Will the 987 Boxsters become classics?

[greg9ball]

The Boxster/Caymen made both Car and Driver and Automobile Magazine cars of the year. Each article mentioned that the Boxster/Caymen is a more enjoyable driving experience than the 911. That is high praise indeed!

Does anyone think that the Boxster 987 will become a classic in the way the 993 911s have become classics?

The Boxster has always received positive press, but it seems like that level of praise has gone to a new level.

Greg

[ChrisZang]

don't think so. The 987 (and the 986) were produced in too large numbers

[demick]

Sure they will, but it will take a long time. 40+ years probably. It will take as long as it takes for them to become scarce, and then they will be 'classics'.

But I wonder about how well modern cars will hold up. Cars from 30 and more years ago were simple compared to cars today. So maintaining an early 911 is reasonable for driveway mechanic. But today, there are so many electronics and plastics used, that in 30 or 40 years, nobody will be able to continue to maintain such an old car - due to parts availability, complexity and cost. So yes, they will become very scarce - and therefore, the survivors will be valuable classics.

Now go put your 987 in a vault for 40 years........

[husker boxster]

Boxsters will never attain classic status because they'll always be considered the redheaded step-sibling to the 911.

But personally I like redheads.

[kabel]

Boxsters will probably be as classic as the 914... not that there is anything wrong with that...

[rick3000]

I think it may become a classic in the same way the 914 is a classic now. However, I don't see them being coveted and sold at car auctions for millions of dollars. If the Boxster where to become a classic, I would put my money on the 986, not the 987. It has won far more awards:

Car and Driver: One of the 10 Best Cars of 1997
Automobile: Automobile of the Year
Motor: 1997 Performance Car of the Year
Autocar: Best Roadster in the World
Motorweek: 1997 Drivers Choice for Best Sports Car
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Best Sports Car of the Decade
Newsweek: One of the Best New Products of 1997
BusinessWeek: One of the Best New Products of 1997
American Marketing Association: Best New Product of 1997
Automobile Journalists of Canada: 1997 Car of the Year
Automobile Journalists of Canada: Best Design of 1997
The Boxster has been on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list nine times, from 1998 through 2003 and 2006 through 2008.
The Boxster S (986s) was rated one of the top ten Porsches of all time by Excellence magazine.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Boxsters will never attain classic status because they'll always be considered the redheaded step-sibling to the 911.

But personally I like redheads.

That's what they told the guy with the 914-6

[blue2000s]

I'd be surprised if there was any correlation between magazine praise and eventual classic status. Ther have been alot of Accords on those lists.

In 40 years, any gasoline burning car will be a classic. Hopefully there will still be liquified dinosours around to burn.

[Lil bastard]

No!

Stuttgart/Uusikaupunki ground them out like link sausages.

By the time a Boxster is rare enough to achieve collector status, finding a Gas station is going to be as difficult as finding a Buggy Whip today... except that you'll need to find one every 300 miles.

Some will be sought by museums, but really, how many Auto Museums are there in the World?

Cheers!

[Lordblood]

I don't think classics need to be scarce, what about the original Ford Mustang?

I think if anything the 986 will become classic for being the first serious "people's" sports car of the modern age. But if the future is going to head in the direction as it seems to now, all gasoline cars will become collectors items in the future.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Lordblood

...I think if anything the 986 will become classic for being the first serious "people's" sports car of the modern age...

Of course, there are probably some 300,000+ Miata owners who might disagree with you...

If you don't see it that way... you just don't get it.

Cheers!

[eightsandaces]

But Wait Lil B, what about the "limited edition"? hahaha just kiddin.

Boxsters were made in huge numbers but anyone who keeps one in phenomenal shape will always have a unique beautiful sports car.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

what about the "limited edition"? hahaha just kiddin.

I know you're pulling LB's chain. I have no false hope that I'm sitting on an orange gold mine. If you look at the price diff of an 04 550 vs a garden variety Box, there's a few $$$ prem but not that much. That's why I enjoy my Box vs leaving it covered up in the back of the garage.

Lordblood's point about the Mustang is interesting. But Porsche's are not mainstream enough to evoke the passion from Joe Average. If / when a Box becomes a museum piece, do you think the public will know the difference between an 04 550, an 08 LE, an 08 RS60, or the 11 Spyder vs any other Box? The models I just rolled off may become like a 65 Mustang with a 4bl 289 and the Pony option but from the outside most people couldn't tell them apart from a 6 cyl 3 spd. You could have a 6 cyl Mustang in a museum as easily as a hairy-chested one.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

But Wait Lil B, what about the "limited edition"? hahaha just kiddin.

Boxsters were made in huge numbers but anyone who keeps one in phenomenal shape will always have a unique beautiful sports car.

Agreed.

Cheers!

[ekam]

987 will not be a classic because namely of the extra 200-300lb weight gain.

It's faster, more modern but lost some of its lines.

Just like when 360 Modena replaced the F355. F355 in my eyes will always be a classic, regardless of the numerous issues it has - expensive service/repair and likeliness of catching on fire. 5 valve per cylinder is sweet.

That being said, I do very much like the 2009+ 987.2...

[Jake Raby]

I'd not expect any modern day production car to become a classic..

[renzop]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

I'd not expect any modern day production car to become a classic..

I disagree.

While I tend to think the popularization of the classic car hobby (think of Barret-Jackson on Speed) is a phenomenon that will lose its luster in a few more year, I think that cars are almost as important a part of the fantasy life of the average American male as it was 40 years ago.

As such, as that male grows old he will want to recapture his youth by reliving those fantasies. When that happens those 20-40 year old cars will become classics. How else can you explain the insane value of such cars as the 1958 Chevy Impala. It was not rare, it was not swooned over by magazines. It is and was not in any way beautiful (except in its bizarre grossness).

Of course that does not mean that any modern car is a good investment taken only as an investment.

[rick3000]

It's impossible to tell what will become a classic. More than likely older Boxsters will be worthless in a few years. To even be worth buying as a 'collectors item' you would have to keep it in mint condition for a few decades.

I would much rather enjoy my Boxster now, and not worry about what the car will be worth in the future. I have no intention of ever selling my Boxster and it will probably be worth far more to me when I'm older than to a car collector.

[mebiuspower]

Originally Posted by renzop

I disagree.

While I tend to think the popularization of the classic car hobby (think of Barret-Jackson on Speed) is a phenomenon that will lose its luster in a few more year, I think that cars are almost as important a part of the fantasy life of the average American male as it was 40 years ago.

As such, as that male grows old he will want to recapture his youth by reliving those fantasies. When that happens those 20-40 year old cars will become classics. How else can you explain the insane value of such cars as the 1958 Chevy Impala. It was not rare, it was not swooned over by magazines. It is and was not in any way beautiful (except in its bizarre grossness).

Of course that does not mean that any modern car is a good investment taken only as an investment.

Just like music, every generation thinks the next generation's music is total crap.

Baby boomers feeding the same crap back to their kids (ie. new beetle/mini).

There will always be "classics", whatever the next generation of cars/music/fashion is.

You can argue all gasoline cars will all become classic when we have flying cars.

[husker boxster]

"Classics" are probably more a function of the generation that's hit empty-nest, has the kid's college paid for, and is heading towards retirement with a few bucks in their pocket. They want to find a piece of their youth and relive it.

About 15 yrs ago Barrett-Jackson was filled with big Packards and Duesenbergs. Then the tri-5s took over. Now it's muscle cars. Just so happens the Baby Boomers are hitting my description above and they spent their college yrs during the muscle car era. The next "hot item" (classic?) is considered to be 77-79 Trans Ams. I'm considered a late Boomer and that was the hot car during my college yrs. Coincidence?

Since Porsches are expensive and few college age people are driving them, it will be harder for them to evoke that passion / nostalgia that a classic needs. Might they become museum pieces? Sure.

As far as 986s becoming classics and 987s not because of the weight gain, aren't 67-68 Mustangs considered classics as well as 65-66s? But with Mustangs, the more desirable ones have the big motors. The 914-6 is more desirable than a 914. There never has been a big HP Boxster that separates itself from the rest.

Just my $0.02 worth.