986 Porker

[gov]

been considering alternatives after test driving a 23i and a 20i and even a TT 2.0 TFSI - all red ( you all know my liking for a red car ) as for prices the Audi was £10k and the 20i £14k so not particularly cheap - tbh I was underwhelmed with them all as a potential "toy" - the Audi visually up close did nothing for me although the performance was better than the Beamers but without the "sound"

Even considered going back to a classic Elan ( M100 ) but don't want all the issues you get with a classic .

Found a Guards Red semi - classic Porker 2001 advertised- obviously a bit cramped for a big bugger like me but would just about fit - absolutely stunning visually ( in my view ) well aware of the IMS issue with early Boxsters but research shows it affected only 4 % of cars - could always upgrade the seal if needs be - this particular car is 17 years old but the MOT history is impeccable with straight passes each year with no advisories ever !! and only 57k miles - pricey yes for a 2001 car but as we all know you only get what you pay for ! only real negative is it's had 8 owners but for 17 years may be not so bad ?

The car is with a Porsche specialist garage sold with a 6 month warranty.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 4ls&page=1

[Phoenixboy]

is it the s?
my friend is the main tec at Porsche in Exeter, can always get his thoughts if you like.
if not the s, is that going to have the power you want?
he has always said, the older Porsche like the boxster can be bought for reasonable money, but can be costly on parts if they go wrong.
I suppose it depends on how good the warranty is, and what it covers.
I would possibly be inclined to get it checked over by Porsche or a Porsche indi with a view to resolving any issues while still under a warranty.jmo

[gov]

no not the S - it's a 2.7 but quick enough and a great sound would be really helpful to hear your friend's view ?

A mate of mine had a 3.2S - poor mpg and cost a mint when he took it to a main dealer for a service - I have a local man who has his own small workshop and specialises in performance cars - looked after my old Lotus and has worked on similar cars.

[Z4M-2006]

Have a go in it and see what you think

At the end of the day, the car has lasted this long and if it was to break now then it would be justified in age alone ..

The engine faults you know about but the 2.7 was the toughest of the bunch and very little ever went wrong with them.

Parts are cheap now, so upkeep would be budget money..

[mr.tourette]

Theres a red one local to me and the colour really does suit the boxster..it always has me looking twice when i see it and makes me think did i do the right thing with the zed?

[Marlon]

Interesting change of direction Gov, never been a big fan of the 986 however that one in red has a classic roadster feel about it

[Phoenixboy]

prefer the 987 personally, just looks a bit wider at the back and more aggressive.
all the guys at Porsche opposite my work said the z is a better looking car than the early boxster, and have to agree.

[R60BBA]

If you can get an S.

Much better car and can be sourced for less than £7,000.

[tomscott]

I have a 996 Carrera 4S vert currently and its a very different animal, far more power more noise and a hoot to own.. plus that back end

Previous to that I had a Z4M coupe and after a 987 Boxster S. I was unlucky had a lot of issues with it, the engine had borescore warped pistons, the condensers were shot, the RMS had leaked through to the clutch and flywheel so both needed replacing, all the discs and pads needed doing those are the headline issues. Basically paid 12.5k for the car and it needed 13k in repairs. In the end the dealer had to take it back under buyers protection. After that experience and coming from a Z4M coupe the 987 was so predictable and wasn't particularly quick I didn't really enjoy it, felt really underpowered. That being said it hit every apex with precision and was very easy to drive quickly you could see that as very rewarding I just didn't... found it very boring.

The 986 is the same platform but the 2.7 is about as lack lustre as it comes really, like bottom end hot hatchback quick and they aren't that cheap to look after. They are also really quite antiquated to drive I found, also inside they are very antiquated with little to nothing in terms of modern comforts. The lights for example, if you don't get Xenons they are really poor, you can barely see anything at night and found it quite an anxious experience driving it at night. Its 17 years old bear that in mind!!! Its amazing how far things we take for granted have come on.

The headline features... 6.7 to 60 220hp 191LBS of torque... I have a mini clubman JCW that is half a second quicker to 60 and more power and does more MPG and the tax and running costs are far far cheaper... it also takes 5 and has a big boot for the dog... obviously completely different but thats the difference between a modern hot hatch estate and an old sportscar...

The S is better and more involving. Strasse in Leeds which are probably the best Porsche specialist in the UK have a Boxster S for sale for £5.5k 77k and it will be immaculate and has had IMS, RMS and a new clutch fitted so is pretty much good to go. Early model like the one your looking at so has the orange reflectors which you either like or hate because they are expensive to replace with clear modules.

https://www.strasse.co.uk/cars.asp?car_id=409&page=1

Its newer couple more miles but I wouldn't bother with a 2.7.

Me and my family have used them for roughly 8 years and Dave is a legend and always ensures his cars are top.

Obviously from what you've been looking at the newer cars are more like GTs that are quick but very comfy and have all the modern features. The old ones are like wooden rollercoasters in comparisons with very little in the way of modern comfort but at the same time have all the good stuff like hydraulic steering naturally aspirated engines and feel more of an occasion to take out.

Although the power output isn't that impressive the power to weight is still pretty good as they are light in comparison to the TT and Z4. That being said you have to try one. Many try and think they are antiquated and thats that down to personal opinion and what you will be doing with it, they can be good fun cheap to own dailies. Just remember that its 90% based on a 911 and the same components and people don't realise how much it can cost to look after so many haven't been well looked after. The service costs are similar to a Z4M really you have minor and majors which are a touch cheaper but in similar ball parks. The difference with the Porsche is they need far more maintenance than the Z4M. My C4S came with a file that has 25ks worth of work done to it in 15 years, buy a Z4M and you will probably find very little outside its maintenance schedule.

One caution find one with a big file and all the big stuff done, IMS, RMS, Clutch Flywheel, Condensors (As these are at the front, behind the radiators you can't get to them without taking off the bumper, they get debris in them and rot in the UK many don't last more than 6-8 years without replacement probably should have had 2 sets by now) Good test is try the AC, generally as in Porsches its on the by default they don't need re-gassing if its not ICE cold there is a leak from the hoses or condensers. Not sure if the Boxster is the same as the 911 but the hoses connecting the condensers also are rubber and run the length of the car and the subframe needs to be dropped to get to them, £40-50 for the hoses but £6-700 for labour add £3-400 for the condensers its an expensive little repair.

Hope that helps.

[Phoenixboy]

spoke to my mate at Porsche lunch time.
there are good ones about, but primarily owned by people as a cheap way into the brand.
but then when things go wrong, they don't want to throw big money at putting it right.
often maintained on the cheap, and my friend has bought a couple over the years that customers just don't want to throw money at.
I half considered a 987s before buying the 89, but decided against it.
would not consider a Porsche unless my budget was high enough to get me in to something newer.

[Capa]

I ran an 986S for two years prior to owning the Z and a few other things.

I actually found it a very easy car to live with. Servicing was ~200 a year at a specialist, and I didn't suffer any of the IMS problems that people love to highlight. I think it ate a wheel bearing once, but that's not really the end of the world.

Going down a bit of a similar road to Tom above, I found driving it quickly a bit 'easy'. It's a great machine, and once they come to the boil north of 50-60 or so, they can be a hoot, but to push the performance envelope with them you have to be driving so quickly. As in, far too quickly to do safely on a public road. Being blunt though, they had great steering feel and brake feedback in the S was simply delightful - things you can only dream about in a Z.

When all is said and done though, I ended up selling it and buying a Pug 205 gti, as I really wanted something that was a bit less insulated after the experience. I'd say I was almost sick of the 'competancy' of it. A friend of mine . I think point to point the 986s is probably quicker than my e86. But I can guarantee my Z is more of a handful and more enjoyable to hustle (provided the road is smooth...)

I considered scratching the itch of buying one a 2.7 and throwing coilovers & some lightweight seats in it several years ago. I took one out on test drive and was pretty underwhelmed to be honest. Preferable to the TT that I used to run, but not quick. If you're after an enjoyable steer to tool around with, I think they're good. But don't go in expecting too much.

[tomscott]

This is the issue with Porsche, they are the IN thing and although they are seeming to have hit the peak and starting to drop a touch unless you buy well they aren't that cheap.

996 997's have obvious issues and they are the least desirable although I think the 997 is the best 911 of the modern generation. Again prices are al over the place you can buy similar cars with similar spec and milage and there be a 10k discrepancy in price. One will have had the correct work done others not.

996s can be had from 8k up to 35k, 997s top end are 35 with some thinking they are gen IIs up for 40+ up to 4s, 997.2 take a big jump to 40-50k but have most of the problems solved but still suffer from bore scoring. 991s are also great cars and last of the naturally aspirated but they are much bigger and feel heavier to drive and are far more competent as GTs similar to E85-E89. The difference is spec if you get one with the right bits a flip of a switch turns it into an animal. Again these are commanding 50 in low end guise to 65-70 in low miles.

Boxster and caymans again 986 and 987s arent really that desirable and are low prices. 987.2s are really quite rare and they start at about 18k for a low spec car. Similar to the 997.2 they have the nice interior updates and the IMS sorted so are far more reliable. Then its a big jump up to 30+ for a 981 which IMO are probably the best ever made they just have the best of all worlds IMO and they look great.

So really for under 30k for a 911 your looking at a 12-15 yo car and for under 30k your looking at a 10 year old Boxster and really 30k doesn't get you that far. Unless you land lucky you can find good deals.

My C4s is a late 2004 and in cobalt blue whereas most are in silver grey or black. It had 75k and cost £21.5k and had the IMS, RMS clutch and flywheel done for £1500 as a deal sweetener. It was pretty much full spec and had a list of £85k in 2004, it has full blue extended leather (which I wasn't that keen on but think it suits the car) tunnel to match the paintwork, cruise, nav, heated seats and memory seats and most importantly Porsche switchable sports exhaust which sounds amazing with the top down. It has a huge history file and is in fantastic condition for its age, but 25k over that time period is a lot of money to maintain. Still needs a bit of age related TLC but its 15 years old so you expect it.

Porsche 996 Carrera 4 S Convertible, Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria by Tom Scott, on Flickr

Porsche 996 Carrera 4 S Convertible, Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria by Tom Scott, on Flickr

Porsche 996 Carrera 4 S Convertible, Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria by Tom Scott, on Flickr

Porsche 996 Carrera 4 S Convertible, Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria by Tom Scott, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/s/aHskxoVW4r

[Z4M-2006]

I had a manual C4s coupe and it a dreadful car to drive... lovely to look at externally, internally made me gag

At the time I much preferred my mates Boxster 3.4s , it was a much sweeter steer.

I still prefer a quick cayman981 to a 911 , balance is so much better ...

[R60BBA]

A well serviced 997.1 C2S in GT Silver is the one to go for.

Can pick one up for circa £30,000.

[Z4M-2006]

Does the 997.1 still have the potentially troublesome engine ?

Or is is the DFi unit ?