987 2 Advice

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J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Saturday 17th October 2020
quotequote all
Keep coming back to these, want something a bit more interactive than my M135i, good car but just dont derive much enjoyment from it. Have considered Mustangs but a bit big, Minis and all sorts, want the best drivers car I can get for 25k or less and the Cayman seems to tick that box. Would consider a Boxster.

Dont need a practical car, have had a 944 and 350Z int he past, wife said to get on with it if I want a two seater again.

911s are too expensive for one I would want so keep coming back to the facelift 987.

Want a manual, got an auto at the moment, used to 360 plus bhp so dont want something way slower so the S models appeal.

Decided to rule out the phase one cars and the bulk of the engine woes. no overly fussy on spec.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10833314?c...

Saw that one, what would put you off it ?


Are the phase 2 cars largely immune to the problems the earlier cars had, what are the main issues, know about the suspension bits but they seem fairly robust.




Rocket.

1,510 posts

248 months

Saturday 17th October 2020
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The main thing that would probably put me off that particular car is it's poverty spec really. Most cars have a higher spec and I would say on that mileage the car is probably 2 or 3k over priced.

As for Gen 2 manual S ive had mine for 4 years and have modified it a fair bit. Out of the box they are a good car, you may notice lack of low down torque coming from your BM as they don't really get going until 4k but the engine likes to rev out even if not pull hard for the last 500rpm. They are not overly playful but steering is nice and they do engage on a good B road, they are surprisingly practical for a 2 seater and in gen 2 guise not a commonly seen car. Usual suspension components wear out and if the car is on it's original clutch may need changing soon. Rads and A/C can also need replacing and coolant cross over pipes. I change the oil on mine annually too. Otherwise they are relatively bullet proof.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Saturday 17th October 2020
quotequote all
Cheers, whats it missing, like I said I am not overly fussy, dont think it has heated seats which I would like.

Prices on these seem to have gone up, that seems to be one of the cheaper ones.

Rocket.

1,510 posts

248 months

Saturday 17th October 2020
quotequote all
Depending on your use really but I would say the minimum desirable options for me are:

Sports seats (heated in your case)

Cruise control

PCM/Nav with Bose / upgraded stereo but aftermarket unit and speakers maybe a better option these days

Sport exhaust either switchable PSE or aftermarket

Xenons are nice and vastly superior to standard though upgraded bulbs can help I am told

After that

Short shift is a great upgrade but can easily be retrofitted and not expensive to buy from Porsche

Cars without Sports Chrono the throttle can feel a bit dead but easily sorted with a throttle sprint booster or the sports chrono upgrade from Porsche but this is a lot more expensive.

Brakes are good but pedal has long travel and fitting a GT3 master cylinder does help this but the above bits are subjective and all doable at a later stage.

As I said previously very good cars out of the box, spares are relatively inexpensive but a few options and then perhaps mods can make quite a difference.







J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Saturday 17th October 2020
quotequote all
Rocket. said:
Depending on your use really but I would say the minimum desirable options for me are:

Sports seats (heated in your case)

Cruise control

PCM/Nav with Bose / upgraded stereo but aftermarket unit and speakers maybe a better option these days

Sport exhaust either switchable PSE or aftermarket

Xenons are nice and vastly superior to standard though upgraded bulbs can help I am told

After that

Short shift is a great upgrade but can easily be retrofitted and not expensive to buy from Porsche

Cars without Sports Chrono the throttle can feel a bit dead but easily sorted with a throttle sprint booster or the sports chrono upgrade from Porsche but this is a lot more expensive.

Brakes are good but pedal has long travel and fitting a GT3 master cylinder does help this but the above bits are subjective and all doable at a later stage.

As I said previously very good cars out of the box, spares are relatively inexpensive but a few options and then perhaps mods can make quite a difference.
Not that bothered about Nav or Stereo, Inbuilt Nav on ten year old cars is usually a bit poo anyway, better speakers welcome but not a deal breaker.

Had a throttle map thing on my 350Z so familiar with that, was about £100, could set it between soporific and hyperactive, was pretty good.

Sports exhaust, hmm, believe they are too quiet as standard, not averse to fitting aftermarket but low priority.

Seats, heated preferably, but thinking about it, dont do many miles so not really a concern, sports ones will look into.

Wont be out much at night so not that fussed over Xenons, but will keep an eye on that, better to have than not.

Did a Short Shift on my 944, could never get it right so took it off, but sure could do that myself at some point.

Cruise control, again, only a concern if doing mileage, this would be a fun car not a commuter/distance car.

Klippie

3,099 posts

144 months

Saturday 17th October 2020
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Cruise can be retro-fitted if I remember correctly it was £400 from an OPC.

Mine has Bose which is crap as is the stock sat-nav, some say 19" wheels spoil the ride I find them perfectly fine.

The sport seats are very nice.

I've had my 2009 987.2 for nearly ten years and wouldn't swap it for anything...superb car.



Edited by Klippie on Saturday 17th October 21:31

DavidJJ

192 posts

155 months

Sunday 18th October 2020
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Based on your response that looks like a good one to look at - keep us posted. I wouldn't say the price is out of step at all (trust me, would be VERY happy to be proven wrong). Haven't noticed many S's under £20k unless they have 6 figure mileage.

I previously had a non S with PDK as a daily and it was fantastic. Have always regretted selling it and like you, find myself coming back to the 987.2, but if I did I'd want the S and manual. Wife would literally kill me though.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Sunday 18th October 2020
quotequote all
I really need to sell mine first, get the cash to one side then get looking properly. Oh the joy of people offering you 5 grand less than your asking price.

Plenty of cars around but when you rule out pre 2009 ones, non S models, PDK's and overpriced ones there arent that many about.

Reckon 22 should be enough to get one, can spend more but dont want loans or loads of money tied up in a car I dont use much.

Fink-Nottle

387 posts

41 months

Sunday 18th October 2020
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A fine choice, but then I would say that because mine is virtually identical to this one, plus heated seats.

I note it has got Porsche Warranty through August 2021. That's a major boon.

Leo31291

107 posts

91 months

Monday 19th October 2020
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My cayster is up for sale but needs some cosmetic working doing. They're just as reliable as any other car but just more pricey to up keep. In my 4 years of ownership the main jobs I've had to get done were the coolant pipes, drivers side window regulator, and suspension. Had a misfire too but replaced all coil packs and spark plugs to be safe.

Lovely engine, just found them to be a bit too clinical on the road without much character.

dbroughton

304 posts

213 months

Monday 19th October 2020
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Its amazing how many people get really obsessed with the perfect spec and how it can put them off totally is the leather isn't full or the seats dont have memory.

I drive a 987.2 Boxster S PDK at mid spec and the must haves and hot nots are -

1. At least full standard leather seats. The half leatherette and half alcantara are a worry and the ultimate in poverty spec and always makes me think about what other compromises the owner made

2. Reverse parking sensor. I hate going backwards and view isn't amazing

3. Climate control as opposed to just AC. less faff

Not a big deal are

Full PCM with sat nav. Pretty much out dated anyway and the various sound packs are just not that important or great given the interior noise. if you are a true audio guy then you will want to upgrade from BOSE anyway Cruise control, say no more. Standard exhaust sounds pretty good. Standard seats are a classic and snug. Full leather is nice but half leather trim doesn't kill the ambience.

I do wish my standard lights were better but upgraded bulbs are cheap enough


J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Monday 19th October 2020
quotequote all
Leo31291 said:
My cayster is up for sale but needs some cosmetic working doing. They're just as reliable as any other car but just more pricey to up keep. In my 4 years of ownership the main jobs I've had to get done were the coolant pipes, drivers side window regulator, and suspension. Had a misfire too but replaced all coil packs and spark plugs to be safe.

Lovely engine, just found them to be a bit too clinical on the road without much character.
Fancy an M135i ? smile

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Monday 19th October 2020
quotequote all
dbroughton said:
Its amazing how many people get really obsessed with the perfect spec and how it can put them off totally is the leather isn't full or the seats dont have memory.

I drive a 987.2 Boxster S PDK at mid spec and the must haves and hot nots are -

1. At least full standard leather seats. The half leatherette and half alcantara are a worry and the ultimate in poverty spec and always makes me think about what other compromises the owner made

2. Reverse parking sensor. I hate going backwards and view isn't amazing

3. Climate control as opposed to just AC. less faff

Not a big deal are

Full PCM with sat nav. Pretty much out dated anyway and the various sound packs are just not that important or great given the interior noise. if you are a true audio guy then you will want to upgrade from BOSE anyway Cruise control, say no more. Standard exhaust sounds pretty good. Standard seats are a classic and snug. Full leather is nice but half leather trim doesn't kill the ambience.

I do wish my standard lights were better but upgraded bulbs are cheap enough
Not overly fussed, mostly nice to haves.

I would probably replace the audio with an aftermarket one but dont use satnav that often.

Heated seats are nice but I ride a push bike a lot of the time so not overly fussed about such things.

Cruise control, not doing huge mileage and would hope most of the time would be driving it for fun.

More into it being manual, in good condition and a decent wheels/colour combo.

I had a 944 S2 Cab for a while and enjoyed that but it was just too old and needy, think a 911 is too much of a stretch so probably a Cayman for the added practicality over a Boxster, that extra bit of boot space is pretty useful.

Swine Enthusiast

312 posts

103 months

Monday 19th October 2020
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Biased critic but I would say do it.

Recently took mine (987.2 S) on a blast through Wales (pre-local lockdowns) with a 981 GTS, 718 S, and a 991.2 GT3RS, by far and away the cheapest car there but was certainly not left wanting for speed or fun.

Cracking car, engaging, great feedback, zingy peach of an engine, balanced - all the cliched adjectives! I was smitten before the trip but on some of the roads en-route to Snowdonia and I was probably wouldn't of switched with any of the other lads on the trip.

Buying journey, looked at it, didn't have the spec I thought I wanted/needed - PSE or Sport/Chrono, etc but did have some random items the first owner had ticked; Alcantara roof lining (why?), extended leather (nice), PASM (used once it in Switzerland), 5mm factory spacers (like these!).

But I am of the same opinion as other posters; spec / smeck - 99% of the time you don't need the wky accessories and chintzy bits, just get the car and drive it.

kilarney

483 posts

222 months

Monday 19th October 2020
quotequote all
My opinion currently owning a manual gen 2 S boxster. Stock I do find it clinically effective and needs a little something to spice it up for sure. They are more boring than you might think.

Essential
Manual
Decent colour scheme no dog dick
Rear parking sensor

Desirable
Factory PSE
Climate
Heated seats

Mods
PSE or if not a carnewal or some such is essential otherwise it sounds like no sound at all.
GT3 master cylinder mod. Much better feel.
Infotainment double din upgrade, easier on a stock system
Throttle box thingy

Budget for the following if not yet done as you will be soon enough:

Gearchange cables every 40k, I treat as a service item now as they ALL die from fatigue eventually
A/C condensers replaced
Cooling water pipes as they corrode and the o rings flatten even if no corrosion.
Suspension tuning forks on front - knocking noise when hot.



Leo31291

107 posts

91 months

Monday 19th October 2020
quotequote all
Mines on 60k and I think still on original shifter cable. Might get it changed then.

J4CKO said:
Fancy an M135i ? smile
errrr have you got an MX5 biggrin

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,287 posts

199 months

Monday 19th October 2020
quotequote all
Leo31291 said:
Mines on 60k and I think still on original shifter cable. Might get it changed then.

J4CKO said:
Fancy an M135i ? smile
errrr have you got an MX5 biggrin
Nope, just an M135i to sell/swap

Saw this one,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...

Whats going on with that front, it looks an entirely different colour to the rest of the car ?


KPB1973

918 posts

98 months

Monday 19th October 2020
quotequote all
Ive had two. A Boxster (09, 59k miles, £19k nearly 3 years ago) and a Cayman (09, 53k and £17.7k in Jan this year).

Both trade sales, both poverty spec. Both had very heavy clutches through wear, so I would factor that into any viewing of a car in the 60k bracket. You're talking £900+ to change it as it's 11hrs labour. Flywheels are another £500+ on top.

I really didn't like the Cayman. I bought it with one eye on selling it for a profit, but I ended up breaking even 4 months later. It was a bit leaden and straight-laced after the proceeding 986 2.7 I owned.

The Boxster was on 19" carrera wheels and rode better than the Cayman on 18". It had a Carnewal GT exhaust and was a much more exciting drive due to the drop top and the extra noise.

I'd have another 987.2 Boxster in the future, but not a Cayman. The Boxster also tends to be a bit cheaper, which is worth considering.



AndrewGP

1,976 posts

161 months

Monday 19th October 2020
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I recently bought a 987.2 Cayman as my daily driver. Thread in Readers Cars is here if you are interested.

It's a manual 2.9 and is light on factory options (just full leather and rear park sensors) which is fine because it's got a Carnewal Exhaust and upgraded suspension. It's a personal thing but I don't want for much else, although I did upgrade the stereo to a Pioneer double din unit as the old one sounded awful and was useless. I love the car, it has the perfect blend of comfort, performance and excitement for a daily.

kilarney

483 posts

222 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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[quote=Leo31291]Mines on 60k and I think still on original shifter cable. Might get it changed then.

[quote=J4CKO]

If yours is a 6 speed and its not been changed then your into serious extra time, 5 speed doesnt seem to suffer. Once removed if you bend the swaged ends one will snap and you can see the failed strands. If the change starts to feel different (as in springy) your a handful of changes from no selection.
This one had 40k miles and no visible issues. Both cable ends were bent the same amount.