Three 986 OEM Taillight Color Combos to Pick From
 

I have gone through may changes on the Boxster over the years. A couple wheels, steering wheels, audio systems, steering wheels, exhaust and so on. I have also swapped out the taillights a couple times. I had the original ones that came on the Boxster in 2001; the amber and red ones. Then I swapped out to the 2003/2004 clear and red ones a few years back. Earlier this year I went back to the original ones. Now I have a set of solid red ones that came on 2004 550 SE Boxsters. I went back to the original amber and red ones because I wanted to get the Boxster closer to its original looks. With the red ones I am once again drifting away.

I'll keep the red ones on for awhile but wanted to put a poll out there to see what others think.

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Number 3. Like mine.

I prefer the stock amber's. But the red/red on your red car is a good look.

I think it really depends on the car color. For example I think the smoked 03 tails look excellent on my Seal Grey, they blend really well. I dont think the reds would look good on mine however being yours is red I think the SEs look good . But on the other hand I like the contrast of the 03 tails, not only do they pop but they make the badge pop too. I never liked the ambers, regardless of car color. My vote is the 03s.

I never liked the amber. #2 or #3.

03-04's for my taste. The clears look best IMO, and you still get amber directional bulbs.


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I will say the 03 04 lights look better with the larger 03 04 air dam lip.

I like the all red, but it is too much red on a red 986 for my taste, so I voted for the clear/red. I've never been a fan of the amber, and have been slowly deambering my 986. :cheers:

I like the clear better.

On your red car the clear/red look best. I have the red/red on my Arctic Silver Boxster and think they look best on that color. I never liked the amber/reds.

Hi Chuck,

What kind of exhaust did you go to? I was washing my box yesterday and thought that the exhaust tips looked kind of ordinary. Yours look great!

Thanks, John

Thanks for the comments everyone. I am leaning towards the clear and red ones too.

The exhaust is an OEM PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust). Here is a link to a posting I started when I got it;

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/56379-installed-pse-porsche-sport-exhaust-photos.html

I installed my clear and red set today
 

This was a timely thread. It made me renew my effort to find some clear tail lights and I found a set on Craigslist. I like the 550 style as well, but with a silver car I thing the additional clear area is more compatible with the color.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1465687944.jpg

You can see the entire transformation of my car here:
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/55759-de-changed-some-interior-items.html

I think the clear/red look good on a silver car but on a red car they look like head lights....ugh.

The solid red and amber/red look good on your car with the amber/red making it look distinctly more European.

I like the all red. It looks even better if you get your bumperette's painted too.

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/...pslwiu4ojr.jpg

Agree, I think the 3rd set looks the best on the red car, and would look better with painted bumperettes.

I have all 3 combinations spread out over my Boxsters. My favorite are the 550 taillights, although on my red '01S I prefer the amber/red.

I think the 550 lights need the right color car to compliment the solid red.

I have solid red on my 99 Arctic Silver and like the look.
I like these too been thinking about going this route.

I saw that car at Hershey this year, Mike. That guy's craftsmanship is unbelievable.


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I have a set of amber rear lights. I have silver vinyl I was going to cover the amber with and see how it looks.

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Here's a few more shots.



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Its great to see people personalising their cars. I don't know about you guys tho but when ever I look at potential classic car purchases I always find my self looking for completely stock examples, especially on the body and interior.

Completely stock cars always go for more money too. Plus I kind of think I like how it'd come out of the factory.

For that reason although Ill continually to improve my car it will always wear what it came with.

So hang on to all the stock bits you take of as people will want them in the future

Can of worms?

I can see your point if you were talking about a TT or a GT3, or another highly sought after model, but this forum is all about Boxsters. Inexpensive, high production (relatively speaking) sports cars that depreciate quickly and are affordable for even the most modest of budgets. They are easy to work on and modify, which invites creativity in personalizing one's vehicle to make it stand out from the rest. I don't lose sleep that my latest mod may have reduced the value of my vehicle from $12,000 to $11,500 if it makes me happy. On the other hand, I do own a Viper powered Dodge pick-up that was only made for 3 years and in limited quantities. I keep the stock parts so the next owner can restore it back to stock if they so choose. It has the potential to significantly appreciate over time, where I don't see that happening to my Boxster. I love my Boxster, and I love that I can modify it and not feel any remorse that I might be ruining the future value. I do appreciate that there are those who will keep their Boxster in pristine condition, as they provide great starting points for those who want to build something unique.

Ye I totally see where you are coming from, ones mans meat is another mans poison I guess. And if you are replacing parts with newer model Porsche parts its not all bad. All I'm saying is in the future WHEN 986's start becoming more sought after it will be the standard early amber light, plastic rear window one first. Iv always found even the most common cars make the best classics as people can relate to them. Id rather see an old car my dad had when I was growing up at a show than what his boss had.