2004 Boxster Anniversary Edition question

[jamimarti]

What has happened to all of the low serial number cars in this series of 1,953 units? I thought I had read at some point that the first ten cars produced were sent to the Paris Auto Show for show/demonstration. Anyone know anything about this or know the whereabouts of any of these early editions for 2004? Also, I have noticed that the 2004 Boxster S anniversary edition cars for sale are typically higher series cars (e.g. upper three digit and four digit series cars). I have never seen lower than a three digit series car for sale. Are the lower series worth more? Where are they being hidden? Thanks for any input.

[Timco]

My number is in my sig line.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Timco

My number is in my sig line.

Oh.. the GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather interior are my favorite combination, do you have more pics?

.

[10/10ths]

.....was a one owner, some middle aged woman in Colorado that kept to herself and the car slept in a garage her whole life.

The cars are out there, but most folks don't troll the forums.

Cheers.

Oh, and she is magnificent!

[MarkeeeVR6]

I have #317

[JayG]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

.....was a one owner, some middle aged woman in Colorado that kept to herself and the car slept in a garage her whole life.

The cars are out there, but most folks don't troll the forums.

Cheers.

Oh, and she is magnificent!

Which is magnificent, the woman or the car? LOL

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Oh.. the GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather interior are my favorite combination, do you have more pics?

.

More in the light later.

The brown leather and black gauge faces and chrome rings around gauges are very tasteful. I really like the car color highlights and am torn between wanting the painted seat backs. I'll post the sales brochure shortly.

[EJ-Fresno]

Originally Posted by Timco

More in the light later.

The brown leather and black gauge faces and chrome rings around gauges are very tasteful. I really like the car color highlights and am torn between wanting the painted seat backs. I'll post the sales brochure shortly.

Is it possible to install such a cluster in a 2003? Or they are specific to 2004+ models?
Thanks.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

Is it possible to install such a cluster in a 2003? Or they are specific to 2004+ models?
Thanks.

I only sat in a few other cars since I test drove them. I can only imagine it would fit right in unless someone else sees some difference. Wonder if it's available or if you need to find one being parted out.

[Timco]

[BrokenLinkage]

From the flyer: "The brakes feature ventilated aluminum discs..."
Really? Can someone verify this? Or was it a typo?

[jdlmodelt]

Timco would you or someone else on this forum be willing to post a pic of your sales window sticker? I want to print one out to hang in my garage with my 99.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by jdlmodelt

Timco would you or someone else on this forum be willing to post a pic of your sales window sticker? I want to print one out to hang in my garage with my 99.

I'll scan it later or tomorrow and post it, or I'll email it direct. The pic sux.

[Smallblock454]

As far as i know the instrument cluster in a 986 550 Spyder is the same as in a 986 non S.

The difference is that the inner bezel is painted in silver and that each instrument has a chrome bezel. There are aftermarket chrome bezels available.









Parts number:


In germany there are a lot of 986 550 Spyders for sale at the moment. Prices are higher, because the series is limited. But that doesn't mean that the cars didn't have the same problems than other 986 when getting older.

I don't see that the Boxster prices raise in correlation to normal money inflation. Whereas 993 and older models have raised a lot in the past 2 to 3 years. Also 996 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 (everything with a Mezger engine) raises extremly. Whereas 986 and 996 still fall due to the many expensive problems the cars can have.

Regards from germany
Markus

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

I don't see that the Boxster prices raise in correlation to normal money inflation. Whereas 993 and older models have raised a lot in the past 2 to 3 years. Also 996 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 (everything with a Mezger engine) raises extremly. Whereas 986 and 996 still fall due to the many expensive problems the cars can have.

Regards from germany
Markus

I don't know if supply of 986 and 996 is abundant there but, prices are falling here because there are simply too many Porsches of all models for sale. Too many Caymans/Boxsters, far too many Carrera variants, too many Cayennes, too many Panameras and now the Macans have sold out which means there will a glut of those going into the already saturated used car market in only a few years. Americans in general are very skeptical about buying luxury German cars with an expired factory warranty because of the perception of overpriced parts and the specialized labor required to work on these cars. After 8-10 years just about any $70,000 USD Audi, BMW, Porsche or Mercedes will be only worth the cost of its used engine, so maybe 10% of that original sticker price.

Also, 996 and 997 Turbos indeed have some of the best engines found in a Porsche but these car have been notorious for suffering the sharpest depreciation in the first few years. Enough to buy a used 987 Cayman and 986 Boxster. When our economy crashed in 2008 some Carreras were losing as much as $20K value in a single year. A knew one guy who stole a 996 Turbo for $30K when the were selling for $60K barely a year earlier. The Boxsters and Caymans did not drop in value nearly as much because they were not so overpriced to begin with. When credit markets dry up the public has a way of showing you what they think something is actually worth in a hurry. The only cars that really did well during the crash were the ones with very limited production engines like the GT3, GT3 RS and RS 4.0. Generally here in the U.S., if the engine in a Porsche is not limited production it really doesn't matter how good or bad it is, it will not hold value well. The 911's, 964 and 993's have done well because Porsche sold so few of those cars and once they unexpectedly became trendy bidding wars erupted. For instance in 1998 Porsche barely sold 1,500 993's for all of North America during a very strong economy. very ironic that this poor sales performance is now working in its favor in the used market. While the cars like the 986 and 996 that saved Porsche from becoming part of Toyota sold so well in the U.SA. that this supply is now negative in their resale. Seems reminiscent of the crude oil markets now...

[EJ-Fresno]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

As far as i know the instrument cluster in a 986 550 Spyder is the same as in a 986 non S.

The difference is that the inner bezel is painted in silver and that each instrument has a chrome bezel. There are aftermarket chrome bezels available.

How can one activate the 3-line display then?
I have only 2 lines on my IC, and it's a 2003 base.
Thanks!

[jamimarti]

Interesting comments on this model. I own #0007 in the series of 1953 thus my interest in the early units from this series. I have never seen anything this low on the market for sale. Mine has the charcoal interior and top which I love. It has had no IMS issues and runs like a champ with about 33,000 miles on the clock.

I am interested in more history on the early units in this series if anyone has information.

[Smallblock454]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

How can one activate the 3-line display then?
I have only 2 lines on my IC, and it's a 2003 base.
Thanks!

Mine has 3 lines. Does you car have a built in on-board computer? Maybe that's why you're missing a line?

Regards
Markus

[edc]

Broadly speaking I think what you wrote is similar for most European markets too.

In the UK you can buy early 2.5 986 for £3.5k or 5.5k USD.

[Muskoka Minute]

I just purchased # 174 in Ontario with 98,000kilometers.
Gt Silver with Coca Brown.