I would say yes. Especially coming from a 01. There are so much things that are nicer on the newer models. I know I can't buy a new car every year but I looked into buying a 986. Test drove a couple and bought a 987s! The S may of made the difference but to me they just keep getting better.

One day at any reputable Porsche mechanic's shop and it becomes a non issue.
There a few reasons not to buy a first gen boxster but the IMS is not one of them.

Removing the IMS completely from the engine is still an experiment that has yet to be proven as a wise one as most of the DFI engines are all still low mileage. I will be following these closely myself as I would buy a Boxster Spyder or perhaps an RS version of the 981S. But a Stingray seems compelling to me as well. Especially one in a carbon wrap and gun metal wheels with a Hennessey performance package. Thats Ferrari or GT3 performance for the price of a we'll optioned 981S.

.....Replied.

My answer is no, I would not purchase a newer boxster. I love my 2000 base. If I were going to spend 75-80K on a car it would either be a new C7 stingray corvette (460 BHP mind you) or add another 10K and grab a 2003-4 F360. The financial to fun factor of a newer boxster does not balance out in my opinion.

My first car was a convertible. It is cool but it is limited and another maintenance issue, so no, not a new Boxster. I think the 987 has the look that should have been the 986, especially the front lights. Now it sounds like I don't like my 986 S, not so. I absolutely look for any opportunity to drive it and get the grin. It is my daily driver. It is the best part of my working day. It is all that I could afford. What I would like to do depending on finances, is buy a 09+ Cayman S in 3-4 years while still keeping the 986 S. Now that would be the ticket

Oh and 'Flat64Ever' we have cousins 1 year apart - form the color to the wheels. I like the look

Not me...

I went from an '07 Cayman to my '01 Boxster S, and I enjoy it just as much!

This is unusual. Why did you make the switch? I am interested in a Cayman. What are your thoughts on the early Caymans S or base? What should I look out for?

My friend says the same. When its m96/m97 (not a huge difference) on both, and the driver is a true roadster type, the tin top variant will always lack the freedom.
Also, my friend includes his previous 996 base and a 993 in preferring the Boxster S most of all. He says if the GT3 were at least a three season car it would probably be the top one for him.

I have always had the opposite view. If the 987.2 internals were found on the 986 body I probably would have switched into a newer car much sooner instead of holding onto a now 13 year old car. But the 987 headlights struck me as not Porsche looking enough, too Japanese. The side intakes are a cumbersome design with no fluidity. The interior is upgraded substantially in materials but the design looks more Cayenne than sports car, particularly the round steering wheel. The rear of the car is hands down better than the 986. My perfect car would have the 981 headlights (those should have been on the 987), a 987 rear end (the 981 rear is too Panamera, ditto for the interior) and a side profile/doors like the 918 Spyder.

I totally agree!!! The extra cost to fun ratio of a newer Boxster just doesn't add up.

I think of it like this..........
I purchased my 1998 986 for $10,500
I recently purchased a sweet 1994 Corvette (my Son's first car) for $7500
I Have a sweet custom Harley Davidson that is worth $11,000
All this only comes up to $29,000. That is a lot of versatile fun factor for MUCH less than 1 new Boxster. I can even throw in my bass boat ($12,000) and 4 wheelers ($10,000) and still not come up to the price of a new Boxster.

It's not that I can't afford a new Boxster but for me the cost verses fun factor just doesn't add up.

Everyone has different wants and desires. That is what makes us all unique and makes the world an interesting diverse place. Ultimately, a person will have to decide their own cost verses fun to decide if it is worth the purchase price of a newer Boxster.

:cheers:

Early 986s are by far my favourite Boxsters, the one exception being the 987 Spyder.

But really, if I had the budget for a much newer Boxster, I'd sooner have a Cayman or a 993.

I have never liked the look of the rear of the Cayman until the 991 came out. Just bought a second 986 though (2002 S), so it will be a few years before thinking about another one. When I do add to the collection, it will either be a 991 Boxster S or a 997 C4S, Turbo, or GT3.

Well, it didn't work exactly like that... I sold the Cayman to fund a new Deere cab tractor. Then we both decided we could not live without a P-Car...we lasted three months...

First of all, I LOVED the Cayman! It was an Arctic Silver ’07 2.7l w/ Sport Chrono. Just like I wanted it, lightweight, not many options, 17” wheels and a five speed. (Most likely the best shifting tranny I’ve ever felt, like a rifle-bolt!) Very pure. We used it as a weekend toy only. That said, the only thing we did not like was the fixed roof...

When we started looking for another Porsche, we drove several 911 cabs, a Turbo and a beautiful ’09 Boxster S. Liked them all, but didn’t really fall in love…

I wanted a first-gen Boxster. I love mid-engine cars, (my first sports car was a FIAT X 1/9...), and when Porsche announced the boxster in the early 90's I was smitten! It was so true to the show car, I always thought I would own one...

Looked at a lot of junk, then found this cherry, one-owner '01 Boxster S. It was perfect!

Can't go wrong with a Cayman. The 2.7 is perfectly balanced, very quick with NO bad habits. Looks like a million bucks, build quality is second to none. And try that five-speed. It's a beautiful transmission...http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1380566038.jpg

For me, this is exactly why I'd never upgrade - I don't like the Panamera interior. I think that Porsche's sports cars (Boxster, Cayman, 911) should get their own unique interior.

In terms of desireability, I am going BACKWARD and buying older Porsche models rather than newer models (recently bought a 944, looking around at old 70's 911's now). To me, the older models represent a clearer vision of what a Porsche should be.

My '99 996 Carrera might be the newest Porsche that I ever own. :)

I don't like any of the "updates" made to the 987 other than the 3.4L engine. (exterior, interior) That's why I doubled down with a 3.6 build on my original mint engine! Cayman S sweetens the deal a little but not enough to give up disappearing top in SoCA!

Wow! Am I the only one who likes the 987 headlights and side vents? They are gorgeous to me. Better than the 986 and Spyder side vents. Those are the only two things exterior wise I didn't like about the 986. As far as the interior, I can go on and on. The interior of the 987.2 took it to another level also. They started listening to somebody I guess. I like the raw interiors of the first modesl but for the price your paying, might as well get your money worth for your coin.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1380584420.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1380584450.jpg

I agree with you on the new 981 interior.



I hope to keep my S until it hits collector status for insurance ( 25 years old) ...

My original post had a video link to the Mk1 ... it may have been hard to see in the post.

Check it out.

Cheers,

Brian