Considering buying a boggo 981, anything I'd miss?

[AlexNJ89]

martindg123 said:

Not sure if this is allowed but selling my 2017/67 718 base for £35k. Manual, PSE, PASM, Sports Chrono, 20’s etc. Porsche warranty till Nov this year. Drop me a message if interested

Hi Martin, do you have links to the car?

I can't send you a DM on PH it seems

I've opened my DMs

[martindg123]

AlexNJ89 said:

Hi Martin, do you have links to the car?

I can't send you a DM on PH it seems

I've opened my DMs

Email sent

[nickv8]

OP... now you mentioned the SLK55 and like to discover more spanners in the works...

What you need to go for is a Vantage. It’s mechanically very solid and well proven. Unfortunately you’re just skimming under a 2009MY+ 4.7 with it’s increased grunt, but they are simply a joy to own. Shapes like this are timeless.

Great handling, the 4.3 thrives in revs. And the sound... oh the sound! No Porker can approach it for sound, drama and feel-good. Plus you won’t wait as long at a junction!

I’m trying a Boxster 981 now. But every time I start it, my soul drops with the noise. Thankfully it’s beautiful too, drives real nice, has a well-oiled sewing machine quality, etc.

But if both cars are maintained at independents, I’d wager their running cost is scarily close. Plus, which do you think will depreciate more?

Ok - back under the rock for me. Good luck!

[AlexNJ89]

nickv8 said:

OP... now you mentioned the SLK55 and like to discover more spanners in the works...

What you need to go for is a Vantage. It’s mechanically very solid and well proven. Unfortunately you’re just skimming under a 2009MY+ 4.7 with it’s increased grunt, but they are simply a joy to own. Shapes like this are timeless.

Great handling, the 4.3 thrives in revs. And the sound... oh the sound! No Porker can approach it for sound, drama and feel-good. Plus you won’t wait as long at a junction!

I’m trying a Boxster 981 now. But every time I start it, my soul drops with the noise. Thankfully it’s beautiful too, drives real nice, has a well-oiled sewing machine quality, etc.

But if both cars are maintained at independents, I’d wager their running cost is scarily close. Plus, which do you think will depreciate more?

Ok - back under the rock for me. Good luck!

You know what, I actually scanned these on autotrader, I'd go for a manual from around 2010 onwards.

So are the running costs a myth?

I heard they are about £4k for a new clutch?

I'm also considering a Jag F-type

[nickv8]

AlexNJ89 said:

You know what, I actually scanned these on autotrader, I'd go for a manual from around 2010 onwards.

So are the running costs a myth?

I heard they are about £4k for a new clutch?

I'm also considering a Jag F-type

A myth on the internet???

Depends what clutch you want to fit and by who. There’s the V12VS double plate clutch which apparently improves speed. But never bothered me.

I think it’s around £2k at independents. But usual story of some lasting 60k miles and others 20k miles. Something to do with the object between seat and pedals.

Not sure how much a Boxster clutch is? We already see multiples of the Vantage prices if the PDK goes wrong. Apples and pears, but the point is nether can be run on a true shoestring budget unless you’re extremely handy with spanners.

Insurance for the Vantage isn’t bad either.

Just making your decision tougher. No, thank you!

[nick997]

I've been keeping my eye on the market recently with a view to possibly going for a 718 as a daily driver option. They have been selling quite slowly from OPC's over December and January, possibly picked up a little over the past week or two. A few have come on around the £35/36k mark with reasonable low end "essential" spec, i.e. 2017 cars with nice colour, heated seats, nav, leather, upgraded wheels. Often they sit there dropping slowly, one at Bristol went down to £33k and sold and another at Newcastle did the same this week - both went quickly at this price and keep in mind they are sticker prices so probably able to get at least £1k off them in my previous experience. I'd say they are just about in your budget if you play the market.

I've decided not to go for one and just ordered clutch, flywheel, sports exhaust for my 987.1 and will add a car play head unit and some interior updates to keep me interested in it for another year or two. Like you say the next year may see some bumps in the road financially and 718 prices are only going to go one way.

[Holgate86]

AlexNJ89 said:

Holgate86 said:

Interesting that you've come out of an SLK55, from experience I would say a 2.7 981 Cayman probably isn't for you.

I came out of an SLK55 and replaced it with an Elise S3, I then replaced the Elise with a 2016 981 PDK Boxster Black Edition which was a good car and great for 10% of the time when on it, but tbh I never got on particularly well with the whole Porsche thing. The final straw for me was an upcoming £3k+ bill for the 4 year service and warranty renewal....I also lost £13k on the car in just over 2 years.

To cut a long story short, I'm back in an SLK55 and love it, and have a GR Yaris coming for manual and B road thrills.

Hmm, I did think this was a great looking car at the same price as a 981:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101308...

But I've just come out of an r171, just feels like I'd be getting the same car with comfier seats.

I felt the SLK55 was more of a muscle car, I'm looking for a car where I can approach a roundabout and pretend I'm Michael Schumacher, the SLK55 wasn't as agile as it looked and the gearbox was so slow to drop down that the moment had gone by the time it had woken up.

You're certainly right about the nature of the SLK55, I've had two R172 cars and they are more of a muscle car and even the newer car still has a dimwitted gearbox compared to a Cayster PDK..the Boxster was a far more nimble car, but the electric steering on the 981 Cayster isn't the best and you'll certainly miss the brakes from the SLK as the boggo Cayster has puny brakes. The car in the Hofmanns ad is a real top spec car, but I don't think it has the performance pack with the LSD.

It sounds like you're on a journey to find another car like I was after selling my first R172 SLK55 which is currently on sale here......

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003218...

However what I would say is take your time and try and drive all the cars on your list and in budget, just don't get whisked along by all the Porsche hype like I was with the Boxster, they're great cars but despite what the journalists say there are other cars out there that give them a good run for their money in many different ways. For me that was to get back in a R172 SLK55, which is the first time in 45 years I've ever owned the same car.

[AlexNJ89]

nickv8 said:

A myth on the internet???

Depends what clutch you want to fit and by who. There’s the V12VS double plate clutch which apparently improves speed. But never bothered me.

I think it’s around £2k at independents. But usual story of some lasting 60k miles and others 20k miles. Something to do with the object between seat and pedals.

Not sure how much a Boxster clutch is? We already see multiples of the Vantage prices if the PDK goes wrong. Apples and pears, but the point is nether can be run on a true shoestring budget unless you’re extremely handy with spanners.

Insurance for the Vantage isn’t bad either.

Just making your decision tougher. No, thank you!

This Vantage is nice:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101268...

Surely I'm going to end up getting 19mpg and astronomical maintenance costs?

[AlexNJ89]

Couple of nice Cayman S's went up today.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

I would only want a manual if it had auto rev matching.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

I feel £36.5k for a Cayman with 55,000 miles is way too expensive, may as well get a 718

[Lexington59]

AlexNJ89 said:

Couple of nice Cayman S's went up today.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

I would only want a manual if it had auto rev matching.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

I feel £36.5k for a Cayman with 55,000 miles is way too expensive, may as well get a 718

Damn that's overpriced, especially as Porsches can be very mileage sensitive.

No doubt some [deluded] current owners will be along soon to tell you it is good value however...

[AlexNJ89]

Lexington59 said:

Damn that's overpriced, especially as Porsches can be very mileage sensitive.

No doubt some [deluded] current owners will be along soon to tell you it is good value however...

The entire market is starved of supply and it's pushing up the prices I feel.

[nickv8]

AlexNJ89 said:

This Vantage is nice:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101268...

Surely I'm going to end up getting 19mpg and astronomical maintenance costs?

Who's counting MPG? I once saw 50+ mpg in my 4.7. Mind, I was going down a steep hill. (It was about 9mpg going up the other side, but I never let SWMBO know that bit ). Otherwise, 23mpg is realistic on most journeys.

Maintenance costs are reasonable (seriously). They are mechanically simple cars, relatively. As with Porsche, some excellent independents out there. But I also found the Bristol main dealer very good. £600 for a full service. Older 4.3 examples at indies would be a fair bit. Many AM MD's allow users to supply their own engine oil (dry-sumped, and a fair amount needed) which helps costs. I wonder if OPC's would do the same?

What makes me wonder is how the old image of reliability seems to be the opposite with me. Not much hassle with 2 Vantages over 3+ years (broken bonnet latch being the worst). But I've already had to manually spin the cabin air fan in the Boxster twice to get it started. I know, I know... not exactly onerous, but tickles me, somehow

OK. I'll shut up. Wrong forum and I'm not helping myself detox from AM...

[anonymous-user]

Kawasicki said:

It’s a Porsche sports car. Spec? Manual box, controlled suspension, great brakes, great steering, fun engine. Aircon and a radio if you want to use it as on a daily basis.

Don’t worry so much.

Totally agree.

[anonymous-user]

rockin said:

Kawasicki said:

It’s a Porsche sports car. Spec? Manual box, controlled suspension, great brakes, great steering, fun engine. Aircon and a radio if you want to use it as on a daily basis.

Don’t worry so much.

Totally agree.

What? That's crazy talk. Hours of deliberating over red stitching and such other essential options on these forums is all surely a critical part of the overall buying experience...

[AlexNJ89]

nickv8 said:

Who's counting MPG? I once saw 50+ mpg in my 4.7. Mind, I was going down a steep hill. (It was about 9mpg going up the other side, but I never let SWMBO know that bit ). Otherwise, 23mpg is realistic on most journeys.

Maintenance costs are reasonable (seriously). They are mechanically simple cars, relatively. As with Porsche, some excellent independents out there. But I also found the Bristol main dealer very good. £600 for a full service. Older 4.3 examples at indies would be a fair bit. Many AM MD's allow users to supply their own engine oil (dry-sumped, and a fair amount needed) which helps costs. I wonder if OPC's would do the same?

What makes me wonder is how the old image of reliability seems to be the opposite with me. Not much hassle with 2 Vantages over 3+ years (broken bonnet latch being the worst). But I've already had to manually spin the cabin air fan in the Boxster twice to get it started. I know, I know... not exactly onerous, but tickles me, somehow

OK. I'll shut up. Wrong forum and I'm not helping myself detox from AM...

Did some research on the V8V. I noticed a lot of owners saying it's cheaper to run than a 911 etc and it's more reliable than people think.

I wouldn't spend over £28k on one and get the 4.3L. Interior isn't as nice but probably better value for money.

[anonymous-user]

Schmed said:

What? That's crazy talk. Hours of deliberating over red stitching and such other essential options on these forums is all surely a critical part of the overall buying experience...

My most sincere apologies! I clearly made a beginner's mistake and have overlooked the secret art of the options list....

[Royal Jelly]

AlexNJ89 said:

The entire market is starved of supply and it's pushing up the prices I feel.

Without meaning to state the obvious, that is generally how these things work..

I do agree that 36.5 for a PDK 55 thousand-miler is a bit eager, considering the unlisted spec. The RPM car seems fairly priced for a fairly basic spec car. Like you said, however, sport chrono (which includes rev-matching) is essential. Not only for the matching, but for the throttle response, the dynamic transmission mounts, and the exhaust crackles. It’s a far more visceral experience in sport+ mode.

As for numbers, I began looking for 981 S caymans on autotrader last spring, and generally there’s been high-teens to early twenties on the go. Of which a couple would be manual. The prices have been robust since then, and generally firmed a bit for good spec cars.

In the world of 981S cars, mid 30s ought to get you a well-specced manual with sensible miles privately. Add 5-6k for an OPC price, and meet in the middle for an independent. As you go lower, then mileage or spec will be less desirable. Despite what Lexington (who you will be able to see, has an almost concerning obsession with talking down 981s) says, 981S prices are far more spec sensitive than they are price sensitive. They aren’t GT3s or GT4s.

What you will find, is that the ones that sell for higher money have SC, PASM, PSE, which suggests they provide better residuals and desirability. The rest is all bonus spec.

As for getting a 718 - it’d be a splendid daily with the engine being the only drawback that everyone goes on about. It’s been the general consensus, though, that 981s will have better residuals than 718s in the base and S model world. That’s been slowly manifesting for a while, and more obvious now than ever. If that isn’t unduly concerning, then I’d say a base 718 would make a great choice.

[anonymous-user]

Usual forum myths.

718 residuals have always been talked down along with the engine, and according to PH any of these unloved four pots would soon be worthless, which just hasn’t happened. Where you can lose money is on options from new, since you rarely see many of these reflected the trade prices.

The engine too is actually pretty good. I came from a 981 and prefer it, it feels much quicker due to the extra torque.

Ultimately they are all low volume cars and will retain value well (as they have Porsche badges on the front...)

[Royal Jelly]

Schmed said:

Usual forum myths.

718 residuals have always been talked down along with the engine, and according to PH any of these unloved four pots would soon be worthless, which just hasn’t happened. Where you can lose money is on options from new, since you rarely see many of these reflected the trade prices.

The engine too is actually pretty good. I came from a 981 and prefer it, it feels much quicker due to the extra torque.

Ultimately they are all low volume cars and will retain value well (as they have Porsche badges on the front...)

There’s nothing mythical about the fact that there is now pricing crossover between the 981S and 718S. This has been a gradual convergence, but is happening.

I agree that they make excellent cars, and will depreciate more kindly than most other marques. I’d love one as a daily (but not as a weekender). The fact remains that 981s have held their value and well specced ones have appreciated and 718s 2.0/2.5s have universally depreciated over the last 12 months.

[jimbo761]

Royal Jelly said:

I agree that they make excellent cars, and will depreciate more kindly than most other marques. I’d love one as a daily (but not as a weekender). The fact remains that 981s have held their value and well specced ones have appreciated and 718s 2.0/2.5s have universally depreciated over the last 12 months.

I imagine that would be more to do with age, newer cars seem to depreciate faster. Oddly enough I own a 2016 718 and have found the valuations actually increased over the last twelve months. Never had this with any other car I've owned and I suspect is more to do with limited supply to the market during a very unusual 2020 than anything else.