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Post by Stuntman on Mar 17, 2021 17:07:08 GMT
MX5 is a good shout as an alternative, especially if bought well and sensibly modified to your tastes.
But - unurprisingly I would say that 987 Porsches are lovely things. And the 986 as well - if you can live with the exterior and interior, the car is more feelsome, slightly smaller, and nicely musical.
However, the 987 was developed a lot more thoroughly and I think it looks a lot nicer inside and out. Clutches ARE on the heavy side in my experience but not a barrier to daily use. Look for one with PASM if you can, don't go any bigger than 18" wheels, ideally you also want Sport Chrono and the sports seats and of course a manual gearbox. My old Cayman had all of the above plus the sports steering wheel (3 spoker with circular centre section, slightly smaller in diameter) plus Xenons and BOSE. It was really sweet to drive.
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Post by alf on Mar 17, 2021 17:24:14 GMT
Something like the Fiat / MX5 just doesn't have the want factor for me I'm afraid. On a budget, if I had time for loads of trackdays (i.e. was single!) I'd consider MX5's and even the old last shape MR2's, anything really light and RWD and reliable, but Boxsters are special for me (6 cylinder ones anyway) - they look good, they handle amazingly well (even on track which is rare for a road car), they sound amazing - it's just a "want" factor I've had for 20 years or more... I'd look at early Caymans but I'm a convert to open top motoring now... I think PASM and sport chrono and so on are newer cars and above my budget. I do feel this is either a non starter or a car I'd probably keep for ages, so am considering the higher end of what I was lookjing at, especially these two: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102068765921www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209283629To the extent I may call about them tomorrow, though it may be an idea to have a conversation with the lady I live with whose drive it would be parked on first!!!!! |
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Post by Stuntman on Mar 17, 2021 19:09:41 GMT
Both of those look OK, but neither is in "driver's spec". Personally, I'd pass on both and keep looking - but viewing either or both will give you a feel for what you would consider essential on one of these compared to merely desirable.
For me on a 987 (and for your particular use) - it needs PASM, Sport Chrono and sports seats.
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Post by Tim on Mar 18, 2021 8:46:51 GMT
That 2nd one has no steering wheel buttons, how quaint!
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Post by alf on Mar 18, 2021 9:13:31 GMT
Remember this started out as "cheapest possible acceptable 986 S" and grew from there - I bought the XFR for a bit under £30k almost 3 years ago, it's worth about 20 now, so £10k+ is the "cost to change" that I had saved up, that's the man maths part. I'm still pondering 986 cars (mostly facelifted "S" models) but they do tend to have ruined interiors - the drivers seat leather tends to be wrecked. The two 987 above are pretty good value and younger/lower mileage than most, and the "S" in particular is from a Porsche specialist/racer so unlikley to have an IMS bearing on the way out. For some reason I like the looks of 986 and 987 in silver, they seem to age less than the dark ones. I thought PASM was German for "expensive active dampers that fail and cost thousands" and I've never worked out what Sport Chrono is except for lap timing, which is forbidden on trackdays full stop. And not a good route to go if you want to enjoy yourself and not crash. Sports seats would be handy indeed, Xenons preferable (though this will rarely be driven in the dark) - otherwise I can take or leave any stereo, nav, etc and would rather not have air con or any sort of traction control or stability control at all (many 986 cars have none but it seems more common, maybe was standard, in the facelift S models which is a shame). Heated seats I would like and seem not to be standard, but even this (which would be the biggest spec deal breaker for me for a normal use car, I'm cold in the mornings) I don't "need" here... This is one which looks very shiny in the pics, not silver for anyone who dislikes that, it's a dealer but a boggo SH one and it has some slight alarms for me - the tyres are a set but who puts these (Kumhos) on a boxster? Maybe an old man who doesn't need the last few % of grip. Maybe someone who can't really afford to run it. Thoughts Porsche Tifosi please: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102289572275Edited to add: lastly I did look around at some lightweight track specials last night - especially the VX220 which is a car I almost bought when I stopped the Caterham racing - really really doggy >100k miles VX220 2.2's cost considerably more than a tidier equivalent age Boxster, which made me think I'm on the right track here, they (Boxsters) seem good value for a lightweight car that works on track and has a great engine.... |
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Post by ChrisM on Mar 18, 2021 9:30:32 GMT
Maybe it needed new tyres not long before the previous owner planned on changing so they stuck on the cheapest reasonable set they could get. Some marking to the interior trim that hasn't come out with a clean. Plus they need a new photographer to take their photos. I wouldn't buy without a test drive but initially it seems reasonable value for money
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 18, 2021 9:46:03 GMT
This is one which looks very shiny in the pics, not silver for anyone who dislikes that, it's a dealer but a boggo SH one and it has some slight alarms for me - the tyres are a set but who puts these (Kumhos) on a boxster? Maybe an old man who doesn't need the last few % of grip. Maybe someone who can't really afford to run it. Thoughts Porsche Tifosi please: Kumho Ecstas are a ultra high performance tyre with good reviews, particularly wet performance, so it wouldn't concern me that they are fitted. |
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Post by Martin on Mar 18, 2021 9:46:43 GMT
Remember this started out as "cheapest possible acceptable 986 S" and grew from there - I bought the XFR for a bit under £30k almost 3 years ago, it's worth about 20 now, so £10k+ is the "cost to change" that I had saved up, that's the man maths part. That's not man maths, that's sensible maths. Less that £300 a month depreciation is dull hatchback territory, what would it cost to replace the XFR with something suitable now? That's the real cost to change and it will be more than £10k, so will get you into a a nice 987.2 Boxster. Sorted!  (I appreciate it doesn't match the pot of money you have allocated to cost of change, but that's not how man maths works) |
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Post by Martin on Mar 18, 2021 9:47:59 GMT
This is one which looks very shiny in the pics, not silver for anyone who dislikes that, it's a dealer but a boggo SH one and it has some slight alarms for me - the tyres are a set but who puts these (Kumhos) on a boxster? Maybe an old man who doesn't need the last few % of grip. Maybe someone who can't really afford to run it. Thoughts Porsche Tifosi please: Kumho Ecstas are a ultra high performance tyre with good reviews, particularly wet performance, so it wouldn't concern me that they are fitted. Proper N rated tyres are not expensive, so it strikes me as someone who is trying to save a couple of quid or doesn't care about the car enough. That may just be me? |
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Post by Tim on Mar 18, 2021 10:00:47 GMT
It may be worthwhile a check on the one-make forums as perhaps the Kumhos have been found to suit the car?
It's a nice colour combo and makes a change from silver (which I don't mind on these).
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Post by PetrolEd on Mar 18, 2021 10:45:21 GMT
Only good thing with Silver is that the colour hides a lot of chips. The front of the Blue car with 75,000 miles will look like a teenagers face.
Of the ones you've shown I think the Brookspeed car the best. Yes its missing options but Sports seats you can pick up off ebay form mot a lot and PASM isn't really any use on the road as if you change the car out of comfort on the road its all but unusable. Useful on the track but never had any issues in my old Cayman on track without it.
As for the tyres, yes the Kumhos would raise a concern with me but lets be honest 90% of Boxsters are owned by people who just cruise around with the top down so buying Michelins at nearly twice the price is a rather pointless activity. You only need to run N rated tryes whilst the cars in warranty and truth be told I switched my old Cayman onto non N rated PS4S as soon as they were launched as the N rated Porsche approved P Zeros were so crap.
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Post by garry on Mar 19, 2021 11:00:47 GMT
Remember this started out as "cheapest possible acceptable 986 S" and grew from there - I bought the XFR for a bit under £30k almost 3 years ago, it's worth about 20 now, so £10k+ is the "cost to change" that I had saved up, that's the man maths part. I'm still pondering 986 cars (mostly facelifted "S" models) but they do tend to have ruined interiors - the drivers seat leather tends to be wrecked. The two 987 above are pretty good value and younger/lower mileage than most, and the "S" in particular is from a Porsche specialist/racer so unlikley to have an IMS bearing on the way out. For some reason I like the looks of 986 and 987 in silver, they seem to age less than the dark ones. I thought PASM was German for "expensive active dampers that fail and cost thousands" and I've never worked out what Sport Chrono is except for lap timing, which is forbidden on trackdays full stop. And not a good route to go if you want to enjoy yourself and not crash. Sports seats would be handy indeed, Xenons preferable (though this will rarely be driven in the dark) - otherwise I can take or leave any stereo, nav, etc and would rather not have air con or any sort of traction control or stability control at all (many 986 cars have none but it seems more common, maybe was standard, in the facelift S models which is a shame). Heated seats I would like and seem not to be standard, but even this (which would be the biggest spec deal breaker for me for a normal use car, I'm cold in the mornings) I don't "need" here... This is one which looks very shiny in the pics, not silver for anyone who dislikes that, it's a dealer but a boggo SH one and it has some slight alarms for me - the tyres are a set but who puts these (Kumhos) on a boxster? Maybe an old man who doesn't need the last few % of grip. Maybe someone who can't really afford to run it. Thoughts Porsche Tifosi please: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102289572275Edited to add: lastly I did look around at some lightweight track specials last night - especially the VX220 which is a car I almost bought when I stopped the Caterham racing - really really doggy >100k miles VX220 2.2's cost considerably more than a tidier equivalent age Boxster, which made me think I'm on the right track here, they (Boxsters) seem good value for a lightweight car that works on track and has a great engine.... That's a very smart £10k car. The tyres wouldn't concern me - there is plenty of positive feedback on Kumhos tyres in Porsche forums. The 987 2.7 is a great road car in that you can really red line it and enjoy the engine because it's not got too much performance. Would it be a great track car? I don't know. Don't know how realistic it is at this price point but if I could get fPSH then that would be a big bonus. My experience of them is that they properly get looked after through the Porsche network. This one would get my interest. Private seller, decent advert, lives in a decent house, Porsche service history. www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103120067619?model=BOXSTER&price-from=9500&price-to=13000&postcode=l401rz&radius=1500&sort=relevance&include-delivery-option=on&make=PORSCHE&seller-type=private&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&transmission=Manual&page=1 |
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Post by Stuntman on Mar 19, 2021 22:31:55 GMT
Re Sport Chrono - what it actually does on a 987 is sharpen the throttle response and slacken the stability control. Genuinely transforms the car. It was an absolute must-tick option for me after my initial test drive back in late 2005.
And PASM? Well in Normal mode it makes the car breathe nicely with the road, while in Sport mode it makes it sit down and corner better on the track. Genuinely increases the car's bandwidth for your intended use.
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Post by garry on Mar 20, 2021 9:04:58 GMT
Re Sport Chrono - what it actually does on a 987 is sharpen the throttle response and slacken the stability control. Genuinely transforms the car. It was an absolute must-tick option for me after my initial test drive back in late 2005. And PASM? Well in Normal mode it makes the car breathe nicely with the road, while in Sport mode it makes it sit down and corner better on the track. Genuinely increases the car's bandwidth for your intended use. I know what you’re saying and I don’t disagree with your review. However, buying at the the price point Alf is looking at I’d be concerned that these options had the potential to throw up big bills. |
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Post by Martin on Mar 20, 2021 10:02:27 GMT
Re Sport Chrono - what it actually does on a 987 is sharpen the throttle response and slacken the stability control. Genuinely transforms the car. It was an absolute must-tick option for me after my initial test drive back in late 2005. And PASM? Well in Normal mode it makes the car breathe nicely with the road, while in Sport mode it makes it sit down and corner better on the track. Genuinely increases the car's bandwidth for your intended use. I know what you’re saying and I don’t disagree with your review. However, buying at the the price point Alf is looking at I’d be concerned that these options had the potential to throw up big bills. I agree and he's looking at cars of a similar age to Dans Cayman, which ended up being uneconomical to repair iirc? |
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Post by Andy C on Mar 20, 2021 11:27:12 GMT
I know what you’re saying and I don’t disagree with your review. However, buying at the the price point Alf is looking at I’d be concerned that these options had the potential to throw up big bills. I agree and he's looking at cars of a similar age to Dans Cayman, which ended up being uneconomical to repair iirc? Just driven a 987 Cayman S , which a friend has just bought. the ride with PASM with sport mode off was absolutely amazing. |
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Post by alf on Mar 23, 2021 11:46:05 GMT
Changes to the search - I've deleted all non-S cars after having a think about my laps in a 2.9l Cayman at Thruxton a couple of years back, and have widened the area, as well as deleted all the cars with 19" wheels. Before I get too excited, I'm about to have "the conversation" with my other half, whose house I live in, about taking up the third parking space in front of the house with another car I don't use... Oh and I checked out insurance costs, as I have no NCD for a second car. For 5k miles annually, social only, it was............ £220 and up. If I add my partner (who has a small claim 3 years ago, and 3 points, when I have a clean license and no claims ever) it was........... £200 and up. WTF. Anyway clearly not a reason not to buy!!!! For some weird reason part of me wants a very good 986S, but as low miles and as late as possible a 3.2 987S seems more sensible as I'll probably keep it a while. If the conversation goes well and the car is still available then that Brookspeed one is going to get a phone call later..... Weirdly (its probably down to gearing or dodgy figures), wherever AT get their figures from, there is naff all performance difference between 986S, 987 3.2S and 987 3.4S... The 3.4 just creep into my price range as private sales, but I'm fine with a non direct injection 3.2, ISTR the 3.4 was the first DI one and it mutes the low speed sound somewhat, plus DI seems to coke up a lot on older cars... I would also prefer the pre May 2006 tax braket........ Edited to add: Alright people - I found a 3.2S with PASM in my price range, all I had to do was extend mileage a bit. Look at the condition of this thing!!! www.mortimersprestige.co.uk/used-porsche/billingshurst-west-sussex-porsche-boxster-32-s-1543/The condition looks barely used compared to this much lower mileage and only 2 years older 986, though this is nice and has had the necessary work done (new IMS etc recently) and great history: www.mortimersprestige.co.uk/used-porsche/billingshurst-west-sussex-porsche-boxster-32-s-1529/I could potentially see both of these on Friday as I'm over that way having (yet another, our own brand this time) demo dashcam fitted... |
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Post by johnc on Mar 23, 2021 16:17:55 GMT
I think the 987 looks considerably more modern than the 986.
Is the 987 still on its original clutch and without the oil seals having been replaced? At 80,000 miles and 15/16 years old those might need done sooner rather than later.
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Post by alf on Mar 23, 2021 17:39:17 GMT
Probably. That 986 mentions a new IMS bearing and clutch, main oil seal, water pump, and coils. in 2018. That realistically makes it a few more grand cheaper than the other two.
I have to say though, that 3.2S looks bloody mint and while 85k is higher miles than I'd been looking at , regular use is often cited as a good thing, if its cosmetically as good as it looks it could be a bargain...
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Post by racingteatray on Mar 23, 2021 19:30:56 GMT
Changes to the search - I've deleted all non-S cars after having a think about my laps in a 2.9l Cayman at Thruxton a couple of years back, and have widened the area, as well as deleted all the cars with 19" wheels. Before I get too excited, I'm about to have "the conversation" with my other half, whose house I live in, about taking up the third parking space in front of the house with another car I don't use... Oh and I checked out insurance costs, as I have no NCD for a second car. For 5k miles annually, social only, it was............ £220 and up. If I add my partner (who has a small claim 3 years ago, and 3 points, when I have a clean license and no claims ever) it was........... £200 and up. WTF. Anyway clearly not a reason not to buy!!!! For some weird reason part of me wants a very good 986S, but as low miles and as late as possible a 3.2 987S seems more sensible as I'll probably keep it a while. If the conversation goes well and the car is still available then that Brookspeed one is going to get a phone call later..... Weirdly (its probably down to gearing or dodgy figures), wherever AT get their figures from, there is naff all performance difference between 986S, 987 3.2S and 987 3.4S... The 3.4 just creep into my price range as private sales, but I'm fine with a non direct injection 3.2, ISTR the 3.4 was the first DI one and it mutes the low speed sound somewhat, plus DI seems to coke up a lot on older cars... I would also prefer the pre May 2006 tax braket........ Edited to add: Alright people - I found a 3.2S with PASM in my price range, all I had to do was extend mileage a bit. Look at the condition of this thing!!! www.mortimersprestige.co.uk/used-porsche/billingshurst-west-sussex-porsche-boxster-32-s-1543/The condition looks barely used compared to this much lower mileage and only 2 years older 986, though this is nice and has had the necessary work done (new IMS etc recently) and great history: www.mortimersprestige.co.uk/used-porsche/billingshurst-west-sussex-porsche-boxster-32-s-1529/I could potentially see both of these on Friday as I'm over that way having (yet another, our own brand this time) demo dashcam fitted... Have you been to Mortimers? I've been there to look at a car before and thought it was quite a good set-up. |
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Post by Alex on Mar 23, 2021 22:17:43 GMT
Its 10mins walk from my house. I often walk past there on my daily walk out to the fields and through Daux Wood. I'm working from home tomorrow so maybe I'll wonder down and have a look at lunchtime, though I suspect they're not open to ramblers coming in off the street unannounced at the moment!
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Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 24, 2021 8:34:16 GMT
Talk of 10k 987 Boxsters makes me start thinking about abandoning the decent towcar idea, buy a cheap shed puller and look at a Boxster instead...
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Post by alf on Mar 25, 2021 21:59:57 GMT
I’m visiting Brookspeed tomorrow to see the sparsely equipped but low miles £13795 silver 987 3.2s above - they have also picked up today an atlas grey one of the same age with 33k miles, Porsche history, Porsche sports exhaust (!), memory and also heated (finally!) seats, Bose, full leather, and PASM. It’s on their site with no pics yet for 15995 but mysteriously my budget has just moved - I just hope I get there (lunchtime after a meeting) before someone else buys it as the good low miles ones go immediately!!
My other half is far from thrilled at the idea and I’ll broach it again over breakfast but we did originally plan to keep 3 cars before lockdown so I can’t see the issue 😀
specialists are worth more £ for me as they know the cars and do things like view the cylinder bores with endoscopes - it saves buying one and immediately having the IMS fail or something like that as they know what to look for... These guys would also be close enough for servicing...
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Post by garry on Mar 26, 2021 7:40:23 GMT
I’m visiting Brookspeed tomorrow to see the sparsely equipped but low miles £13795 silver 987 3.2s above - they have also picked up today an atlas grey one of the same age with 33k miles, Porsche history, Porsche sports exhaust (!), memory and also heated (finally!) seats, Bose, full leather, and PASM. It’s on their site with no pics yet for 15995 but mysteriously my budget has just moved - I just hope I get there (lunchtime after a meeting) before someone else buys it as the good low miles ones go immediately!! My other half is far from thrilled at the idea and I’ll broach it again over breakfast but we did originally plan to keep 3 cars before lockdown so I can’t see the issue 😀 specialists are worth more £ for me as they know the cars and do things like view the cylinder bores with endoscopes - it saves buying one and immediately having the IMS fail or something like that as they know what to look for... These guys would also be close enough for servicing... The altas grey one sounds ideal. Brookspeed looks like a decent outfit too. It’s raining up here today - good convertible buying weather because you know it will be ace with the roof down, but you can feel how it copes on the bad days. Good luck! |
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Post by johnc on Mar 26, 2021 8:54:38 GMT
The grey one sounds very interesting. However just remember happy wife happy life (although she's not your wife). Good luck.
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Post by PetrolEd on Mar 26, 2021 9:45:59 GMT
Without being too rude but Sod that, you tried being the good guy with the ex and she ran off with the Rugby dude next door. Just go and buy either of the ones at Brookspeed and then treat the missus to something she wants. Happy Alf, happy life.
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Post by Martin on Mar 26, 2021 11:03:58 GMT
Without being too rude but Sod that, you tried being the good guy with the ex and she ran off with the Rugby dude next door. Just go and buy either of the ones at Brookspeed and then treat the missus to something she wants. Happy Alf, happy life. Exactly! That’s how it should be, with compromise from time to time of course, but I had a marriage where the balance was completely wrong and I have learnt from that. If I wanted to spend £15k on a Boxster, I wouldn’t need permission, as she knows that I wouldn’t buy anything I/we couldn’t afford. It’s the same when replacing my car, I value her opinion, but it’s my choice. Anyway.....how did the breakfast sign off meeting go? The Atlas grey one sounds perfect. |
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Post by Alex on Mar 26, 2021 11:46:24 GMT
The grey one sounds very interesting. However just remember happy wife happy life (although she's not your wife). Good luck. Yeah but sometimes begging forgiveness is easier than seeking permission! |
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Post by garry on Mar 26, 2021 12:04:45 GMT
The grey one sounds very interesting. However just remember happy wife happy life (although she's not your wife). Good luck. I think this phrase was dreamt up by the wife marketing board (also see: Diamonds are a girls best friend and Treat him mean to keep him keen) |
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Post by Martin on Mar 26, 2021 12:11:09 GMT
The grey one sounds very interesting. However just remember happy wife happy life (although she's not your wife). Good luck. I think this phrase was dreamt up by the wife marketing board (also see: Diamonds are a girls best friend and Treat him mean to keep him keen) |
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