Looking to buy a 986 (possibly 987)Boxster S - advice sought
Discussion
Hello 
Having recently sold my Nissan 200sx I am seriously looking toward purchasing a Boxster S. I have had a look at a few earlier models but was put off by the plastic rear screen. I managed to test drove a 2003 variant last weekend which was great and had the glass rear screen but very few other options (metallic blue with grey leather - although the leather was showing wear on the steering wheel and gearshift suprising for ~30k miles use!). I liked the way it drove and the sound of the engine and it has ruled the z4 3.0 roadster I had also drove out of the running.
Does anybody have a list of points to look for or 'must have' options to get when buying a Boxster S, I understand the RMS can be problematic. My budget is flexible but I'm kinda hoping to get a good 2003 face lift car with some options for 22/23k private sale - is this a reasonable expectation?
Would you advise waiting till winter when prices may be cheaper and / or saving a bit longer to go for an early 987s? Does the 987 suffer the same RMS weakpoint (the 987 does look fantasic and is swaying me somewhat but I feel its not depreciated enough yet - oh well only young once
). Is the 987 a big improvement over the 986?
Is the bose audio system worth getting? - I like my music and don't want to be messing around with aftermarket solutions! If I was to buy privately I was going to get the 112 point check done and an official warantee put on the car - is this wise?
Any advice is much appreciated!
Adam D
Having recently sold my Nissan 200sx I am seriously looking toward purchasing a Boxster S. I have had a look at a few earlier models but was put off by the plastic rear screen. I managed to test drove a 2003 variant last weekend which was great and had the glass rear screen but very few other options (metallic blue with grey leather - although the leather was showing wear on the steering wheel and gearshift suprising for ~30k miles use!). I liked the way it drove and the sound of the engine and it has ruled the z4 3.0 roadster I had also drove out of the running.
Does anybody have a list of points to look for or 'must have' options to get when buying a Boxster S, I understand the RMS can be problematic. My budget is flexible but I'm kinda hoping to get a good 2003 face lift car with some options for 22/23k private sale - is this a reasonable expectation?
Would you advise waiting till winter when prices may be cheaper and / or saving a bit longer to go for an early 987s? Does the 987 suffer the same RMS weakpoint (the 987 does look fantasic and is swaying me somewhat but I feel its not depreciated enough yet - oh well only young once
). Is the 987 a big improvement over the 986?Is the bose audio system worth getting? - I like my music and don't want to be messing around with aftermarket solutions! If I was to buy privately I was going to get the 112 point check done and an official warantee put on the car - is this wise?
Any advice is much appreciated!
Adam D
To be honest I think there are only a couple of must have options, one being full leather, the other being heated seats. Everything else is a bonus and might sway your choice on conparible cars but not essential.
On mine (987s) I have the above plus
- 19" Sport Design wheels (look good but I am fairly sure 18s would drive better)
- extended leather (looks brill and creates a real impression of quality)
- sports steering wheel, nicer than the standard wheel
- Bose. This does sound fantastic with the top down (it has two modes), but personally top up I am not blown away, the sub does not seem to come into play etc. Its not set and forget you do need to adjustit to get the best out of different types of music.
Options I wish I had:
- Sports Exhaust
- PASM (I think comfort mode would possibly smooth out the 19s on the worst roads).
If you can get the 987 the interior is a nicer place to be if thats a consideration, but I cant imagine the driving experience differing hugely?
On mine (987s) I have the above plus
- 19" Sport Design wheels (look good but I am fairly sure 18s would drive better)
- extended leather (looks brill and creates a real impression of quality)
- sports steering wheel, nicer than the standard wheel
- Bose. This does sound fantastic with the top down (it has two modes), but personally top up I am not blown away, the sub does not seem to come into play etc. Its not set and forget you do need to adjustit to get the best out of different types of music.
Options I wish I had:
- Sports Exhaust
- PASM (I think comfort mode would possibly smooth out the 19s on the worst roads).
If you can get the 987 the interior is a nicer place to be if thats a consideration, but I cant imagine the driving experience differing hugely?
A MUST NOT HAVE is savannah (however its spelt) leather...
On a serious note a must have for me is the wind deflector.
One impact on choice might be your hight/size..I'm 6'2 and the 986 is pretty tight especially with sports seats..there'sa number of threads from memory about 987's having a bit more room.
On a serious note a must have for me is the wind deflector.
One impact on choice might be your hight/size..I'm 6'2 and the 986 is pretty tight especially with sports seats..there'sa number of threads from memory about 987's having a bit more room.
The late model 986 S is a great buy just now - particularly the 550 spyder if you can find one as it had a bit extra grunt, came fully loaded from factory (which is also insurance friendly) interior speccd in factory and has lots of nice touches which make it feel luxurious, has bose, litronics, psm, full leather, sports suspension etc etc all as standard. You can buy a 2004 car for not much more than half its original price with not too many miles on the clock. You'll get a 550 with 10k miles for around 27k if you look carefully.
Bose - yes, it was an expensive option in a new car but very nice to have in a used - its not brilliant but a lot better than the other pitiful options that you could have, which basically weren't worth listening to.
RMS - yes it affects 987 as well as its fundamentally the same engine. Rumor has it that the latest version of the seal has finally sorted the problem, I had this fitted FOC by Porsche last month (no warranty).
Bose - yes, it was an expensive option in a new car but very nice to have in a used - its not brilliant but a lot better than the other pitiful options that you could have, which basically weren't worth listening to.
RMS - yes it affects 987 as well as its fundamentally the same engine. Rumor has it that the latest version of the seal has finally sorted the problem, I had this fitted FOC by Porsche last month (no warranty).
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