986 Porsche Boxster 2.7
Discussion
2003 Carmon Red Metallic Porsche Boxster 986 2.7 manual.
80,000 miles, spotty history, 8 previous owners.
Vendor image
Maybe not my wisest choice, but I loved the colour - wanted to avoid the clichéd silver/grey/black Boxsters and this makes a pleasing change from the norm.
Topbox (Bob) from Boxa.net kindly met me at the vendor's to lend his experience - thanks Bob!
The paint looked good but was covered in swirls and holograms - looked like the YTS lad had whipped round it with a rotary polisher in a sand storm. Looked okay in photos but not so great close-up, in person. Still, I'd pretty much decided I was going to buy it before the test drive. Oops!
Then, the vendor was a little sheepish. Apologising profusely and a little embarrassed he said it was making some nasty noises. It had been in storage for a while - whether weeks or months was unclear but he assured me it had been fine when put away. Went for a test drive and he wasn't kidding - lots of metallic scraping especially cornering. Sounded like the disk brake splash guards or something. Other than that it was pretty good.
Vendor arranged to pop to JaZ, a nearby Porsche Indy - they weren't really open as it was a Saturday but after a quick test drive he confirmed the guards were the likely cause.
Arranged to get this resolved and all being well I'd collect the next weekend, which I duly did. Two hour drive back from St Albans was uneventful, but I was happy with my purchase as it drove and pulled well.
Porsche had not been on my radar before this. My car history is a little disparate, most recently from Honda CR-Z to TVR Griffith and many between including a recent Z4 35i DCT. This is much closer to the Griff than the Honda.
It feels very analogue, not the binary feel of more modern cars like the Z4. Gearbox and clutch are about perfect - the throw is a little on the long side but it's smooth and precise; pedal placement suits me well. Steering wheel not so much; adjusts in/out but no vertical adjustment - it's taken a few miles but I've got used to it now. Steering however, is superb in both precision and feedback; I assume it must be hydraulic not EPAS. That and the mid-engine weight distribution make it feel fantastic when cornering, even just bimbling around roundabouts.
Don't believe there are any mods, but at this age and 8 owners who knows? I won't be doing anything to it apart from usual servicing and consumables. Yet to book into a specialist/indy for a once over but will do shortly.
Lamb Naga
Gave it a decent wash and light polish and it looks 80% better. When I have more time I'll do it properly and will post up some photos.
80,000 miles, spotty history, 8 previous owners.
Vendor image
Maybe not my wisest choice, but I loved the colour - wanted to avoid the clichéd silver/grey/black Boxsters and this makes a pleasing change from the norm.
Topbox (Bob) from Boxa.net kindly met me at the vendor's to lend his experience - thanks Bob!
The paint looked good but was covered in swirls and holograms - looked like the YTS lad had whipped round it with a rotary polisher in a sand storm. Looked okay in photos but not so great close-up, in person. Still, I'd pretty much decided I was going to buy it before the test drive. Oops!
Then, the vendor was a little sheepish. Apologising profusely and a little embarrassed he said it was making some nasty noises. It had been in storage for a while - whether weeks or months was unclear but he assured me it had been fine when put away. Went for a test drive and he wasn't kidding - lots of metallic scraping especially cornering. Sounded like the disk brake splash guards or something. Other than that it was pretty good.
Vendor arranged to pop to JaZ, a nearby Porsche Indy - they weren't really open as it was a Saturday but after a quick test drive he confirmed the guards were the likely cause. Arranged to get this resolved and all being well I'd collect the next weekend, which I duly did. Two hour drive back from St Albans was uneventful, but I was happy with my purchase as it drove and pulled well.
Porsche had not been on my radar before this. My car history is a little disparate, most recently from Honda CR-Z to TVR Griffith and many between including a recent Z4 35i DCT. This is much closer to the Griff than the Honda.
It feels very analogue, not the binary feel of more modern cars like the Z4. Gearbox and clutch are about perfect - the throw is a little on the long side but it's smooth and precise; pedal placement suits me well. Steering wheel not so much; adjusts in/out but no vertical adjustment - it's taken a few miles but I've got used to it now. Steering however, is superb in both precision and feedback; I assume it must be hydraulic not EPAS. That and the mid-engine weight distribution make it feel fantastic when cornering, even just bimbling around roundabouts.
Don't believe there are any mods, but at this age and 8 owners who knows? I won't be doing anything to it apart from usual servicing and consumables. Yet to book into a specialist/indy for a once over but will do shortly.
Lamb Naga
Gave it a decent wash and light polish and it looks 80% better. When I have more time I'll do it properly and will post up some photos.
Popped it into Porsche Bristol to investigate knocking from N/S/R when weaving - Cameron Sports Cars couldn't fit me in for a month or more.
So... if I got all the work done, at Porsche Bristol, it'd cost nearly what I paid for it, and about what it's worth.
At least I know now what needs addressing and can shop around for a better price where possible.
So... if I got all the work done, at Porsche Bristol, it'd cost nearly what I paid for it, and about what it's worth.
At least I know now what needs addressing and can shop around for a better price where possible.
Not too bad of a report. The discs and tyres can be done when actually required, and the worn suspension parts and alignment can be fixed relatively easily, along with the exhaust.
the AC and water pipe are a bit more of a pain but don't look critical, especially going into winter....
the AC and water pipe are a bit more of a pain but don't look critical, especially going into winter....
James76G said:
... very few people seem to spec them when new. Fear of residuals presumably.
Good point. I'm half-hunting for a decent 987 Cayman 2.7 and ALL of them are black or silver. Some claim to be blue or grey but they are such dark shades as to appear to be black. I'd be happy to pay a premium for something that's not so dull but such cars seem to be incredibly rare. There is a nice mid-blue shade that comes up very occasionally so it may end up being one of them. Even the stereotype Porsche bright red is hardly ever seen. Pleased to see so many positive comments on the colour, carmon red metallic. It's the main reason I bought it. 
I've always preferred non-monochrome cars, though sometimes needs must. The only car I've specced new was my GT86, which was hot lava (orange). Many said I'd rue my choice, but I loved it and it garnered much attention and was well liked.
I've always preferred non-monochrome cars, though sometimes needs must. The only car I've specced new was my GT86, which was hot lava (orange). Many said I'd rue my choice, but I loved it and it garnered much attention and was well liked.
Not having the space, tools, knowledge nor inclination it will have to be done by someone else.
Local respected independent Cameron Sports Cars charge £80 +VAT per hour vs Porsche Centre Bristol £85 so labour rates there's nothing in it.
Cameron is able to offer non-OEM rear diagonal control arms for £300 less than Porsche parts, but not so on the front.
Overall there's not much more than £100 premium to go with PCB, plus I get a decent courtesy car. The coffee's not bad either.
There's no point asking PCB if they can do better, but I'll ask Cameron for a discount before I decide which to use - they're very busy though so no reason why they should. Booking for mid-November at the moment.
Local respected independent Cameron Sports Cars charge £80 +VAT per hour vs Porsche Centre Bristol £85 so labour rates there's nothing in it.
Cameron is able to offer non-OEM rear diagonal control arms for £300 less than Porsche parts, but not so on the front.
Overall there's not much more than £100 premium to go with PCB, plus I get a decent courtesy car. The coffee's not bad either.
There's no point asking PCB if they can do better, but I'll ask Cameron for a discount before I decide which to use - they're very busy though so no reason why they should. Booking for mid-November at the moment.
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