RE: Porsche Boxster (987) | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Dale487 said:
gottans said:
What happened here? 
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
In all fairness the boxster is mid-engined and handles very well, the rear engined 911 is a very different kettle of fish. I test drove a boxster a few years back, handled great but was under-powered so bought a 911 (997.2) instead.
My car looks very similar to the one in the article pictures being a Speed Yellow S from 2010.
It is excellent. I really can't fault it. I have done 3500 miles since late February and it puts a smile on my face every time.
I'm glad a went for the manual. The shift is good. It also came with a Carnewal exhaust which is very nicely judged in terms of volume and tone. It really adds to the experience. It gets a lot of positive attention which I'm not used to but is gratifying.
If you're thinking about getting one, go for a test drive and you will probably be sold there and then.
It is excellent. I really can't fault it. I have done 3500 miles since late February and it puts a smile on my face every time.
I'm glad a went for the manual. The shift is good. It also came with a Carnewal exhaust which is very nicely judged in terms of volume and tone. It really adds to the experience. It gets a lot of positive attention which I'm not used to but is gratifying.
If you're thinking about getting one, go for a test drive and you will probably be sold there and then.
I fail to understand the level of tolerance regarding the many reliability & quality issues. In fact the mechanical shortcoming would shame a Vauxhall. And the darn thing is as ugly as sin. Is the badge THAT important that such basics are overlooked?
It's handling IS sublime but for normal use it's not as important as those with delusions of driving ability make out.
As for the current model - now that IS a looker but aurally a bore.
It's handling IS sublime but for normal use it's not as important as those with delusions of driving ability make out.
As for the current model - now that IS a looker but aurally a bore.
TREMAiNE said:
I've looked at both the new Mustang and F10 M5's which are vastly different cars but I'm at a loss. Highly recommend scratching the Boxster itch if you have one but be warned, they get under your skin!
I think an M6 cabriolet is the only answer for you! Convertible kicks of the Boxster, big sports V8 cruiser like the mustang, and obviously has the BMW 'M' sprinkling on top to finish. Nyloc20 said:
Good article, I bought a 987 Gen 2 a few months ago as I could no longer get out of my Elise S2.
At first I didn't like it much, I missed the Elise's sharp responsive steering, nimble handling and swoopy curves. I'm still not won over by the Boxster styling.
However, I've definitely warmed to the car now.
They often get compared when in fact they are very different. The steering and handling of the Elise are miles ahead but the Boxster has every day usability on its side. I felt our Boxster was like a tank compared to the Elise. But then that applies to most 'normal' cars.At first I didn't like it much, I missed the Elise's sharp responsive steering, nimble handling and swoopy curves. I'm still not won over by the Boxster styling.
However, I've definitely warmed to the car now.
I really wanted to like the 987 & intended to buy one earlier this year to replace another sports car as a keeper being a 6 cylinder.
I test drove a nice blue 40k mile example locally which ticked all the right boxes on spec but left feeling very disappointed. I tried to overlook the huge steering wheel, lack of torque, odd steering, i was gutted.
Perhaps i should have given it more time but i'm afraid ultimately i did wonder what the fuss was all about, i may try another example or 997 again later this year. Informative article though.
I test drove a nice blue 40k mile example locally which ticked all the right boxes on spec but left feeling very disappointed. I tried to overlook the huge steering wheel, lack of torque, odd steering, i was gutted.
Perhaps i should have given it more time but i'm afraid ultimately i did wonder what the fuss was all about, i may try another example or 997 again later this year. Informative article though.
cerb4.5lee said:
gottans said:
Just thought I would post this here, buy a boxster and enjoy the ride!
I will admit that I'm a little apprehensive about mid engine cars in terms of their handling. I wrapped my rear engined Skoda Estelle around a lamp post many years ago! I much prefer the tried and trusted front engine way in fairness! 
I'd like a go in a Boxster though to see how tricky they are to drive.
I think you are somewhat misunderstood, comparing a Boxster to a Skoda Estalle!Boxsters are absolute poussy cats, communicative, good feel, easy to drive quickly. Absolutely not scary, spiky or unpredictable in anyway. Any that are, are broken.
Lets face it, the majority of them are sold when new to middle aged women.
In fact, the 'competence' of it, is one of the only reasons I am considering selling mine - its just so composed and grippy on the road.
snotrag said:
cerb4.5lee said:
gottans said:
Just thought I would post this here, buy a boxster and enjoy the ride!
I will admit that I'm a little apprehensive about mid engine cars in terms of their handling. I wrapped my rear engined Skoda Estelle around a lamp post many years ago! I much prefer the tried and trusted front engine way in fairness! I'd like a go in a Boxster though to see how tricky they are to drive.
I think you are somewhat misunderstood, comparing a Boxster to a Skoda Estalle!Boxsters are absolute poussy cats, communicative, good feel, easy to drive quickly. Absolutely not scary, spiky or unpredictable in anyway. Any that are, are broken.
Lets face it, the majority of them are sold when new to middle aged women.
In fact, the 'competence' of it, is one of the only reasons I am considering selling mine - its just so composed and grippy on the road.
I've read about the competence bit a few times about the Boxster/Cayman in reviews, and I guess that you have to be going really daft before they get interesting on the road.
snotrag said:
Boxsters are absolute poussy cats, communicative, good feel, easy to drive quickly. Absolutely not scary, spiky or unpredictable in anyway. Any that are, are broken.
Lets face it, the majority of them are sold when new to middle aged women.
In fact, the 'competence' of it, is one of the only reasons I am considering selling mine - its just so composed and grippy on the road.
I think you've just used a lot of words to describe "dull". Lets face it, the majority of them are sold when new to middle aged women.
In fact, the 'competence' of it, is one of the only reasons I am considering selling mine - its just so composed and grippy on the road.
Add to that major and minor components made out of expensive chocolate, looks that a mother would find challenging and a dealership network that defines indifference, I can see why they're popular.
can't fault mine, it has the RMS issue I think (or the cam chain tensioner issue), slight oil leak, but not concerning enough yet.
big bill anxiety is the worst, every new noise is a concern, almost worthy of getting a newer car and a warranty...
TOP TIP, always check the manual bonnet release works before the battery goes flat, cause it's a complete pain otherwise. the fusebox/door stay method is completely s
t.
big bill anxiety is the worst, every new noise is a concern, almost worthy of getting a newer car and a warranty...
TOP TIP, always check the manual bonnet release works before the battery goes flat, cause it's a complete pain otherwise. the fusebox/door stay method is completely s
t.snotrag said:
Boxsters are absolute poussy cats, communicative, good feel, easy to drive quickly. Absolutely not scary, spiky or unpredictable in anyway. Any that are, are broken.
I've just bought a 987 Cayman and agree wholeheartedly with this. I've quickly concluded that there is nothing at all scary about the car; the engine revs and revs like a sewing machine and never seems to produce much torque, the chassis is absurdly competent and you can drive around any corner you come across at any speed you choose to mention. I've yet to really give it any welly but I'd struggle to imagine it could ever bite, let alone hard. (Turning off the PSM may make me change my tune quite quickly. But I'm a coward so I may never do this ....
) Porsche's PSM is one of the best 'nanny' systems out there,designed to bring a car like this to the mass market safely,however take one Boxster 987,turn off the PSM and then drive the car HARD,especially in the wet to include as many wet roundabouts and fast sweepers as possible and you'll soon find out the 987 Boxter is no pussycat! more like a p***** off lion that WILL bite like any other mid engined car on the lmit if you don't know what your doing...haha
Goodness me, an entire buyers guide on a 987 and not once has scored bores been mentioned - I must pinch myself.
Great value cars these, they still suffer from some lack of rigidity which is over-compensated with stiffer suspension, but an improvement over the 986 in this regard nonetheless.
Great value cars these, they still suffer from some lack of rigidity which is over-compensated with stiffer suspension, but an improvement over the 986 in this regard nonetheless.
beanoir said:
Goodness me, an entire buyers guide on a 987 and not once has scored bores been mentioned - I must pinch myself.
Great value cars these, they still suffer from some lack of rigidity which is over-compensated with stiffer suspension, but an improvement over the 986 in this regard nonetheless.
Great value cars these, they still suffer from some lack of rigidity which is over-compensated with stiffer suspension, but an improvement over the 986 in this regard nonetheless.
article said:
Google 'common 987 problems' and you will certainly find the phrase 'cylinder bore scoring'. Again, the reality is less worrisome than you might think. Marque experts believe that this was an issue for maybe one in 20 pre-DFI engine cars, and mainly on the 3.4 S 'Cayman' motors at that. It's almost unheard of in the Gen 1 2.7 987s. If the engine of a car you're interested in has a low oil level or seems to be making tapping noises, you'd be well advised to get a borescope inspection done. Good dealers will happily carry that out for you.
I keep looking at 986 and 987 Boxsters and what I find challenging are the colours. Black interior in a convertible is a terrible idea, yet loads have it. Then there's the sea of black, grey and silver bodies that just don't stand out for me. The yellow one looks fantastic and I think cars like this deserve to be in bold colours.
Irrespective of performance, it's still got to be a car that makes me feel good that it's mine as I'm walking up to it.
Just my thoughts!
Irrespective of performance, it's still got to be a car that makes me feel good that it's mine as I'm walking up to it.
Just my thoughts!
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