RE: Porsche Boxster (987) | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
I have a 987.2 2.9. Bought at just over 2 years old as approved used car from a Porsche dealer it is now coming up to 10 years old and it hasn't suffered from any of the issues mentioned, though it has only covered around 3,000 miiles per year.
I have;
- had it serviced (not cheap, but not silly money either and it's only every 2 years)
- had a new battery (the standard Porsche branded Moll units are not renowned for longevity)
- replaced the tyres (not that much choice if sticking to Porsche approved 'N' rated brands, but it's around £700 for a set of Michelins).
That's it.
Practical for a 2-seater and it's averaged around 30mpg over the time I've had it. Not 'fast' by today's standards, but I love the way it steers and handles and it's plenty quick enough for me. I intend to keep it for the foreseeable future.
I have;
- had it serviced (not cheap, but not silly money either and it's only every 2 years)
- had a new battery (the standard Porsche branded Moll units are not renowned for longevity)
- replaced the tyres (not that much choice if sticking to Porsche approved 'N' rated brands, but it's around £700 for a set of Michelins).
That's it.
Practical for a 2-seater and it's averaged around 30mpg over the time I've had it. Not 'fast' by today's standards, but I love the way it steers and handles and it's plenty quick enough for me. I intend to keep it for the foreseeable future.
That's reassuring to hear, Spen. Mine's a 61 plate 2.9 with 27k on the clock. Must admit I'm surprised to hear on here about some of the issues owners have had but they seem to be on earlier cars. As posted earlier, I'm hoping to change for a 981 PDK if the right car comes up so hopefully that'll be pretty trouble free.
TREMAiNE said:
Had my 10 plate 987 3.4 'S' for just under 3.5 years now and done about 24,000 miles in it.
It has PDK, PASM and Sports Chrono and was a Porsche Approved Used and has been serviced by them since I bought it and has a very reasonably priced warranty that has saved me a fair amount more than it cost me (about £1200 for a 2 year warranty).
Aside from wear and tear items, the only costs I've had are a new 'Boxster' badge on the rear as the 'B' came off when washing it once and this weekend I'm having the roof straps replaced by a specialist for around £200, as the roof doesn't sit properly when closed which seems to be fairly common.
On a run I can get 35mpg and I average 24mpg generally which I think is pretty decent for the performance on offer.
It's the longest I've owned a car and I am at the point where I want to change to something else with a budget of around £30-35k but honestly cannot find a suitable alternative. Nothing seems to come close to the Boxster and the few cars that do come close are not worth paying the extra amount of cash for... And pretty much all newer cars having electric steering is off-putting too.
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!
The roof straps you refer to, is that where the roof pops outside the window gully as you put it up? Been trying to work out how to fix that.It has PDK, PASM and Sports Chrono and was a Porsche Approved Used and has been serviced by them since I bought it and has a very reasonably priced warranty that has saved me a fair amount more than it cost me (about £1200 for a 2 year warranty).
Aside from wear and tear items, the only costs I've had are a new 'Boxster' badge on the rear as the 'B' came off when washing it once and this weekend I'm having the roof straps replaced by a specialist for around £200, as the roof doesn't sit properly when closed which seems to be fairly common.
On a run I can get 35mpg and I average 24mpg generally which I think is pretty decent for the performance on offer.
It's the longest I've owned a car and I am at the point where I want to change to something else with a budget of around £30-35k but honestly cannot find a suitable alternative. Nothing seems to come close to the Boxster and the few cars that do come close are not worth paying the extra amount of cash for... And pretty much all newer cars having electric steering is off-putting too.
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!
Have an '05 S. Bought it just over 3 years ago at 75k, now 125k. In that time the roof has developed an annoying habit of going up outside the side window rear lip (just push it back in by hand at the right moment). Other than that a suspension item failed on a tour of France and I have to replace the coil packs. Apart from that just tyres and servicing. It's not been too expensive (except for the tyres) and my wife won't even consider selling it.
I had a very nice 987 RS60 Boxster with Carbon Ceramic brakes and many other goodies. It replaced my much loved late model Esprit V8, it was so nice knowing you could drive the socks off it and not worry about bits falling off plus the next day you could do the same thing again and again with no worries.
Okay bore scoring is an issue with them, the owners forum was a really friendly place and I went to a few gatherings with them and found them to be a really decent bunch. In conclusion a bloody good car.
PS I was always getting harassed by Rouge Reps in black Audi's for some reason I've never been able to fathom.
Okay bore scoring is an issue with them, the owners forum was a really friendly place and I went to a few gatherings with them and found them to be a really decent bunch. In conclusion a bloody good car.
PS I was always getting harassed by Rouge Reps in black Audi's for some reason I've never been able to fathom.
Johnny 89 said:
I'm considering one of these at the moment to replace my Opel Speedster. Just thinking for a change really as I really enjoy the Speedster. Has anyone gone from a VX220/Speedster to a 987 and willing to give some insight?
I had a track prepped VX220 some time after my Boxster, Okay for real seat of your pants feedback from the road the Boxster feels very insulated. But if you are using it mainly as a road car the Boxster is far easier to live with but the Boxster is also a really capable track day car when the need arises.BIRMA said:
I had a track prepped VX220 some time after my Boxster, Okay for real seat of your pants feedback from the road the Boxster feels very insulated. But if you are using it mainly as a road car the Boxster is far easier to live with but the Boxster is also a really capable track day car when the need arises.
That's interesting, thanks. I don't drive very often (weekend only really) and it's very much mainly road driving. I might have to go for a test drive.suffolk009 said:
The roof straps you refer to, is that where the roof pops outside the window gully as you put it up? Been trying to work out how to fix that.
Yes it is - a very irritating little niggle that I had for a while before seeing an ad on Facebook from a local well-regarded specialist who had posted about another Boxster that had the same problem fixed... I quickly booked it in and the car is with them now. They need to replace the roods too which they didn't realise during the initial (free) inspection of the roof. Repair should cost around £260 - or about £80 and a few hours if you have the ability to do it yourself - which I definitely don't!TREMAiNE said:
suffolk009 said:
The roof straps you refer to, is that where the roof pops outside the window gully as you put it up? Been trying to work out how to fix that.
Yes it is - a very irritating little niggle that I had for a while before seeing an ad on Facebook from a local well-regarded specialist who had posted about another Boxster that had the same problem fixed... I quickly booked it in and the car is with them now. They need to replace the roods too which they didn't realise during the initial (free) inspection of the roof. Repair should cost around £260 - or about £80 and a few hours if you have the ability to do it yourself - which I definitely don't!I'm not up to date on what that budget buys, but in general I think the following applies;
The Generation 1 987 will be years 2005-2008 (with possibly a few cars registered in 2009). The 2.7 and 3.2 are ok with some items to be aware of (listed in the article). The 3.4 has higher risk of scored cylinder bores and is probably best avoided. These cars are manual or Tipronic auto (no PDK semi-auto). Manual is much preferred in general.
The Generation 2 987 will be years 2009-2012 (with possibly a few run-out Sport Edition Generation 1s). An early, leggy 2.9 may fall into your budget, I doubt the DFI 3.4 cars will, but these are less prone (possibly imune?) to scored bores than the Gen 1 3.4 motors it seems. These cars have the option of PDK and have a marginally more modern feeling interior. Both manual and PDK have their fans - personal preference really.
The Generation 1 987 will be years 2005-2008 (with possibly a few cars registered in 2009). The 2.7 and 3.2 are ok with some items to be aware of (listed in the article). The 3.4 has higher risk of scored cylinder bores and is probably best avoided. These cars are manual or Tipronic auto (no PDK semi-auto). Manual is much preferred in general.
The Generation 2 987 will be years 2009-2012 (with possibly a few run-out Sport Edition Generation 1s). An early, leggy 2.9 may fall into your budget, I doubt the DFI 3.4 cars will, but these are less prone (possibly imune?) to scored bores than the Gen 1 3.4 motors it seems. These cars have the option of PDK and have a marginally more modern feeling interior. Both manual and PDK have their fans - personal preference really.
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