'98 986 vs 2011 987

[Perfectlap]

it's not a bargain if you have to dump a bunch of caysh into the car.

That Boxster may be a bargain cost of entry but cost of ownership is another matter entirely.

Spending $8-10K in short order on a 13 year old Porsche is nothing unheard of (I just spent that much on 10 year old Porsche).
Then you run the risk of having the car totaled and getting paid only fair market value which means you just took a bath.

There is NO such thing as bargain Porsche. Miata is a bargain sports car. Boxster is not unless you got it for free in a raffle

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

it's not a bargain if you have to dump a bunch of caysh into the car.

That Boxster may be a bargain cost of entry but cost of ownership is another matter entirely.

Spending $8-10K in short order on a 13 year old Porsche is nothing unheard of (I just spent that much on 10 year old Porsche).
Then you run the risk of having the car totaled and getting paid only fair market value which means you just took a bath.

There is NO such thing as bargain Porsche. Miata is a bargain sports car. Boxster is not unless you got it for free in a raffle

I disagree. The used car market doesn't care if a car is well maintained or not. So my car, which has no deferred maintenance, in fact has preventative maintenance like the water pump and IMS upgrade, is barely worth more than a car that looks decent and hasn't had an oil change in 2 years. And there are more Boxsters out there to choose from than any other Porsche ever before (save for maybe the 996). If you find a well taken care of car, the costs are in regular upkeep. Not cheap, but vastly less expensive than a new 987 with which it's being compared.

[Ghostrider 310]

There is no way I'd buy another M96 motor Boxster, especially used and not knowing the way it was driven. The IMS is only one of several problems with this engine. As for the weight 986 vs 987, we are not talking huge numbers, in fact it's like having a passenger with you if anything. I'm sure the platform has had handling improvements as well. Hopefully, god willing I will be able to one day tell you if the new platform is righteous. I'm leaning toward a certified S, in 09 that's good for 295, I'll take my chances on whether it has better pace than my 98, especially hooked up to a 7 speed. It's funny how these issues recycle, when I got my Boxster the 944 club took it as an affront. They tried to assure me the 944 would feel faster than a base Boxster, you're making a mistake...I loved my 98, loved it, 2.5 was plenty of fun.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

There is no way I'd buy another M96 motor Boxster, especially used and not knowing the way it was driven. The IMS is only one of several problems with this engine. As for the weight 986 vs 987, we are not talking huge numbers, in fact it's like having a passenger with you if anything. I'm sure the platform has had handling improvements as well. Hopefully, god willing I will be able to one day tell you if the new platform is righteous. I'm leaning toward a certified S, in 09 that's good for 295, I'll take my chances on whether it has better pace than my 98, especially hooked up to a 7 speed. It's funny how these issues recycle, when I got my Boxster the 944 club took it as an affront. They tried to assure me the 944 would feel faster than a base Boxster, you're making a mistake...I loved my 98, loved it, 2.5 was plenty of fun.

What difference would it make if you knew how it was driven, really?

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

What difference would it make if you knew how it was driven, really?

None to me. I want to know how it is when I inspect it and the maintenance history. The first is on me. The latter is verifiable through the maintaining dealership.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

What difference would it make if you knew how it was driven, really?

Blue,


As someone who used to teach shifting at the dealership, I know everyone's idea of a smooth shift is different. My brother knicknamed my sister's style "the sanding wheel" see what I mean? I'm not as mad at Porsche as I once was because I think the PO had some hand in the engine failure by driving it hard. As for mile high, the dealer isn't in the car 24/7 and a simple discon of the battery wipes out the bad driver report. Another good example, I would not buy anything I knew was tracked.

[jacabean]

i am not sure what you guys are trying to prove. my work pick up truck cost me more in repairs than my boxster. any old used vehicle is a gamble , service history or not. anybody buying a 10 year old porsche should know what they are getting into. it's not hard to figure out just by looking , if a car is half decent or not. i would take a 987 mk2 PDK in a heartbeat over any 986.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I disagree. The used car market doesn't care if a car is well maintained or not. So my car, which has no deferred maintenance, in fact has preventative maintenance like the water pump and IMS upgrade, is barely worth more than a car that looks decent and hasn't had an oil change in 2 years. And there are more Boxsters out there to choose from than any other Porsche ever before (save for maybe the 996). If you find a well taken care of car, the costs are in regular upkeep. Not cheap, but vastly less expensive than a new 987 with which it's being compared.

my point is that using the term "bargain" is a misnomer here. major maintenance items that should be replaced on a 13 year old car sooner or later, as everyone knows, do not scale down relative to the "bargain purchase price". you aren't going to escape those costs with any decade old sports car and with this particular car they are significantly higher than most due to expensive parts and specialized labor. And this doesn't take into account the unexpected repairs which are also on the pricey side and further diminish the idea that this is 'bargain' proposition. The Boxster like just about any Porsche is a classic 'pay me now or pay me later but you will pay". Those magazine editors would be doing their readers a great service by pointing this out to a first time Porsche buyer whose attention they grabbed by throwing out the term 'bargain'.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

my point is that using the term "bargain" is a misnomer here. major maintenance items that should be replaced on a 13 year old car sooner or later, as everyone knows, do not scale down relative to the "bargain purchase price". you aren't going to escape those costs with any decade old sports car and with this particular car they are significantly higher than most due to expensive parts and specialized labor. And this doesn't take into account the unexpected repairs which are also on the pricey side and further diminish the idea that this is 'bargain' proposition. The Boxster like just about any Porsche is a classic 'pay me now or pay me later but you will pay". Those magazine editors would be doing their readers a great service by pointing this out to a first time Porsche buyer whose attention they grabbed by throwing out the term 'bargain'.

The word bargain has to be put into the correct context. I believe the point of the article is that an older 986 is a bargain for what you get compared to a new 987 considering the relatively small performance difference and other subjective measures. In this view, they are absolutely right, it's a screaming bargain.

The Boxster was never a bargain compared to other convertibles on the market and that remains true as a used car compared to other used cars. No one would argue otherwise. But if you compare what you get between a used Boxster and a new Miata, for example, the story becomes more interesting.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

The word bargain has to be put into the correct context. I believe the point of the article is that an older 986 is a bargain for what you get compared to a new 987 considering the relatively small performance difference and other subjective measures. In this view, they are absolutely right, it's a screaming bargain.

The Boxster was never a bargain compared to other convertibles on the market and that remains true as a used car compared to other used cars. No one would argue otherwise. But if you compare what you get between a used Boxster and a new Miata, for example, the story becomes more interesting.

I'm not so sure that a 98 Boxster is a bargain as much as that you are really paying up for the performance of a new 987. I suppose if you are arguing how you will least pay up for brand and status, things that don't necessarily translate into faster lap times, then I would agree that it's a good value in that strict sense.
I guess it would also be limited to someone who was intent on only exploring Porsche as an option.
I'd be curious to see a performance comparison, in lap times, of a turbo charged second hand miata with the savings over the 2.5 Boxster spent on Miata supsension, braking, intake/exhaust upgrades.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I'm not so sure that a 98 Boxster is a bargain as much as that you are really paying up for the performance of a new 987.

As I understand it, and I've read similar articles that stated the same, the difference in the cars, off the track isn't as great as the $45k+ price difference.

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I suppose if you are arguing how you will least pay up for brand and status, things that don't necessarily translate into faster lap times, then I would agree that it's a good value in that strict sense.

It's not about track times to everyone, or even most people.

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I guess it would also be limited to someone who was intent on only exploring Porsche as an option.

Boxster vs Boxster is the idea. What's changed in 15 years? It's a Porsche magazine, after all.

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I'd be curious to see a performance comparison, in lap times, of a turbo charged second hand miata with the savings over the 2.5 Boxster spent on Miata supsension, braking, intake/exhaust upgrades.

Grassroots Motorsports often does these kinds of comparisons. Usually it's an entertaining read.

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

The Boxster was never a bargain compared to other convertibles on the market and that remains true as a used car compared to other used cars. No one would argue otherwise. But if you compare what you get between a used Boxster and a new Miata, for example, the story becomes more interesting.

I have to disagree. You don't compare the Boxster to "other convertibles". First of all it's a Porsche - not a Honda or Mazda or other convertible. It is an exotic, mid-engined, performance roadster. There are very few in the world and it is - as agreed by every auto reviewer or auto expert - the best handling performance car available. So given all of its capabilities and relative low purchase price - it is not only a phenomenal car but an excellent value as well.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

I have to disagree. You don't compare the Boxster to "other convertibles". First of all it's a Porsche - not a Honda or Mazda or other convertible. It is an exotic, mid-engined, performance roadster. There are very few in the world and it is - as agreed by every auto reviewer or auto expert - the best handling performance car available. So given all of its capabilities and relative low purchase price - it is not only a phenomenal car but an excellent value as well.

I'd like to think I drive an exotic car. But they've made more of these than most Japanese sports car models ever sell. They're just not rare or exotic cars. The truth is that this car is absolutely cross shopped with Japanese sports cars as well as other Europeans, especially on the used car market.

[jbs986]

Originally Posted by MileHighBoxster

I have to disagree. You don't compare the Boxster to "other convertibles". First of all it's a Porsche - not a Honda or Mazda or other convertible. It is an exotic, mid-engined, performance roadster. There are very few in the world and it is - as agreed by every auto reviewer or auto expert - the best handling performance car available. So given all of its capabilities and relative low purchase price - it is not only a phenomenal car but an excellent value as well.

I agree and disagree, Hands-down, the Boxster is the best performing best priced mid engined convertible money can buy. I just bought a 2002 Base Boxster W/68K mils on it all 60K maintenance done,+

New clutch and Flywheel
New water pump
New RMS
New Plugs
New CV Shafts
New Belt
New Idle Control Valve
New Tires W/ Four Wheel Alignment.

Over $5,500.00 in work done on the car and all work done by a very well known Loc. Indy shop, and I have all the paperwork,I paid $ 9,000.00 for the car. That is one hell of a deal.

As for it being the best handling car performance car available? that title go;s to the Lotus Elise. I own a 2006 Lotus Elise and it out handles, out brakes and out accelerates the Boxster plus it has a bullet prof Engine and drive-train. but I paid allot more then $9000.00 for it.