986's a rare breed?

[Jay B.]

I live in a state where you can drive all year round and one thing I have noticed is I rarely see 986's on the road anymore. 10-15 years ago they were everywhere and I'm starting to think people are pulling these cars off the road as DD's and preserving them and turning them into just weekend runners. What is funny is sometimes I will hit a local cruise-in with my 00S and it actually brings attention and questions from folks about the early Boxster's and how they wished they owned one back in the day when they were new but couldn't afford them etc.. Makes me wonder if these cars are becoming rare (not worth money just rare). One thing is for sure is I have no plans of getting rid of mine anytime soon.

[mikefocke]

I still see more 986s than all other Boxster generations combined. I attribute it to the fact that 986 prices have fallen to the point where the one car as a daily driver crowd can afford to buy them and they do use them. I drive by the road test area of one of the bigger Porsche dealers in our area and have yet to see a 918.

[Boxtaboy]

I still see a good amount of 986s in NY/ NJ area, but most of the time, they are pretty run down looking with the old cloudy plastic rear windows, beat up/dirty looking original 17" wheels, and amber lights all around. Wish people kept them up a bit more, but at least they're using them still I guess.

[particlewave]

They're definitely rare here. I've seen 6 others in the last 5 years. 3 of them were fellow forum members in KC. It's been 1.5 years since the last time I saw any, but I don't live near any bigger cities anymore, either.

I like it that way. Mine gets tons of attention every time I drive it.

[thstone]

Here in LA, Porsche's are pretty common and I see 986's everywhere.

[PR61]

In central Illinois it's very rare to see any Porsche. I see more 911's than any type of Boxster. Ironically, I live in a little town of 5200 people and there is a 987 and two 986's including mine.
I recently drove my motorhome 1600 mile to AZ. and on the whole trip never saw a 911 or Boxster until I was just north of Phoenix.

[Jgkram]

Here in the mid Atlantic (NC) they are not too rare. There are probably 4 or 5 within a 10 mile radius of me. I have also seen many at the local pay and drive lots as well.

As for their future I do think over the next decade many will be removed from service for one reason or the other and eventually they, at least the first generation 986, will become more of a conversation piece but never rare.

[10/10ths]

...I live in a rural are half way between Houston and New Orleans.

If I'm in Houston or New Orleans I will see Boxsters and other Porsches all over.

Out here in flyover country, I never see any.

As for 986's, they have reached that age and depreciation where high school kids are buying them and driving them. You will either see pristine garage queens or ragged out sleds from now on. If you travel to nice driving destinations or club events, then you see folks who have well cared for 986's that actually get driven and cared for and have money spent on them.

It's all relative.

How many S2000's do you see? How many Z3's? How many First Gen Miata's? How many SLK's? How many Audi TT convertibles?

[rick3000]

I wouldn't say they are rare, but the number of 986's out in the wild is definitely declining. When you consider the high maintenance costs and the people buying "a cheap Porsche" and not taking care of them it is not surprising. I think eventually good condition 986's will be desirable, simply because there won't be many good condition 986's left.

[Anker]

Not rare in Boston suburbia either. Pretty much every time we take her out we see one or two, and sometimes three!

[grc0456]

Originally Posted by Anker

Not rare in Boston suburbia either. Pretty much every time we take her out we see one or two, and sometimes three!

I am just north of Boston, and see 1-2 on a recurring basis - but seeing one every time I take it out - definitely not. But, as mentioned, how many 12-20 year old cars do you see? Not too many. My 986 draws comments from many who see it, most typically "what year is it?" Followed by "wow, it looks much newer."


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[BRAN]

I definitely see more newer Porsche generations around than Boxsters 986.
But that is no wonder living in the Porsche hotspot #1 in Germany

So I am kinda "wowing", when I see another 986, instead of a new(er) 911.
Yeah I hear those stories too, when "elderly" couples pass my car, saying they wanted to get one back in the time, but never did.
I reply something like ...it is never too late.
Or when "younger" people show up...something like:
"Irgendwann werde ich mal Porsche fahren. ...Warum nicht irgendwann mal jetzt?"
"Some day I am going to drive a Porsche. ...Why not some day now?"
And kids still love to see the classic 986 lines.

A 986 will never be rare, but it is a classic already. Probably the most important car Porsche ever made.
I am glad that it was designed to be in a 550 tradition....curves make a classic, nuff said

[10/10ths]

...Yes!

Indeed!

[cas951]

Rare? It's too common here.

[Pdwight]

My wife and I see 3 here on a regular basis, in fact one of those is a 01S in Black that is the twin to my car...see more Carrera's than 986's . I did see a Red Boxster a couple of times with two girls driving it and it was as "ragged out" as any car I have ever seen....looked like it had been attacked with a ball peen hammer and the headlights were virtually white from oxidation.....sad to see

[ryanjboutin]

Originally Posted by BRAN

And kids still love to see the classic 986 lines.

Today I decided to take my 1999 on the Las Vegas strip for the first time.

I was racing around from stop light to stop light, playing chase with the Camaros and Mustangs that were doing the same thing.
Lots of people in town for SHOT Show, which is like SEMA for the firearms community that like to rent sports cars.

Anyway, I saw a father holding is small child, maybe 5 or 6 years old, and pointing.
The kid pointed just like his dad with his mouth open and eyes wide.

It also doesn't hurt that I don't have mufflers and was the loudest (douchiest) thing around. lol

It kind of makes me think about when I was just turning driving age and never much thought about owning a Boxster.
I got my license in 1999, and always disliked the head lights, and though convertibles were for women.

But here I am, with those ugly head lights and girl car, and I love it.
I also like bringing it back to its former glory.
Ordering new parts to replace the worn components and doing the maintenance.
Really makes for an enjoyable time.

Still, someday, I'd like to have a 911.
Perhaps a 996 GT2 or an old 911SC.

Right now, I daily drive a 2013 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 6-spd.
I mostly drive the Boxster on weekends. (Fri, Sat, Sun)

I do feel as though I'm on the younger side of things as I'm 33 years old.
I got a pretty good deal on an ok shape Boxster and put a little money in it, solid vehicle.
However, I still think and act like a 16 year old.

I see 911, 986, 718, plus many other sports cars almost daily in Vegas.
To be expected.

[san rensho]

Miami. Everybody and their brother has one. I see them all the time, there are 2 thst park in my building

[Pdwight]

When I was in High school the last production of the Opel GT was happening, I wanted one so bad I could taste it.

One of my best friends parents bought him a 1972 911, since then I have always wanted a Porsche

[BIGJake111]

I see about a box a week southern weather seems to mean more box than cayman. Depending on where I am going i see a 911 either 80s or 997 or newer every other drive and a boxster about once a week, mostly 986 but there are a few 981 owners I cross paths with often.

I've seen about 6 different other 986s just within my school zone but I don't run into them often and think most are weekenders at most.



(Also there is a pre 03 S that's speed yellow on campus with me, people think it's me all the time only difference is mine has litronics.)

[Jay B.]

Okay so I guess I must be living under a rock then. A swear its rare I see these cars (986's not just Boxsters) on the road. Oh well I'm just glad these cars still being driven. Thanks all !