2000 986 Boxster with low mileage

2000 986 Boxster with low mileage

Author
Discussion

Johnniem

Original Poster:

2,696 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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Is there anything I should be aware of with this model 986. It has very low mileage and one owner since new. It seems about right but I have no idea if there are any nasties waiting to bite me. I was thinking of getting an OPC to do the full inspection or is this likely to be really genuine feedback since I would not be buying from them? Is IMS a real issue and what about bore scoring (a la 987.1)?

Anyone with one of these that might be able to give hints as to what I should look for?

JM

Semmelweiss

1,755 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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I wouldn't waste my money on an OPC inspection. The list of faults they will find will be much much more than the car is worth. 21 year old Boxster 2.7 can't be worth more than £3500-4000 max.

Join boxa.net and you'll get a room of info on what to look for.

Johnniem

Original Poster:

2,696 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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Thank you. I'll pop over there now.

paddycam

506 posts

132 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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Semmelweiss said:
I wouldn't waste my money on an OPC inspection. The list of faults they will find will be much much more than the car is worth. 21 year old Boxster 2.7 can't be worth more than £3500-4000 max.

Join boxa.net and you'll get a room of info on what to look for.
Good luck finding a low mileage 2.7 at that price nowadays.

Johnniem

Original Poster:

2,696 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
paddycam said:
Good luck finding a low mileage 2.7 at that price nowadays.
I am actually looking at a 3.2S, definitely very few around with low mileage, hence my original queries. Just wanted to know if there were any major things that are likely to go pop?

pete.g

1,527 posts

213 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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Johnniem said:
paddycam said:
Good luck finding a low mileage 2.7 at that price nowadays.
I am actually looking at a 3.2S, definitely very few around with low mileage, hence my original queries. Just wanted to know if there were any major things that are likely to go pop?
Depends on budget - have you tried Flat 6 (I have no connection with this company)?

Johnniem

Original Poster:

2,696 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
pete.g said:
Depends on budget - have you tried Flat 6 (I have no connection with this company)?
I have sent them a message with various queries. Thanks for the suggestion.

RiccardoG

1,665 posts

279 months

Friday 25th June 2021
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Not sure how low is your low, but general consensus is that they don't like sitting around for long. Seals dry up, fuel goes stale, oil looses its efficiency, etc. Furthermore, on some issues such as the IMS, consensus again is that it might happen earlier than later in a car's life. The logic is, if the car is still unused then it might catch up. Btw, is the chassis "fresh"? Age will take its toll on shocks / bushes as well.

Generally on the 3.2 bore score is not prevalent, although its not 100% safe either. I do think that IMS is a greater risk on those engines as well as some of the other faults (D chunk, etc.). Read up on this on the Hartech site.

Personally I am not sure a very low mileage 986 is such an interesting proposition for driving. It could be "OK" if you plan to lock it up and sell again in 10yrs. Then again, will they grow enough to outperform stock markets?

Re price, a very low mileage (sub 30k mi) 986 S will likely be £10k+ all day long these days, I think some would chance £15k too.


Bernard Castle.

63 posts

44 months

Friday 25th June 2021
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Semmelweiss said:
I wouldn't waste my money on an OPC inspection. The list of faults they will find will be much much more than the car is worth. 21 year old Boxster 2.7 can't be worth more than £3500-4000 max.

Join boxa.net and you'll get a room of info on what to look for.
Where are you seeing these low priced low mileage 2.7 Boxters Semmelweis?


Bernard Castle.

63 posts

44 months

Friday 25th June 2021
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Can’t see many low mileage 2.7 ‘s at the money you stated tbh.
But thanks for replying anyway.

Semmelweiss

1,755 posts

203 months

Saturday 26th June 2021
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I didn't say they were always available, but they certainly do pop up. Private sellers don't all advertise on Autotrader. eBay, Gumtree, Facebook marketplace, Owners' Forums, Pistonheads For Sale etc. If you want a cheap one, it takes time (and money to bring a 21 year old Boxster to a good state). There is nothing stopping anyone from paying a premium for a garage queen, and then funding out that it needs a load spending to sort out tyres which have cracked, Aircon seals/condenser/rads, brakes, cracked rear window (on pre-2003) from lack of use.

Caveat emptor

Sandy59

2,708 posts

218 months

Saturday 26th June 2021
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RiccardoG

1,665 posts

279 months

Monday 28th June 2021
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Sandy59 said:
Looks lovely. Mind you, I'd have thought that seat / pedal / steering wheel wear would be imperceptible at 5k miles? Still, curious as to what it will fetch.