considering buying an 05s - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rdass623 · 01-06-2015, 09:07 PM

I am considering upgrading from my 00 base box to an 05 s model. I was wondering if anyone is familiar in the differences which may be experienced, as far as the engine is concerned. will this car although a 987 still have the 986 engine setup? in essence I have heard of different air boxes, different oil filters, and exhaust for these model years. I was wondering if my exhaust from my 00 would fit on the 05, and whether the oil filter adapters are the same for the spin on filters. the 05 has a 3.2 engine rather than the 3.4 more commonly associated with the 978s models. not really a deal breaker one way or another, but the 05 with less than 30k for around 20k is really tempting.

Timco · 01-07-2015, 02:59 AM

The biggest difference is you can no longer post on this forum. Sorry. Not sure what those weird 987 folk do with questions.

I know they have a great air filter, but that's about all I know about them. Mine has an 05 air filter.

Drive a 986S first, save the $5-7k, profit. Seems a good price, but isn't that the year IMS cannot be changed?

husker boxster · 01-07-2015, 04:06 AM

The crossover to the improved IMS is a bit of a secret but conjecture is sometime around Mar 2005. Check the build date on the door. If it has a 2004 build date, you have the replaceable IMS. If you have an Apr or definitely May or later build date, you've got the non-replaceable IMS.

The 05 is kind of a hybrid with the 3.2. Not sure what could be used from the 986 and what can't. I went from an 01S to an 08S LE and the improvement in overall quality was massive.

Perfectlap · 01-07-2015, 08:22 AM

I drove the 05S went it first came out 10 years ago. Man time flies! I remember thinking this car just looks faster already. From a base 986 or 97-99 2.5, it definitely felt much faster off braking and out slow corners. Otherwise, just a bit more plush and insulated (less feedback) as is typical Porsche "progression". From a 3.2 I didn't feel that there was enough of a power bump to justify spending another $35K. And I was not a fan of the Audi/VW'esque revision of the interior which came with a more plasticky leather than the old school leather used in the 986 now brought back in the 981. The 986/996 interior has a minimalist motif that unfortunately wasn't always well executed because so much of the upgraded trim that should have been standard in Porsche was made optional. And no dip stick!!

According to the engine experts who post on here, the 987 engines (pre-2009) are just glorified 2000 -2004 986 engines. I think that's a direct quote if memory serves. The really big change came in 2009 with 9A1 motor. And of course, you can't service the IMS for most of these if you intend to own the car long-term without splitting open the engine. The convenience of easy out IMS servicing (all bearings have to be replaced at some interval) was eliminated with the revised IMS bearing which to its credit has rarely failed but that's sort of the whole point.

~$20k for 30K mile car is a good deal indeed. The 2009+ Boxster S's are still starting in low $30K's, lower mileage ones in the high $30K's.
once those come down into the high $20K's they'll be the best deal going. This 987S might tie you over pretty well until then.
I always say lean towards less mileage than necessarily the most recent year.

RandallNeighbour · 01-07-2015, 10:03 AM

I say hold out and get the 07S because it has the 3.4 in it. My friend loves his!

rp17 · 01-09-2015, 10:47 AM

I have a 987S and the Oil filer are the same but the exhaust and air box are different. They have a better design imho. 05 with less than 30k for 20 might be a steal.

mountainman · 01-09-2015, 11:30 AM

I have an 04 boxster S special edition. (tiny bit more HP than regular S ) and an 08 boxster S. There is a tremendous difference in the 2. If HP is important to you hold out for the 3.4. What you would spend on a 3.2 to get the performance of the 3.4 will easily pay the difference in the later model car.

rdass623 · 01-09-2015, 08:56 PM

like I will be driving my 00 base a little longer. I was stuck on 20 and the seller found someone willing to go 22. almost happy about that because it needed a new set of tires and it had those 19" wheels with the huge hub, which I don't really like the looks of. also the 19's would get hammered to death on the streets here in new Orleans. my 00 only has 54k on it so it has a lot of life to it, so I really am not in a huge rush to replace it.