Looking for a Boxster, what to buy with my budget?
 

Hi guys, new poster here. I'm a bit early for my mid-life crisis (late 30s), but anyways I seem to have the Porsche bug. I think I got it from my neighbor and his '84 911 Targa.

I've been envious of Boxster drivers for years. I probably can budget $24K-$33K on a Boxster. The upper part of that range is if I sell my current DD (A3 2.0T 6M) , while the lower part of that range I could still use the A3 as my DD. I actually really like my A3, so not selling it is a plus.

I know I definitely want a manual (6 speed preferred). I prefer the 987 body style, especially 987.2. I'm not a drag racer, but I do want to keep up with my neighbor and also don't want to be merged in front of by V6 Accords on greens.

My current thinking is:
05-06 S (20k-30k miles) for mid 20s (keep the A3?)
07-08 S (20k-30k miles) for low 30s (sell the A3)
09 base for low 30s (sell the A3)
09 S with high mileage for ??? (sell the A3)

I'm in a financial position where I can afford proper maintenance for anything other than an engine replacement. I do want to consider maintenance as part of the purchasing decision.

I've never considered salvage title cars before, but I'm wondering if this is also an option with a proper PPI with laser alignment. I've seen some really low prices for beautiful salvage cars that have claims of low-speed impacts repaired with OEM parts.

Thanks! I'd love some good advice from your collective wisdom :cheers:

Something else I should add. I barely put 3K miles a year on my A3. I only have a 4 mile drive to work, and 3-4 days of the week I'll bike. I'm worried having two cars with little driving would turn them both into 'garage queens.' though the A3 might have to park in the driveway :-(

If I sell the A3, then I will likely be subjecting the Boxster to many short trips with only the rare escape for longer rides.

I live in the Sacramento, CA area, so I can mostly drive the Boxster year round (may put the top up on hot summer days).

Welcome to the forum. I have driven my 2001 Boxster base year round for 3 years. I am not sure I want to do another winter in it. You don't say what part of the country you are from. If you are in the snowbelt I would consider keeping your A3 for winter weather. If you are in Texas, Florida or Calif. should be no problem year round.

If it was me I would be interested in latter 09 year S or later to get away from the ims issue. However if $$$ were an issue then get an earlier one.

Cheers, Guy

Wait for the 09 S's to come down in price. They've come off warranty and the ones with moderate mileage will start to dip. Personally I don't think 987.1 are the best value in Boxsters and their prices are still bottoming whereas the 986S's have pretty much gotten there. Bot have fairly similarly engines according to the engine experts. You're paying a premium and not getting it in the engine department. So I would go low mileage 986S or 987.2, one or the other.

p.s.
I also bike 5 days week and leave the Boxster at home. During winter, I picked up studed bike tires but I guess you don't have that issue in Kahleefohnia.

If I budget an IMS retrofit into a 987.1 S, does this help vs. waiting for a 987.2 S to come down in price?

My understanding is, except for a small percentage of the 05 model year, the engine has to be removed and dismantled on the 987.1 models in order to change the IMS. That will be pricey. I like the idea of getting a GOOD 04S and save the $$ for future maintenance/repairs or upgrades.

Tony

I haven't done much research on the 986's. What should I look for? What is the difference between an early 986 S vs a '04?

OK, found there were some significant changes in '03. What would be the noticeable differences in a late 986 S vs a early 987 S?

I don't like the dash at all in the 986.

The 987's got a serious interior quality upgrade and actually, a LOT was changed under the sheet metal. They touted it as an all new Boxster.

I just can't bring myself to think of buying a 987S from the 2005 or 2006 model years when the engine size bumped up so nicely in 2007.

I drove my buddy's 07 S about six months after he bought it and got it broken in and it was impressive. Never should have done that. To this day I still remember how nice it was.

Now here's an odd difference between the 986 and the 987 few will know to tell you:

The 986's have a true temperature gauge that moves as the motor heats and cools off. My buddy's 07S (and all the newer model years, from what I can assume) has a temp gauge that quickly goes to the center position like an idiot light and never moves after that (unless there's an overheating issue of some sort).

I'd buy a early 2000's S for <$15K then enjoy the 10K on gas/DEs/taking your SO to dinners and weekend romance trips -- and still keep the A3 if you really wanted to.

Mike (I daily drove an 00 S for 4 years and now track a different 00 S).

I do prefer the 07's of course, but there are significant pricing differences on resale (around $4-5K for 15 ponies).

Just be sure to take that car for a drive longer than that once in a while....not getting an engine up to full temp isn't the best for it as moisture won't be expelled from the system.

I would defiantly keep the a3 and if you want a 987 I would make sure it's 09.... However little internally is diffrent from the 986 and early 987s.... For 20 you can get a really clean fairly low mile 03 or 04 986 S and that's including an ims retrofit budgeted in.

Anybody have an IMS retrofit (including install) estimate for a 986S and a 987S?

Good Question; everyone will have their preferences. Here were mine:

1. Decide on color combination that you like. I had to have Artic White with Savannah interior.

2. Find an original owner, dealers sell cars they bought at auctions. Original owners babied their Boxster AND they will show you all their receipts

3. Look closely at milage, the prime original owners were NOT salemen putting on company milage. The Boxster I bought was 11 years old and had 38K

4. Don't rush it; I spent 3 years looking. The hunt is the best part.

Lastly, IMS retrofits are controversial. I've taked to over 100 Boxster owners that have not had IMS problems; and the two that I know who did the retrofits found they were not warranted. I would not suspect an IMS issue from a low milage original owners Boxster. Having said that, talk to other Boxster owners on their IMS thinking. Try not to be influenced by just what you read on the internet.

And, Boxster prices have taken a real hit. You can get terrific deals pricewise. This drop reminds me of when the 356's sold on the low side; i.e a primo 356 C could be had for $5K back in the 70's

Good luck, enjoy the hunt.

get an 03 or 04 986S. They have a bunch of upgrades over the earlier ones

There was an 04 Special Edition not long back. Sweet 986 S.

As as I know..

1997-2004 IMS
$650 for the LNE bearing, or $100 if you go for the Pelican. $950 for labor, figure 10 hours at $95 per hour
And be ready for a new flywheel $600 if its moderate to high mileage. And 2001-2004 bearings need to be replaced again with each clutch change, they dont have the longevity of dual row bearing (1997-1999/ some 2000).

987.1 (2005-2008) IMS? I've heard $4-5k.

987.2 (2009-20012) IMS? $0. No more IMS

I found a 2010 S within my price range. The car was in an accident. The owner rear ended another car, but it doesn't have a salvaged title. Other than that, it looks good. It is one owner, from a dry climate, and has all service records.

What do you think? I can talk to his dealer to find out more about the car. Otherwise, The only way I can get into a 987.2 would be a base model.

As the above Perfectlap says take your time. I would not look at a car that had a serious accident. Don't forget that if you bought it and later tried to sell it then the accident history does not bode well for resale. For me no.

There should be others out there that are accident free. Take your time. PPI etc.

Cheers, Guy.