Porsche Boxster (986) | Spotted
25 years but only nine thousand miles old, there can't be many better base Boxsters than this one
Even with the really cheap Boxsters mostly gone unless you’re very fortunate - even spares or repairs might now cost £4k - there remains a huge amount of appeal in a Porsche Type 986. We all know why, of course: a sonorous flat-six engine, beautiful mid-engined chassis and a '90s design that arguably looks better than ever have contributed to a recent renewal of its popularity. They were never going to stay the cheap Porsche option for long, not with the future looking as complicated and confusing as it does. That mantle has now been taken on by the Cayenne, and surely looks set to stay that way - £5k Turbos and all…
As the accessible, vaguely affordable Porsche option, whether new or used, pretty much every Boxster from the past 30 years will have been driven and enjoyed. As an undemanding but extremely rewarding mid-engined sports car, there was always every incentive to get out and make the most of a Boxster whenever possible. It wasn’t really a Sunday best sports car in the way that a 911 might have been. Arguably only the very first 987 Spyders really qualified for occasional use on account of their notoriously fiddly roof. Even a 3.2 S of the first Boxster generation would remain agreeable daily transport in 2024. Get yourself a Porsche Classic infotainment upgrade and away you go.
All of which makes this 986 a very interesting specimen indeed. Specified from new with the 2.5-litre engine - meaning just the 204hp - the manual gearbox and the lower Sport Chassis, it’s a spec that’s about making the most of the chassis layout. It isn’t spartan, despite NCO Glacier White paint, with options including the centre console, the lovely extended leather and traction control, though it feels like someone chose this to really make the most of a great sports car. If a slightly slow one. Details like a gearknob seemingly straight from a very old 911 show how back to basics things used to be. There doesn’t even appear to be air con.
Yet this Boxster hasn’t even covered 9,000 miles since 1999. Perhaps understandable with an S optioned up to the hilt or one of the very first made, but a real find for a 2.5 - just before the entry-level car was boosted to 2.7 litres as well. It’s all a bit strange, really, and very interesting as a result. Nobody would have thought there’d ever be a 2.5 Boxster museum exhibit, yet here we are.
Complete with colour-coded hardtop, those wonderful Turbo-style wheels and a beautifully preserved interior, it is a sight to behold. Because there are still nice old Boxsters around, along with plenty of scabby ones, though very few that look quite so immaculate. It won’t have been cooed over like it currently is since the first of five owners took delivery in the last century. Perhaps we’re getting a tad carried away.
This won’t be the Boxster for the thrill seekers now, because there just isn’t very much power - and it’ll have only five gears, remember. It’s not for those keen on a cheapish example, either, because £15k is being asked. Instead, this is a Boxster that now can be the high days and holidays sports car, one to show off and take to classic car meets as one of the best of the breed. When the weather is suitable again, what a lovely way to spend a weekend that promises to be.
SPECIFICATION | PORSCHE BOXSTER (986)
Engine: 2,480cc, flat-six
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 204@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 181@4,500rpm
MPG: 29.1
CO2: 239g/km
Year registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 8,927
Price new: £33,950
Yours for: £15,995
These are generally criminally undervalued and a lovely thing to drive, engines howl, steering really direct, even the typeface on the speedo is iconic. Hated them at the time, brought alternatives, but think they are just on the cusp of becoming a collectible classic that will appreciate.
I’d be tempted given the provenance of this one and the main dealer history, but the terracotta interior with white combo is an immediate no no.
I don't think I've ever seen a white early boxter, I wonder if that will be make it more desirable like with the Z4 where colours they didn't sell as new in numbers are now the most sought after
The really odd thing for me though is five people bought a base model car and all decided not to use it, most of these ultra low mileage cars seem to be one owner
I'll be in the market for something like this in the new year but this one's too nice really. It's also been on the market quite a while.
PH articles often carry an irritating tone of "not enough": only 204bhp, only 5 gears, it'll be slow, no air con (in an open car). Stuff needs to evolve, get better with time. Just because everyone's shopping car now has more power than this doesn’t make it inadequate.
Maybe not the best colour combo for a Boxster but it’s a time capsule straight back to 1999.
I like it.
The colour wouldn't worry me - i think this is pure undistilled driving fun. I wish I had the cash and somewhere to keep it!
A 3.2 with similar gearing to the 2.5 would be the sweet spot but it doesn't exist unless you want to pay more than the car is worth to make it happen.
Not a fan of the hard top though, makes for quite an awkward, ugly looking car with it fitted. Probably a good investment for winter though given how these things leak.
When everybody looked - looks! - for the hi power versions everything well set-up (and light) with 150 to 250 ps will be a thrill to drive.
Really? Really!
These drive superbly, if it had been silver even with with that interior I suspect id have been on the phone already this morning.
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