986 cf 987
 

which would you prefer

pros and cons?

There are a few good old posts about your question. Use the "search" function a little

987 for me:

HP gains
Interior
More leg room
Warranty

I can afford any car Porsche makes
 

So why do I have a '01 Boxster S?

Because the car is a better car than I am a driver.

Because it is out of warranty so I don't feel bad working on it myself. (and because others have blazed the trail ahead of me and documented how to do things where the 987s are still largely going to the dealers.)

Because it is not so powerful I'm liable to get in trouble.

Because I love driving with the top down...even if my wife doesn't.

Because it still gets a complement every time I drive it from someone...and some of them are SYTs.

Because I can have 97.324% of the fun for so much less cost.

Because daddy told me don't put your real money in depreciating assets and cars are one of those.

Is the 987 a better car? Sure is. Will the 2009.5 be still better? Yep.

But the 986 is good enough.

I don't have to have the biggest, newest ....

I could afford either.

Chose 986 because it's near the bottom of the depreciation curve, it looks better (subjective), is easier to work on (I love working on cars) and it will be a lot of fun when I stuff a 996 engine in it (eventually). It gets great gas mileage (compared to my last car, a 450hp Subaru STI), gets compliments everywhere I go and is fun to drive.

I prefer the 986 and that isn't just because I have one. The 987 has more power but that isn't as important since my car is a DD. Both are fun to drive, and in my opinion handle similarly, but the 986 just looks better.

The way I see it:
987
More HP
Higher Price

986
Smoother & Cleaner Lines
Large Knowledge Base
Cheaper
Easier to DIY
Spare Tire
Larger Trunks

Interior :dance:

I have spent a lot of time in both the 986 and 987 model line. The 987 is definitely the better car. Far more refined interior (you can feel the quality even when you twist the ignition key to turn on the engine or use the turn signal), more refined ride, and more power. I will say that the standard steering wheel in the 987 sucks though (too thin, and no thumb grips that came standard in the 986 line when the 3-spoke wheel was introduced). Looks is a tossup, as some will prefer the 986 to the 987 or vice versa. Better roll bar design in the 987, so that tall drivers who put their seat all the way back won't hit their head against the roll bar if you get rear ended.

That being said, I still love my 986, and it is still a darn terrific car, so as long as it's fun, I don't feel a need to replace it with a 987 until it starts breaking down on me. At the end of the day, either version will give you lots of grins and good times.

It's really up to you.
Here were my reasons for the 987 over the 986.
1- warranty - Porsche Certified used car, warranteed for 89,000 miles at time of purchase and out to 5/2012. Thats huge.
2-warranty - see above
3- looks - I really do like the more shapely body, especially around the wheel wells and I never did like the 986/996 headlights.
4-Interior - space, design, cup holders, quality, color (sand beige over the 986 tan)
5-3.2 engine with 280 HP and 236 lb.ft. of torque from 4600 to 6000 RPM.

Now the reality of the situation, the above was also what I used to convince myself the additional 20 thousand dollars was worth it.

I am happy!! :dance:

I honestly don't think you can go wrong either way. It depends on preference and what you plan on doing with it. For me I was looking at '02 S's and found the 2005 987. After driving the 987 for the additional 3K (I got lucky) it was a no-brainer. I plan on keeping it mostly stock and using it as a driver, so the extensive mods for the 986 didn't matter. I also prefer the looks of the 987 personally. (see my post in show and tell, it has pics)

I really like the interior and the refined feel, I have a race 944 to beat me up and be loud and visceral.

Happy hunting!

987 for the same reasons as 944boy. I was looking at an 03S, and find a gem of an 05 987 for the same cost. Warranty, better exterior (subjective), and a far better interior sold me. It would be nice to have had 18hp more in the 03S, but the navigation screen and ability to play MP3 CD's won me over.

987 is my preference
 

I really disliked the 986/996 front end when they came out and continue to dislike them.

So for me looks are 987 ahead of 986 although I do like that the 986 looks more curvaceous. I also like the bigger side scoops of the 987 and the 987 rocker panels and rear bumper.

The 987 interior looks much better and is more ergonomic than the 986. The goofy 986 dash reminds me of early Ford Focus - ick! There is more interior space and in the 987. The seats go lower in the 987.

Base 987 has more HP and torque, smoother, wider torque curve, wider wheels and tires, PSM standard.

987's PASM is better than 986 M030 option.

In real dollars the 987 is cheaper new than the 986 was when new (especially early 986s).

Just my opinions,
Alan