure it *does* need to be a Porsche.
But which one?
Early 986 look great value at circa £5k - so pure, elegant, simple - i look at the orange indicators, un-adorned simplicity - no 'cubby' under the dash - even better - like a modern day 550. So I should have one - after all they're cheap, the price will only go one way, and I can easily afford one.
Problem solved.
But then the 986.2 is a tiny stretch, it looks cleaner somehow - more modern - a little more power maybe Sir? of course! And a good one seems to be £8k ish, so i should have one of those.
Problem solved
But £8k is high mile 987.1 money - and those headlamps do look the part, and I adore the 'lobster claw' wheels (but I abhor the wrong gen of wheels on the wrong gen of car, so could never fit them to a 986) - and at £8k I start to look at 3.2 'S's and maybe the odd 3.4.
Problem solved.
But then the 3.4 scores (as every fule nose). So maybe a tweak to a 987.2 - after all - DFI = no IMS and whilst I don't normally borrow money for cars, I have before, so maybe again?
But then I could buy a 996 or a Cayman....or a......(you get the picture).
I guess what i'm looking for is a few multi-owner Porsche fans to give me a steer (no pun intended) on where I should focus my efforts. i know the mechanical pitfalls of each (I think) [don't buy a 3.4 don't buy a 3.4 don't buy a 3.4] - but I need an idea of which may bring the biggest pleasure coming from a 996 (and even maybe 'what should be avoided').
I could buy another 996 - but don't fancy paying more to replace the car I sold with a worse one, and truthfully i'd probably try a 997 - and I want to have a bit more 'fun' in the short term, so I see the 986 as 75% of the car for 50% of the money (running costs excluded).
I know the first question on everyone's lips will be 'BUDGET' but it is genuinely flexible - i'll accept more foibles at the lower end and i'll tinker away if required - at the top it would have to be 'perfect' and i'd keep it that way (i see different cars at different price points in my head...).
So really - if you imagine a budget of £3,000 to £20,000 for weekend/enjoyable use only - do you need to spend £20,000??? or is there a sweet spot at £5,000??? - where would your Porsche money go?
TLDR - Bought 996, had to sell, big mistake, budget flexible, likes tinkering, not a mechanic, need Porsche, please help.
PS - Promise to update the thread with my final actions.
PPS - If you're selling, feel free to link/PM me - i'd rather buy from an enthusiast
PPPS - If the answer is 'get another 996', I can take it....
I'm in a quandary, a pickle, a 'tight spot' if you will, Jeeves.
Last year, I sold my 996.1. It was quite simply the best car I have ever owned. I bonded with it immediately, it was in exceptional condition (even more so after I generously provided it a new IMS/RMS and a valet (the price of which made my pub going friends genuinely query my sanity).
Due to my age, it was 'my poster car' (yes, someone, somewhere had a poster of an Arctic silver, 18" wheeled 996 as a 16 year old) - the water-cooled goodness from Pinky Lai was, for my generation the latest and greatest, the start of a new era of 911 (as yet untroubled with bore score, IMS and laconic headlamp envy).
So i bought it. I loved it. I even sold it for a small profit (if we pretend that running costs exist only in your mind).
So why? Well, I needed the money for something else, and I'm not a huge fan of borrowing money.
However. i've made a mistake. I accept that now. And that is where you step in!
I know I need another Porsche (i'm lucky, I have a nice company car for the daily drudge) - it doesn't need to be practical, it doesn't need to be sensible, but im 99% sure it *does* need to be a Porsche.
But which one?
Early 986 look great value at circa £5k - so pure, elegant, simple - i look at the orange indicators, un-adorned simplicity - no 'cubby' under the dash - even better - like a modern day 550. So I should have one - after all they're cheap, the price will only go one way, and I can easily afford one.
Problem solved.
But then the 986.2 is a tiny stretch, it looks cleaner somehow - more modern - a little more power maybe Sir? of course! And a good one seems to be £8k ish, so i should have one of those.
Problem solved
But £8k is high mile 987.1 money - and those headlamps do look the part, and I adore the 'lobster claw' wheels (but I abhor the wrong gen of wheels on the wrong gen of car, so could never fit them to a 986) - and at £8k I start to look at 3.2 'S's and maybe the odd 3.4.
Problem solved.
But then the 3.4 scores (as every fule nose). So maybe a tweak to a 987.2 - after all - DFI = no IMS and whilst I don't normally borrow money for cars, I have before, so maybe again?
But then I could buy a 996 or a Cayman....or a......(you get the picture).
I guess what i'm looking for is a few multi-owner Porsche fans to give me a steer (no pun intended) on where I should focus my efforts. i know the mechanical pitfalls of each (I think) [don't buy a 3.4 don't buy a 3.4 don't buy a 3.4] - but I need an idea of which may bring the biggest pleasure coming from a 996 (and even maybe 'what should be avoided').
I could buy another 996 - but don't fancy paying more to replace the car I sold with a worse one, and truthfully i'd probably try a 997 - and I want to have a bit more 'fun' in the short term, so I see the 986 as 75% of the car for 50% of the money (running costs excluded).
I know the first question on everyone's lips will be 'BUDGET' but it is genuinely flexible - i'll accept more foibles at the lower end and i'll tinker away if required - at the top it would have to be 'perfect' and i'd keep it that way (i see different cars at different price points in my head...).
So really - if you imagine a budget of £3,000 to £20,000 for weekend/enjoyable use only - do you need to spend £20,000??? or is there a sweet spot at £5,000??? - where would your Porsche money go?
TLDR - Bought 996, had to sell, big mistake, budget flexible, likes tinkering, not a mechanic, need Porsche, please help.
PS - Promise to update the thread with my final actions.
PPS - If you're selling, feel free to link/PM me - i'd rather buy from an enthusiast
PPPS - If the answer is 'get another 996', I can take it....
Okay well so I was kind of in your position 2 + years ago, but instead of having sold a 996, I had sold a 911 3.2 5 year prior (before prices were on the up).
I really wanted a other 911, but I really like boxster/ Caymans I think they are equally nice, lighter better balanced blar bar...but then starting going up the scale, my top budget was £20k; I thought if I did get a boxster then I would need to change it in a few years so I thought it would be cheaper to go with a 997.1 straight away and keep it for the long term, thus if I have to shell out for an engine it's kind of okay.
So....i think it depends if you prefer to keep cars for a long time or have a bit of an ownership journey, I do personally hate the porsche buying and selling thing as there are so many snakes in the chain.
2 years on the 997.1 is fantastic, pretty easy to work on and I have replaced most of the big items gradually myself along the way....
I really wanted a other 911, but I really like boxster/ Caymans I think they are equally nice, lighter better balanced blar bar...but then starting going up the scale, my top budget was £20k; I thought if I did get a boxster then I would need to change it in a few years so I thought it would be cheaper to go with a 997.1 straight away and keep it for the long term, thus if I have to shell out for an engine it's kind of okay.
So....i think it depends if you prefer to keep cars for a long time or have a bit of an ownership journey, I do personally hate the porsche buying and selling thing as there are so many snakes in the chain.
2 years on the 997.1 is fantastic, pretty easy to work on and I have replaced most of the big items gradually myself along the way....
If it was a straight fight, I'd be looking at the later Gen 2 cars for peace of mind mechanically. Obviously, the price difference between the cheapest of your options ( early 986 ) and any Gen 2 car is significant though. I couldn't stretch to a Gen 2 ( cheapest I've seen is about 16k ), didn't want an early car, and had a budget that allowed me access to an early, leggy Cayman S, or a 987.1 Boxster, the latter being what I ended up with.
For reasons you're aware of, I chose to avoid the 3.4, and I felt that the 2.7 models seemed to be more difficult to sell on. That ruled out the Cayman, and left me with the 3.2 Boxster 987.1. I'm on my second one now, wasn't fussed about the first one, had a few months without and decided to try again. I'm pretty smitten with this one. My view, rightly or wrongly, is that a Gen1 Boxster 3.2 S is probably the cheapest way into arguably the most reliable, easiest to sell on, pre Gen 2 car. There seems very little in it performance wise on the road compared to the 3.4, but the bore score issue isn't present on the 3.2. You still obviously have the potential for the IMS horror show on any pre Gen 2 car, but it's regarded as pretty low risk.
I got a 2005, full history car with 70k miles in a great colour and spec for about 10.5k last year, not much money for what seems like a lot of car. It's been good enough to change me from being initially indifferent to horrified at the thought of parting with it.
Good luck.
For reasons you're aware of, I chose to avoid the 3.4, and I felt that the 2.7 models seemed to be more difficult to sell on. That ruled out the Cayman, and left me with the 3.2 Boxster 987.1. I'm on my second one now, wasn't fussed about the first one, had a few months without and decided to try again. I'm pretty smitten with this one. My view, rightly or wrongly, is that a Gen1 Boxster 3.2 S is probably the cheapest way into arguably the most reliable, easiest to sell on, pre Gen 2 car. There seems very little in it performance wise on the road compared to the 3.4, but the bore score issue isn't present on the 3.2. You still obviously have the potential for the IMS horror show on any pre Gen 2 car, but it's regarded as pretty low risk.
I got a 2005, full history car with 70k miles in a great colour and spec for about 10.5k last year, not much money for what seems like a lot of car. It's been good enough to change me from being initially indifferent to horrified at the thought of parting with it.
Good luck.
There is a really nice looking 986 2.7 priced at 6994 on auto trader. It's guards red very low miles and sounds in lovely order. If you don't want to borrow money I would buy that.
If you were wanting more modern then take a loan out and buy a 987 gen 2. You should be able to get one for 996.1 money now so you need to decide what you prefer.
If you were wanting more modern then take a loan out and buy a 987 gen 2. You should be able to get one for 996.1 money now so you need to decide what you prefer.
SV_WDC said:
Aside from budget you need to work out what is important to you - technology, features, mileage, how much you are willing to put aside to potentially maintain an older car.
None really - hence my question! Budget for keeping an oldie on the road is 'limitless'*- in keeping with the car
- i choose what I spend on cars, I could spend more (not trying to be all 'insert pistonheads director gag here')
Edited by j44esd on Wednesday 9th August 22:19
YoungMD said:
Okay well so I was kind of in your position 2 + years ago, but instead of having sold a 996, I had sold a 911 3.2 5 year prior (before prices were on the up).
I really wanted a other 911, but I really like boxster/ Caymans I think they are equally nice, lighter better balanced blar bar...but then starting going up the scale, my top budget was £20k; I thought if I did get a boxster then I would need to change it in a few years so I thought it would be cheaper to go with a 997.1 straight away and keep it for the long term, thus if I have to shell out for an engine it's kind of okay.
So....i think it depends if you prefer to keep cars for a long time or have a bit of an ownership journey, I do personally hate the porsche buying and selling thing as there are so many snakes in the chain.
2 years on the 997.1 is fantastic, pretty easy to work on and I have replaced most of the big items gradually myself along the way....
I tend to keep my 'fun' cars 2/3 yearsI really wanted a other 911, but I really like boxster/ Caymans I think they are equally nice, lighter better balanced blar bar...but then starting going up the scale, my top budget was £20k; I thought if I did get a boxster then I would need to change it in a few years so I thought it would be cheaper to go with a 997.1 straight away and keep it for the long term, thus if I have to shell out for an engine it's kind of okay.
So....i think it depends if you prefer to keep cars for a long time or have a bit of an ownership journey, I do personally hate the porsche buying and selling thing as there are so many snakes in the chain.
2 years on the 997.1 is fantastic, pretty easy to work on and I have replaced most of the big items gradually myself along the way....
Heaveho said:
If it was a straight fight, I'd be looking at the later Gen 2 cars for peace of mind mechanically. Obviously, the price difference between the cheapest of your options ( early 986 ) and any Gen 2 car is significant though. I couldn't stretch to a Gen 2 ( cheapest I've seen is about 16k ), didn't want an early car, and had a budget that allowed me access to an early, leggy Cayman S, or a 987.1 Boxster, the latter being what I ended up with.
For reasons you're aware of, I chose to avoid the 3.4, and I felt that the 2.7 models seemed to be more difficult to sell on. That ruled out the Cayman, and left me with the 3.2 Boxster 987.1. I'm on my second one now, wasn't fussed about the first one, had a few months without and decided to try again. I'm pretty smitten with this one. My view, rightly or wrongly, is that a Gen1 Boxster 3.2 S is probably the cheapest way into arguably the most reliable, easiest to sell on, pre Gen 2 car. There seems very little in it performance wise on the road compared to the 3.4, but the bore score issue isn't present on the 3.2. You still obviously have the potential for the IMS horror show on any pre Gen 2 car, but it's regarded as pretty low risk.
I got a 2005, full history car with 70k miles in a great colour and spec for about 10.5k last year, not much money for what seems like a lot of car. It's been good enough to change me from being initially indifferent to horrified at the thought of parting with it.
Good luck.
Great feedback - thanks - this is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for - isn't a 2005 a 987.1?For reasons you're aware of, I chose to avoid the 3.4, and I felt that the 2.7 models seemed to be more difficult to sell on. That ruled out the Cayman, and left me with the 3.2 Boxster 987.1. I'm on my second one now, wasn't fussed about the first one, had a few months without and decided to try again. I'm pretty smitten with this one. My view, rightly or wrongly, is that a Gen1 Boxster 3.2 S is probably the cheapest way into arguably the most reliable, easiest to sell on, pre Gen 2 car. There seems very little in it performance wise on the road compared to the 3.4, but the bore score issue isn't present on the 3.2. You still obviously have the potential for the IMS horror show on any pre Gen 2 car, but it's regarded as pretty low risk.
I got a 2005, full history car with 70k miles in a great colour and spec for about 10.5k last year, not much money for what seems like a lot of car. It's been good enough to change me from being initially indifferent to horrified at the thought of parting with it.
Good luck.
jimmy p said:
There is a really nice looking 986 2.7 priced at 6994 on auto trader. It's guards red very low miles and sounds in lovely order. If you don't want to borrow money I would buy that.
If you were wanting more modern then take a loan out and buy a 987 gen 2. You should be able to get one for 996.1 money now so you need to decide what you prefer.
It's not the one in Newcastle-under-Lyme is it? I viewed it....photos flatter to deceive...1 service ever...If you were wanting more modern then take a loan out and buy a 987 gen 2. You should be able to get one for 996.1 money now so you need to decide what you prefer.
If you liked your 996, get the best 986.1 you can find. Great value for money, and for day-to-day 'fun' driving you will struggle to beat the feel good factor and general nature of a Box.
Get a 2.7 - they're as sweet as a sweet thing, nice and revvy. The brakes are plenty good enough, they're light and fleet of foot and really fun on a good set of twisties..
I went from exactly that, a 2.7 to a 996.1 - and whilst I utterly utterly adore the 996, I wish I had room to keep both as the 986 was such a good car.
Get a 2.7 - they're as sweet as a sweet thing, nice and revvy. The brakes are plenty good enough, they're light and fleet of foot and really fun on a good set of twisties..
I went from exactly that, a 2.7 to a 996.1 - and whilst I utterly utterly adore the 996, I wish I had room to keep both as the 986 was such a good car.
bgunn said:
If you liked your 996, get the best 986.1 you can find. Great value for money, and for day-to-day 'fun' driving you will struggle to beat the feel good factor and general nature of a Box.
Get a 2.7 - they're as sweet as a sweet thing, nice and revvy. The brakes are plenty good enough, they're light and fleet of foot and really fun on a good set of twisties..
I went from exactly that, a 2.7 to a 996.1 - and whilst I utterly utterly adore the 996, I wish I had room to keep both as the 986 was such a good car.
And this is a bit how I feel...so how much and which engine??? You reckon 2.7?Get a 2.7 - they're as sweet as a sweet thing, nice and revvy. The brakes are plenty good enough, they're light and fleet of foot and really fun on a good set of twisties..
I went from exactly that, a 2.7 to a 996.1 - and whilst I utterly utterly adore the 996, I wish I had room to keep both as the 986 was such a good car.
j44esd said:
And this is a bit how I feel...so how much and which engine??? You reckon 2.7?
I do. A Boxster is about balance and not outright power - or it is for me. The 2.7 lets you wring out the most - you can really rev the engine hard and it asks for more, feels really sweet spinning whilst doing it too.I paid 4250 for mine two years ago, a '99 Arctic silver car with amber lights.
I'd happily have an early 2.5 if I had somewhere to store it.
j44esd said:
Great feedback - thanks - this is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for - isn't a 2005 a 987.1?
Yes, a 2005 Boxster is indeed a 987.1. The 2006 model is the same car but about £200 more per annum for road tax, but it will "probably" have a larger, stronger IMS bearing. No certainties about that though, apparently even Porsche aren't sure when they changed the bearing size. Just to clarify, I wasn't dismissing the 2.7 as an ownership prospect in my earlier post, I haven't tried one, but have no reason to assume they're anything but decent from what others say. It was more that my ownerships of cars tend to be quite fluid, and I have to consider ease of resale at purchase time, as currently I don't really know how long I can feasibly keep any particular car. If that isn't a consideration for you, you have more options.
17k will get you into a decent 2.9 Gen 2 from what I've seen advertised. The fact is though, unlike the earlier cars, there's no reason other than budget to avoid the Gen 2 3.4, I haven't seen any known horror stories surfacing with them at any mileage. Probably 20k for 50k mile 2010 3.4S.
Edited by Heaveho on Wednesday 9th August 23:48
GT03ROB said:
Having a 996.2 & 987.1 all I can say is the 911 & the Boxster are very different as drives. Decide what you want. At your price point I think the 987.1 may be best, interior is light years ahead of the 986.
Interesting point - when you say 'different' could you expand please?(I get the engine position makes a huge difference to the dynamics, if it's just that, cool - but I'd be interested in expansion on the difference outside of RR/MR configuration)
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