550 Anniversary vs 987.1 3.2 2005MY
Discussion
Gents,
Hoping for some advice here, please.
A few years ago I fell in love with the RS60. After umming and ahhing over it for AGES, we ended up buying a very practical D3 instead (baby on the way at the time, what can I say...).
Happily, circumstances now permit the purchase of a “selfish” 2 seater as a third car, so I have been looking at cheaper options.
The RS60 is not currently available in the area (Asia, hard to come by), but there are two options currently on the table:
1. An excellently maintained and well loved 550 Anniversary, which has about 60+k on the clock. IMS not yet changed, but I’ll factor that in...
2. A 2005MY 987.1 3.2, which has full Porsche service history, also about 60+k on the clock.
Price difference is negligible. Service histories are comparable.
What to do? What would be your choice and why?
Much appreciated in advance.
Cheers!
Hoping for some advice here, please.
A few years ago I fell in love with the RS60. After umming and ahhing over it for AGES, we ended up buying a very practical D3 instead (baby on the way at the time, what can I say...).
Happily, circumstances now permit the purchase of a “selfish” 2 seater as a third car, so I have been looking at cheaper options.
The RS60 is not currently available in the area (Asia, hard to come by), but there are two options currently on the table:
1. An excellently maintained and well loved 550 Anniversary, which has about 60+k on the clock. IMS not yet changed, but I’ll factor that in...
2. A 2005MY 987.1 3.2, which has full Porsche service history, also about 60+k on the clock.
Price difference is negligible. Service histories are comparable.
What to do? What would be your choice and why?
Much appreciated in advance.
Cheers!
I think the 550 is the more interesting purchase. Driven both and thought 550 was brilliant particularly on track where its flat everywhere and never really feels underpowered for a car with "only" 266bhp .
The 987 chassis IMO a bit too inert with wider 19 inch wheels and wider track and also steering is less direct / less precise too - 300hp not really enough for it but both very under rated cars. To be fair to the 987 not had one on track so maybe it comes alive at higher speeds.
Personally I think you should try and find an early Boxster S from 1999 - prefer the older Boxsters with amber headlights.
The 987 chassis IMO a bit too inert with wider 19 inch wheels and wider track and also steering is less direct / less precise too - 300hp not really enough for it but both very under rated cars. To be fair to the 987 not had one on track so maybe it comes alive at higher speeds.
Personally I think you should try and find an early Boxster S from 1999 - prefer the older Boxsters with amber headlights.
OP
I had the 550 Spyder ..this is the one I would go for as it a bit exclusive (1960) made RH and may well hold its value better. All are GTSilver with Seal Grey wheels some where Man and some TIP and had different coloured interior Co- Co or Dark Grey would be my choice .
Also had a 2.7 987 Tip Speed Yellow nice car and went well no issues all standard cars will depreciate .
I had the 550 Spyder ..this is the one I would go for as it a bit exclusive (1960) made RH and may well hold its value better. All are GTSilver with Seal Grey wheels some where Man and some TIP and had different coloured interior Co- Co or Dark Grey would be my choice .
Also had a 2.7 987 Tip Speed Yellow nice car and went well no issues all standard cars will depreciate .
This is a dilemma I had recently
I am in the process of selling my Smart Brabus Roadster & have about £11k to spend on a Boxster
the 550 is really nice and will probably hold value better if that bothers you, however, the 986 dash is just so plasticky and dated looking I am not sure I could get past it, when a 987S is the same money and looks way more modern inside & out
To drive the 550 is most likely a more raw experience but I need a motorway car really so again the 987S wins
I am in the process of selling my Smart Brabus Roadster & have about £11k to spend on a Boxster
the 550 is really nice and will probably hold value better if that bothers you, however, the 986 dash is just so plasticky and dated looking I am not sure I could get past it, when a 987S is the same money and looks way more modern inside & out
To drive the 550 is most likely a more raw experience but I need a motorway car really so again the 987S wins
550 for me. I've got one now and had it over 4 years and had an early S before that. I don't need the extra cabin space or daily ability of a 987. I could do all the same mods to my 550 as my previous S. Some nice touches with the 550 like the M030, unique leather, steering wheel pinched from Carrera GT.
LittleSheep said:
Thanks all. Pulled the trigger on the 550.
May I congratulate you on the right choice. A lovely analogue car that will be the better investment too. A great feeling owning a limited edition version (only 1953 worldwide) such as this. Did you go for Cocoa or Charcoal? Edited by billzeebub on Saturday 6th January 17:56
I wouldn’t bother. By all means it’s a hassle to install the fittings, you have to store the roof when it’s off, they can rattle, it looks odd, it hides the best feature of the 550, It will cause the car’s roof to crease, it’s a performance taking it off / putting it on with a risk of scratching the paint, and you lose the ability to open the roof on a cold sunny winters day. Boxsters to me are all about the ability to have a more intimate driving experience due to the fantastic feel of the car and opening the roof is part of that
jakesmith said:
I wouldn’t bother. By all means it’s a hassle to install the fittings, you have to store the roof when it’s off, they can rattle, it looks odd, it hides the best feature of the 550, It will cause the car’s roof to crease, it’s a performance taking it off / putting it on with a risk of scratching the paint, and you lose the ability to open the roof on a cold sunny winters day. Boxsters to me are all about the ability to have a more intimate driving experience due to the fantastic feel of the car and opening the roof is part of that
Completely agree! I had 3 986 Boxsters and the hoods are fine for year round use. And as stated, the hard top prevents you taking advantage of a bit of sunshine. Here's my old 550 Anniversary top down at -3 degrees on Christmas Day a few years ago!
Another "don't bother with the hardtop" vote.
Mine (also a 550) lives outside and is in its 3rd winter under my ownership now. Completely watertight. (gets a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold/year).
Makes for some lovely frosty top down night drives across the moors to go stargazing.
What number is yours?
Mine (also a 550) lives outside and is in its 3rd winter under my ownership now. Completely watertight. (gets a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold/year).
Makes for some lovely frosty top down night drives across the moors to go stargazing.
What number is yours?
ianwayne said:
There's a lot of Boxsters listed for sale as anniversary models that just aren't. Well done if it is a real one.
They are the wrong colour with the wrong leather most of them!
It’s mad isn’t it, it is so easy to tell. They are the wrong colour with the wrong leather most of them!
Saw a 987s for sale on here advertised with Bose. Car has rear storage box and no Bose logos on speakers. I emailed seller and asked about it and the response was ‘it says Bose on the sales invoice so it’s got Bose’.
Advert still states Bose.
BikingLampy said:
Another "don't bother with the hardtop" vote.
Mine (also a 550) lives outside and is in its 3rd winter under my ownership now. Completely watertight. (gets a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold/year).
Makes for some lovely frosty top down night drives across the moors to go stargazing.
What number is yours?
1007/1963 ... Mine (also a 550) lives outside and is in its 3rd winter under my ownership now. Completely watertight. (gets a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold/year).
Makes for some lovely frosty top down night drives across the moors to go stargazing.
What number is yours?
Thanks everyone for the firm “no” on the hard top!
LittleSheep said:
BikingLampy said:
Another "don't bother with the hardtop" vote.
Mine (also a 550) lives outside and is in its 3rd winter under my ownership now. Completely watertight. (gets a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold/year).
Makes for some lovely frosty top down night drives across the moors to go stargazing.
What number is yours?
1007/1963 ... Mine (also a 550) lives outside and is in its 3rd winter under my ownership now. Completely watertight. (gets a couple of coats of Fabsil Gold/year).
Makes for some lovely frosty top down night drives across the moors to go stargazing.
What number is yours?
Thanks everyone for the firm “no” on the hard top!
Noticed nobody has mentioned anything about your IMS comment.
I’m in the camp of ‘leave it alone, don’t bother upgrading’. If for instance the clutch requires changing then have the IMS inspected / remove seal etc, but don’t bother about ceramic bearing etc. Plenty of threads here about this.
Congratulations on the car.
I’m in the camp of ‘leave it alone, don’t bother upgrading’. If for instance the clutch requires changing then have the IMS inspected / remove seal etc, but don’t bother about ceramic bearing etc. Plenty of threads here about this.
Congratulations on the car.
BrotherMouzone said:
Noticed nobody has mentioned anything about your IMS comment.
I’m in the camp of ‘leave it alone, don’t bother upgrading’. If for instance the clutch requires changing then have the IMS inspected / remove seal etc, but don’t bother about ceramic bearing etc. Plenty of threads here about this.
Congratulations on the car.
Thanks yes. After some copious googling and forum searching, I decided to let sleeping IMS dogs lie and pray that it doesn’t blow. Maybe I’ll have it looked at during next major maintenance.....I’m in the camp of ‘leave it alone, don’t bother upgrading’. If for instance the clutch requires changing then have the IMS inspected / remove seal etc, but don’t bother about ceramic bearing etc. Plenty of threads here about this.
Congratulations on the car.
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