Upgrade 986 or buy 987?
 

In the spring, I plan on either selling my 02 Boxster S (Speed Yellow, 33k miles) and getting an 07-08 987 Boxster S (Speed Yellow, of course - budget of around $26k) OR spend $6k in upgrades on my car such as new turbo front bumper, side valances and perhaps an exhaust mod. What do you guys think? Is newer better? More HP, real glass window vs. plastic, a tad more interior room plus all new dashboard, sexier body and it already has the cool front bumper with big air intakes as well as non-fried egg headlights. However, I could save myself $5k or so by keeping my car and have a pretty unique 986.

I don't know if you could find a 987 s for 26K.

My advice, it's free and probably worth what it costs, keep your car and leave it alone. If anything do the exhaust, with that at least you could remove it and recoup some of your dollars upon selling.

IMO the real question you should ask yourself.........."How much more pleasure / driving enjoyment would I experience driving a 987 vs. a 986?"

Good Luck :cheers:

More free advise! I'd run your car as is or buy the newer unit. A few cosmetics and an exhaust note change are not going to come close to the driving effects of switching models depending on the engine and configuration of course. You would also be putting money into an already older car that you sound like you want to change for something else if you are not going to be happy with the changes and keep it the money wont be worth the short term effects.

Here's an interesting twist of advice. If you're the type of person who has the inclination to modify or upgrade his vehicle, then it won't matter what boxster you have (986, 987 or otherwise) the desire to improve upon your existing vehicle will always be there. Case in point, before deciding to undertake the major body kit project that I did on the Dangermobile, I considered trading up to the special edition 987 S. However, after test driving the 987, the conclusion was that the vehicle felt like "mush" compared to the Dangermobile. Granted this may have been an apples to oranges comparison, since the D-mobile had been extensively modified. Nevertheless, my thoughts at the time were - that I would need to modify the 987 in a similar way in order to surpass the performance qualities of my 986. That meant engine, exhaust, suspension ect... Therefore, I decided to follow through with the body kit project. In the final analysis, did this make economic sense ? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. But, in the end I achieved my goal. And, that was to create a "signature" boxster that I would continue to enjoy much more than any "stock" version for years to come.

There are 987 Boxster Base models all ove the internet for under 26K.

I would upgrade the 986, this way you can make it exactly what you want it to be. That is what I've done. I love my 986 because I made it my own.

Buying a 987 is just buying Porsche's slightly different idea of a 986. Unless that is your exact dream, then skip the 987 and make your 986 into your dream.

Take a test drive, and see how you feel about the 987 after that. It sound like you already like the styling. If $5000 savings is the big issue, wait for a year or so. It's a very personal decision, only you know what your heart wants!

Great advice, everyone. I have not driven a 987 so that must be Step 1 as I should not assume it is radically superior to my little monster. I would love to get my car to the unbelievable level of Danger's sweet-a$$ ride but that will take far more than a $5k upgrade budget. The big three factors in this decision are: the plastic rear window, the tiny air intakes on the front bumper as well as the actual engine intake(s), and finally the fried-egg headlights. Surprisingly, suspension and power are not huge factors as I'm already pretty happy in that department with what I already have and I don't really mind the quirky interior on the 986 (although it is very, very tight).

Buying a 987 is just buying Porsche's slightly different idea of a 986.


Yup, a different Idea with more than a hundred more horses and direct fuel injection.

I was thinking of doing the same except I was considering a 2002+ 996 or 996 TT. I decided to just hold onto my 986 and do a few minor upgrades such as 18" wheels, skirts, and Pioneer Nav. I will also be upgrading the IMS this spring. I have about 47K on my 02 986.

I would like a Porsche sport exhaust (if I could find one), a ROW M030 Suspension, and a 996 GT3 MK1 front bumper. Then Ill be done.

What 987 is packing 350+HP?

If I was going to spend 26k, I would be upgrading to a 911 of some sort.

Not everyone considers a 911 an upgrade:)

My 1998 was 205 HP My new car is 320HP my math holds up my man.

I haven't ruled out a Cayman either. I really want to jump up to the 3.4 whether it be in a Boxster S or the Cayman. I kind of dig the roadster thing since I sold my motorcycle two years ago, it's as close as I can get!

I know how you feel. I still have a street bike, but actually feel more "open" to the surroundings in the Boxster, after I don all my riding gear and helmet.

My comment was meant to address the OP's list of desires which didn't seem to identify more power as a key item.

Did not mean to understate the extra power!

2007 Boxster S has 295hp. Close enough to 100hp over the 200hp early 2.5L cars.

Stoney no worries I wasn't trying to be a d bag either but truly you can feel that kind of power increase, especially when the cars are nearly identical in weight.