986>996? gasp!

[CrashTest]

I've owned a lot of cars, and this is my first carmaker repeat buy. I sold my 996 last year and went car-lite, sharing a TDI wagon with my girlfriend and riding bicycles everywhere else (because coming from WI to NC, there is no winter here!). I miss having a fun car but do not miss the expense of multiple German machines. Since the TDI is paid for and takes a tank of fuel not-even-once-a-month, I felt ok shopping for a toy. I was really settled on an S2000 after driving a few but found a deal I couldn't refuse. 986 Boxster with full service history, brand new top, and not a hint of curb rash. Interior is 8/10, body is good with some clearcoat degradation on the front fender.

I love this little car. It really does give about 80% of the 996 experience at 40% of the price. I am kicking myself for not considering a Boxster S before I went for the 996. I also feel bad for internally judging Boxster drivers for YEARS on the road, at the track. Just like my revelation after finally hooning an NA Miata around, I just didn't know what I was missing. Hammond says there's only one reason to buy a Boxster: because you can't afford a 911. I don't think that's true anymore. The Boxster doesn't have the telepathic, chatty 911 steering, nor the crazy braking power. It does have the flat-six bark and it's possibly even better than a 996 because that intake is right next to the driver's head. I immediately took out the intake silencer (snorkel) when I brought it home, a must-do for every 986 owner. The wail above 5000rpm is nuts. It also has the ever-present mechanical whine that made air-cooled 911's so charismatic. I also did this mod to the muffler and yes, it's slightly ghetto, it did make a subtle difference in the sound just off-idle. I need to get the Pedro's muffler mod done to give it some more rasp and burble.

Finding a good one is getting tougher, but this really should be a sensible (for a 2-seater) car to own. I hope. I need to figure out how to shoe-horn my folding bike into the front end. It *almost* fits.

The new-to-me Boxster:




my old 996:

[Nine8Six]

Well done mate. Nice ride

Don't forget you can trick & tune this little red car to the bones for real cheap also! Compared with 996s aftermarket parts and all. All good fun, and still very cheap on petrol

[BruceH]

Great looking Boxster and welcome to the forum Is that Badger Red by chance? I'm also originally from Wisconsin, love the no winter here in Texas!

[urban]

Great looking Boxster! Congrats! Love the red! Can you post pics of the interior? Your 996 was very cool too.
I got to do the desnorkeling too!

[CrashTest]

I don't have nice photos/photos of the interior yet. Plain-jane black 986 interior, 4-spoke wheel, no options.

I love the desnorkeled sound, I also did this mod, with 9/16" holes. Much better, but subtle. I need to talk to my air-cooled mechanic friend about doing the DIY Pedro's/PSE muffler mod. The car needs a little more bark.

One thing I will say, that I wish someone told me 5 years ago, the early Boxsters (on the street) do not want for power. Plenty fast, but also slow enough to run through the gears on reasonably deserted roads. Just all-in-all great real-world sportscars. If Porsche had made an early 2.5L Cayman it just might be my ideal car right now.

Speaking on interiors, I do have a photos of the wonderful mustard-tan interior on my 996. I loved it!

[CrashTest]

Oh - and it might be Badger Red. I'm a 4th generation ME grad from Madison.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by CrashTest

Oh - and it might be Badger Red. I'm a 4th generation ME grad from Madison.

Class of '83, BBS, double major in Finance and Risk Management

[Kenny Boxster]

I always joke it's a small world. Nine8six, how in the world did you get the center lock wheels? Looks mint! Also crashtest, congrats on your car!

[Nine8Six]

haha those are FAKE Kenny!!! They are "center" but not "lock". You got it half right!

Knockoff spoiler and mirrors, cheap-cheap fiberglass everything!!!!! Trick-Trick!

[G&L]

Welcome to NC! Great-looking Boxster. They're a revelation, aren't they?! Never knew I could laugh so much while driving