Advice Needed Please! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

DaveHMCFC · 04-03-2012, 11:51 AM

Hi.

I'm currently looking to buy a Boxster, but before I part with my cash there's a few things I wanted to know.... and what better place to ask than here.

Firstly, do I go for the 2.7 or 3.2? (bearing in mind the difference in petrol, insurance and tax). Are the extra horses worth the dosh?

For the money I was looking to spend, I think an 03 or 04 plate is likely, although I understand there was quite a major facelift in 05. Is it worth spending a bit more for that model? What are the big differences?

Because there are so many different variations in spec, (extras at original purchase), it's hard to put one up against another. I think the deciding factors could be wheels, stereo and obviously trim colour and material. I also like the idea of Xenons. Are they that much better?

Also, does anyone know of an independent inspector that knows his way round a Boxster, that I could get to thoroughly check any potential car out? Preferably in the Dorset area.

Many thanks in advance.

recycledsixtie · 04-03-2012, 01:06 PM

Dorset as in UK ? Just where is this Dorset? I have a 2001 Boxster base 2.7 which has adequate power for me. Gets a bit better gas mileage I would think than a 3.2 litre. There will be many others chime in with their 3.2 views. Have never tried the latter. You get the glass rear window I believe in the 2003 or later. I can go fast enough with a 2.7 as our speed limits on the hwy are typically 110kph/ or about 70 mph. I love winding it up in the gears. I have a 5 speed manual. 6 speed I don't know about and would be curious from others is it really needed. There is lots of info on Boxsters on this forum, plus Pelican Parts forum plus Rennlist forums. I bought my Box a year ago and spent the previous winter doing research. Check out the options on the various Boxsters. For instance I have manual key only, no remote entry, no psm. The heated seats and air. cond. are wonderful. Being prepared info. wise i think is essential before u commit. If you don't know much about them get a knowledgeable friend, or join a Porsche club and I feel that a PPI is a must.
Cheers, G.

pothole · 04-03-2012, 01:26 PM

Fuel consumption doesn't vary much across the engines.

You need to get out there and try a 2.7 and a 3.2 to know whether you personally need the 3.2.

Xenons gives better light, but I think original Boxster with amber indicators is the best looking - and you can't have that with Xenons.

I'm not sure I'd pay for an inspection, but having someone knowledgeable on hand would certainly help. I'm in Bath. If you see one you like near here, PM me and I may be able to have a quick look at it.

thstone · 04-03-2012, 04:42 PM

I'd highly recommend that you drive both cars (2.7 and 3.2). Only you will be able to determine if the extra power is worth the extra money. In general, the newer and more powerful, the better, but there is nothing wrong with the 2.7 and a little better gas mileage either. I have the original 2.5 and its more than powerful enough to scare myself and keeps up with nearly anything on the road.

Ghostrider 310 · 04-03-2012, 04:56 PM

If I were you I would jump all over Pothole's offer to look at a car for you. He's been around here long enough to know many of the places that need inspection. You two should drive it too, he knows how it is supposed to feel.

PS regarding engines, I liked my 2.5 just fine but always wanted more low end grunt, the spyder is so much faster than my 986 it still is shocking to me. I've only driven it three times (weather, registration) but as stated it's quick to say the least; I can't imagine what unleashing launch control would be all about.

husker boxster · 04-03-2012, 05:44 PM

97-04 Boxsters are 986s while 05-present are 987s. There's a bit of difference between the two. The exterior of a 986 is sexier but the interior of a 987 is bigger and nicer (less cheap looking plastic). So while you're trying to decide between base and S, you should also consider 986 vs 987. Oh yeah, you get more HP in a 987 vs 986 across the board.

If you decide to go base instead of S, be ABSOLUTELY SURE you're OK with the HP. Boxsters are not easy to add HP to unless you spend cubic dollars or pounds or Euros. You can spend thousands of dollars on headers, exhausts, and intake plenums and only gain 20HP. A base Box is certainly a capable car but many have bought one and immediately feel buyer's remorse for not getting an S. It's an expensive decision, make sure you get it right.

DaveHMCFC · 04-05-2012, 01:14 AM

Thanks for your helpful replies.
There's just one niggling thing in my head that won't go away, and it's reading about major engine failure, and the horrendous costs involved.
Is this just with the 986's or is it 987's too? And what's the percentage of failure?

tonycarreon · 04-05-2012, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveHMCFC

Thanks for your helpful replies.
There's just one niggling thing in my head that won't go away, and it's reading about major engine failure, and the horrendous costs involved.
Is this just with the 986's or is it 987's too? And what's the percentage of failure?

any boxster can fail for various reasons, especially when not well maintained. only porsche knows the failure rate...

if it's still on the road and has decently high mileage for the year, chances are it'll keep going. if you're looking at a '99 with 10k miles - that's a big crap shoot.

pothole · 04-05-2012, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonycarreon

any boxster can fail for various reasons, especially when not well maintained. only porsche knows the failure rate...

Hmm, not sure about that. The problem for me is that they can fail despite being well maintained. Take good care of something like a 90s BMW straight six and you can be pretty confident it will keep on trucking. I'm not convinced there's much correlation between IMS failure and maintenance, for instance.

On the contrary, immaculately maintained examples seem just a susceptible, if not more so.

tonycarreon · 04-05-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pothole

Hmm, not sure about that. The problem for me is that they can fail despite being well maintained.

i didn't say if you keep up with maintenance it will not fail, i said that if you do not keep up with maintenance, you can expect certain failure. i think that's fairly obvious.

there are other things that need to be repaired / maintained / replaced other than an IMS bearing
- water pumps
- coolant reservoirs
- cv boots
- transmissions
...

recycledsixtie · 04-05-2012, 07:42 AM

I used to own a 99 MX5 Miata for 4 years. Compared to a Boxster I consider it virtually bulletproof. Now I have my 2001 Boxster 2.7, I am prepared to spend $$$ on it if I have to. For me it is worth it. The Boxster is not bulletproof but to me it is well worth the driving pleasure. Do the research. It is a depreciating asset over here.
Dont rush into making a decision. Pothole sounds like a great potential help. I can say good luck but you make it luckier if you do your homework with pothole. Enjoy the search and enjoy the ride

Try lots of Boxsters but mind u I bought the 2nd one I tried. It was a good one and still is.

DaveHMCFC · 04-07-2012, 07:58 AM

I've just been reading about people who are 1st time buyers, and their same fears as me re major engine failure, and it seems that some of them have had the IMS and/or RMS redone purely as a precaution. These stories however hae all been in 986's. I think I'm more likely to go for a 987. So my question is... could I do the same in a 987 for peace of mind? And how many ££'s is that likely to cost? And also, is it advisable?

ckkrause · 04-07-2012, 08:38 AM

Interestingly, Consumer Reports shows Boxsters back to 2003, (their survey only goes back that far), as a "Good Bet", with few reliability problems. This is the same general rating as the Miata's! Buy the one you like and enjoy it!!

My $0.02

-CKKrause

recycledsixtie · 04-07-2012, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveHMCFC

I've just been reading about people who are 1st time buyers, and their same fears as me re major engine failure, and it seems that some of them have had the IMS and/or RMS redone purely as a precaution. These stories however hae all been in 986's. I think I'm more likely to go for a 987. So my question is... could I do the same in a 987 for peace of mind? And how many ££'s is that likely to cost? And also, is it advisable?

I believe that the 2009 Boxster has no ims. Others could confirm this. This is an improvement on the prior ones with the ims. However I would think that a 2009 would be lots of $$$$. I like my IMS guardian as it give me warning of an impending failure. Prof. installed and purchased for one third the cost of new ims install. My 2001 Box base had less than 40k miles when I bought it. I dont believe in spending $$$ on my car unless I have to. I was in Norwich UK and noticed lots of Miata MX5's, but few P cars. In terms of bullet proof I think the MX5 comes first . The Boxster is not bulletproof but driving pleasure and safety is much greater than the MX5. Some would disagree. Enjoy the ride!

Steve Tinker · 04-07-2012, 07:01 PM

DaveHMCFC ...
If you need local detailed advice re UK Boxters, contact Autofarm (AUTOFARM | Porsche Specialists For Over 35 Years - Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Cotswolds) in Oxfordshire or Hartech (Porsche servicing, repairs, engine rebuilds, reconditioned wishbones and cars for sale - near Bolton, North West England.). They have monthly paid maintenance plans for Porsche cars.
Both companies have enviable reputations regarding what or what not to buy and can give you typical maintenance costs for 986 /987 cars.

DaveHMCFC · 04-08-2012, 03:59 AM

Thanks again everyone... all this info is very much appreciated!

Another thing... if I found one I loved,(987), but say it didn't have the headlight set up I wanted,(Xenons), how easy, and how much to retro fit them roughly?

Ghostrider 310 · 04-08-2012, 04:26 AM

A bit less than a couple G notes

Litronic Head Light - Passenger Side:Porsche Parts & Porsche Accessories - Wholesale Porsche Parts & Tequipment - Cayman Panamera Cayenn

DaveHMCFC · 04-14-2012, 02:31 PM

Update!

I have just been to see a 2005 987 S and I think I'm in love.

It has done 39,000 miles and has a full Porsche history. It has all the old bills and receipts too... and 2 keys! It is immaculate inside and out to look at.

Extras are:
Xennons
Porsche Sound Package (Digital) (at the risk of sounding daft, but does this mean it's got DAB?)
Heated Seats
Air Con
Extended Leather

It's up for £14,250.

What do you think?