Understanding the expected, ever-present 986 bias, I'm curious to what everyone thinks: Is a car still "classic" if it's been heavily modded? I mean when looking at "classic" car auctions, most of the high priced are stock, right? Not putting on a GT2 bumbler, different wheels (not OEM), etc... So, is the debate really a question of, "Can a 986 be made to look timeless with appropriate modding and still be considered classic?" I mean, I'm biased against the _ _ 6 because of the fried egg headlights and the, ahem, dated interior, but if the 986 were truly classic, wouldn't the generations that followed be closer to the general appearance of the "original" much like the 911s have had a slow evolution?

Sure, I get that >96% of people here love the 986, but a majority of those here have modded it, which begs the question of how can a car be classic, when you mod it into something that has parts that were never included during production? By definition, you create something that can't be considered classic as it has become unique, right? Which is fine if that's what you want to do. I mean, hey, it's your car, right? Maybe unmodded parts can be classic, but the car as a whole may approach "timeless"...? But it's been modded and isn't OEM.

Personally, I agree with the people that argue low production numbers make for a stronger argument, but I don't know that any Porsche car beyond the 911 could be considered "classic" even with the carrera gt having low production numbers. Having said that, I'm not sure which model of 911 can be considered classic, but I think the simple fact that you could look at 911s separated by 20 years and not make the mistake of thinking either car isn't a 911.

Because authentic 18 inch Carrera lights cost nearly as much as the 97 Boxster resale value.

Regarding all the talk of "too many of them to be valuable", I suspect the fact that about 70% of all Porsches ever built are still running means that they'll never be vanishingly rare. But who cares, really? That number is 70% because they're well built (not perfect, but what is?) and alluring enough that people are willing to treat them well, keep them repaired and restore them when they get shabby looking.

In other words, I think they'll never be rare because they're great cars. If you want rare, try to find a running Yugo and pay the big bucks it commands.

I feel exactly the same way!
Love my Box!

Carrera GT, 356, first Turbo, 959. Alle true classics that you need to pay for more for than when new.

Timeless indeed...

http://home.comcast.net/~rwrenegades/pcar.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~rwrenegades/pcar2.JPG

To quote Paris "That's Hot!"

Honestly I would have agreed until I saw the 981 in the flesh
It looks great on pictures, but what a stunner in real life

As much as I like you guys and gals if I won a 2014 Cayman/Boxster in a lottery I would sell my 2001 Box in a heartbeat. Porsche's updating every year works magic on me....

Not willing to spend that amount of $$$$ on a new one so I am staying on this forum for a while. As regards stock yes absolutely. Everything I do is OEM. No addons, no desnorkelling etc so when I come to sell it will not look like a boyracer......:)

+1 on the above. Anyone else ever watch the BarretJackson auto auctions?
1964.5-1966 Mustang & VW bug, highest volume production cars made until the Japanese invasion & neither was a high quality car. Any drivable example will sell for more than it did new today. Here in CA any convertiblehas value. I laugh everytime I see a Dodge Dart convertible!

Only time will tell...

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1390678920.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1390678938.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1390680258.jpg

Even in gloomy weather the cars lines are quite timeless.

Are those Speedline wheels?

They REALLY make the ride. :)

TO

Yes, Gemballa Speedline Corse

Quite possibly the best looking wheels I've seen on a boxster. 18's?

They're 18's. I've always thought they fit the Boxster perfectly.

Yup, they look like the concepts wheels.

Just an observation; I think we're all working with different definitions of 'classic'.

I'd like to say that I think that in 20-30 yrs. 986's will be rare as in less than 944's are now due to their maintenance costs ( and that problematic engine) and that when seen driving down the road, they will be desired and revered because they ARE a unique design, obviously a Porsche sports car and to many car guys, an icon- themselves. There are other 2 seaters but in north America, there are only 2 'good' ones: MR2 and the Boxster and only ones a PORSCHE.

I'm bumping a somewhat old thread, because I didn't want to start a new one, but I think I can end the debate. ;)

On January 13, 2014, the 986 and 996 officially became Porsche Classics.
Although, having sold 164,874 of them might make them less classic. :cheers:

IMO, it is way too early to call the 986 a classic regardless of one's definition. As to the design, I do tend to agree with the OP, however. Yes, it looks a bit dated compared to the new Boxster Cayman. What would you expect for a vehicle design that is now 20 years old?

However, IMO the 986 was a brilliantly executed, amazingly cohesive and original design that positively screamed "Porsche'. The cars roots in the 'giant-killer' 550 Spyders of the 50's - the cars that put Porsche on the map in racing circles, are readily apparent. The curving, rather than angular forms are, well - sexy, rather than masculine, IMO. The same, of course, is true of the original Jaguar XKE - a car that Enzo Ferrari called the most beautiful car in the world.

While the new 981 appears muscular and masculine, to me the 986 evokes the female form - something which for me and many men, brings out an emotional and visceral response that a muscular, male form can never achieve. Heck, I think of mine as a beautiful and sexy woman who, if treated with respect, will provide incredible thrills and satisfaction. Is she a bit fragile? Yes. Does she need to be 'warmed-up' before going for it? Ditto. But once she is ready.....

IMO, the design is also one of the most cohesive and balanced of any car since the XKE and the original 911. Rather than a clash of angles and curves, a modified 'C' shape is carried throughout the design from the front grills, through the intrument cover, the door handles, the mirrors, the side air intakes, the doors, the door windows, the rear fenders, the rear tail-lights and upper brake light, the exhaust (in the base). It is even carried through into the design of various of the interior components.

The car may never become a 'classic' in the true sense of the word, but it is a beautiful design that should always be admired.

Brad