986 or 987?? help please. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

lexuspilot · 09-16-2005, 12:36 PM

I don't have sour grapes. I was just replying to the blanket statement above that the 987 is the superior car. I can buy one right now, but I didn't feel compelled to because it didn't feel that superior. I think superior was just the wrong word. Different? Updated? Those would be more apt. I am not stabbing at 987 owners either. I love 987's but that post above had a tone like the 986 was $hit.

lexuspilot · 09-16-2005, 12:46 PM

Over 10 years, I enjoyed every day of my 968 even as other cars began to surpass it in 0-60 and other measures. I say enjoy what you have instead of criticizing what you don't.

Thats what I say too. Why didn't you reply like that to the post above? I don't have 987 envy as you imply. If I did, I would just buy it. I just can't can't get over the silver plastic. I did ask if the sport wheel gets rid of the silver plastic but never found out. I got a new 986 because I like the all black interior, I mean all black. If that was available in a 987 I would have one I guess.

This is the post I replied about:
The 987 looks better, and is generally the superior car from sd987.

Superior is just not the right word.

What do you mean finnish built? Weren't only some built in Fin?

Perfectlap · 09-16-2005, 12:57 PM

Superior is a loaded word in comparing the 987 to the 986.
On performance I can accept that readily. A great argument for best
handling Porsche ever built?
But on design/looks/aestetics/etc. I would have to say its different but
ceratinly not better. That design isn't going to be on any top 10 lists in Excellence.

The 986 design went essentially unchanged for 8 YEARS and was still a great seller.
Will the 987 look last 8 years? We'll see...

lexuspilot · 09-16-2005, 01:07 PM

I would be very excited to see a 987S version 2.0:

No silver plastic
Color matched side intakes
New inside door panels - I admit I don't know how to change them but just something different.
Better looking wheels. I like the 5 spokes on the silver cayman photos, the one with the spokes that are wider at the rim than the hub. Sorry don't know the name.

AND not to have hijacked the thread....Enjoy the 986S mmmmm, ignore the urge to splurge. The 987 will be there if you change your mind later, they keep making more.

If I had a 986S on the other side of the pond, I'd cruise Budapest.

longislander1 · 09-16-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexuspilot

[i]
What do you mean finnish built? Weren't only some built in Fin?

If you have U in your VIN, the car was built in Finland. S means Stuttgart. From what I've read, most Boxsters are built in Finland today. There have been stories that the quality control is better in Finland.

One reason why the 986 was a big seller is that it put a lot of people (many non-Porsche owners) into a Porsche convertible for an amount lower than they had seen in years. As I recall, the first 986s had a starting MSRP of $39,900, or something like that. The last 968 cabs were $51,900, excluding options, and at this price, there were few takers for a 4-cylinder. For the lower price, you got a six, but with 40 less horsepower, and they cheapened the interior even more (especially the seats). If I remember right, the lower horsepower and less aggressive looks are what led some people to label the Boxster a "chick car."

The 987 interior, at least in quality of materials, is a vast improvement over the miscellaneous black plastic bits in the 986. And for all the criticism of the 987's silver pieces, an awful lot of 986 owners have changed their interior trim to silver to give the car a richer look.

Perfectlap · 09-16-2005, 02:12 PM

convertibles will always be coined chick cars. Its unavoidable in a sub $100,000 car. And convertibles have by far been the best selling Porsches. The Boxster continued this at a time Porsche REALLY needed it.

I don't agree that the syling is less agressive.
from the windshield forward its a Carrera. Was the 996 considered less masculine than the 993? Losing the round headlights gave it a much bolder look.
And the rear fenders of the 986 are one of its strongest points.

interesting quote from Excellence review up the RUF 987 R Sypder:

"At roughly 135 pounds lighter than a CarreraS, the R Spyder is faster against the stop watch. Being mid-engined makes it more agile too. One drive in this car will give you the answer you already know as to why Porsche doesn't offer more powerful engine in its 987 line up."

lexuspilot · 09-16-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:
If you have U in your VIN, the car was built in Finland. S means Stuttgart. From what I've read, most Boxsters are built in Finland today. There have been stories that the quality control is better in Finland.
Yes I know this, you were the one mistakingly referring to all of them as built in Finland. I have a Stuttgart car. What is so ************************ wrong or cheap about the interior. I haven't been in a sub 50,000 dollar car with a better interior and just drove a GT3 with the exact same interior. Some of us don't want our sports cars looking like a Maxima or Subaru. I consider the 986 interior to be flat out Porsche.

Brucelee · 09-16-2005, 06:12 PM

Ok, lets all be cool. No need to resort to profanity.

Lets face it, much of what we feel is totally subjective. Lets keep a light spirit about this subject!

:dance:

lexuspilot · 09-16-2005, 06:41 PM

BruceLee, the original post asked for opinions

I could/should have left out the swears...I blame the swears on the price of fuel.

longislander1 · 09-16-2005, 06:46 PM

Thanks, Brucelee. My feelings exactly. The beauty of these forums is that we can read other people's opinions and then decide whether we agree with them or not. Lexuspilot, you don't like the Japanese transmission and I'm not crazy about the 986 interior. Sounds like a draw to me. More important, we both love our Porsches, so there's something positive we have in common.

Now let's go on to the next topic.