Is the Boxster the next 944? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jtucker · 08-10-2006, 12:15 PM

I was reading the thread "How common are Boxsters in your area?" and was reminded how common it used to be to see 944s all over the place. Now I see 2-3 Boxsters every day, but seldom a 944. While a large number of vintage 911s are still operational and probably kept up nicely, any time I see a 944 it is usually in pretty poor condition. It appears that for the most part those cars never really held up, and the value is quite low. Older 911s (and 914s, 356s for that matter) are for the most part appreciating in value. How do you think the Boxster will fare over time? Will it become the next 944? Just curious...

J. Tucker
'99 Boxster
'98 318ti

Brucelee · 08-10-2006, 12:34 PM

The 944 has become a VERY popular car to buy and race. It is my opinion that many are simply not street drivers any more due to this reason.

I also think the value is low due to the 944 being a 4 cylinder Porsche, never a very attractive alternative to most buyers of used Porsches.

Now, an LS1 motor will drop very nicely in a 944 making it quite the flexible flyer.

I DO NOT think the Boxster will go the way of the 944, a different animal in my opinion, and I see no signs that Porsche will abandon it like it did the 944.

After all, a car can't be a real Porsche with the engine in the front, right??????????

blinkwatt · 08-10-2006, 12:39 PM

Think about it. For the price that 944 cost new,they sure hold their value in todays market if they are kept up well. A well maintained 944,not even a "S" or "Turbo" can fetch $3k-5k. You must realize though that 944 were not "Porsches",they had Audi mechanics,at least the 2.5L 4 cyclinder motor did.

Brucelee · 08-10-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Think about it. For the price that 944 cost new,they sure hold their value in todays market if they are kept up well. A well maintained 944,not even a "S" or "Turbo" can fetch $3k-5k. You must realize though that 944 were not "Porsches",they had Audi mechanics,at least the 2.5L 4 cyclinder motor did.

Well, early Porsches were of course, really VWs. And then, so is the Cayeene in a manner of speaking.

And well, the current Porsche trans is sourced in Japan, and well,

You get my drift.

I really like the 944 and the 968 even more.

jtucker · 08-10-2006, 01:30 PM

I should probably disclose that my first Porsche was a 944 back in '86. I didn't make out too bad on selling it after owning it for 6 years (bought for $15k, sold for $5k). It did have quite a few problems though. Since then I had two 914s which I bought and sold for same price, and a 911sc. I let a friend talk me into selling it to him, one of the more foolish mistakes I have made. I shouldn't have sold it at all and then I let him have it for a lot less than it was worth. Too bad I can't have a "do over" on that one. I know the 944Ts are well liked as track cars.

Jtucker

longislander1 · 08-10-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I really like the 944 and the 968 even more.

Brucelee, you would probably know better, but it seems to me that the late 968 cabs in good condition are holding their value better than the early Boxsters, even with the 968's four cylinder. I bought mine new in '95 (one of the last 65 made) for $44K (around $10K discount) and sold it last June for $20K. I've seen others advertised -- and purchased -- for around $20K or over.

I love my 987S and it is extremely refined, but it doesn't seem to have the heft and feel of the 968. I'm talking about steering wheel, clutch, shifter.

Brucelee · 08-10-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longislander1

Brucelee, you would probably know better, but it seems to me that the late 968 cabs in good condition are holding their value better than the early Boxsters, even with the 968's four cylinder. I bought mine new in '95 (one of the last 65 made) for $44K (around $10K discount) and sold it last June for $20K. I've seen others advertised -- and purchased -- for around $20K or over.

I love my 987S and it is extremely refined, but it doesn't seem to have the heft and feel of the 968. I'm talking about steering wheel, clutch, shifter.

The values on very nice 968s do seem to be holding up rather well although I have not run an calc's on them.

They did not sell many 968s, only built them for 4 yrs and so they are a bit rare.

The Coupes are actually more rare than the Cabs and the Turbo S models are even rarer.

I am looking to find a 968 coupe with a trashed motor so that I can drop that LS1 or LS 2 motor in to it.

I think a 968 with 400 Plus HP is the deal for me.

Nicely balanced car too!

70Sixter · 08-10-2006, 12:37 PM

Like old VWs & Model Ts and many others, I think old Boxes in reeelly nice original condition will be valuable. Common cars seem to not get proper care from many as their value falls,

Their are some really nice 944s, especially turbos, on the track and in garages. They are expensive to maintain relative to current value. But maybe some day....

Even Speedsters didn't appreciate much until they hit about 25 years. We'll see, I guess, what the Box does at 25!