987.1 S to GT86: sensible change?
Discussion
Would going from an 05 987.1S to a newer gt86 be a good choice?
The Porker is at an OPC having its major service done along with fuel pump replacement, and I just received a quotation of nearly two grand - this makes me contemplate switching to an almost equally enjoyable car without the hefty running costs.
If the IMS is not an issue, I would probably have not hesitated keeping the Porker in the long run.
What are your thoughts?
The Porker is at an OPC having its major service done along with fuel pump replacement, and I just received a quotation of nearly two grand - this makes me contemplate switching to an almost equally enjoyable car without the hefty running costs.
If the IMS is not an issue, I would probably have not hesitated keeping the Porker in the long run.
What are your thoughts?
The question is how often do you drive the Boxster as intended, its a great bit of kit and I loved my 986 but an o5 is getting to that 12 year stage in life when it all needs a look at, they aren't bad cars but they do need looking after so I'd get used to 2k bills as I suspect that won't be the last one you see in the next few years, suspension components, condensers, rads etc, all known and will likely need doing soon if not already...
Now is the GT86 the right next car, I suspect you'll fall into the 'its not got enough power' camp, I have driven a couple and they are fun and carry great speed but do need winding up a bit, reminded me of a RWD version of my old Gen 7 Celica, handled really well, but ran out of a bit of puff.
I took a bit of time out from a 2 seater and smoked about in a Lexus RX300 and then went looking for something to replace the Boxster, it was actually really difficult, in the ned I looked at the driving I was doing and ended buying an E89 BMW Z4 with the lovely 3.0l engine in, its no boxster, but its more modern, less likely to throw a big bill and is about 8/10ths of the car that the Boxster was from a dynamics perspective, but that suits me and my use.
The car that came closest to provide smiles, giggles, silly noises and real B road fun was an Abarth 500 that I considered but ultimately it was a tad small in the cabin but it was proper fun ....
Youmay need to look beyond the obvious to find what you want, I never imagined for a minute I'd end up in a Z4 ....
Now is the GT86 the right next car, I suspect you'll fall into the 'its not got enough power' camp, I have driven a couple and they are fun and carry great speed but do need winding up a bit, reminded me of a RWD version of my old Gen 7 Celica, handled really well, but ran out of a bit of puff.
I took a bit of time out from a 2 seater and smoked about in a Lexus RX300 and then went looking for something to replace the Boxster, it was actually really difficult, in the ned I looked at the driving I was doing and ended buying an E89 BMW Z4 with the lovely 3.0l engine in, its no boxster, but its more modern, less likely to throw a big bill and is about 8/10ths of the car that the Boxster was from a dynamics perspective, but that suits me and my use.
The car that came closest to provide smiles, giggles, silly noises and real B road fun was an Abarth 500 that I considered but ultimately it was a tad small in the cabin but it was proper fun ....
Youmay need to look beyond the obvious to find what you want, I never imagined for a minute I'd end up in a Z4 ....
I guess this depends how much a full OPC history is worth. Instinct tells me that for a 12 year old Boxster worth what it's worth, an independent would be a better place to go. I've had almost universal bad experiences with the sales side of independent dealers, but I'm not sure what the servicing is like - cheaper though, I'm sure! If you're paying the £2k anyway, then I'd resolve to make it your last OPC service and continue enjoying the car - it'll probably be a while before the next biggie.
I'm in the process of looking for a 987.1 Boxster S so have been doing a huge amount of research. My local independent, Revolution Porsche, do the major service for £350 and water pump replacement for £350.
I know it doesn't answer your question, but £700 sounds reasonable, £2000 sounds obscene.
I know it doesn't answer your question, but £700 sounds reasonable, £2000 sounds obscene.
Thanks, chaps.
The Porker has 50k on the clock, so quite a low mileage car. I have owned it for the past eight years.
If there is no impending doom of the ims, I definitely would keep the car for many more years.
Was thinking about upgrading the ims, but as it is an 05 car, the transmission would need to be removed in order to check whether the bearings can be upgraded. As the clutch does not need doing any time soon, I am really torn whether to keep or let it go.
The water pump has been suggested to be replaced also.
The Porker has 50k on the clock, so quite a low mileage car. I have owned it for the past eight years.
If there is no impending doom of the ims, I definitely would keep the car for many more years.
Was thinking about upgrading the ims, but as it is an 05 car, the transmission would need to be removed in order to check whether the bearings can be upgraded. As the clutch does not need doing any time soon, I am really torn whether to keep or let it go.
The water pump has been suggested to be replaced also.
V987S said:
Thanks, chaps.
The Porker has 50k on the clock, so quite a low mileage car. I have owned it for the past eight years.
If there is no impending doom of the ims, I definitely would keep the car for many more years.
Was thinking about upgrading the ims, but as it is an 05 car, the transmission would need to be removed in order to check whether the bearings can be upgraded. As the clutch does not need doing any time soon, I am really torn whether to keep or let it go.
The water pump has been suggested to be replaced also.
No matter what year of car you have to remove the gearbox to check or replace the IMS seal or bearing anyway. If you're not sure of what parts tend to fail with age then look on boxa.net The Porker has 50k on the clock, so quite a low mileage car. I have owned it for the past eight years.
If there is no impending doom of the ims, I definitely would keep the car for many more years.
Was thinking about upgrading the ims, but as it is an 05 car, the transmission would need to be removed in order to check whether the bearings can be upgraded. As the clutch does not need doing any time soon, I am really torn whether to keep or let it go.
The water pump has been suggested to be replaced also.
V987S said:
Thanks, chaps.
The Porker has 50k on the clock, so quite a low mileage car. I have owned it for the past eight years.
If there is no impending doom of the ims, I definitely would keep the car for many more years.
Was thinking about upgrading the ims, but as it is an 05 car, the transmission would need to be removed in order to check whether the bearings can be upgraded. As the clutch does not need doing any time soon, I am really torn whether to keep or let it go.
The water pump has been suggested to be replaced also.
You're certainly at a good point to sell in terms of value (50k miles & full OPC service history is superb), but I guess you need to work out if you want to sell it or keep it. Take it along to a GT86 test drive I guess!The Porker has 50k on the clock, so quite a low mileage car. I have owned it for the past eight years.
If there is no impending doom of the ims, I definitely would keep the car for many more years.
Was thinking about upgrading the ims, but as it is an 05 car, the transmission would need to be removed in order to check whether the bearings can be upgraded. As the clutch does not need doing any time soon, I am really torn whether to keep or let it go.
The water pump has been suggested to be replaced also.
I've only had a brief drive in a GT86 (loved it), but own a 986 S.
Is it the sensible change? Yes! Is it what you want? Only you can decide...
In terms of fun and agility they are pretty evenly matched IMO, so for a hoon or track day I couldn't decide. But the Boxster wins on engine note and performance.
Either way you win I think!
Is it the sensible change? Yes! Is it what you want? Only you can decide...
In terms of fun and agility they are pretty evenly matched IMO, so for a hoon or track day I couldn't decide. But the Boxster wins on engine note and performance.
Either way you win I think!
V987S said:
I did test drive an Exige S V6 last week. Absolute animal when accelerating, but the gear shift was surprisingly inferior to the Porker, and really too raw for short daily commute, and ultimately too much of a stretch in terms of budget.
As above, I'd highly recommend the Evora S. I've driven both Evora S and Exige S V6 and they trade performance for comfort perfectly. Both are typical Lotuses, with lots of steering feel, well judged linear controls and a great connected feel to the chassis underneath you. I much prefer the Evora to the Boxster and Cayman in terms of how they drive. I was disappointed with the DBW throttle lag in the Evora S, but the Boxster has that too, so you should be fine.Cheers for that.
I just finished test driving manual r53 Cooper s. Fun little car and will not break the bank, unfortunately (or fortunately) red oil light came on before I could strike a deal with seller.
Buying either an Evora or Exige would be a big stretch for me financially, maybe for peace of mind a slightly used gt86 would fit the bill nicely.
I throughly enjoyed test driving the gt86. drove both manual and automatic variants; surprisingly prefer the automatic as gear change felt impressive from the paddles.
Water pump quotation for the porker came today, I think I will definitely replace it with something more robust yet still fun.
Any more ideas, lads?
I just finished test driving manual r53 Cooper s. Fun little car and will not break the bank, unfortunately (or fortunately) red oil light came on before I could strike a deal with seller.
Buying either an Evora or Exige would be a big stretch for me financially, maybe for peace of mind a slightly used gt86 would fit the bill nicely.
I throughly enjoyed test driving the gt86. drove both manual and automatic variants; surprisingly prefer the automatic as gear change felt impressive from the paddles.
Water pump quotation for the porker came today, I think I will definitely replace it with something more robust yet still fun.
Any more ideas, lads?
Are you factoring depreciation into your cost estimate? Your current car must be at the bottom of the curve, but a new-ish GT86 will surely still have some way to go?
I've been toying with changing my cars this year and quite fancied being "sensible" and looking at the new MX5s. But depreciation on that means that it's actual running cost would be more than running my "expensive" car - simply because that won't depreciate.
I've been toying with changing my cars this year and quite fancied being "sensible" and looking at the new MX5s. But depreciation on that means that it's actual running cost would be more than running my "expensive" car - simply because that won't depreciate.
I chopped my 987.1S (06 plate Boxster) in for a Scirocco 2 litre TFSI.
I bitterly regretted it - a different car to the GT86 I grant you, but just nothing like the event to drive, and felt rather soulless after the Porsche. Later in life I chopped a 987.1 Cayman S for a Mk. VII Golf R and it was a similar feeling.
The Porker might get expensive, but in my view it'd be worth it.
I bitterly regretted it - a different car to the GT86 I grant you, but just nothing like the event to drive, and felt rather soulless after the Porsche. Later in life I chopped a 987.1 Cayman S for a Mk. VII Golf R and it was a similar feeling.
The Porker might get expensive, but in my view it'd be worth it.
I was in a very similar position. In 2016 I had an 08 Cayman 2.7, so 8 years old at the time. Thinking it would soon start to cost me a bit of money as it got older and had my eye on a GT86 - for much the same reasons. My assumption was a modern Toyota still under factory warranty it'd be stress free.
I tend towards simple/light cars - cars I've enjoyed the most have been my mk2 mx5 and the 'base model' cayman. The GT86 seemed like my perfect car.
I sold the Cayman and bought a 2012 GT86 - still under factory warranty. Hated it.
- As everyone will tell you, it really does feel under powered. Really disappointing after the cayman. (by comparison, I've loved driving low powered stuff like suzuki swift sport or whatever). GT86 just seems to not hit the mark.
- it would constantly drain it's battery. I only drive once a fortnight or so as a fun weekend car and I had to jump start it every time. Toyota were useless at resolving the problem. (from what I can tell on the forums, it was something to do with the alarm Toyota UK fitted). The cayman would sit for months sometimes and start every time.
- it rusted like you wouldn't believe. I think it's just cheap steel, but on a 4 year old car I had to angle grind off the stabiliser link bolts when updating some stuff. I think it'd been driven on salted roads a bit, but still not what I expected on a 4 year old car.
- it felt 'cheap'. Build quality on the porsche is just miles ahead (even though it was 5 years older).
I tend towards simple/light cars - cars I've enjoyed the most have been my mk2 mx5 and the 'base model' cayman. The GT86 seemed like my perfect car.
I sold the Cayman and bought a 2012 GT86 - still under factory warranty. Hated it.
- As everyone will tell you, it really does feel under powered. Really disappointing after the cayman. (by comparison, I've loved driving low powered stuff like suzuki swift sport or whatever). GT86 just seems to not hit the mark.
- it would constantly drain it's battery. I only drive once a fortnight or so as a fun weekend car and I had to jump start it every time. Toyota were useless at resolving the problem. (from what I can tell on the forums, it was something to do with the alarm Toyota UK fitted). The cayman would sit for months sometimes and start every time.
- it rusted like you wouldn't believe. I think it's just cheap steel, but on a 4 year old car I had to angle grind off the stabiliser link bolts when updating some stuff. I think it'd been driven on salted roads a bit, but still not what I expected on a 4 year old car.
- it felt 'cheap'. Build quality on the porsche is just miles ahead (even though it was 5 years older).
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