2005 Porsche Boxster Purchase - Owner Issues?

[thstone]

The Boxster 986 model ran from 1997 - 2004. The Boxster 987 (first generation or 987.1) ran from 2005 - 2008 and the Boxster 987 second gen (987.2) from 2009 and on.

Thus, 2005 was the first year of the new 987 model and there are always more problems with the first year of a new model.

[jmatta]

Very true...furthermore, I don't care for the enlarged body and redesigned interior of the 987 vs the 986...the earlier cars just seem to be more pure and simple.

[RandallNeighbour]

jmatta, I'm just the opposite. I think the 986 interior looks cheap compared to the 987.

This is good though. Guys like you keep the resale value of the 986 higher and guys like me keep the 987's resale value higher.

rbambacus, I would highly recommend you look at the 2007 S models. They have a 3.4 in them and my buddy's car has had zero problems in 4 years of ownership sans his ceramic brakes, which on his car are total crap and fade badly at the track. And he flogs the car regularly at the track, btw...

If you don't have the cash for a 07S, then WAIT and buy one when you do have the cash. You will be happy you did. The larger motor and reliability of a model that's 2 years in makes all the difference in the world.

I wish I had not compromised my desires by purchasing a 2.5 1997 when the 3.2 S's were already out in 2004. Don't make the same mistake I made.

[Beelzy]

I think there's too much bling (Chrome) on the 987's interior parts....Go for a 2004 model.

[mikefocke]

sample size used by CR and thus their ability to report anything meaningful on a niche vehicle like the Boxster. When a sample gets too small it also gets too self selecting.

I always cite my Boxster experiences (2 very very good/reliable/cheap cars) as being totally unhelpful when predicting what your experience might be.

I'd prefer the 987 over the 986 (I owned 986s) (look at the model year differences list http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/modelyeardifferences for reasons why).

And the '05 over the '07. Why? Because a major source of worry for some is the IMS and the '05 IMS is easier/cheaper to replace with an upgraded part in the '05.

Look for a car maintained by an enthusiast and get a PPI done before you buy so you know the condition of the car.

[surf40]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

And the '05 over the '07. Why? Because a major source of worry for some is the IMS and the '05 IMS is easier/cheaper to replace with an upgraded part in the '05.

Really? I thought the new 05 and up motor you had to split the case to replace the IMS, while the 04 and below you could upgrade the IMS during a clutch replacement. Now I'm confused.....(which is not hard to do BTW)

[Jake D]

From what I've read surf40, 05 is may or may not be able to be replaced without splitting the cases. For that reason I would go with an 04 S or something newer like 07. I think the general thought on this thread it to stay away from 05 models. I might be wrong in saying that though