Upgrade 986 or buy 987?

[dascar]

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.

[ravensfan]

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

[coreseller]

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

[Ghostrider 310]

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.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by dascar

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.

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.

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

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

[thstone]

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.

[stephen wilson]

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!

[dascar]

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).

[Ghostrider 310]

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.

[Ckrikos]

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.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

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.

What 987 is packing 350+HP?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

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.

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!

[Brockmeister]

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

[stephen wilson]

Not everyone considers a 911 an upgrade

[Ghostrider 310]

Shad you can make that argument with many Porsche to Porsche comparisons, I'm sure a 944 will corner pretty damn close to a 986 at speed and it's decades old. In actual driving though, the 986 feels quite a bit quicker than a 944. Forty five real horses, (not horses calculated by custom part manufacturers) is a lot! Especially when the figures are Porsche's.

[Brockmeister]

I was talking to my Indy the other day and we were talking performance upgrades. He stated, in order to get any kind of real gains out of a 986, you would spend about 6k. That would be a nice chunk of change towards the next car of your choice.

[Perfectlap]

I've driven the 987S and my 986S (fabspeed headers and exhaust) back to back. I don't think the power difference is enough to justify the jump on the basis of power.
986 to the Boxster Spyder or 981S totally different but so is the new monthly check I'd have to be writing. LOL.

Personally I'm not crazy about the 987 styling up front. I like the rear styling of the 987 over the 986. The strangely shaped 987 side intakes never grew on me. The new 981 front end is proabably the nicest of any Porsche sold today imo. Very reminiscent of the Ferrari Cali.
So on styling I would not make the jump either. Also, the 987s are going to be much cheaper by this time next year because of the 981. With the 991 pricing in the nosebleeds the Boxster pool of Porsche buyers is going to get bigger. On the time sheets, there's not much difference between the new Boxster S and a standard Carrera.

I guess its like the old saying upgrade your Porsche every other series. And not having a monthly payment is probably the best Porsche experience short of shooting through the foxhole at N-ring.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I've driven the 987S and my 986S (fabspeed headers and exhaust) back to back. I don't think the power difference is enough to justify the jump on the basis of power.
986 to the Boxster Spyder or 981S totally different but so is the new monthly check I'd have to be writing. LOL.

Personally I'm not crazy about the 987 styling up front. I like the rear styling of the 987 over the 986. The strangely shaped 987 side intakes never grew on me. The new 981 front end is proabably the nicest of any Porsche sold today imo. Very reminiscent of the Ferrari Cali.
So on styling I would not make the jump either. Also, the 987s are going to be much cheaper by this time next year because of the 981. With the 991 pricing in the nosebleeds the Boxster pool of Porsche buyers is going to get bigger. On the time sheets, there's not much difference between the new Boxster S and a standard Carrera.

I guess its like the old saying upgrade your Porsche every other series. And not having a monthly payment is probably the best Porsche experience short of shooting through the foxhole at N-ring.

And this is my point...The differences between the 2 cars being compared which again is the 02S vs. 07S is not a huge step. Same platform with some go faster bits here and there and a more refined interior. If it were me, I'd keep the 02 S (I already have one which is paid for), keep the five grand and continue to save for a 981 for the next 2 years, by then the savings account should be more substantial, the 02 S should still be worth at least ~12K and a used 981 should be more reasonable price wise. value to performance wise, it is hard to make a case for taking on a car payment or any additional outlay for 45 hp and a half a second to sixty, you're still in the same basic car and it's still many years from new. Every other series indeed is the way to go!

R

[Ghostrider 310]

Just to be clear, if my 986 had not "bit it", I'd still have it, the car was paid in full and IMO the 986 is plenty of sports car. I like the Spyder body better than the new car or 986 which only means I made the right choice for me but I can certainly appreciate all of the Boxster iterations. I like having the specialized bits like a LSD, suspension tuned and lowered at the factory and seats you don't normally see in a Boxster.