How would you rank 986/987 engine variants for reliability?

[Plate spinner]

As per the title really, there's a lot of material to read online, but what are your thoughts of strongest to weakness engines in terms of reliability?

[Plate spinner]

Thanks moose, really appreciate that.

I'm looking around now, I really do think I need a bit of pork flat six in my life.

[Plate spinner]

Yup, looking around. Have a budget up to about £8k so mainly 986 but there are some 2.7 987 in budget.

Weirdly though I really would like a dark blue 986 with ambers...

Noticed that the early 2.5's command quite a premium, or maybe just optimistic by the sellers. Between £5-£7k there's pretty much every year and every variant of 986!

They're old cars now though so more looking on colours/options I want, condition, history and quality of seller. Oh and working air con. If it just needed a regas you would have done it, so let's safely assume you took it for a regas and it leaked straight out because the condenser and associated plumbing are borked.

[Plate spinner]

Chaps, really interesting reading, thanks!

So a 2006 2.7 987 is potentially one of the safer choices?