buying a 986 Boxster 2.5 Vs 2.7

[mariosp]

Hello,
My name is marios, I am from Cyprus.I am new member here and I am glad that I find such a place for sharing information of such a prestige car. In my country there are NOT advanced specialists that's why I am searching the internet to solve my issues.

I found two cars where I can post pictures later...

the 2001 2.7 is in perfect condition , white mileage board, 3 spoke steering wheel but the main concern is that doesn't have an Air Condition. It is an issue here because in summer the weather can reach up to 44 degrees Celsius

The 1999 2.5 has xenon lights gt3 rims air condition black mileage board and old 4 spoke steering wheel.

I would love to hear your feedback and In the case that I will proceed with the 2.7......is it easy and feasible to add air condition on the car?


Thank you

Marios

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by mariosp

Hello,
My name is marios, I am from Cyprus.I am new member here and I am glad that I find such a place for sharing information of such a prestige car. In my country there are NOT advanced specialists that's why I am searching the internet to solve my issues.

I found two cars where I can post pictures later...

the 2001 2.7 is in perfect condition , white mileage board, 3 spoke steering wheel but the main concern is that doesn't have an Air Condition. It is an issue here because in summer the weather can reach up to 44 degrees Celsius

The 1999 2.5 has xenon lights gt3 rims air condition black mileage board and old 4 spoke steering wheel.

I would love to hear your feedback and In the case that I will proceed with the 2.7......is it easy and feasible to add air condition on the car?


Thank you

Marios

Feasible, probably, easy, no, expensive, yes. It would be easier and cheaper to get a three spoke steering wheel as an upgrade. If hp is not an issue then the 2.5L would be a great car to own but have a pre purchase inspection (PPI) done on either car.

[Mark_T]

I'd take the 99 for the AC and the double row IMS.

[RedTele58]

The '99 gets my vote too!

[dbear61]

What mileage (kilometers) are on them?

DBear

[black_falcon]

99 is a great year. Probably the most reliable 986 you can get.

Sure the 2.7 is faster and smoother, but the IMS becomes a genuine worry. The 2.5 is simply put, one of the best sounding motors I've ever heard short of a carb'd Ferrari. The 2.7 still sounds nice but is muted by about 50%. Factor in the shorter gearing makes the original boxster my personal favorite of the series.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

99 is a great year. Probably the most reliable 986 you can get.

Sure the 2.7 is faster and smoother, but the IMS becomes a genuine worry. The 2.5 is simply put, one of the best sounding motors I've ever heard short of a carb'd Ferrari. The 2.7 still sounds nice but is muted by about 50%. Factor in the shorter gearing makes the original boxster my personal favorite of the series.

99 is better in some ways, like the fact that it has a dual row bearing, (and some 2000's and 2001's -- but nearly impossible to determine unless the owner had the bearing replaced at least once). But some 2.5 engines had special issues of its own that needed to be addressed under warranty (porosity requiring sleeving). If you buy a 2000-2004 Boxster and its IMS has not been upgraded, then that should be the first thing you do before you even put the key in, replace the water pump too if its still the original one. The IMS just a known weak spot with a simple fix that doesn't require taking the engine out or taking it apart, just dropping the transmission, extracting the old IMS and putting in a new one. One day at the shop and you don't need to worry (if it passes the clean oil inspection first). The waterpump should just be treated like airline part, it comes out every five years or so just to be safe. if the blades break from being old and get into the engine, you're going to have some unnecessary work to do. And it's just a very critical component to keep the engine living.

[black_falcon]

Far as I know, my 99 is still running the original water pump @ 97k. Sounds like I should probably replace it to be safe.

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

99 is better in some ways, like the fact that it has a dual row bearing, (and some 2000's and 2001's -- but nearly impossible to determine unless the owner had the bearing replaced at least once). But some 2.5 engines had special issues of its own that needed to be addressed under warranty (porosity requiring sleeving). If you buy a 2000-2004 Boxster and its IMS has not been upgraded, then that should be the first thing you do before you even put the key in, replace the water pump too if its still the original one. The IMS just a known weak spot with a simple fix that doesn't require taking the engine out or taking it apart, just dropping the transmission, extracting the old IMS and putting in a new one. One day at the shop and you don't need to worry (if it passes the clean oil inspection first). The waterpump should just be treated like airline part, it comes out every five years or so just to be safe. if the blades break from being old and get into the engine, you're going to have some unnecessary work to do. And it's just a very critical component to keep the engine living.

[Pominoz]

Originally Posted by mariosp

Hello,
My name is marios, I am from Cyprus.I am new member here and I am glad that I find such a place for sharing information of such a prestige car. In my country there are NOT advanced specialists that's why I am searching the internet to solve my issues.

I found two cars where I can post pictures later...

the 2001 2.7 is in perfect condition , white mileage board, 3 spoke steering wheel but the main concern is that doesn't have an Air Condition. It is an issue here because in summer the weather can reach up to 44 degrees Celsius

The 1999 2.5 has xenon lights gt3 rims air condition black mileage board and old 4 spoke steering wheel.

I would love to hear your feedback and In the case that I will proceed with the 2.7......is it easy and feasible to add air condition on the car?


Thank you

Marios

Hi Marios,

I used to live in Cyprus so I know what the weather is like there, very nice!

Is this car going to be your daily driver, or is it just for fun?
My Boxster is only used for fun which means that I only drive it with the roof down when it's not too hot, or cold. I've not used the aircon very much because of this. I probably use the heater a lot more. The weather in Melbourne is a bit like Cyprus, just colder in the winter. If are getting the 2.7 for fun and it's a hot day, you can always drive up mount Troodos, the seven sisters would be great in a Boxster!

[mariosp]

thank you all for your replies...
the 2.7 has under 100k km and the 2.5 has around 120k km......

the first two photos is the 2.7 ( the black has 18 inch rims) and the last two photos ( the purple? 2.5....has19 inch rims)
it will be my second car not for daily use
I will appreciate your feedback

[Steve Tinker]

Personally.....
The black 2.7 - later (better?) larger engine, 3 spoke steering wheel, S/S door entrance kick plates, silver centre console & less km. But no A/C, how much would one cost to be fitted by a specialist A/C installer?
The purple car is a hotch potch of colours, red seats (they look like add on sports seats), grey and black interior, 19" wheels look ?? - no thanks.
But drive them both and see which feels the better.

[78F350]

Installing AC in a car that did not originally have it is going to require a lot of labor. The parts should be fairly easy to acquire from a wrecked car, but the overall cost would be enough to cover a complete overhaul on the '99.

I don't like the interior color combination of the 99. That red and grey just don't like to be in the same car together, but those are actually very nice seats. I'd probably trade the seats for ones that match better.

Unless the 2.7 has a low enough price to compensate for installing the AC, I would choose the 2.5.

...and I own a 2001 2.7 and a 1999 2.5. Love them both.

[Mark_T]

The '99 is kinda ugly in those colors, but the sport seats are really nice to have and a very expensive option. I paid a small fortune for mine from a dismantler.

the shift knob, headlights, and side markers have been upgraded in the 99 as well, and of course those aren't the original wheels.

Although I like the looks of the black car better, I'm still thinking the 99 is the better choice. No AC would be a total deal breaker for me.

[Retroman1969]

Also not a fan of that color combo, but I'll put in another vote for the '99 anyway. My two have been very solid so I may be biased.

[mariosp]

thanks you all!
what is your opinion about the rims? of '99?
It is easy to change or find original part for steering wheel 3 spoke and mileage board to be replaced with white?

[heliguy]

The white gauges and silver console on the black car are classy. Purple cars interior hurts my eyes.

[brjak]

+1 for the 99. The different colours makes it a little more unique.

[BFeller]

Any chance one was wrecked and repaired?