986 or 987?? help please.

[longislander1]

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]

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]

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]

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]

BruceLee, the original post asked for opinions

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

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by lexuspilot

BruceLee, the original post asked for opinions

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

Good stuff. We do have great posters here.

That is what makes this so much fun.

Thanks!

[Perfectlap]

heresy?,
Well I once went for a ride in a highly modified white 944 with a slushbox.
It was a real beauty and very much a Porsche.
Here a beeeeeautiful 928 with only 16K miles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/87-928-S4-Only-16k-Miles-Pristine-Condition_W0QQitemZ4575341518QQcategoryZ6432QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[longislander1]

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.

[lexuspilot]

If I had been of sound mind today I would have said I prefer this to that. I don't dislike anything Porsche.
No worries.

[Pilot2519j]

986 can't imagine driving a Porsche with an automatic. It would be heresy!