I bought a £4k 986... One year later...
Discussion
It was mid March 2018 and despite having done quite a bit of research I went and bought the first 986 I saw, almost on a whim. I worried whether I'd made a terrible mistake especially as the car immediately started to have issues. But here we are, a year later, I still own it and I'm glad i bought it.
So, here's a quick run down of the last year or so in the hope that my experiences might help anyone who fancies a very cheap Porsche but worries that it might turn out to be an expensive mistake.
The car hasn't been perfect, or trouble free, but neither has it been an unmitigated disaster. It's an 80k miles 2.7 from 2001. The year of the grenading engine, the IMS ticking time bomb and the shoddy build quality. My advice, don't worry too much about those things. If the engine was going to let go it probably would have done by now. A cracked block would be tremendously unlucky. I had a coolant loss issue on day 1 which was horrific in that I felt like there could be no other explanation than a porous cylinder and as I sat there, pitifully explaining to my wife that there might be something really terribly wrong I felt like an idiot. In hope rather than expectation I replaced the expansion tank cap, filled the system and that was it, fine for 5000 miles since.
I think my 986 is an absolutely typical cheap Boxster, not a bad one, not a good one either. For the first few years of its life it was treasured, serviced every year and racking up few miles. It was then something an enthusiast looked after, it must have been a daily driver as it was doing 10k a year and being serviced by a specialist. Then, after 10 years and 50k it became a cheap Porsche. As such, although it's had many oil changes and some services they've been down the local back street garage or (oddly) at a VW dealership.
So I took it for a proper service at a local specialist. I asked them to go over the car and list the stuff that was urgent and the other bits which would need to be done later.
There was a lot of urgent stuff. About three and a half grand's worth.
Various suspension bits front and rear were renewed, lots of pipes too, two tyres an air mass sensor. There was a geo setup and a full service too. After that the car felt a lot better to drive.
On the not quite so urgent list were coil packs, plug tubes and a new exhaust. I did the former myself and had a new stainless exhaust made by a local chap I've used before.
I reckon I've spent £8k all in and I now have a decent 986. Should I have spent £7k on one to start off with? Maybe. But more time searching and a pre purchase inspection would might been a better bet.. certainly that's what I'll do when I buy my next Porsche.
So other than money spent what's the ownership experience been like? Erm, mixed I would say. Don't expect that a cheap 986 will grant you access to 'the world of Porsche ownership' any more than owning a pair of shoes will get you into an exclusive nightclub. You might be in, but you'll be mostly ignored. Try as you might to convince yourself that it's a classic Porsche, it won't be accepted as one and neither is it going to impress many people who own any sort of modern 911. But you won't care too much because they really do drive well and sound great over 4k rpm. The engine is also at its most responsive and flexible high in the rev range. Couple that with the weighty, analogue feel of the controls and the generous amount of feedback and it does feel genuinely special.
A cheap Porsche does fool some people too, my mum for example, she was genuinely impressed (having been bemused by some of my previous performance cars). Sadly it also fooled someone in an Aldi car park and they keyed it. Maybe they thought I should have been shopping in Waitrose or something.
Anyway, in summary the important things to remember are that you will not manage to get away with owning a 986 on the cheap in the way that you could with, say, a fast Ford. Nobody makes cheap parts and a back street garage cannot look after them properly for peanuts. If they've not been properly looked after they cost a lot to put right. If they've been properly looked after they cost a lot to buy. I doubt you'll get lucky. Working on a 986 yourself is a pain the proverbial. Replacing the coil packs and plug tubes took me ages, you just can't access anything easily, it's a car that needs time and money spending on it. It's also car that needs a bit of time to learn to enjoy properly. It's a commitment. Financially and emotionally. it can be a cold hard place owning one, but it can also be a great experience. Go into it with your eyes open. Get it inspected pre purchase.
Hope that maybe helps someone. Thanks for reading
So, here's a quick run down of the last year or so in the hope that my experiences might help anyone who fancies a very cheap Porsche but worries that it might turn out to be an expensive mistake.
The car hasn't been perfect, or trouble free, but neither has it been an unmitigated disaster. It's an 80k miles 2.7 from 2001. The year of the grenading engine, the IMS ticking time bomb and the shoddy build quality. My advice, don't worry too much about those things. If the engine was going to let go it probably would have done by now. A cracked block would be tremendously unlucky. I had a coolant loss issue on day 1 which was horrific in that I felt like there could be no other explanation than a porous cylinder and as I sat there, pitifully explaining to my wife that there might be something really terribly wrong I felt like an idiot. In hope rather than expectation I replaced the expansion tank cap, filled the system and that was it, fine for 5000 miles since.
I think my 986 is an absolutely typical cheap Boxster, not a bad one, not a good one either. For the first few years of its life it was treasured, serviced every year and racking up few miles. It was then something an enthusiast looked after, it must have been a daily driver as it was doing 10k a year and being serviced by a specialist. Then, after 10 years and 50k it became a cheap Porsche. As such, although it's had many oil changes and some services they've been down the local back street garage or (oddly) at a VW dealership.
So I took it for a proper service at a local specialist. I asked them to go over the car and list the stuff that was urgent and the other bits which would need to be done later.
There was a lot of urgent stuff. About three and a half grand's worth.
Various suspension bits front and rear were renewed, lots of pipes too, two tyres an air mass sensor. There was a geo setup and a full service too. After that the car felt a lot better to drive.
On the not quite so urgent list were coil packs, plug tubes and a new exhaust. I did the former myself and had a new stainless exhaust made by a local chap I've used before.
I reckon I've spent £8k all in and I now have a decent 986. Should I have spent £7k on one to start off with? Maybe. But more time searching and a pre purchase inspection would might been a better bet.. certainly that's what I'll do when I buy my next Porsche.
So other than money spent what's the ownership experience been like? Erm, mixed I would say. Don't expect that a cheap 986 will grant you access to 'the world of Porsche ownership' any more than owning a pair of shoes will get you into an exclusive nightclub. You might be in, but you'll be mostly ignored. Try as you might to convince yourself that it's a classic Porsche, it won't be accepted as one and neither is it going to impress many people who own any sort of modern 911. But you won't care too much because they really do drive well and sound great over 4k rpm. The engine is also at its most responsive and flexible high in the rev range. Couple that with the weighty, analogue feel of the controls and the generous amount of feedback and it does feel genuinely special.
A cheap Porsche does fool some people too, my mum for example, she was genuinely impressed (having been bemused by some of my previous performance cars). Sadly it also fooled someone in an Aldi car park and they keyed it. Maybe they thought I should have been shopping in Waitrose or something.
Anyway, in summary the important things to remember are that you will not manage to get away with owning a 986 on the cheap in the way that you could with, say, a fast Ford. Nobody makes cheap parts and a back street garage cannot look after them properly for peanuts. If they've not been properly looked after they cost a lot to put right. If they've been properly looked after they cost a lot to buy. I doubt you'll get lucky. Working on a 986 yourself is a pain the proverbial. Replacing the coil packs and plug tubes took me ages, you just can't access anything easily, it's a car that needs time and money spending on it. It's also car that needs a bit of time to learn to enjoy properly. It's a commitment. Financially and emotionally. it can be a cold hard place owning one, but it can also be a great experience. Go into it with your eyes open. Get it inspected pre purchase.
Hope that maybe helps someone. Thanks for reading
Edited by mainline on Tuesday 30th April 08:54
Good post, and almost certainly a pretty realistic view. I possibly fall into the very lucky ( so far ) category, in that I bought a well priced 987 3.2 3 years ago, and so far, touch wood, have had nothing but servicing and tyres to contend with. My initial concerns over some of the potential pitfalls have thus far proved unfounded!
Hope you continue to enjoy yours.
Hope you continue to enjoy yours.
One of these days I'll either end up buying a 986 or a 987. I've never had a Porsche before but I've always loved them.
So much so that I've been to more Porsche nights at the Ace Cafe than probably half The owners that go there.
Last night was such a night. I met and chatted to 2 great people last night. One, the owner of a 993 cab, the other a 968CS. Both car enthusiasts and accepting of a non Porsche driving Porsche fan.
So much so that I've been to more Porsche nights at the Ace Cafe than probably half The owners that go there.
Last night was such a night. I met and chatted to 2 great people last night. One, the owner of a 993 cab, the other a 968CS. Both car enthusiasts and accepting of a non Porsche driving Porsche fan.
mainline said:
..... you will not manage to get away with owning a 986 on the cheap......Nobody makes cheap parts and a back street garage cannot look after them properly for peanuts.......If they've not been properly looked after they cost a lot to put right...... If they've been properly looked after they cost a lot to buy...... Go into it with your eyes open...... Get it inspected pre purchase.
All of this times a million. Great write up.Edited by mainline on Tuesday 30th April 08:54
What an excellent write up! Mirrors our experience with our 2003 3.2S which cost 6k initially but has had the same again spent on it since, working through various niggles. The expensive stuff was a new clutch and driveshaft gaiters done by RPM, then a full set of radiators done by me. We also had Excel refurb all the wheels and fit a set of N rated winter tyres. Oh, and then the roof in glued itself so that was replaced too!
Great review and thanks for sharing.
Interesting comment on being welcomed to the 'world of Porsche ownership'. I don't think this just applies to older Boxster, it applies to all of them.
I became a member of TIPEC for this very reason as they are much more 'normal' people and welcoming of all models of any age/era and are definitely not elitist. Might be worth a look at them if you haven't already.
Interesting comment on being welcomed to the 'world of Porsche ownership'. I don't think this just applies to older Boxster, it applies to all of them.
I became a member of TIPEC for this very reason as they are much more 'normal' people and welcoming of all models of any age/era and are definitely not elitist. Might be worth a look at them if you haven't already.
Good information! I've bought a low mileage (60k) 2000 2.7 myself recently with FSH, paid quite a bit (£6k +) for a car that 'hopefully' won't need too much. But I've already discovered severe inside edge scrubbing on the front so replacement tyres and tracking is the first thing. 
Drives smoothly and the 5 speed box is a gem, as reviewed elsewhere. The 6 speed is more fragile apparently and the top ratios are the same.
But no rattles and everything else works including the air con! I'm in the process of removing the front grills to put gutter mesh on the back to protect the recent new condensers.
I had a 2003 3.2S (81k miles at the time) for a year in 20013/14 that was a poor experience with floppy and loose trim and exhaust shields, rattling bushes, paint issues and shot brakes. I'm hoping paying a bit more up front will lend to less need for wallet ripping. Time will tell.....
Drives smoothly and the 5 speed box is a gem, as reviewed elsewhere. The 6 speed is more fragile apparently and the top ratios are the same.But no rattles and everything else works including the air con! I'm in the process of removing the front grills to put gutter mesh on the back to protect the recent new condensers.
I had a 2003 3.2S (81k miles at the time) for a year in 20013/14 that was a poor experience with floppy and loose trim and exhaust shields, rattling bushes, paint issues and shot brakes. I'm hoping paying a bit more up front will lend to less need for wallet ripping. Time will tell.....
Edited by ianwayne on Saturday 4th May 09:13
mainline said:
But you won't care too much because they really do drive well and sound great over 4k rpm. The engine is also at its most responsive and flexible high in the rev range. Couple that with the weighty, analogue feel of the controls and the generous amount of feedback and it does feel genuinely special.
+1. There's something about the driving experience of the 9X6 cars that's missing from any 9X7 (and I include even the much vaunted 7.2rs) nevermind the later cars. I think your experience is fairly typical. I've had 2 986 since 2012. I've tended to buy at be middle of the market price but then gone overboard on the mods and preventative maintenance. You can run these on a show string budget but like this you will always be lurching from one thing about to wear out to the next and most likely driving around on a car that just isn't that right because of rattling arms, squeaky bushes, worn top mounts, a stiff clutch, mega miles dampers or whatever. Personally the big bang and get it all done in one or two big hits is the best approach. For me the cosmetics don't affect the essence of what these cars is about which is the handling and balance. Spend your money there and enjoy the car for what it is and where it excels.
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