Porsche Boxster 987.1, 3.2 S
Discussion
So about 6 weeks ago I sold both my interesting cars, my 205 GTi and my 986 Boxster S. I'd had the 205 for about 7 years and the Boxster the best part of decade, loved every minute of owning both but I felt it was just time to let them go. The 205 took about two weeks to sell and I'd taken a deposit on the Boxster within about 12 hours of putting and advert on Facebook Marketplace.
I thought I'd miss the 205 more, I kept it in the showroom where we work and enjoyed seeing it each day, had lots of conversations about it with people and enjoyed many an adventure in it. It turned out that it was the Boxster that I found hard to part with, however. The day before the gentleman was due to collect I almost phoned him and offered to return the deposit but he seemed like he was going to look after it and I don't like going back on my word. So off it went. My plan was to replace it with a 987.2 of some derivative, preferably with a PDK gearbox. I flip flopped between Cayman S and Boxster S, briefly made the maths work for a Cayman R then decided again on a Boxster S. Three things that I really wanted were heated seats, PSE & either Guards Red or Speed Yellow. I couldn't find what I was looking for and started making compromises, I made an offer on a Guards Cayman 2.9 with PDK and PSE that didn't work out for one reason or another and the same with a white manual Boxster S. I knew that if I had my original Boxster still I would be more patient and wait for the right car to come along, making me regret parting with it even more.
I had a chance meeting with a gentleman who can only be described as a Porsche aficionado, he had a beautiful 981 Cayman S on his drive and it came up in conversation that he also had a Boxster S that he'd used for a holiday to the South of France and would possibly be now willing to part ways with. The next day a deal was done and a week later (yesterday) I boarded a train to pick up a car that I'd only seen two photos of but had a good description from emails. Face mask donned and hand sanitiser in pocket I was ready to deal with whatever public transport had to throw at me.
Some light reading for the train was required;
As was some seasonal refueling;
I transferred the funds before I left, not wanting to be messing about with mobile banking in the forecast pouring rain, so the matter was already somewhat fait accompli. I wasn't to be disappointed though, the car is great. Apologies for the poor pictures, I shall take some better ones when the BBC weather app offers something a little more favourable.
I accept that 100 miles on the motorway in less than perfect conditions are the best way to get to know your new to you sports car but first impressions are very good. There's a slight blow from the exhaust which was predisclosed, believed to be from a clamp and that's about all you could say. No squeaks, no rattles, a lot more grown up that my 986 was. My previous experience from 987s is that they aren't as raw as the older car, maybe not as engaging but I shall report back on that one. The interior is light years ahead and it has just had the heater buttons replaced, a common issue which really shows in some more tired cars.
It has full history with a mix of Porsche Centre and specialist, lots of invoices detailing what has been done too and has covered 69,000 miles, my old one had done 70,000 so gives a fair comparison. In terms of options from the factory there's park assist, 19 inch Carrera wheels (which look massive compared to my previous 17s), full, two tone black & grey leather, sports shifter, climate control, wind deflector with storage box & three spoke steering wheel.
So, in summary, man starts out looking for newer automatic car with specific options, buys older manual car without specific options in a completely different to desired colour, still ends up happy. My search for a 987.2 will continue in earnest but I certainly won't sell this until I've found exactly what I want. Can't wait for Kent's tier 3 restrictions to lift so we can take it on a proper adventure somewhere.
I thought I'd miss the 205 more, I kept it in the showroom where we work and enjoyed seeing it each day, had lots of conversations about it with people and enjoyed many an adventure in it. It turned out that it was the Boxster that I found hard to part with, however. The day before the gentleman was due to collect I almost phoned him and offered to return the deposit but he seemed like he was going to look after it and I don't like going back on my word. So off it went. My plan was to replace it with a 987.2 of some derivative, preferably with a PDK gearbox. I flip flopped between Cayman S and Boxster S, briefly made the maths work for a Cayman R then decided again on a Boxster S. Three things that I really wanted were heated seats, PSE & either Guards Red or Speed Yellow. I couldn't find what I was looking for and started making compromises, I made an offer on a Guards Cayman 2.9 with PDK and PSE that didn't work out for one reason or another and the same with a white manual Boxster S. I knew that if I had my original Boxster still I would be more patient and wait for the right car to come along, making me regret parting with it even more.
I had a chance meeting with a gentleman who can only be described as a Porsche aficionado, he had a beautiful 981 Cayman S on his drive and it came up in conversation that he also had a Boxster S that he'd used for a holiday to the South of France and would possibly be now willing to part ways with. The next day a deal was done and a week later (yesterday) I boarded a train to pick up a car that I'd only seen two photos of but had a good description from emails. Face mask donned and hand sanitiser in pocket I was ready to deal with whatever public transport had to throw at me.
Some light reading for the train was required;
As was some seasonal refueling;
I transferred the funds before I left, not wanting to be messing about with mobile banking in the forecast pouring rain, so the matter was already somewhat fait accompli. I wasn't to be disappointed though, the car is great. Apologies for the poor pictures, I shall take some better ones when the BBC weather app offers something a little more favourable.
I accept that 100 miles on the motorway in less than perfect conditions are the best way to get to know your new to you sports car but first impressions are very good. There's a slight blow from the exhaust which was predisclosed, believed to be from a clamp and that's about all you could say. No squeaks, no rattles, a lot more grown up that my 986 was. My previous experience from 987s is that they aren't as raw as the older car, maybe not as engaging but I shall report back on that one. The interior is light years ahead and it has just had the heater buttons replaced, a common issue which really shows in some more tired cars.
It has full history with a mix of Porsche Centre and specialist, lots of invoices detailing what has been done too and has covered 69,000 miles, my old one had done 70,000 so gives a fair comparison. In terms of options from the factory there's park assist, 19 inch Carrera wheels (which look massive compared to my previous 17s), full, two tone black & grey leather, sports shifter, climate control, wind deflector with storage box & three spoke steering wheel.
So, in summary, man starts out looking for newer automatic car with specific options, buys older manual car without specific options in a completely different to desired colour, still ends up happy. My search for a 987.2 will continue in earnest but I certainly won't sell this until I've found exactly what I want. Can't wait for Kent's tier 3 restrictions to lift so we can take it on a proper adventure somewhere.
Sounds like a great car. You're already ahead of the game if it doesn't need any suspension parts replacing, they are prone to that.
Brave decision to let the 205 go, harder to replace than the Porsche I would say.
I've had my current 987 3.2S ( 3rd Boxster ) about 4 years now, I didn't expect to keep it this long, but it's lovely, and I think Id struggle to find another that I like as much as this one if I let it go. If you get a good one, as yours seems to be, they do make good ownership prospects.
Brave decision to let the 205 go, harder to replace than the Porsche I would say.
I've had my current 987 3.2S ( 3rd Boxster ) about 4 years now, I didn't expect to keep it this long, but it's lovely, and I think Id struggle to find another that I like as much as this one if I let it go. If you get a good one, as yours seems to be, they do make good ownership prospects.
I've also had mine a while, coming up to six years now which counts as one of the longest times that I've ever kept a car. Finding a replacement will be tough but I expect to do that when Covid restrictions start to ease sometime next year.
When I bought mine I did blow a fair bit on updating / upgrading - e.g. uprated IMS bearing, engine mounts, air con rads.... but it's been faultless ever since so it was worth it.
Great cars, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the ownership experience.
When I bought mine I did blow a fair bit on updating / upgrading - e.g. uprated IMS bearing, engine mounts, air con rads.... but it's been faultless ever since so it was worth it.
Great cars, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the ownership experience.
I think I’d just run my course with the 205, I told the guy that bought it to give me first refusal if he ever chooses to sell it. Have an invoice showing a suspension refresh from not too long ago so hopefully won’t have to worry about that.
I’d be completely split on whether to change the exhaust if it ever came to it. I love keeping things standard but as I said before when the right .2 turns up it will definitely have PSE.
Took it for a good drive earlier, I thought that the 19s might make it a bit crashy compared to the 17s on my previous one but so far I’m nicely surprised. The cabin is a lot roomier than before too, I don’t have to have the seat all the way back in this one and as silly a thing as it is, I really like the better design of the cup holders. Goes round corners nicely too!
I’d be completely split on whether to change the exhaust if it ever came to it. I love keeping things standard but as I said before when the right .2 turns up it will definitely have PSE.
Took it for a good drive earlier, I thought that the 19s might make it a bit crashy compared to the 17s on my previous one but so far I’m nicely surprised. The cabin is a lot roomier than before too, I don’t have to have the seat all the way back in this one and as silly a thing as it is, I really like the better design of the cup holders. Goes round corners nicely too!
brickwall said:
I had one for 3 years. Absolutely fabulous cars. Fast enough in a straight line to be interesting, but more importantly such a hoot around corners. So communicative, huge amounts of grip, and not at all scary when the back does let go.
Can’t wait to get another.
Yeah, that was my first one. What did you end up with after that Tom?Can’t wait to get another.
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