986 conundrum; 2.5 v 3.2
Discussion
I'm looking into buying a 986, will be my first Porsche.
Wondering about the various model choices, and from what I can tell:-
2.5 - Purest Boxster, just enough power so you can really enjoy the engine, shorter gearing than the others, slightly cheaper to run, apparently more robust. Likely to be a classic being the original Boxster.
2.7 / 3.2 - Both a bit quicker, especially the S, but more expensive to run and more likely to face big bills. Personally I see no reason not to go for a 3.2 over a 2.7.Taller gear ratios is a downside too, I like working the gearbox.
So for me, it looks like a choice between the 2.5 and 3.2. The former being the purist choice, and the cheapest and most reliable, the latter having more luxury and speed.
The car is just a toy for the weekends and the occasional road trip or just driving around the doors. No commuting.
Any feedback welcome.
Wondering about the various model choices, and from what I can tell:-
2.5 - Purest Boxster, just enough power so you can really enjoy the engine, shorter gearing than the others, slightly cheaper to run, apparently more robust. Likely to be a classic being the original Boxster.
2.7 / 3.2 - Both a bit quicker, especially the S, but more expensive to run and more likely to face big bills. Personally I see no reason not to go for a 3.2 over a 2.7.Taller gear ratios is a downside too, I like working the gearbox.
So for me, it looks like a choice between the 2.5 and 3.2. The former being the purist choice, and the cheapest and most reliable, the latter having more luxury and speed.
The car is just a toy for the weekends and the occasional road trip or just driving around the doors. No commuting.
Any feedback welcome.
edc said:
I wouldn't buy a 2.5 because you think you will save big money on maintenance. Nor would I buy an S because you think it's significantly more luxurious. I had an early S and replaced it with a 550. Brakes are bigger and a bit more expensive on the S but as a weekend car you're replacing them what every 5+ years? What's that £35 a year ish? The big ticket stuff that needs attention with age things like exhaust fixings, suspension the whole lot, waterpumps and other parts of cooling system are really no different in cost and are mostly once in ownership types of costs.
That's not really the main reason in fairness, I just listed it as an (possible) advantage; I certainly am well aware that any Porsche is going to cost more than the average car to keep on the road.As the other replies allude to, one reason I've considered the 2.5 is the fact that I need to work the car to get the performance, which as a driver can be enjoyable and satisfying, and the lower gear ratios (and less power/torque) hopefully would keep the speeds down a little; e.g. I've heard the 2.5 maxes out at about 60 in 2nd, 90 in third whereas I've heard the 2.7 and 3.2 both max out at 70 and 100+ respectively.
I get the point you're trying to make though - make buying on condition a priority over the specifics of which model.
CardiffTam said:
Have a look at Flat Six Classics. Sean deals predominantly in 986's and has a very good selection at the moment. I am sure he would be accommodating in comparing the different engines and he is a really great guy.
Thanks I will check this out, as I wasn't aware of it 
ATM said:
One of my mates who is a car guy always says if you looking to buy a car then you should either buy a really cheap example or a really nice one. Reason being the cheap one leaves you room in the budget for spending on stuff. So my buying decision was based on this. You could easily spend 5000 plus on bits and pieces for one of these if you don't buy carefully. Where as the price difference between the bottom end of the market and top is less than 5000. So my thinking was buy at the higher end and hope the spending after is minimal. That's the idea anyway.
Yes I do get this. When I decided to start looking for a car to replace my Mini, I actually gave myself a budget of 15k, but then when you can get a Boxster for 5k that may have the same issue as one costing 3x the price, then it kind of makes sense to buy cheap, but that being said, if the difference between a good 986 and a ropey one is only a couple of grand, say, then it's a no-brainer as you say. 
Yours looks nice btw IMI A said:
^^^ I love these. I wouldn't care. I'd just buy the very best example I could find. Wouldn't care if 2.5, 2.7 or 3.2. The early 2.5 nicest looking IMO. I never found any of them slow if you keep them on boil. Lane changing ability bike like. Tricky on the limit if you buy one without traction. Will swap ends on you in the wet
I've owned a few MR2s so I'm not worried about it swapping ends! 
edc said:
Whatever you buy you'll be influenced by what you've had as benchmarks. If you're used to the latest gen of hot hatches then even the S will feel a tad slow. That said with the roof down everything feels faster.
The good thing is, I've never owned anything particularly fast. I'm currently driving around in a 2006 Mini Cooper S, running about 190-200 bhp, before that, an MR2 Roadster with 138 bhp, and in all honesty, that wasn't fast but plenty quick enough to have some fun in. In fact most of the cars I look back at as being most fun have all been under 200 bhp, most of them considerably under. The fastest cars I've owned were probably the Z4 Coupe 3.0 and 350Z Roadster (276 bhp and 1650 kg!).I kind of like having to work a car a bit to get the speed, its rewarding. Cars with lots of torque are nice to waft about in, but outright performance isn't the be all and end all, otherwise I'd probably be looking at some bland turbocharged hot hatch or a BMW.
So, I just decided to buy one on condition and gut feeling and ignore the engine / spec, and I've put a deposit down on this little beast:
https://www.flatsixclassics.co.uk/listings/porsche...
https://www.flatsixclassics.co.uk/listings/porsche...
Agree it wasn't the cheapest I could have got, but prices are on the up, saw a base 2.5 original go for £9100 at an auction a few days ago, and most stuff in the cheaper ranges looked ropey for one reason or another. Also there's a peace of mind for a pork novice like me that this place appear to be reputable and do their own inspections before sale.
Though tbh nearly everything is ridiculously expensive compared with 6-12 months ago. I've been looking at all sorts, and it's all comparatively expensive now
Though tbh nearly everything is ridiculously expensive compared with 6-12 months ago. I've been looking at all sorts, and it's all comparatively expensive now
CardiffTam said:
ice one. I was at Flat Six Classics this morning picking up my 987 Boxster. Sean has a great set up with a fantastic selection of cars.
Nice one mate enjoy! Sean seems like a great bloke, he's even delivering it all the way up to the North East for a reasonable cost, which is a great gesture considering how far away it is!
Sounds good. I'm looking forward to finally trying one. I'm sure the 2.5 would have been a blast but it will still be nice to have a bit of torque for normal driving or when the speed limiter... Sorry Mrs is in the car 
I really can't wait to get it, so excited! More than I've been over a car for a long while!
I really can't wait to get it, so excited! More than I've been over a car for a long while!
ATM said:
That's brilliant
So you bought it totally unseen / undriven?
Yes I took the risk but based on the fact it's come from a well respected specialist who has sold 160 of the things so he tells me then I trust that it will all be good (fingers crossed). To be fair the chap is more likely than I am to know what constitutes a good Boxster. I'll admit my judgement when buying cars hasn't always been my strong point! So you bought it totally unseen / undriven?
I am calm, it's too early in the morning to be worked up!Yeah I think it is adding to the excitement tbh. I should get it around this time next week (no date confirmed just yet).
One thing that will be nice is the fact that it's being delivered and so my first drive out in it will be for pleasure on known good roads, unlike when I bought my z4c and I had to drive 300 miles on boring motorways straight home so it wasn't exactly a fun first drive.
So back when I got the Z4 it was winter and I had to drive from Cardiff to Newcastle when I picked it up. I also managed to take a wrong turn and went over that big suspension bridge near Bristol but at the time I felt a bit poorly and it was getting dark early on and I just wanted to be home. It took the shine off the first day...
Otherwise though I couldn't agree more even just driving locally I tend to allow more time just so I can stay away from boring dual carriageways.
but at the time I felt a bit poorly and it was getting dark early on and I just wanted to be home. It took the shine off the first day...Otherwise though I couldn't agree more
even just driving locally I tend to allow more time just so I can stay away from boring dual carriageways.Alex10391 said:
Nice purchase. I recently drove one of these on a “classic car experience” drive my mate invited me along to. It was an early 2.5 T reg with nearly 130k on the clock so I wasn’t expecting too much. I was blown away by how good it was to drive… honestly so friendly and easy to drive quick! For reference I have an e46 m3 as a weekend car and felt the boxster was far more fun to punt around. Cue my mate now being on the lookout for one and me considering selling the m3…
Cheers, I'm even more excited after reading that I think more so than any other car, possibly because I still haven't driven one / it yet. I found a pic the other day of when I was a nipper, with a picture of a black 911 (930) convertible on my bedroom wall behind me. Perhaps it was fate, not the same car, but close to being a dream car. It's quite a nice feeling for an average joe like myself to be able to get a taste. Hopefully be here on Wednesday. Can't wait! ATM said:
TameRacingDriver said:
Luckily mine will rarely if ever see a track, not my bag really. Anyway I've picked it up. Super happy. Will post properly later.
Tease
Jonstar said:
Lovely car well done! I'll be interested to hear your thoughts given you seem to have a similar taste in cars to me!
Edit: apologies to those viewing on mobile for the formatting, I did this on a computer and it looked perfect, but it seems all truncated on mobile So, I spent a good 4 or 5 hours driving my new 3.2, and am well happy with it, I was expecting it to be a nice drive, but I wasn't expecting just how nice it actually does drive. I'll try not to waffle on, but my impressions:
- Looks really great in the flesh, better than in the photos. I thought I probably wanted silver, but this looks fantastic. Lots of compliments.
- Wasn't sure of the wheels in the sale photos but I think they look great in the flesh now I've seen them, 17s too so better for ride/handling/cheaper tyres
- Nice driver focused cabin, looks and feels premium, very few rattles, squeaks or creaks, if any. Amazing for the age.
- Good driving position, wheel feels perfectly sized for my tastes. Pedal spacing and position seems perfect, I can actually H&T in this.
- Engine sounds superb. I think its completely stock. I would say a perfect sound with the roof up, what a noise, sounds great at any revs, but more especially as the car passes 4,500rpm. I've heard someone say it has a 'yowl' to it, and I can hear that. Its very sonorous
- Roof down, that lovely noise is somewhat drowned out by wind and tyre noise, a bit of a shame. Open to feedback on this one. Done with modding tbh, but I would consider it on this occasion if it increases enjoyment of the car and doesn't spoil it.
- Not quite as torquey as I was expecting. Then again, I've been driving a supercharged Mini which is very 'mid-rangey'. It clearly prefers being worked for the speed, which isn't exactly a hardship. In fairness, either I started getting used to it, or it actually started to feel like it was improving the more I drove it.
- When you do rev it out, the noise is addictive, and it certainly gets a move on to say the least. Probably not 'fast' by modern standards, but easily more than enough to enjoy on the road.
- The gearshift has been modded with an official Porsche short shift. Basically feels a bit like an MX5, probably not quite as good, but not too far off.
- The gearing, as expected, is a bit tall for my tastes, but I knew that before I got it. Not a massive problem in the grand scheme of things.
- The steering is really, really nice. Best I've experienced out of any of the cars I've owned. Only one that comes close is the Mk2 MR2 Turbo, but its better than that. Super detailed, perfect weighting and just a nice speed to the rack. Sublime.
- The handling is just like its on rails. I pushed the car as much as I felt comfortable doing so, and I have no doubt that the car itself was well within it's limits. It feels supremely confident and planted, very agile...
- The chassis feels so amazingly well balanced too, I could really feel the car rotating around me as I navigated the bends. Delightful.
- Despite this amazing handling, the ride was perhaps the thing that made my jaw drop the most. Its bloody awesome. It rides like a luxury car, so amazingly well controlled and damped, yet show it a corner and its a weapon.
- Brakes - didn't test them in anger. Noticed that the servo assistance is less than a modern car so needs a bigger shove of the foot, but I have no doubt that they will be more than sufficient for plenty of fade free spirited driving. I'm already warming to the extra feel and control this provides.
I've also owned a couple of this cars rivals, the Z4 Coupe 3.0Si and the 350Z Roadster, and would have to say that this car is a better drivers car than either of those in terms of handling, ride, steering, brakes and just outright sporting focus. I am really very impressed with this car so far.
Only downsides I've noticed so far...
- The fuel / temp gauge glass appears to be marked - they had what looked like spittle marks on, but so far they're not wiping off. Hopefully the glass can be replaced, but tbh if it meant replacing the gauges I won't bother as it's not horrific or anything - unless it's cheap enough to do. I will try and polish them up a bit at the weekend and see if I can improve it.
- Plastic trim from one of the struts on the soft top detached itself and doesn't appear to want to fit back on securely.
- Exhaust / engine arguably too quiet with roof down - will see how I feel about this over the coming weeks.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Friday 20th August 08:28
pattyg said:
My 1999 2.5 which I bought last year. Absolutely love it. I could have bought the best 3.2 S or a really nice 987 but wanted the original for some strange reason.
I really wanted a P reg with ambers but liked the look of the litronics when I saw this one.
I much prefer it to my old Elise S1. As a previous poster mentioned, the howl above 4K is addictive.
An Elise was my other possibility but for me the Pork seems like a no brainer at half the cost, not as raw for sure, but still a great steer, and more comfortable and practical. One of the few cars that even Mrs TRD likes
Z4MCSL said:
Bit of a bump here but really interested in your review TRD, specifically because I'm looking to get a 3.2s to replace my Z4coupe.
I have had faster cars (previously had a z4mc) and currently have a 182 track car and a megane rs275 which is now mapped to about 305hp and 360lbft so I'm not buying the boxster for straight performance, more for experience and driving enjoyment.
I'm super interested in any more thoughts on how it compares to the Z4C??
Cheers
Hi Z4MCSL - for me the Boxster is much better to drive, the steering is way better with a lot more feedback, lovely weighting and super responsive, the brakes have better feel and take repeated abuse better, and chassis feels a lot better so the handling is far better in my opinion. Feel pretty much the same performance wise, perhaps the Z4 picks up slightly better at low revs, but this is partially because the Boxster is a little tall geared for my tastes. Both cars make a nice noise, standard for standard the Porsche has that distinctive Porsche noise and sounds generally sportier though the BMW also sounds good when revved. In case it was not obvious, I think the Boxster is overall a much better car to drive, and feels more special. Hope this helps.I have had faster cars (previously had a z4mc) and currently have a 182 track car and a megane rs275 which is now mapped to about 305hp and 360lbft so I'm not buying the boxster for straight performance, more for experience and driving enjoyment.
I'm super interested in any more thoughts on how it compares to the Z4C??
Cheers
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