How do I say it?
 

Newbie question. My 2002 Boxster is a 986. I get that part.

:confused: But is it a "nine eighty-six" or a "nine eight six?"

…well, it's early, am done sleeping, so I might as well be one of the first to respond.
I've never referred to my 911 as a 'nine-one-one', it's always been 'nine-eleven',,, so I would say the correct pronunciation would be 'nine-eighty six'. We'll see………..

It actually is an interesting question for us relative Porsche newbies. I get the 9-11 reference, but I've always called mine a 9-8-6 and probably always will. I like how it sounds. But love to hear what the proper pronunciation is.

I would think either would be recognized and neither sounds awkward to me.

Call it a "BOXSTER". No one knows what a 986, 987 or 981 are.

9-8-6 similar to 9-2-8.

Maybe the rule is that if the numbers are the same. 9-11 9-44. Which the 9-14 and 9-12 don't apply. 9-2-4. I feel that 9-8-6 seems more fitting.

No one says they have a 993, or a 996 or a 997 or a 991. People would look at you like....WTF????

Only people in the "KNOW" will actually know what you're talking about. Everyone knows what a 911 is. And the crowd above all say "911" when asked.

That's why I recommend you say "Boxster". No one knows what a 986, 987 or 981 are. They know Boxster.

Flavorman is spot on. We can talk numbers with each other all day long because we're an insider's group of owners.

BTW, I have never heard any Porsche owner call it a nine eighty six. It's always nine eight six or nine eight seven. If you said that to me I'd probably laugh a little and give you a hard time about it.

don't think the op was asking whether people would 'know' what you were talking about. he asked about 9-8-6 vs 9-86. valid question given the disparity in tradition throughout the years.

I think it has to do with how quick it is to say:

9-eleven faster than 9-one-one
9-nine-three faster than 9-ninety-three

9-eight-six faster than 9-eighty-six

same reason the French can't win a war - takes them too long to say 'duck!'.

I've told someone it was a Nine Hundred and Eighty Six type model from Porsche Stuttgart once.... loll you should have seen his face for a second. He never spoke to me ever again... just dunno what to say

Was sunny that day, all I remember

So as not be thought of as a Hair dresser
I call it a Porsche Roadster

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I just don't want to sound like a newbie when talking to another Porsche driver. For everyone else, it's a Boxster!

Nine eighty six and nine ninety six
Nine eleven
Nine fourteen

YMMV

Nine oh four
nine oh eight
nine seventeen
nine two eight
nine four four
nine six eight
nine nine seven
nine eight six
nine eight one

In the end it really doesn't matter. Choose one and roll with it. :cheers:

Ok, slight thread jack, how about PIWIS? Only seen it written, and it may come out a little weird if I say it wrong...
Reminds me of the time I ordered an "Orangina" too early in the morning and got quite a look from the poor cashier.

That's easy. It's the Pee Whizz. :D

I don't recall hearing 986 until after production ended & 987 began. Boxster was sufficient in those days.

I have always said 9-twenty-8 & it was the 1st Porsche I desired but was scared of maintenance costs.

I say "nine eighty six"

I always said/though Nine Eighty Six, Nine Eleven, Nine Nine Three... and never though about it.
...now I'm all self conscious about it. Thanks whoever brought this up lol

^ lollll....