986 vs 987 cabin size & speedo oddity

[Zumbruk]

I'm thinking of buying a Boxster for the occasional sprint, hillclimb, autosolo, track-day and so on (I've been doing all these things for a number of years in various vehicles). I drove a very nice 2002 986 2.7 yesterday (much money spent on all the things that go wrong with them; IMS, RMS, clutch, coil packs, suspension arms and so forth). Before I drove it, I thought "I'm going to buy this car". But ... it simply isn't big enough inside. I'm 6'2" and can't get far enough away from the controls for comfort. The wheel's too close to my knees (even with the seat all the way down and the wheel all the way up) and even with the seat rammed against the bulkhead, it was still too close.

So ... are 987s any bigger inside?

[ETA; Max budget £15K]

(Also, oddly, it had a kph (analogue) speedo, despite being (AFAIK) a UK car. (The digital bit was mph) Is that normal?)

[Twinfan]

I reckon 987s are similar size-wise, so you'd need to go to the 981 generation I think...

[RiccardoG]

987s have significantly more space. The seats are lower and the steering column adjusts on both fore and aft (while 986 only fore).

But don;t discard the 986 just yet! You should consider the "center console delete" as it removes the central cubby and will give you considerably more left leg room. I believe there are also options to modify the steering wheel boss along with fitting a smaller wheel. As a "track car" this shouldn't be an issue for you?

[Hamperman]

I think 987s are bigger inside. I used to have a 987.1 Boxster and also 6’2” and didn’t have the seat all the way back, was close to being all the way but not quite.

[Zumbruk]

Twinfan said:

I reckon 987s are similar size-wise, so you'd need to go to the 981 generation I think...

Sadly well beyond budget.

[Twinfan]

A mate of mine is 6'4" and found a 987 too small. With you being a touch shorter you may be OK based on what the other posters are saying

[Zumbruk]

Twinfan said:

A mate of mine is 6'4" and found a 987 too small. With you being a touch shorter you may be OK based on what the other posters are saying

Cheers. I guess I'll just have to try one.

[esuuv]

I'm 6'6 and used to own a 987 Cayman - I did only just fit, I found the Cayman quite a bit bigger than the Boxster headroom wise (roof up of course!!) - obviously they are the same length.

Guess it depends on where your height is.

[LennyM1984]

I've had both and found the 987 (Cayman but I assume Boxster is the same) to be more spacious. I'm 6'2" and don't have the seat all the way back in a 987 whereas I do need to in a 986. The adjustment on the steering wheel is also better

[DarkMatter]

I notice from your profile that you’ve competed in a TVR Chimaera, at a tad under 6’ I’ve found the cockpit of a 987.2 Cayman (manual and PDK versions) to be as, if not more, comfortable during competition than my previous TVR Griffith 500.

[Kevin-y9fs3]

My last 986 was a 2001 2.7 and I couldn't get comfy (I'm only 5'10"). The steering wheel was really close to my knees and I used to get horrific back and hip problems. But for some reason I have none of the same issues with my new 3.2S.

I can't put my finger on why, maybe there's more adjustability in the steering wheel and the leather seats are a slightly different shape. It perhaps it's because the clutch isn't monumentally heavy on the new one. V odd.

[Seeker UK]

Kevin-y9fs3 said:

My last 986 was a 2001 2.7 and I couldn't get comfy (I'm only 5'10"). The steering wheel was really close to my knees and I used to get horrific back and hip problems. But for some reason I have none of the same issues with my new 3.2S.

I test drove a 986 many moons ago and after 5 minutes had to drive straight back to the dealer's. It gave me terrible back-ache and I could feel it cutting the circulation off in my legs below the knee. Horrible. The 987 and 981s I have test driven do not give me the same problems, nor did the 996 Carrera I drove either. Weird...

[supersport]

I am 6 4 and happily fit our 987.1 Boxster.

I don’t fit in a 986 either as driver or passenger.

[gofervox]

I'm 6ft 1" and 17stone, and I fit into my 2000 986 3.2s. It is not the most confortable but good enough for me to use on high days and hoildays. I Would try a long drive just to see[when we are allowed]. the other post is right mine has no centre console so more space there. As a track car i would'nt dismiss it. I know people on here have faster cars but for me its a missile and unfortunatley I tend to run out of talent/courage before I run out of road.