best porsche for 15k
Discussion
Andyoz said:
F6C said:
A well specced MY2006 987.1 3.2 Boxster S is probably the best option at this price all things factored in. Performance only a little off the 3.4, but far less worry re bore scoring, which is a very real problem on the M97 3.4. Stellar value right now.
Exception would be a 987.1 3.4 Cayman S (or Boxster S) if you can find one that's already had a quality rebuild. Untouched M97 3.4 is just too prone to scoring for my money.
I'd agree with this.Exception would be a 987.1 3.4 Cayman S (or Boxster S) if you can find one that's already had a quality rebuild. Untouched M97 3.4 is just too prone to scoring for my money.
I do often wonder how cool it would have been if the product timings had meant the first say 6 months of Cayman S's had shipped with that 3.2 engine.
Mirinjawbro said:
almost every porsche in my budget is silver !!!
Fantastic, one of the best colours IMO. There’s a reason why designers always showcase newly designed cars in silver to the board / leadership teams. Really allows you to see the curves and undulations on the car instead of being hidden with the horrid blacks Just my 2 pence
SarlechS said:
Mirinjawbro said:
almost every porsche in my budget is silver !!!
Fantastic, one of the best colours IMO. There’s a reason why designers always showcase newly designed cars in silver to the board / leadership teams. Really allows you to see the curves and undulations on the car instead of being hidden with the horrid blacks Just my 2 pence
Up until this morning I would have said our 2008 987.1 3.4 Sport Edition 3.4 Boxster.
So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
supersport said:
Up until this morning I would have said our 2008 987.1 3.4 Sport Edition 3.4 Boxster.
So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
Very rare and sought after colour. Think there is about half a dozen in existence in the Uk in that colour. There is only one 997 Targa in that colour too. Colour alone puts that at £20k. Hate to say it, that is a terrible deal you got, but good luck to you So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
F6C said:
Personally think the 986 550 is ultimately over priced bling. Opinions will rightly vary re the aesthetic, details of which I think look gaudy and cheap (the badge on the centre console looks like it came out of a cereal packet / cheap Christmas cracker). But in objective terms, it has pretty much nothing of consequence from a driving perspective to set it apart from a regular 3.2. Bit of a wannabe collector trinket.
Ha agree at the cheap build quality and plastics on all 996/997/986/987 but the 550 is a far better drive than an ordinary Boxster S. You'd only notice on track though to be fair where the 550 is flat in corners compared to say a 2001 Boxster S. Also my first 986 S Boxster S felt underpowered to me on track. 550 never did which is amazing for only 6bhp extra. Pretty sure they gave it the full 280bhp in the 987 s IMOIMI A said:
Ha agree at the cheap build quality and plastics on all 996/997/986/987 but the 550 is a far better drive than an ordinary Boxster S. You'd only notice on track though to be fair where the 550 is flat in corners compared to say a 2001 Boxster S. Also my first 986 S Boxster S felt underpowered to me on track. 550 never did which is amazing for only 6bhp extra. Pretty sure they gave it the full 280bhp in the 987 s IMO
Can't agree and the facts aren't really with you, either. 550 has exactly the same chassis and suspension as a standard 986 S with the option M030 Sport springs and dampers. No bespoke chassis bits bar some wheel spacers. Either you've only driven 986s on the standard chassis or really the only other option is imagining things.Driven a few 550s and in performance terms they felt like the on paper claims to me - ie no faster than a 986.2 S and definitely not as quick as a 280PS 987.1 3.2.
It's a cosmetic exercise, the 550. Which is fine if you like the cosmetics. But any claims that it drives far better than an ordinary 986S aren't ultimately credible. Afraid it has virtually no driving-relevant spec differences from a a regular M030 chassis S. That's the reality.
julian987R said:
supersport said:
Up until this morning I would have said our 2008 987.1 3.4 Sport Edition 3.4 Boxster.
So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
Very rare and sought after colour. Think there is about half a dozen in existence in the Uk in that colour. There is only one 997 Targa in that colour too. Colour alone puts that at £20k. Hate to say it, that is a terrible deal you got, but good luck to you So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
It wasn’t worth that when we bought it 3 years ago and it’s not now.
But whatever I am very happy, lost £800 a year whilst we owned it which I consider a win.
Luck doesn’t come into it, it’s gone.
supersport said:
julian987R said:
supersport said:
Up until this morning I would have said our 2008 987.1 3.4 Sport Edition 3.4 Boxster.
So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
Very rare and sought after colour. Think there is about half a dozen in existence in the Uk in that colour. There is only one 997 Targa in that colour too. Colour alone puts that at £20k. Hate to say it, that is a terrible deal you got, but good luck to you So much car for £15k and in Macadamia it looked stunning. 57k miles and well looked after. It was a tip but it is a lot better than many give it credit for, and certainly fast enough for our roads.
Then we sold it to WBAC for £16k. Who would have thought.
These do seem to be going up so £15k will probably get you an earlier car.
It wasn’t worth that when we bought it 3 years ago and it’s not now.
But whatever I am very happy, lost £800 a year whilst we owned it which I consider a win.
Luck doesn’t come into it, it’s gone.
F6C said:
IMI A said:
Ha agree at the cheap build quality and plastics on all 996/997/986/987 but the 550 is a far better drive than an ordinary Boxster S. You'd only notice on track though to be fair where the 550 is flat in corners compared to say a 2001 Boxster S. Also my first 986 S Boxster S felt underpowered to me on track. 550 never did which is amazing for only 6bhp extra. Pretty sure they gave it the full 280bhp in the 987 s IMO
Can't agree and the facts aren't really with you, either. 550 has exactly the same chassis and suspension as a standard 986 S with the option M030 Sport springs and dampers. No bespoke chassis bits bar some wheel spacers. Either you've only driven 986s on the standard chassis or really the only other option is imagining things.Driven a few 550s and in performance terms they felt like the on paper claims to me - ie no faster than a 986.2 S and definitely not as quick as a 280PS 987.1 3.2.
It's a cosmetic exercise, the 550. Which is fine if you like the cosmetics. But any claims that it drives far better than an ordinary 986S aren't ultimately credible. Afraid it has virtually no driving-relevant spec differences from a a regular M030 chassis S. That's the reality.
For balance differences minuscule at £15k price bracket I'd take the very best example of any of these models. I've not looked at the other models but the 550 I have seen at this particular price bracket seem really well cared for.
Cheating money no object from this era my advice would be save £5k more and buy the very best plain vanilla 996 C2 coupe you can find. Its a lovely 911 very under rated maybe the sports car ever for UK roads.
Cheating money no object from this era my advice would be save £5k more and buy the very best plain vanilla 996 C2 coupe you can find. Its a lovely 911 very under rated maybe the sports car ever for UK roads.
IMI A said:
For balance differences minuscule at £15k price bracket I'd take the very best example of any of these models. I've not looked at the other models but the 550 I have seen at this particular price bracket seem really well cared for.
Cheating money no object from this era my advice would be save £5k more and buy the very best plain vanilla 996 C2 coupe you can find. Its a lovely 911 very under rated maybe the sports car ever for UK roads.
At that price, you should also be able to find one that has had the IMS upgrade if you get a 3.4 C2.Cheating money no object from this era my advice would be save £5k more and buy the very best plain vanilla 996 C2 coupe you can find. Its a lovely 911 very under rated maybe the sports car ever for UK roads.
I see some ads state they've had the IMS check. What would this involve?
I would say you would struggle to get a sorted 996 for £15K, you will be able to get one but the thinking has always been buy at £15 & invest £5K on it or buy sorted for £20K & that was 2019 thinking.
Luckily Friends green Porsche have kept their old stock on their website with the YouTube videos and if you look at the dates cars he was selling for £15K 14 months ago are now selling for £22K
Luckily Friends green Porsche have kept their old stock on their website with the YouTube videos and if you look at the dates cars he was selling for £15K 14 months ago are now selling for £22K
Good to hear re 996 C2. Such an amazing drive. I got to drive these when new and they feel so much more engaging than the mid engined range. I’d have one. Personally I’d have a 986 S too. I’d go for early no traction control versions of both with ambers which I love. Pretty sure PSM was an option in those days! Porsche knows how to charge.
IMI A said:
I owned one and did 80k miles in it. 550 was faster more lively than 987 s 3.2 and Cayman 3.4 in my hands seat of the pants anyway. the 987s completely inert by comparison to me IMO
Just goes to show how much of an impact perception can have, I guess. Mine has been that the 550 barely feels any faster than a regular 986.2S and feels tangibly if not exactly dramatically slower than a 987.1S 3.2. I grant the gap isn't huge.As for the 550 feeling faster than a 987 3.4, we'll have to file that corker in the same category as the 'flat cornering' thing! Think you're trying a bit too hard to make a point, it's really not an awfully credible claim even allowing a little leeway for subjectivity regarding what 'feels' fast. The 987.1 3.4 is really quite substantially faster. And feels it.
Porsche made very few changes to the 550 engine - well, none to the physical engine itself, it's just a map and the intake box, that's it - and none to the chassis. Which isn't to say it's a bad car. But doesn't really help its case to pretend it handles better when it doesn't have any chassis changes or imply it has some secretly higher output than claimed which is a bit silly.
There are plenty of reasons to like the 550. Imagined flat cornering and blowing the doors off cars that are substantially faster aren't among them, though! The 986 definitely has more feel than any 987, it's more natural and transparent. Totally agree the 987 cars are more remote and synthetic feeling to drive. But that stuff applies to any 986. The 550 drive is no different in that regard.
F6C said:
Just goes to show how much of an impact perception can have, I guess. Mine has been that the 550 barely feels any faster than a regular 986.2S and feels tangibly if not exactly dramatically slower than a 987.1S 3.2. I grant the gap isn't huge.
As for the 550 feeling faster than a 987 3.4, we'll have to file that corker in the same category as the 'flat cornering' thing! Think you're trying a bit too hard to make a point, it's really not an awfully credible claim even allowing a little leeway for subjectivity regarding what 'feels' fast. The 987.1 3.4 is really quite substantially faster. And feels it.
Porsche made very few changes to the 550 engine - well, none to the physical engine itself, it's just a map and the intake box, that's it - and none to the chassis. Which isn't to say it's a bad car. But doesn't really help its case to pretend it handles better when it doesn't have any chassis changes or imply it has some secretly higher output than claimed which is a bit silly.
There are plenty of reasons to like the 550. Imagined flat cornering and blowing the doors off cars that are substantially faster aren't among them, though! The 986 definitely has more feel than any 987, it's more natural and transparent. Totally agree the 987 cars are more remote and synthetic feeling to drive. But that stuff applies to any 986. The 550 drive is no different in that regard.
Having driven both cars I completely agree with youAs for the 550 feeling faster than a 987 3.4, we'll have to file that corker in the same category as the 'flat cornering' thing! Think you're trying a bit too hard to make a point, it's really not an awfully credible claim even allowing a little leeway for subjectivity regarding what 'feels' fast. The 987.1 3.4 is really quite substantially faster. And feels it.
Porsche made very few changes to the 550 engine - well, none to the physical engine itself, it's just a map and the intake box, that's it - and none to the chassis. Which isn't to say it's a bad car. But doesn't really help its case to pretend it handles better when it doesn't have any chassis changes or imply it has some secretly higher output than claimed which is a bit silly.
There are plenty of reasons to like the 550. Imagined flat cornering and blowing the doors off cars that are substantially faster aren't among them, though! The 986 definitely has more feel than any 987, it's more natural and transparent. Totally agree the 987 cars are more remote and synthetic feeling to drive. But that stuff applies to any 986. The 550 drive is no different in that regard.
I can’t see how someone could drive a 986S / 550 and think it’s faster than a 987.1 3.4S
There’s 2 seconds difference between them on a 1/4 stretch. That’s like comparing ep3 civic type r vs a Cayman S or an E46 M3 vs a 997 turbo S
Edited by SarlechS on Monday 31st May 17:42
I've driven them all on track. Admittedly when in 987 and Cayman I was in a 997 turbo as dd (still am) so maybe they felt slower to me. 550 never felt underpowered in the same way on track but I'd not had anything as quick as turbo before. No point to make just a very sweet car to drive that I personally found more engaging and faster than the 987 s after it.
Maybe mine just felt faster who knows. Or I drove like I stole it
Maybe mine just felt faster who knows. Or I drove like I stole it
I am currently trying to sell what I believe is a sorted 2004 plate 996.2 3.6 C4 Tiptronic, Lapis Blue with 81000 miles on the clock, grey leather interior, Bose sound, PCM2. Advertised at £18995. I have spent approx £6k in two years fixing all the issues I can, in the hope that it would hold its price well and be a good car for me and the next owner. I never expected to get much if any of that money back and have treated the spend as running costs, but it would be good to get back what the car cost me to buy in 2019.
Good cars do exist for less than £20k, but there do not appear to be any buyers out there.
I purchased the car with a full dealer service history up to the previous service which was a full service at a specialist. Thinking I had got a good one I took it to my local specialist (Portech) for a quick once over and for them to quote on repairing the exhaust. This ended up with a bill for over £4k to replace the oil coolers which were leaking, air con pipes and steering pipes, brake pipes and a few cosmetic jobs as well as repairing the exhaust, and for peace of mind I also had the IMS bearing replaced and RMS replaced, and while the engine was out they also replaced the AOS and thermostat.
I have also replaced the discs and pads, and the rear lower arms have been replaced with a 4 wheel alignment, Wheels refurbished and N3 tyres fitted. Last service completed in May 2021 with a brake fluid change and AUX belt ready for the new owner for some trouble-free motoring.
I have had it serviced annually even though the mileage was low.
It is advertised on here, AutoTrader and Car and Classic. I do not think the forum rules allow me to link it, but it should not be hard to find.
Good cars do exist for less than £20k, but there do not appear to be any buyers out there.
I purchased the car with a full dealer service history up to the previous service which was a full service at a specialist. Thinking I had got a good one I took it to my local specialist (Portech) for a quick once over and for them to quote on repairing the exhaust. This ended up with a bill for over £4k to replace the oil coolers which were leaking, air con pipes and steering pipes, brake pipes and a few cosmetic jobs as well as repairing the exhaust, and for peace of mind I also had the IMS bearing replaced and RMS replaced, and while the engine was out they also replaced the AOS and thermostat.
I have also replaced the discs and pads, and the rear lower arms have been replaced with a 4 wheel alignment, Wheels refurbished and N3 tyres fitted. Last service completed in May 2021 with a brake fluid change and AUX belt ready for the new owner for some trouble-free motoring.
I have had it serviced annually even though the mileage was low.
It is advertised on here, AutoTrader and Car and Classic. I do not think the forum rules allow me to link it, but it should not be hard to find.
Edited by Smokey Boyer on Thursday 3rd June 23:53
Wow! Seems a shame to have to sell it after doing all that work.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...
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