986 Boxster - How much to pay?
Discussion
The age old question - How much should I be looking to spend?
My wife and I are in the process of moving house, child on the way etc. However, funds are there for a "toy". I sold my Chimaera to help fund the house purchase, and while I would like another (or 911), that wouldn't be for a couple of years yet, so a 986 Boxster is pretty much top of the list for some roof off fun (an MX-5 just won't do it).
We have a Focus as our main car, so this would be "mine" and only used at weekends etc.
The question is - which engine and how much to pay? Clearly, I want to pay as little as possible for the best car! A small wrinkle that I seem to be experiencing is that there are almost no cars around me for sale. I am currently in Edinburgh, and the only car near me that I could go and look at is a 986 3.2 S for £10k (seems a bit optimistic, I could get a risky 996 for that). Everything else is over 100 miles away, which is a major pain and I don't really want to travel all that way to look at a car and decide it isn't for me. But, obviously, buying sight unseen is a terrible idea generally, so I may just have to suck it up.
Ideally, I'd like a 3.2 S, but for the right price and condition I'd go for a 2.7 or 2.5.
I have read all of the various horror stories about IMS, RMS, bore scoring, the black death, ebola etc so I know what I am getting into in that regard.
But, I come back to my original question, what is the sort of price I should be looking at paying for a decent, 3.2 S? I am not looking for some low mile minter, higher miles don't worry me (at least it has been used and not exploded), but there seems to be a massive variation in price with, from what I can see, little difference between the cars.
Is say, limiting myself to a £6k budget putting a decent 3.2 S out of range and I should go for a 2.7/2.5?
If I really needed to, I could spend £10k, but then, I might as well go for a 996 or a 4.0 Chimaera (I want a 4.5 again or 5.0). And £10k seems a lot for a 986 Boxster that isn't a special edition.
I know that more cars will start coming on the market soon, but with the summer tax, so would like to snap one up before then, if I can.
My wife and I are in the process of moving house, child on the way etc. However, funds are there for a "toy". I sold my Chimaera to help fund the house purchase, and while I would like another (or 911), that wouldn't be for a couple of years yet, so a 986 Boxster is pretty much top of the list for some roof off fun (an MX-5 just won't do it).
We have a Focus as our main car, so this would be "mine" and only used at weekends etc.
The question is - which engine and how much to pay? Clearly, I want to pay as little as possible for the best car! A small wrinkle that I seem to be experiencing is that there are almost no cars around me for sale. I am currently in Edinburgh, and the only car near me that I could go and look at is a 986 3.2 S for £10k (seems a bit optimistic, I could get a risky 996 for that). Everything else is over 100 miles away, which is a major pain and I don't really want to travel all that way to look at a car and decide it isn't for me. But, obviously, buying sight unseen is a terrible idea generally, so I may just have to suck it up.
Ideally, I'd like a 3.2 S, but for the right price and condition I'd go for a 2.7 or 2.5.
I have read all of the various horror stories about IMS, RMS, bore scoring, the black death, ebola etc so I know what I am getting into in that regard.
But, I come back to my original question, what is the sort of price I should be looking at paying for a decent, 3.2 S? I am not looking for some low mile minter, higher miles don't worry me (at least it has been used and not exploded), but there seems to be a massive variation in price with, from what I can see, little difference between the cars.
Is say, limiting myself to a £6k budget putting a decent 3.2 S out of range and I should go for a 2.7/2.5?
If I really needed to, I could spend £10k, but then, I might as well go for a 996 or a 4.0 Chimaera (I want a 4.5 again or 5.0). And £10k seems a lot for a 986 Boxster that isn't a special edition.
I know that more cars will start coming on the market soon, but with the summer tax, so would like to snap one up before then, if I can.
Have a look on the Poverty Pork thread as there are some interesting cars popping up from time to time there which aren't always advertised in other places.
In terms of price, I'd say that a good 986 (S or non) would be around £7k. However, it might be easier to find nice car for, say, £5k and spend £2k yourself to get it up to standard.
I was in the same position a month ago. Looking at a sports car for summer use, plus days out with my wife or for taking my eldest son out during school holidays for a "day out with dad".
Budget was up to £15k but ideally i wanted to keep it below £10k.
Looked at S2000 (too cramped), elise (too raw and pushing the budget), MX5 (not special enough? had 2 before).
I love boxsters, such a pretty car. Started to look at 986s but prices are absolutely all over the place. A 987 would have been ideal, but my perfect model would have been a 3.2 S on an 05 plate to avoid the higher tax bracket of the 06 plate cars. A few were for sale but they seemed to be £11k-£13k.
Engine-wise i discounted getting a 3.4 987 based on the increased risk of bore scoring. The 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 seem (based on internet research and speaking to specialists) to be less prone to bore scoring.
In the end a local car came up via boxa.net. 3.2S on a 02 plate. 76k miles. IMS and clutch done recently. New tyres. I spoke to the specialist who last looked over it and he gave it the thumbs up. Private plate and cobalt blue colour (rare). £8k.
There are cheaper ones available but this one felt right and drove well.
Budget was up to £15k but ideally i wanted to keep it below £10k.
Looked at S2000 (too cramped), elise (too raw and pushing the budget), MX5 (not special enough? had 2 before).
I love boxsters, such a pretty car. Started to look at 986s but prices are absolutely all over the place. A 987 would have been ideal, but my perfect model would have been a 3.2 S on an 05 plate to avoid the higher tax bracket of the 06 plate cars. A few were for sale but they seemed to be £11k-£13k.
Engine-wise i discounted getting a 3.4 987 based on the increased risk of bore scoring. The 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 seem (based on internet research and speaking to specialists) to be less prone to bore scoring.
In the end a local car came up via boxa.net. 3.2S on a 02 plate. 76k miles. IMS and clutch done recently. New tyres. I spoke to the specialist who last looked over it and he gave it the thumbs up. Private plate and cobalt blue colour (rare). £8k.
There are cheaper ones available but this one felt right and drove well.
R8Steve said:
I just bought a mint 3.2S for under £5k with all the big money items recently done.
i'm in Glasgow and had to travel 230 miles to get it though.
It's always worth travelling for the right car IMO.
Sounds like a good deal.i'm in Glasgow and had to travel 230 miles to get it though.
It's always worth travelling for the right car IMO.
I'll be honest the one i bought was the first i'd driven and i kind of fell for it, and the seller wouldn't budge on price.
Think i paid too much for it judging by all of these stories i'm hearing of people picking up a perfect car for pennies!!
I've been through the same process recently. I didn't think the value of the cars at the top end of the market was justified, given the supply and demand situation as a whole.
My two-penneth would be to buy the best, enthusiast-owned car you can find that has 80 - 100k miles, a clutch in the last 20k, no leaks / damp in the boot and handles/sounds and stops like it should.
That's achievable for £7 - 9k and there are loads floating around.
I bought one for less than £3500 but it turned into a massive drain on time and money.
My two-penneth would be to buy the best, enthusiast-owned car you can find that has 80 - 100k miles, a clutch in the last 20k, no leaks / damp in the boot and handles/sounds and stops like it should.
That's achievable for £7 - 9k and there are loads floating around.
I bought one for less than £3500 but it turned into a massive drain on time and money.
I went through a similar experience around 3 years ago, Viewed over 20 cars at all price points, they vary massively with some real dogs. Get an enthusiast owned car (Boxa.net is a great resource and good cars come up on their from time to time?) They can be a money pit as they share parts and labour costs with a 911 though worth half as much so people tend to skimp on keeping them in top condition.
Good luck with the search, their are great cars to own and drive.
Good luck with the search, their are great cars to own and drive.
PTF said:
I was in the same position a month ago. Looking at a sports car for summer use, plus days out with my wife or for taking my eldest son out during school holidays for a "day out with dad".
Budget was up to £15k but ideally i wanted to keep it below £10k.
Looked at S2000 (too cramped), elise (too raw and pushing the budget), MX5 (not special enough? had 2 before).
I love boxsters, such a pretty car. Started to look at 986s but prices are absolutely all over the place. A 987 would have been ideal, but my perfect model would have been a 3.2 S on an 05 plate to avoid the higher tax bracket of the 06 plate cars. A few were for sale but they seemed to be £11k-£13k.
Engine-wise i discounted getting a 3.4 987 based on the increased risk of bore scoring. The 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 seem (based on internet research and speaking to specialists) to be less prone to bore scoring.
In the end a local car came up via boxa.net. 3.2S on a 02 plate. 76k miles. IMS and clutch done recently. New tyres. I spoke to the specialist who last looked over it and he gave it the thumbs up. Private plate and cobalt blue colour (rare). £8k.
There are cheaper ones available but this one felt right and drove well.
Any chance the private plate was RUF? Budget was up to £15k but ideally i wanted to keep it below £10k.
Looked at S2000 (too cramped), elise (too raw and pushing the budget), MX5 (not special enough? had 2 before).
I love boxsters, such a pretty car. Started to look at 986s but prices are absolutely all over the place. A 987 would have been ideal, but my perfect model would have been a 3.2 S on an 05 plate to avoid the higher tax bracket of the 06 plate cars. A few were for sale but they seemed to be £11k-£13k.
Engine-wise i discounted getting a 3.4 987 based on the increased risk of bore scoring. The 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 seem (based on internet research and speaking to specialists) to be less prone to bore scoring.
In the end a local car came up via boxa.net. 3.2S on a 02 plate. 76k miles. IMS and clutch done recently. New tyres. I spoke to the specialist who last looked over it and he gave it the thumbs up. Private plate and cobalt blue colour (rare). £8k.
There are cheaper ones available but this one felt right and drove well.
ryanchan said:
PTF said:
I was in the same position a month ago. Looking at a sports car for summer use, plus days out with my wife or for taking my eldest son out during school holidays for a "day out with dad".
Budget was up to £15k but ideally i wanted to keep it below £10k.
Looked at S2000 (too cramped), elise (too raw and pushing the budget), MX5 (not special enough? had 2 before).
I love boxsters, such a pretty car. Started to look at 986s but prices are absolutely all over the place. A 987 would have been ideal, but my perfect model would have been a 3.2 S on an 05 plate to avoid the higher tax bracket of the 06 plate cars. A few were for sale but they seemed to be £11k-£13k.
Engine-wise i discounted getting a 3.4 987 based on the increased risk of bore scoring. The 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 seem (based on internet research and speaking to specialists) to be less prone to bore scoring.
In the end a local car came up via boxa.net. 3.2S on a 02 plate. 76k miles. IMS and clutch done recently. New tyres. I spoke to the specialist who last looked over it and he gave it the thumbs up. Private plate and cobalt blue colour (rare). £8k.
There are cheaper ones available but this one felt right and drove well.
Any chance the private plate was RUF? Budget was up to £15k but ideally i wanted to keep it below £10k.
Looked at S2000 (too cramped), elise (too raw and pushing the budget), MX5 (not special enough? had 2 before).
I love boxsters, such a pretty car. Started to look at 986s but prices are absolutely all over the place. A 987 would have been ideal, but my perfect model would have been a 3.2 S on an 05 plate to avoid the higher tax bracket of the 06 plate cars. A few were for sale but they seemed to be £11k-£13k.
Engine-wise i discounted getting a 3.4 987 based on the increased risk of bore scoring. The 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2 seem (based on internet research and speaking to specialists) to be less prone to bore scoring.
In the end a local car came up via boxa.net. 3.2S on a 02 plate. 76k miles. IMS and clutch done recently. New tyres. I spoke to the specialist who last looked over it and he gave it the thumbs up. Private plate and cobalt blue colour (rare). £8k.
There are cheaper ones available but this one felt right and drove well.
Thanks all! I have joined BoXa.net, and there is a promising car for sale by one of their members, although I am rushing it!
An enthusiast car would be an easier buy, as I would be less worried about travelling to find it was a dog.
I have been looking at the Poverty Pork thread, some interesting cars there as well.
Half the fun of buying a new (to you) car is the search. The amount of tabs I have open in Chrome at the moment with Boxster's on is scary.
An enthusiast car would be an easier buy, as I would be less worried about travelling to find it was a dog.
I have been looking at the Poverty Pork thread, some interesting cars there as well.
Half the fun of buying a new (to you) car is the search. The amount of tabs I have open in Chrome at the moment with Boxster's on is scary.
Monsterlime said:
Thanks all! I have joined BoXa.net, and there is a promising car for sale by one of their members, although I am rushing it!
An enthusiast car would be an easier buy, as I would be less worried about travelling to find it was a dog.
I have been looking at the Poverty Pork thread, some interesting cars there as well.
Half the fun of buying a new (to you) car is the search. The amount of tabs I have open in Chrome at the moment with Boxster's on is scary.
There is a thread on Boxa.net with all the 986 Boxsters people have bought for £3500 or less. Quite an interesting read. I got a good 3.2S 3.5 years ago in UK for £5.3K.An enthusiast car would be an easier buy, as I would be less worried about travelling to find it was a dog.
I have been looking at the Poverty Pork thread, some interesting cars there as well.
Half the fun of buying a new (to you) car is the search. The amount of tabs I have open in Chrome at the moment with Boxster's on is scary.
Monsterlime said:
Thanks all! I have joined BoXa.net, and there is a promising car for sale by one of their members, although I am rushing it!
An enthusiast car would be an easier buy, as I would be less worried about travelling to find it was a dog.
I have been looking at the Poverty Pork thread, some interesting cars there as well.
Half the fun of buying a new (to you) car is the search. The amount of tabs I have open in Chrome at the moment with Boxster's on is scary.
Just looked and not many for sale on there at the present so good chance it could be my car you have spotted as possible? An enthusiast car would be an easier buy, as I would be less worried about travelling to find it was a dog.
I have been looking at the Poverty Pork thread, some interesting cars there as well.
Half the fun of buying a new (to you) car is the search. The amount of tabs I have open in Chrome at the moment with Boxster's on is scary.
It may be going to trade if I view a car I have been after at the weekend?
R8Steve said:
Feel free to have a look at mine to see what you can get for the money and get a good look about one and a drive if you want.
Thank you, that is incredibly generous! Much appreciated 
. Once I move (moving to Larbert in 2 weeks), I will be a lot closer and it will just be a short hop!And I mean't to say NOT in a rush.
IanG - No, I was actually looking at the JPS car. Although the lack of cats and short MOT (and not having a "friendly" MOT tester up here yet) puts me off slightly. Yours is a lovely car, but a bit more than I really wanted to pay.
Monsterlime said:
R8Steve said:
Feel free to have a look at mine to see what you can get for the money and get a good look about one and a drive if you want.
Thank you, that is incredibly generous! Much appreciated . Once I move (moving to Larbert in 2 weeks), I will be a lot closer and it will just be a short hop!And I mean't to say NOT in a rush.
IanG - No, I was actually looking at the JPS car. Although the lack of cats and short MOT (and not having a "friendly" MOT tester up here yet) puts me off slightly. Yours is a lovely car, but a bit more than I really wanted to pay.
I had a look at the JPS one but was concerned over what condition the car would be under the wrap. No doubt it'll be fine but you can never tell for sure.
I agree. The seller has sent me some pictures of the car before it was wrapped, and it looks fine. Of course I wouldn't know what it was like until the wrap got taken off. I would likely remove the decals, but I might leave the wrap as it was if I went with this one.
The seller has also offered to get a new MOT on the car, which would reduce the need to replace the cats ASAP.
The seller has also offered to get a new MOT on the car, which would reduce the need to replace the cats ASAP.
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