RE: Porsche Classic Boxster S (986) | Driven

[rbozza]

kingston12 said:

gsmetro said:

I Bought a 2000 Boxster S nearly 2 years ago- 45k on the clock (just ticked over 50k) fully loaded including phone! GT3 wheels and MO30 suspension, cost 7k and still feels fresh. I took the plunge to keep up its service history at porsche, although I could do all the work myself and was given a new Boxster as a courtesy car. For all the new cars techno wizardry and performance, jumping back into a 19yr old car felt so much more alive and I missed that flat 6 sound. Great cars and we still have an early 2.5 in the family which is still a hoot to drive and relatively simple to maintain. Buy a good one and enjoy great value driving. ??

Absolutely. I have got a 987S and borrowed a 718GTS last month whilst it was in for service. It’s a completely different car now - much faster, more capable, better build and interior, but with odd, numb steering.

I had a 981 for a day during the previous service, and I don’t remember the steering being quite so bad, and the engine was much nicer.

It does seem ridiculous to say that I wouldn’t swap my 987 for one (£ aside), but I don’t think I would!

————-

Fully agree with this, had 987s as a weekend car for a couple of years. The mix of manual, hydraulic steering, no driver modes to prod away at and plenty of power for the road.

They look a bit bosted from the back but anyone that hasn’t driven one should, you can seriously hustle them around a corner and the grip is ridiculous, gives more and more confidence to create a fantastic roadster. You don’t care about the slightly odd 3/4 view then.

My garage car is now 991s as it can fit the kids in the back. Loads more power / gadgets / got a lovely backside - but but but......

[can't remember]

GranCab said:

But you do get a houndstooth check handbag thrown in for free ....

It was the Porsche sponge that had me doubting my choice not to buy.

[anonymous-user]

The 25mph increments on the odometer seem wilfully obtuse. 10mph? Yep. 20? At a push. 25? it's so stupid that I quite like it.

[Osinjak]

Saw one of these at Swindon OPC last week, lovely looking thing and it was sold too.

[anonymous-user]

£30k for an ancient Boxster crashed through Halfords?

Yes, some people probably are daft enough to do it....

[iceicebaby1980]

Just look for one with full service history that's been well maintained and save yourself a shed load of money . 30k LOL I know someone's who's going to view a boxter s today in Ireland . Not quite sure what model it is but it's under 10k

[BogleDog64]

The customer who buys this car is going to be someone who loves the design and quirkiness of the car and maybe doesn’t have the time or inclination to carry out the work themselves. Although Porsche has retained the vast majority of the originality, I’d be pretty certain the rebuilt engine will address the old IMS issues and be completely reliable. This car is a labour of love and with Porsche parts and labour rates, doesn’t seem too expensive for the finished product. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but then some folks are paying more for MK 1 & 2 Ford Escorts!

[anonymous-user]

That's a lot of money for an elderly Boxster. Plenty of better ones to choose from, but I am sure someone will fall for it.

[Deep Thought]

BogleDog64 said:

The customer who buys this car is going to be someone who loves the design and quirkiness of the car and maybe doesn’t have the time or inclination to carry out the work themselves. Although Porsche has retained the vast majority of the originality, I’d be pretty certain the rebuilt engine will address the old IMS issues and be completely reliable. This car is a labour of love and with Porsche parts and labour rates, doesn’t seem too expensive for the finished product. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but then some folks are paying more for MK 1 & 2 Ford Escorts!

What work themselves?

You could save yourself £17,000 and buy this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I doubt that needs any work...

[Sandpit Steve]

Deep Thought said:

What work themselves?

You could save yourself £17,000 and buy this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I doubt that needs any work...

That looks lovely, 2 owners, only 14k miles and a full service history mostly from main dealers - and from the pictures looks like it just rolled off the production line. Bet it’s sold by tonight!

[spikyone]

Deep Thought said:

If i was spending £30K on a 20 year old rebuilt Boxster, i'd expect them to have went to the trouble of putting the front number plate on straight

I'd expect it to have consistent panel gaps too. The one between the frunk and front bumper, and the one between the boot and spoiler, make it look like it's been Braille parked its entire life.

[WJNB]

Someone will buy it who can afford not to be concerned whether it's a good idea or a good investment.

[RSchneider]

There is a growing market for naturally aspirated, manual gearbox cars relatively free of electronics and absolutely free of nanny systems.

[Cano]

iceicebaby1980 said:

Just look for one with full service history that's been well maintained and save yourself a shed load of money . 30k LOL I know someone's who's going to view a boxter s today in Ireland . Not quite sure what model it is but it's under 10k

I bought mine 2 years ago,2004 model with 65k on the clock and with full OPC history. The bills I've had this year tell me that full OPC history is not worth the premium.

£5k worth, including gearbox rebuild, upgraded IMS bearing as the RMS and IMS seal were starting to weep, lots of suspension parts including incorrectly installed front strut top mounts, 4 wheel alignment, all coil packs, new low pressure A/c pipe and a water pump.

That's on a car with full OPC history when I bought it, with it's latest service 1 well before I took delivery.

Having said that, it's well sorted now and I love it.

[Deep Thought]

WJNB said:

Someone will buy it who can afford not to be concerned whether it's a good idea or a good investment.

So someone fairly dumb and who has money to burn then?

[big_rob_sydney]

Plain and simple, it's the mileage. Imagine in a few years time if you've added another, 20, 30, or 50 thousand miles.

How on earth will anyone want to pay that kind of money for a high mileage car?

[Diesel Meister]

986s are great. This specific example seems rather pointless, even leaving aside an unhealthy obsession with mileage in this country. Lots of 986s available at various price points with potential for a variety of tastes and budgets but it seems likely that the sort to spend £30k on one might want more interesting provenance (very early or late car; special edition etc.) and then have the work done that they want.

[edwheels]

I can see where the money as gone - and actually for £30K, assuming it has a 3 year Porsche warranty, I can see why this could be a good decision for someone - especially if you are fed up of all the tech in the latest cars and want something a little more pure, but otherwise new. I hope it is bought and used rather than just stuck in rich buyer's collection.

Agree with some of the others though - those black wheels - Yuk! What a massive faux pas!!!

[Walter Sobchak]

Until the other week I’d never driven a Boxster, never had anything against them, and knew they had a reputation as a really fun and enjoyable drivers car, then I had a go in a friends 718 S and what a car!, and actively quick, great handling and well balanced sports car, can’t really stretch to a 718 myself at the moment but have been toying with the idea of getting a 987 S, are the engine issues common on the 986/987?.

[anonymous-user]

Walter Sobchak said:

well balanced sports car

^^^ This.