Twenty Year Old 986 as a Daily
Discussion
Is it doable?
Could I buy and (daily) run a 2000 - 2004 986 2.7 or 3.2, 10K a year 52 weeks a year in all weather, and not regret it?
I'm fully aware of the bills these cars can throw up, the coffin arms and drop links, front & rear brake hoses, clutch and rads/pipework/pump/stat being the usual bigger ones. But if I bought one that'd had at least most of the above done, could I run it as a functional daily without having to have half the car rebuilt in short order?
What about rust? I know these cars were well rust proofed in their time. But how is a typical twenty year old example fairing underneath now?
I could also rephrase my question like this: would I, all things being equal, be likely to shell out less in total by daily running a cheaper (to buy) 2000 - 2004 986 and swallowing the maintenance bills, or an early 2004 - 2006ish 987 boxster and shell out more to buy but hopefully save some on maintenance? Would there even be any difference?
Any wisdom and experience highly appreciated.
Could I buy and (daily) run a 2000 - 2004 986 2.7 or 3.2, 10K a year 52 weeks a year in all weather, and not regret it?
I'm fully aware of the bills these cars can throw up, the coffin arms and drop links, front & rear brake hoses, clutch and rads/pipework/pump/stat being the usual bigger ones. But if I bought one that'd had at least most of the above done, could I run it as a functional daily without having to have half the car rebuilt in short order?
What about rust? I know these cars were well rust proofed in their time. But how is a typical twenty year old example fairing underneath now?
I could also rephrase my question like this: would I, all things being equal, be likely to shell out less in total by daily running a cheaper (to buy) 2000 - 2004 986 and swallowing the maintenance bills, or an early 2004 - 2006ish 987 boxster and shell out more to buy but hopefully save some on maintenance? Would there even be any difference?
Any wisdom and experience highly appreciated.
After I started this thread, I took people's advice and did it. I particularly took note of what F6C said, that it's easier putting money into the car you like. So I finally pulled the trigger in July and bought a 2006 yellow 987 Boxster 2.7 manual, 55k.
How's it been? Actually, it's been fine but there have been some nail biting moments. I bought it from a well known Porsche Indy, and that meant it came with a good six month warranty - which is just as well as I had to claim on it (details on the poverty pork thread a few pages back).
I've put another 4.5k on it in that time, and the only issues have been things that have come up due to me daily running a car that's only done 9k in the last 5 years. A coolant tank bleed release valve failed, dumping the coolant, and the bolts broke on the exhaust manifold requiring new bolts (after drilling out old ones), clamps and gaskets all round. Both jobs came to a combined total of £601 all in. I think that's not too bad in five months. Apart from the well taken care of warranty claim, I haven't had any other work done at all.
I've just got to learn not to panic every time something comes up. Like, for example, when the exhaust started howling, I took it to a tyre & zorst chain who looked at it and told me they didn't want the job and it needed a new exhaust manifold and catalytic converter!!?! I panicked, and thought I was gonna put two grand on the credit card. Took it to a sports car garage used to working on Porsches, and it turned out just to be the aforementioned bolts clamps and gaskets.
As far as I know my car needs no other work. It had a full service by the Indy I bought it from in the summer.
My advice to anyone buying is to find a car that's had as many of the usual suspects changed as poss. Mine's had front crossover pipes, rear solid brake hoses, front and rear springs, drop links, suspension arms, anti-roll bar, light switch and front and rear brake discs, pads, drums, shoes and shoe springs all changed within the last 10k or so.
Like others who've kindly commented on this thread, I've found it absolutely is possible to daily one of these cars. A couple of purchases I've made are a 986 space saver and a half cover which covers the hood and glass area. This is useful not only for frosty weather (car kept outside), but also because I park at my boss's house, we go to work in his van, and there are cats around there who like to get on the roof. Obviously, cats' claws on a hood are not a good combination, so the half cover was a good investment.
How's it been? Actually, it's been fine but there have been some nail biting moments. I bought it from a well known Porsche Indy, and that meant it came with a good six month warranty - which is just as well as I had to claim on it (details on the poverty pork thread a few pages back).
I've put another 4.5k on it in that time, and the only issues have been things that have come up due to me daily running a car that's only done 9k in the last 5 years. A coolant tank bleed release valve failed, dumping the coolant, and the bolts broke on the exhaust manifold requiring new bolts (after drilling out old ones), clamps and gaskets all round. Both jobs came to a combined total of £601 all in. I think that's not too bad in five months. Apart from the well taken care of warranty claim, I haven't had any other work done at all.
I've just got to learn not to panic every time something comes up. Like, for example, when the exhaust started howling, I took it to a tyre & zorst chain who looked at it and told me they didn't want the job and it needed a new exhaust manifold and catalytic converter!!?! I panicked, and thought I was gonna put two grand on the credit card. Took it to a sports car garage used to working on Porsches, and it turned out just to be the aforementioned bolts clamps and gaskets.
As far as I know my car needs no other work. It had a full service by the Indy I bought it from in the summer.
My advice to anyone buying is to find a car that's had as many of the usual suspects changed as poss. Mine's had front crossover pipes, rear solid brake hoses, front and rear springs, drop links, suspension arms, anti-roll bar, light switch and front and rear brake discs, pads, drums, shoes and shoe springs all changed within the last 10k or so.
Like others who've kindly commented on this thread, I've found it absolutely is possible to daily one of these cars. A couple of purchases I've made are a 986 space saver and a half cover which covers the hood and glass area. This is useful not only for frosty weather (car kept outside), but also because I park at my boss's house, we go to work in his van, and there are cats around there who like to get on the roof. Obviously, cats' claws on a hood are not a good combination, so the half cover was a good investment.
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