2005 Porsche Boxster 2.7
Discussion
Hi all, thought I'd introduce my new purchase that I picked up around 4 weeks ago, a 2005 987 Boxster 2.7.
This is my first Porsche, so a momentous occasion in my book. My car history has revolved mainly around hot hatches, most recently a few Golf Rs, an Up GTI, that sort of thing. I've always wanted a Porsche, but in recent years practical restrictions, plus having young children, has always made it seem like a frivolity I couldn't justify. I've mulled the idea over several times during the past three years, but I've never really came close to committing to it. This year however we decided we'd move house, and my new house would have a drive that can accommodate four cars. The whole process wasn't easy and like most people, we endured a fair amount of stress getting it over the line. Sat in my parents garden in the sun at May half term, feeling well and truly battered by the whole thing the thought entered my head again, and this time I would do it!
So the search began. It quickly became evident that buying a convertible Porsche at the start of the summer, when the weather was beautiful, wasn't going to be easy. I enquired about numerous cars, all of which had either sold straightaway, or didn't quite meet my requirements. Initially I was considering both 3.2 and 2.7 cars, but I felt far more confident buying a non-S knowing that for my budget I'd get a better car with the more reliable engine in it.
On the 1st June an ad popped up for a car at a dealer near Retford, about an hour and a half from where we were living at the time. It looked good, so I enquired immediately. At the time the car was at a garage being serviced, and time constraints meant it didn't look like I could get down for a few weeks, however they suggested I put a deposit down, which I did. Fast forward to the 12th June and I was driving down in glorious sunshine to see it. The car didn't disappoint, and I was thrilled to have bought my first Porsche.
On to the spec, the car is Midnight Blue with Carrera S "Lobster Claw" alloys, and extended slate grey interior. Options include:
Sports exhaust
Extended leather
Porsche crests on the seats
Bose
Homelink
PCM
Heated seats
Bi-Xenon headlights
Parking sensors
The dealer had fitted two new rear tyres, new discs and pads, a new battery, and a fresh service and MOT with no advisories. Unfortunately when I viewed the car I found that the heated seats weren't working. We did a bit of Googling and there were quite a few results suggesting this could be related to the battery being disconnected, so an easy fix just coding them back in. I asked if they'd be happy for me to sort it out and pass on the cost, which they were.
Then came the house move, and three weeks after buying it I took it down to my local independent, Performance Porsche Klassiker. A bit of a knocking had developed from the front right suspension so I was keen to have that looked at too. The seats ended up being more complicated than we thought, after a lot of button pressing everything pointed towards them being activated on the computer. They decided to run a fresh power feed to them, and now they're like an inferno! The front offside tuning fork was changed to remedy the knocking and the dealer was handed a bill of £375.
Plans going forward are just to maintain it and enjoy it. I'd like to have the brake callipers refurbished, but on the whole the car is in great condition. I'll also swap out the PCM for a Pioneer unit with CarPlay.
My main aim however is to create some memories with it. After a week of having it sat alongside my Up GTI and my wife's BMW I decided to sell the Up. After 3 years it was worth a little over £2k less than I paid for it, but I'd only done 5040 miles in it. It was a great car, but just not special enough to justify keeping it. I've regretted selling it numerous times, but I know that whenever I go out now, it's the Porsche keys that I pick up.
Anyway, some more pics...
Excuse the grass, it's getting there slowly!
This is my first Porsche, so a momentous occasion in my book. My car history has revolved mainly around hot hatches, most recently a few Golf Rs, an Up GTI, that sort of thing. I've always wanted a Porsche, but in recent years practical restrictions, plus having young children, has always made it seem like a frivolity I couldn't justify. I've mulled the idea over several times during the past three years, but I've never really came close to committing to it. This year however we decided we'd move house, and my new house would have a drive that can accommodate four cars. The whole process wasn't easy and like most people, we endured a fair amount of stress getting it over the line. Sat in my parents garden in the sun at May half term, feeling well and truly battered by the whole thing the thought entered my head again, and this time I would do it!
So the search began. It quickly became evident that buying a convertible Porsche at the start of the summer, when the weather was beautiful, wasn't going to be easy. I enquired about numerous cars, all of which had either sold straightaway, or didn't quite meet my requirements. Initially I was considering both 3.2 and 2.7 cars, but I felt far more confident buying a non-S knowing that for my budget I'd get a better car with the more reliable engine in it.
On the 1st June an ad popped up for a car at a dealer near Retford, about an hour and a half from where we were living at the time. It looked good, so I enquired immediately. At the time the car was at a garage being serviced, and time constraints meant it didn't look like I could get down for a few weeks, however they suggested I put a deposit down, which I did. Fast forward to the 12th June and I was driving down in glorious sunshine to see it. The car didn't disappoint, and I was thrilled to have bought my first Porsche.
On to the spec, the car is Midnight Blue with Carrera S "Lobster Claw" alloys, and extended slate grey interior. Options include:
Sports exhaust
Extended leather
Porsche crests on the seats
Bose
Homelink
PCM
Heated seats
Bi-Xenon headlights
Parking sensors
The dealer had fitted two new rear tyres, new discs and pads, a new battery, and a fresh service and MOT with no advisories. Unfortunately when I viewed the car I found that the heated seats weren't working. We did a bit of Googling and there were quite a few results suggesting this could be related to the battery being disconnected, so an easy fix just coding them back in. I asked if they'd be happy for me to sort it out and pass on the cost, which they were.
Then came the house move, and three weeks after buying it I took it down to my local independent, Performance Porsche Klassiker. A bit of a knocking had developed from the front right suspension so I was keen to have that looked at too. The seats ended up being more complicated than we thought, after a lot of button pressing everything pointed towards them being activated on the computer. They decided to run a fresh power feed to them, and now they're like an inferno! The front offside tuning fork was changed to remedy the knocking and the dealer was handed a bill of £375.
Plans going forward are just to maintain it and enjoy it. I'd like to have the brake callipers refurbished, but on the whole the car is in great condition. I'll also swap out the PCM for a Pioneer unit with CarPlay.
My main aim however is to create some memories with it. After a week of having it sat alongside my Up GTI and my wife's BMW I decided to sell the Up. After 3 years it was worth a little over £2k less than I paid for it, but I'd only done 5040 miles in it. It was a great car, but just not special enough to justify keeping it. I've regretted selling it numerous times, but I know that whenever I go out now, it's the Porsche keys that I pick up.
Anyway, some more pics...
Excuse the grass, it's getting there slowly!
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 13th July 09:54
Roboticarm said:
Always been a Porsche fan and once I no longer need a 4 seat estate car I hope to get myself one of these. I much prefer the front end to the launch models, I like the launch models too just think these look better with the more rounded headlights
I'll confess, I'm a fan of every iteration of Boxster, but the 987 has always been the sweet spot for me, looks-wise. It's a little bit more modern inside than a 986, although the infotainment lets it down like so many older cars. It's also amazed me how practical it is, the front boot is huge. We'll definitely be using it for long weekends away.A few more things have cropped up today. The interior rear boot light isn't working, so I pulled it out and it appears to be connected to nothing! Also the rear screen heating elements don't seem to be functioning, so a bit of exploration to be done there.
Hi all, I thought I'd give some final thoughts on my 987 Boxster. A few weeks ago I booked it into Performance Porsche Klassiker in Brighouse to have a major service, MOT, plus a few other bits doing to it. I remembered this thread and had contemplated how I would update it. Over the last 6 months I'd had a mixed relationship with the car and in reality thought more about moving it on than I did enjoying it. The car hadn't let me down, but opportunities to use it over the winter were few and far between, and the cost of putting fuel in it, and it returning 20mpg everywhere, was beginning to grate. I started to feel more positive about it once nicer weather arrived, and I made a commitment to stick with it.
During my ownership there were a few niggles. A rattle from the rear end had emerged over rough surfaces which I assumed was a heat shield or exhaust mount, the hood needed some of the tension straps sorting out, and there was a squeak from behind the steering wheel when turning. Nothing too big I thought, so off I went on Monday morning to drop it off. I had also asked them to carry out a major service, MOT, and also change the spark plugs, drive belts, brake fluid and gearbox oil. We agreed that they'd give the car a good going over to assess if anything needed doing for it to pass the MOT.
Later that day I received the call. I was read a long list of things that needed doing, amounting to an estimate of £4500, not including £800 for the service and other consumables I had asked to change. I can't recall everything, but there was corrosion of coolant pipes, the driveshaft was knackered, front suspension top mounts were gone, it needed two new springs at the back, new discs and pads at the front, etc, etc, etc. I pretty much decided immediately that I would ask them to stop doing anything, pick the car up the next day and drive it to WBAC. The MOT was due in a week and I wanted it gone before I had to commit to fixing it.
So that is what happened. Unfortunately they'd gone ahead and done the service so I still had an £800 bill to pay, and WBAC only offered half what I paid for it under 12 months ago, but I wanted it gone, for it not to be my responsibility anymore. The figures are pretty sobering. Total cost of ownership over a little under 12 months and 2500 miles was approximately £7145, including a guesstimate at fuel cost. That equates to £3.15/mile, or to put that in some perspective, £78 every time I did the 25 mile round trip to work and back.
So putting that to one side, did I enjoy it? I guess I'm not really in the right frame of mind to answer, but my gut feeling is that it was a disappointment. I loved driving it with the hood down on a sunny day, but apart from that I'd have always preferred to be in something else. It never really felt fast, in fact I'd describe it as feeling very flat most of the time.
I also never got it out of my head that the up! GTI that made way for it was a more fun car, more of the time. So that is what I did on Wednesday, went out and bought a 21-plate up! GTI from VW Wrexham. I love it.
During my ownership there were a few niggles. A rattle from the rear end had emerged over rough surfaces which I assumed was a heat shield or exhaust mount, the hood needed some of the tension straps sorting out, and there was a squeak from behind the steering wheel when turning. Nothing too big I thought, so off I went on Monday morning to drop it off. I had also asked them to carry out a major service, MOT, and also change the spark plugs, drive belts, brake fluid and gearbox oil. We agreed that they'd give the car a good going over to assess if anything needed doing for it to pass the MOT.
Later that day I received the call. I was read a long list of things that needed doing, amounting to an estimate of £4500, not including £800 for the service and other consumables I had asked to change. I can't recall everything, but there was corrosion of coolant pipes, the driveshaft was knackered, front suspension top mounts were gone, it needed two new springs at the back, new discs and pads at the front, etc, etc, etc. I pretty much decided immediately that I would ask them to stop doing anything, pick the car up the next day and drive it to WBAC. The MOT was due in a week and I wanted it gone before I had to commit to fixing it.
So that is what happened. Unfortunately they'd gone ahead and done the service so I still had an £800 bill to pay, and WBAC only offered half what I paid for it under 12 months ago, but I wanted it gone, for it not to be my responsibility anymore. The figures are pretty sobering. Total cost of ownership over a little under 12 months and 2500 miles was approximately £7145, including a guesstimate at fuel cost. That equates to £3.15/mile, or to put that in some perspective, £78 every time I did the 25 mile round trip to work and back.
So putting that to one side, did I enjoy it? I guess I'm not really in the right frame of mind to answer, but my gut feeling is that it was a disappointment. I loved driving it with the hood down on a sunny day, but apart from that I'd have always preferred to be in something else. It never really felt fast, in fact I'd describe it as feeling very flat most of the time.
I also never got it out of my head that the up! GTI that made way for it was a more fun car, more of the time. So that is what I did on Wednesday, went out and bought a 21-plate up! GTI from VW Wrexham. I love it.
Relatable post, I bought my 2005 3.2S last June and sold it after 8 months. I liked it a lot but I also fell foul of the maintenance issues that crop up on these cars at this age and sold the car out of pocket by several thousand pounds.
That said I wasn’t put off and just bought a much newer 981 GTS which I throughly enjoy, obviously cost a whole lot more but my ‘man maths’ is justifying the purchase in the hope the backside doesn’t fall out the value of it through my ownership.
The Up GTi looks a fun package, enjoy.
That said I wasn’t put off and just bought a much newer 981 GTS which I throughly enjoy, obviously cost a whole lot more but my ‘man maths’ is justifying the purchase in the hope the backside doesn’t fall out the value of it through my ownership.
The Up GTi looks a fun package, enjoy.
Several times in the past I have considered buying an old Boxster, the main thing putting me off is the fact I have nowhere to store it. Your posts highlight the reality for me, potentially spending thousands on maintenance and barely driving it.
It's effectively like owning an old shed, albeit just a lot more expensive. Unless you can do the maintenance yourself it can quickly get out of hand until like you, you just want out.
Having owned older, needy cars in the past I can definitely see the attraction of something new with a warranty that just works and won't cause you any issues.
It's effectively like owning an old shed, albeit just a lot more expensive. Unless you can do the maintenance yourself it can quickly get out of hand until like you, you just want out.
Having owned older, needy cars in the past I can definitely see the attraction of something new with a warranty that just works and won't cause you any issues.
Riskins said:
Relatable post, I bought my 2005 3.2S last June and sold it after 8 months. I liked it a lot but I also fell foul of the maintenance issues that crop up on these cars at this age and sold the car out of pocket by several thousand pounds.
That said I wasn’t put off and just bought a much newer 981 GTS which I throughly enjoy, obviously cost a whole lot more but my ‘man maths’ is justifying the purchase in the hope the backside doesn’t fall out the value of it through my ownership.
In retrospect, I think it was a mistake buying without an inspection, however it's unclear really how much that would have helped. After all, I bought it with an MOT that had no advisories, and a well documented full service history. On the face of it, it looked like a good car, but then you remember that there were several changes of ownership in the years leading up to me buying it, a handful of non-specialist services etc and you realise that people just didn't want to spend money on it.That said I wasn’t put off and just bought a much newer 981 GTS which I throughly enjoy, obviously cost a whole lot more but my ‘man maths’ is justifying the purchase in the hope the backside doesn’t fall out the value of it through my ownership.
Lesson learnt, and unfortunately it will put me off buying another Porsche in the future.
ajap1979 said:
In retrospect, I think it was a mistake buying without an inspection, however it's unclear really how much that would have helped. After all, I bought it with an MOT that had no advisories, and a well documented full service history. On the face of it, it looked like a good car, but then you remember that there were several changes of ownership in the years leading up to me buying it, a handful of non-specialist services etc and you realise that people just didn't want to spend money on it.
Lesson learnt, and unfortunately it will put me off buying another Porsche in the future.
Interesting contrast to my 987.1B.Lesson learnt, and unfortunately it will put me off buying another Porsche in the future.
I’d read all the Internet horror stories and prepared for the worst, but mine only cost me a major service and a set of frunk struts over 3 years.
You’re probably right. I didn’t get mine inspected, but purchased from a Porsche club member, owned for 8 years, with a stack of specialist receipts. Was serviced every year, regardless of mileage and had whatever it needed according to the itemised bills.
Was a great car, sorry yours didn’t work out
ajap1979 said:
Later that day I received the call. I was read a long list of things that needed doing, amounting to an estimate of £4500, not including £800 for the service and other consumables I had asked to change. I can't recall everything, but there was corrosion of coolant pipes, the driveshaft was knackered, front suspension top mounts were gone, it needed two new springs at the back, new discs and pads at the front, etc, etc, etc. I pretty much decided immediately that I would ask them to stop doing anything, pick the car up the next day and drive it to WBAC. The MOT was due in a week and I wanted it gone before I had to commit to fixing it.
A £5k bill is a big ouch. The issue with any car this age is - how many previous owners chose to skip discretionary preventative maintenance and just spent the minimum to keep it running, especially so when it's a Porsche and bills can often run into 4 figures? This approach means issue issues mount up for a future owner, unless you buy a fastidiously maintained example.On the other hand, £5k is a lot, but what if after that it didn't need anything other than an oil change for the next 3 years? Amortised that might only be 2k per annum. A 15 year old Porsche of any kind is probably going to need quite a bit spent on it to keep it in tip top shape.
Olivera said:
ajap1979 said:
Later that day I received the call. I was read a long list of things that needed doing, amounting to an estimate of £4500, not including £800 for the service and other consumables I had asked to change. I can't recall everything, but there was corrosion of coolant pipes, the driveshaft was knackered, front suspension top mounts were gone, it needed two new springs at the back, new discs and pads at the front, etc, etc, etc. I pretty much decided immediately that I would ask them to stop doing anything, pick the car up the next day and drive it to WBAC. The MOT was due in a week and I wanted it gone before I had to commit to fixing it.
A £5k bill is a big ouch. The issue with any car this age is - how many previous owners chose to skip discretionary preventative maintenance and just spent the minimum to keep it running, especially so when it's a Porsche and bills can often run into 4 figures? This approach means issue issues mount up for a future owner, unless you buy a fastidiously maintained example.On the other hand, £5k is a lot, but what if after that it didn't need anything other than an oil change for the next 3 years? Amortised that might only be 2k per annum. A 15 year old Porsche of any kind is probably going to need quite a bit spent on it to keep it in tip top shape.
I'm almost positive in the coming weeks it will pop up on AutoTrader at the same price I bought it for.
Interesting reading, I also bought a 2005 3.2S in June '21 and I've had the same list of issues. What I could do myself I did, saving a bit of money - but it's all come in year one which stings a bit. The car came with a thick wallet of work from and specialist indy but I'm not sure the car was every really 'used' as intended, now it has been all the issues have popped up.
It's a brilliant car though and I'm glad I bought it, I just wish I could use it more instead of it waiting to be fixed
It's a brilliant car though and I'm glad I bought it, I just wish I could use it more instead of it waiting to be fixed
I missed this update, such a shame as I remember the original post and thought it looked a great example at the time.
I’ve had a 2005 3.2S in the same colour for the last 12 years, but have known the car from new. I’ve been fortunate so far, but it certainly is a bit scary running a Porsche of this age! I love the car, though, so will keep it long term.
One thing that did seem strange on your car was the it needed discs and pads again only a year after the supplying dealer had replaced them.
I’ve had a 2005 3.2S in the same colour for the last 12 years, but have known the car from new. I’ve been fortunate so far, but it certainly is a bit scary running a Porsche of this age! I love the car, though, so will keep it long term.
One thing that did seem strange on your car was the it needed discs and pads again only a year after the supplying dealer had replaced them.
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