Jump from 986 to 996 C2
Discussion
So i've owned my 2.7 986 Boxster for over 7 years, it was a peachy car when I bought it, 1 owner FPSH , totally mint everywhere.
I love it to bits and recently I have personally done a IMS bearing (LN retrofit) , RMS , AOS, Clutch , Flywheel, clutch slave. Then up front new brakes , ss hoses, new shocks, wheel bearings, drag/drop links and had a proper wheel alignment done, and now it drives even better than before.
It's brilliant, I love driving it and it feels like new...however I would really like a 911 and particularly a 996. My budget would stretch to a good Gen1 997 but I just can't get too excited about them, the 996 however (to me) looks just right now, especially the Gen1's , I think it's time has finally come and I love the interior, much more so than the 997.
So, I've been looking in all the usual places, and nothing has stuck out yet.
Question is, finally, what is it like to go from a 986 to a 996? What's it like to climb in, I find the Boxster harder each year and at 47 It's only going to get worse.
What's the space like inside? Is it the same as the Boxster? How is the handling of a 996? Is it much faster (than a 2.7).
Please anyone that did this transition.
Here's a pic of my Boxster , it's Basalt Black with Terracotta Full Leather, no aircon and manual.
I love it to bits and recently I have personally done a IMS bearing (LN retrofit) , RMS , AOS, Clutch , Flywheel, clutch slave. Then up front new brakes , ss hoses, new shocks, wheel bearings, drag/drop links and had a proper wheel alignment done, and now it drives even better than before.
It's brilliant, I love driving it and it feels like new...however I would really like a 911 and particularly a 996. My budget would stretch to a good Gen1 997 but I just can't get too excited about them, the 996 however (to me) looks just right now, especially the Gen1's , I think it's time has finally come and I love the interior, much more so than the 997.
So, I've been looking in all the usual places, and nothing has stuck out yet.
Question is, finally, what is it like to go from a 986 to a 996? What's it like to climb in, I find the Boxster harder each year and at 47 It's only going to get worse.
What's the space like inside? Is it the same as the Boxster? How is the handling of a 996? Is it much faster (than a 2.7).
Please anyone that did this transition.
Here's a pic of my Boxster , it's Basalt Black with Terracotta Full Leather, no aircon and manual.
I have done the swap, went from an 03 facelift S fully sorted into a 1998 C2 Aerokitted car.
Drive and view a few and read the "Whats an early 3.4" thread to get a feel. Most reckon you need upto £20K to get a sorted 996.1 either a cheaper car and spend or a car with a raft of money recently spent.
Drive and view a few and read the "Whats an early 3.4" thread to get a feel. Most reckon you need upto £20K to get a sorted 996.1 either a cheaper car and spend or a car with a raft of money recently spent.
As has been said, try to drive a few first. I had a 987 S but needed to scratch the 911 itch. I sold the Boxster and bought a 997.1 4S without driving many 911s. I was bitterly disappointed. I missed the howl of the engine right behind my head and the go-cart handling. I had to upgrade to a 997.2 turbo before I got my smiles back again - no bad thing in itself.
I still miss the thrill of that sound and the handling of a Boxster. I’ll return to one at some point in the future.
I still miss the thrill of that sound and the handling of a Boxster. I’ll return to one at some point in the future.
I have a 986s and a 997 Turbo S, but have owned a 996.1 and a 996.2 also.
Space inside is much better in the 911, as is getting in and out.
You do lose some boot space (the 911 has no rear boot!) and the front is about 5 litres smaller than the boxster (145 to 150 iirc) so still plenty enough for a long weekend away (more so as you have rear seats and can store items there too!)
You'll find the 911 heavier to drive, but faster feeling.. It's less skittish and more planted. Interior trim wise it'll be very similar to the boxster, no cup holders, no glovebox (on the 996.1) and maybe even a worse looking steering wheel (4 spoke as opposed to 3)
Try one is the only thing to suggest, only way to know if you'll enjoy it!
You will miss the drop top nature and feel more cramped if you go for a coupe!
I always go Cab
Space inside is much better in the 911, as is getting in and out.
You do lose some boot space (the 911 has no rear boot!) and the front is about 5 litres smaller than the boxster (145 to 150 iirc) so still plenty enough for a long weekend away (more so as you have rear seats and can store items there too!)
You'll find the 911 heavier to drive, but faster feeling.. It's less skittish and more planted. Interior trim wise it'll be very similar to the boxster, no cup holders, no glovebox (on the 996.1) and maybe even a worse looking steering wheel (4 spoke as opposed to 3)
Try one is the only thing to suggest, only way to know if you'll enjoy it!
You will miss the drop top nature and feel more cramped if you go for a coupe!
I always go Cab
There will be more room in a 996. The seat goes further back and it will feel bigger and more airey. It will feel a little quicker than your 2.7.
The C4 / C4S feel very planted but heavier than a boxster. The C2 felt a little lighter than the C4 but still heavier than a 986.
Your biggest problem will be finding one in as good condition as your 986 sounds.
You may find you are disappointed after spending so much more money on top of your 986 to buy a car that's not in the same condition and one that doesnt sound as good or drive go kart like. Go and drive a few 911's see if they are for you, if they are and If you could afford it I would look at the possibility of having both as they both offer different driving benefits.
The C4 / C4S feel very planted but heavier than a boxster. The C2 felt a little lighter than the C4 but still heavier than a 986.
Your biggest problem will be finding one in as good condition as your 986 sounds.
You may find you are disappointed after spending so much more money on top of your 986 to buy a car that's not in the same condition and one that doesnt sound as good or drive go kart like. Go and drive a few 911's see if they are for you, if they are and If you could afford it I would look at the possibility of having both as they both offer different driving benefits.
That's really good info, thanks
I won't be selling my 986, it's too good and to be honest not worth that much really.
You're right about condition, I want a really good one, like mine was when I bought it, that's going to be hard with a 996, lots of 997's but some of those have had a hard life.
Good to know it should have more room inside for legs. I'm in no rush so I'll keep looking,
Yes the Boxster is like a go-cart, a flipping good go-cart.
I won't be selling my 986, it's too good and to be honest not worth that much really.
You're right about condition, I want a really good one, like mine was when I bought it, that's going to be hard with a 996, lots of 997's but some of those have had a hard life.
Good to know it should have more room inside for legs. I'm in no rush so I'll keep looking,
Yes the Boxster is like a go-cart, a flipping good go-cart.
Edited by Troutman on Thursday 5th July 23:18
That's an awful lot of very useful information, thank you very much.
I have been looking at Caymans too especially the 2.9 Gen2 cars. I really like the way the 2.7 revs up and for me , on our roads, 220hp is plenty. In 3rd gear up my valley road (A708) it's perfect...you can rev it right up between the tight corners.
I've never got the rear wheels to squeak yet and I've been pressed up against the door. Brilliant cars.
I should imagine the 2.9 is similar and it's the DFI engine so less to go wrong..maybe.
At 47 I feel the Cayman was designed for the younger generation and a 911 is more universal.
I always have a hard top on my Boxster, in fact I took the hood off 2 years ago so I'm not needing a cab.
I do enjoy the hunt though so I'll keep looking. My heart say's 996, head 997.
This one looks good but I do like a bit of colour and it's a bit dull for me. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I'm going to have a look at this next week if it's still for sale. Had a good chat with them and it seems to be an honest little car. It will give me some reserve cash to spend on anything it needs but it does seem pretty sorted.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I have been looking at Caymans too especially the 2.9 Gen2 cars. I really like the way the 2.7 revs up and for me , on our roads, 220hp is plenty. In 3rd gear up my valley road (A708) it's perfect...you can rev it right up between the tight corners.
I've never got the rear wheels to squeak yet and I've been pressed up against the door. Brilliant cars.
I should imagine the 2.9 is similar and it's the DFI engine so less to go wrong..maybe.
At 47 I feel the Cayman was designed for the younger generation and a 911 is more universal.
I always have a hard top on my Boxster, in fact I took the hood off 2 years ago so I'm not needing a cab.
I do enjoy the hunt though so I'll keep looking. My heart say's 996, head 997.
This one looks good but I do like a bit of colour and it's a bit dull for me. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I'm going to have a look at this next week if it's still for sale. Had a good chat with them and it seems to be an honest little car. It will give me some reserve cash to spend on anything it needs but it does seem pretty sorted.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Edited by Troutman on Friday 6th July 07:23
Troutman said:
What's it like to climb in, I find the Boxster harder each year and at 47 It's only going to get worse.
What's the space like inside?
unless you have a medical condition or are seriously unfit I cant see you having a problem, I'm 47 no where near the fittest man on the planet & north of 17 stone & I get in & out no problem & there is plenty of room with 2 in it.What's the space like inside?
get yourself over to the early 996 thread, there is a cracking red one being discussed just now.
Troutman said:
I'm going to have a look at this next week if it's still for sale. Had a good chat with them and it seems to be an honest little car. It will give me some reserve cash to spend on anything it needs but it does seem pretty sorted.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
You might wish to check out some of the latest posts here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... before making the trip to see it.https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Edited by Troutman on Friday 6th July 07:23
CB 987 said:
You might wish to check out some of the latest posts here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... before making the trip to see it.
The chap did say it was a customers car and that it wasn't perfect but would be a good base to start spending some money on in the right places.He mentioned the paint but unless it's a mess I wouldn't be too worried about that, the interior is what concerns me , it's the one thing that is very hard to freshen up and look good again.
For £14k you can't expect more than that.
jonny996 said:
don't rule out a C4 if you find a good one.
That's why I want an early 996, a bit retro and analogue.I don't want 4WD but if the right car came up... I want the most simple car with the least things to go wrong.
Would prefer aircon delete but they all came with it didn't they.?
jonny996 said:
unless you have a medical condition or are seriously unfit I cant see you having a problem, I'm 47 no where near the fittest man on the planet & north of 17 stone & I get in & out no problem & there is plenty of room with 2 in it.
get yourself over to the early 996 thread, there is a cracking red one being discussed just now.
That's good to know. get yourself over to the early 996 thread, there is a cracking red one being discussed just now.
Troutman said:
That's why I want an early 996, a bit retro and analogue.
I don't want 4WD but if the right car came up... I want the most simple car with the least things to go wrong.
Would prefer aircon delete but they all came with it didn't they.?
Drive one and see what you think. Even if you do end up preferring the C2, you can remove the 4wd bits fairly easily and are left with a rwd in a stiffer shell. I don't want 4WD but if the right car came up... I want the most simple car with the least things to go wrong.
Would prefer aircon delete but they all came with it didn't they.?
Why would you not want aircon? It's pretty reliable and makes the car a significantly nicer place to be (mine was broken at first due to a hole in the pipe. Few hundred quid and it's still ice cold 3 years later)
Chubbyross said:
As has been said, try to drive a few first. I had a 987 S but needed to scratch the 911 itch. I sold the Boxster and bought a 997.1 4S without driving many 911s. I was bitterly disappointed. I missed the howl of the engine right behind my head and the go-cart handling. I had to upgrade to a 997.2 turbo before I got my smiles back again - no bad thing in itself.
I still miss the thrill of that sound and the handling of a Boxster. I’ll return to one at some point in the future.
This is the opposite of my experience, went from a 987 2.7 that I had had for 4 years, to a 997.1 C4S which I kept for 4 years, and found it a massive leap in power, noise and handling - the 4S had ridiculous grip for cornering wet or dry. My car had PSE and was a convertible and the sound was amazing. I now have a 987.1 and know what you mean about having the engine right behind you, it's kind of intimate I still miss the thrill of that sound and the handling of a Boxster. I’ll return to one at some point in the future.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
So is there any advantage to the 4/4S or is it just a marketing thing?I was at Bedford in Jan in my 987S and my friend in his RS4. It was ridiculous how poor the Boxster was on corners, the back came out at 25 MPH. My friend in his RS4 went round like it was dry, it was phenomenal. I was thinking my C4S would have kept up with the RS4. Can you say the same for a RWD C2, coming out of those wet corners, get the power down?
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