04 986S Anniversary vs. 05 987S
 

I'm looking at a couple nice examples of each right now and am torn. To me the 987S gets the slight nod on power and a slight nod on interior, but other than that, it seems to me that most everything else is a push and there are several things I like about the 986S better.

Everything I've read seems to indicate the 05 987S is a completely superior car to the 04 986S, but I just don't see the significant benefits right now. Perhaps if was able to drive the cars a bit harder than on a test drive or if I lived with each for a month or two the benefits of the 987S would show up a bit more? I also suppose the differences are greater once you get into the 3.4L cars, but right now its going to be an 04 or 05 S for me.

Anyway, for those that chose a 987S over a 986S, or went from a 986S to a 987S, what were the things that sold you?

Thanks in advance.

The 987 S goes from 250 hp to 295hp, I believe. Thats about 20% more horsepower. Plus you get the updated lights and all sorts of changes. If the 987 isnt alot more thats probably a better choice as 3-5 years from now it'll look alot newer.

The '05 S is "only" 280, not 295. It's a 3.2l, not the current 3.4l.

Geez does Porsche bump the horsepower every year for the boxster or what?

"Additionally, in 2004 the Boxster S 3.2-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine gets a slight horsepower boost from 258 to 264."

So if I'm correct:

Boxster S 2001: 250 hp
2002 -2003 bump to 258
2004: 264
2005: 280
2006-2007: 295

Do they seriously upgrade the engine every year? lol

Anybody got a list where we can see the changes Porsche made from year to year. Are any of these engine upgrades possible to be done now?

My thoughts on why the 987 is better (I'll admit bias, since I own one):

- Exterior styling - I think it is significantly better, especially the lights
- Warranty - 2005 would still be under warranty
- Resale Value
- Interior is way better (in my opinion)
- More power
- Opportunity for larger wheels

Overall performance increase, most car magazine reviews from 2005 said it was a significant performance increase, but I'm not sure about all the technical details.

Interchangeable parts with the Cayman. Alot of aftermarket parts are coming out for the Cayman given the peformance/track focus and most off them also work with the 987 boxsters.

The styling update for 2008 is minor and the next major update won't be until after 2010, so if you buy the 2005 you will what appears to be the most modern version of the car through 2010, the 2004 will look outdated.

The old addage of getting "the newest, best example you can find" is always the rule of thumb with Porsche or any other high line car.

987 for sure (coming from a 986 owner)

Spend the extra now and you'll be a lot happier later not being mistaken for a car that could be as old as a 1997 model year.

I am not so sure that the newest is always the better option taking resale into account...and this is coming from a person that usually subscribes to the newer = better theory.

There is no better example of this theory illustrated when you take the 993 vs the 996 models into consideration...the early 996s seem to be taking a beating where as the 993s appear to be holding or increasing in value.

..to that end I am not so sure that the 987 styling will hold up as well as the 986 as it begins to get long in the tooth over the next several years(biased for sure here as well).

There is something about the 986 design that I think will have staying power. Unfortunately for many it(its design) is now becoming a victim of its own resale value. To borrow a thought from elsewhere on this site,...as the value plummets so does the feeling of exclusivity.

This feeling of exclusivity diminishing does not affect me as I still feel the 986 base and S models(if your wallet allows) are the best value on the street right now.

I also tend to identify with the glass being half full and see any of the 986s as a newer vehicle rather than the other way around...
To me the 04s look like a newer/current model car and the 97s look much the same especially to the untrained eye.
I have had two people in recent months profess to be Porsche fans and then ask if I paid more than 75k for my car...too funny!

There's my .09 cents thrown into the discussion.

Addl Items 2 Consider...
 

Hello & welcome MTS.

Sounds like you have a win-win situation regardless of which choice you make. But wanted to toss out some food for thought that may help point you in the right direction.

(1) I assume an anniversary model comes loaded with options. Does the 987 have decent options as well? If the 986 is loaded and the 987 is a stripper, you may want to go 986. Are there "must have" options on your list? Don't settle for less - you're spending lots of $$$, get what you want. Boxsters can have a myriad of options and in general more is usually better.

(2) You don't mention what you currently drive. If, like many forum members, you are stepping up from a Miata or MR2, the 986's 250 hp will get the job done. If your current ride is horsepower blessed, then maybe 280 is required.

(3) Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is having a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done on each car. That alone may answer your question on which to choose. Search on PPI for numerous threads on that subject.

Good luck. You will enjoy either one.

MTS, one other thought for you is, "how tall you are". The 987 has much more leg and head room vs. the 986. Just another consideration. I am 6'2" and the 986 was just a little too tight.

The 550 edition was a limited run of cars with special colors, engine modifications and a short shifter not used or offered for any other version, giving it some exclusivity over other Boxsters. It's a bit more special than the rest.

Also, with the added power of the 987 came a bit of added weight, even though it lost the spare tire.

Some good thoughts here, thanks. My daily driver is a Cayenne, but I also have an S2000, 400hp Cobra replica and have a Spec Miata as a track car. The Boxster S will replace the S2000. I've been all over the place power-wise with the cars I have and frankly the difference between 260hp and 280hp just seems negligible to me....I barely notice when I drive the two.

I'm 6'0" so I seem to fit fine in both. They are both such nice cars I probably can't go wrong with either. I need to go drive them again......I will get a PPI as well.

I always say that I rather have the last perfected model of an older style, then the first new "experimental" model of the newer style. Thats my two cents.

go with the 987....I have one....so should you :D

now if I must have a better reason, I would say the interior styling on the 987 is just that much better....

as for the exterior styling comments...blah....jibberish....I mean its a boxster...I usually have to look at the vents to figure out if I'm looking at a 986 or 987........so its not that different....

I bought my 986S Boxster right before the 987 was unveiled.

I could have bought newer (mine is 2000) but the mileage was so low that I couldn't go along with the 'buy the newest you can afford". Actually I spent WAY less than I could have. I saw no point.
A massive chunk of the depreciation had been absorbed by the previous owner and the car was basically show room new. It was an S in the silver and red I had to have. All bases covered and I sent the bank half the loan check back to them. :cheers:

The 550 was still in the showroom when I first saw it. This car looks the way all the Boxsters should have come out of the factory. The chrome trim and cocoa leather made it look like a much more expensive car. The only thing I didn't like was that it was missing red brakes.

I'd get the 550 and swap to a CPO'd 3.4 987S in a few years when they are closer to the depreciation 'plateau'. You might have a real hard time parting with that 550 though...

Anybody got a list where we can see the changes Porsche made from year to year. Are any of these engine upgrades possible to be done now?

Slight correction: The regular edition '04 986S had 258hp. It was only the Anniv. Edition that got the 6 extra hp bump to 264.