Keep Original or customize a 2004 Boxster S 550 Special Edition ?

[algiorda]

I just purchased a 2004 Boxster S 550 Special Edition with about 52400 miles on it.

How collectible is this vehicle? I really didn't buy it as an investment. I bought it to be a daily driver and enjoy it.

With that said, I don't want to do anything that would harm it's value. I would do things like upgrade the Radio, maybe some LED's, and minor stuff.

Should I keep this vehicle original for value's sake?

Al

[Pdwight]

I would keep the core car intact, my 01S has a new radio and new lights and a few other things . I could put it back OEM in an afternoon.....these cars will never make you rich (Unless you sell parts and service..LOL) so make it your own car as you like without much worry.

[Chuck W.]

Do with it what makes you happy. Keep the OEM items if you do swap anything out.

That said, the 2004 550 SE is my favorite Boxster. Please post some photos of it.

[rick3000]

Nothing wrong with making some changes, and it is not hard to keep everything fully reversible. The radio is a 5 minute swap if you keep the original head unit, and I can't see something invisible like a speaker swap affecting the value. Unless you are bolting a giant spoiler to the back you should be fine. It is your car, so make the changes that you enjoy! I personally try to keep all of my modifications in the spirit and style of the 986.

The only place I would watch out is if you start permanently modifying parts that are exclusive to the Special Edition, because you could run into issues if you ever wanted to replace them back to stock. I'm specifically thinking about the Cocoa interior, were used parts are extremely rare.

[RedTele58]

Don't let the original wheels get away from you. They are part of the appeal of the car.

[Giller]

Unless you a going to put it in your garage and never drive it, odds are pretty good it will never be worth more than what you paid for it. So drive it and enjoy! Make it yours.

[algiorda]

Thanks for all the input. Everyone's sentiment seems to match my own. I love the SE edition and would not muck around with ruining it. I don't know if I want to make it look cheesy by moving the heating unit down to the bottom and installing a 2 din Pioneer head unit and disable the MOST Bose system. However, I would love to have Apple Carplay, Navigation, hands free, etc. as this will be a daily driver. I guess I could restore it back to OEM if I needed to so that is great advice.

Here is a pic of our new baby:

[grc0456]

Although I love my base, I could be tempted by the right deal on a SE. Silver over cocoa is so great looking!


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[Timco]

I took out rear Cat's and installed UD pulley. Kept old stuff. Sweet car!!

What number is yours?

[algiorda]

Originally Posted by Timco

I took out rear Cat's and installed UD pulley. Kept old stuff. Sweet car!!

What number is yours?

Thanks. Mine is #1853. Any idea where to find new Porsche Cocoa floor mats? I've looked all over the place.

How does it sound without the CATS?

[boxxster]

This is my 04S without the secondary (rear) cats. Stock muffler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BDSL28XgZI

[algiorda]

Originally Posted by boxxster

This is my 04S without the secondary (rear) cats. Stock muffler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BDSL28XgZI

hmmm, that sounds pretty damn good.

What's it sound like in the cabin at 70mph? Does it relax into a nice drone or is it barely noticable? I do LOTS of highway driving.

[Deserion]

As others have said, customize to your heart's content. But in a way where you can revert easily if you change your mind later.

[algiorda]

Incidentally, is it true only 500 specimens of the Special Edition were sold in the US?

Seems like there are quite a bit more from what I've seen.

[Lapister]

Have you visited Cocomats.com? Just saw a Jay Leno video about them.
Nice car, do those rear bumperettes come painted on the 550 from factory?

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Lapister

Have you visited Cocomats.com? Just saw a Jay Leno video about them.
Nice car, do those rear bumperettes come painted on the 550 from factory?

Yes. Factory painted. GT Metallic silver.

[edc]

I have one too. Personally I'm not into big cosmetic mods. The only thing I have to trial is a Zeinwing and that's still reversible. Chassis and minor engine based mods still keep things broadly in keeping and again can revert back if you really want.

[Timco]

I went with a Kenwood and kept the stock head unit and amp in storage. The new bigger amp makes that shelf speaker and sub sound great. I'll be getting a better sub.

[NewArt]

I let one slip away last summer and have been kicking myself since.
I love the cocoa interior.

[thstone]

Almost no collectibility whatsoever.

With that being said, it is a very nice Boxster with some great features. Customize however you like.