2002 986 S on 140K miles and not moved for 2 years. Buy?
Discussion
Am aware of a car that up until 2 years ago was doing 100 mile a day trips, but has not turned a wheel since (SORNed and not MOT'ed).
Was pretty well maintained up until then, but am not sure of the position re IMS and clutch. Pretty sure the owner has all the paperwork during his time which is around 10 years (and may have more) so I could have a rummage through, if/when it seems like a good idea to even consider the car further.
It would be a sunny day weekend car for me, but would also like to do the Northern 500 and make a trip to relatives at the bottom end of France.
Having sat outside for 2 years is this simply too big a risk to take or at the right price is it worth a shot?...raises the question of course of what would the right price be!!. Having watched this video I am guessing this guy just struck lucky at the price he paid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ohkh19fsg
Also have read through this thread by Rosewood Red, though sounds a little scary totting up all the things he has "invested" in
Any guidance/thoughts from the wise souls of PH please before I trek off to take a look (its not that local)?
Was pretty well maintained up until then, but am not sure of the position re IMS and clutch. Pretty sure the owner has all the paperwork during his time which is around 10 years (and may have more) so I could have a rummage through, if/when it seems like a good idea to even consider the car further.
It would be a sunny day weekend car for me, but would also like to do the Northern 500 and make a trip to relatives at the bottom end of France.
Having sat outside for 2 years is this simply too big a risk to take or at the right price is it worth a shot?...raises the question of course of what would the right price be!!. Having watched this video I am guessing this guy just struck lucky at the price he paid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ohkh19fsg
Also have read through this thread by Rosewood Red, though sounds a little scary totting up all the things he has "invested" in
Any guidance/thoughts from the wise souls of PH please before I trek off to take a look (its not that local)?
3anascooter said:
Am aware of a car that up until 2 years ago was doing 100 mile a day trips, but has not turned a wheel since (SORNed and not MOT'ed).
Was pretty well maintained up until then, but am not sure of the position re IMS and clutch. Pretty sure the owner has all the paperwork during his time which is around 10 years (and may have more) so I could have a rummage through, if/when it seems like a good idea to even consider the car further.
It would be a sunny day weekend car for me, but would also like to do the Northern 500 and make a trip to relatives at the bottom end of France.
Having sat outside for 2 years is this simply too big a risk to take or at the right price is it worth a shot?...raises the question of course of what would the right price be!!. Having watched this video I am guessing this guy just struck lucky at the price he paid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ohkh19fsg
Also have read through this thread by Rosewood Red, though sounds a little scary totting up all the things he has "invested" in
Any guidance/thoughts from the wise souls of PH please before I trek off to take a look (its not that local)?
\Was pretty well maintained up until then, but am not sure of the position re IMS and clutch. Pretty sure the owner has all the paperwork during his time which is around 10 years (and may have more) so I could have a rummage through, if/when it seems like a good idea to even consider the car further.
It would be a sunny day weekend car for me, but would also like to do the Northern 500 and make a trip to relatives at the bottom end of France.
Having sat outside for 2 years is this simply too big a risk to take or at the right price is it worth a shot?...raises the question of course of what would the right price be!!. Having watched this video I am guessing this guy just struck lucky at the price he paid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ohkh19fsg
Also have read through this thread by Rosewood Red, though sounds a little scary totting up all the things he has "invested" in
Any guidance/thoughts from the wise souls of PH please before I trek off to take a look (its not that local)?
Don't listen to all the doomsters here...if it's a car you know, there's nothing that can't be put right. If you are not mechanically minded yourself, then get the car inspected. If you do buy it, then get a major service done at a good specialist who know what they're doing, and have the usual issues addressed, and you'll have years of happy motoring ahead.
14 said:
It stopped being driven for a reason, most likely an expensive one. Budget at least £5,000 to get it fixed.
It got stopped driving 2 years ago - what might have happened 2 years ago to well reduce peoples miles…. Covid WFH maybe owner had long covid. If 2 years sat worries people please don’t ever watch vice grip garage and similar on YouTube wheee they dig out cars sunk into mud / swamp for 30-70 years they start and get out on the road.
2 years in the UK it’s laughable to think it’s ruined.
£700-900k I LOL at the 900k.
Another believes it’s £5k to fix it up. Come off it ilyou could buy another equivalent for £5k
3anascooter said:
Also have read through this thread by Rosewood Red, though sounds a little scary totting up all the things he has "invested" in
Any guidance/thoughts from the wise souls of PH please before I trek off to take a look (its not that local)?
You might like to have a read too of the Not A Bargain Boxster thread in Readers' Cars from the last couple of days.Any guidance/thoughts from the wise souls of PH please before I trek off to take a look (its not that local)?
I bought a much younger and lower mileage 986 several years ago, based on that experience my guess would be that this one would hit you with similar problems and more to those in the above thread.
Welshbeef said:
Another believes it’s £5k to fix it up. Come off it ilyou could buy another equivalent for £5k
Based on my personal experience it may need several £k spending to get it properly sorted if you're paying someone else to do it. Some of that may be discretionary - tired/noisy suspension for example - but if you're going to have one of these it needs to be in good order to enjoy it.I think the devil will be in the detail in terms of its service history.
If it's had IMS and clutch replacement in recent times then with a small budget for consumables you might be on to a winner.
If it's really tatty and none of the major jobs have been done then it'll likely be a false economy.
That said, they don't need to be pristine or on fresh suspension to be enjoyable, it's just that they 'go up a level' when they've had a refresh. It sort of depends what you want out of it...
Also, taller people can struggle with them ergonomically. It may be best to have a sit/drive in another one locally before going much further.
If it's had IMS and clutch replacement in recent times then with a small budget for consumables you might be on to a winner.
If it's really tatty and none of the major jobs have been done then it'll likely be a false economy.
That said, they don't need to be pristine or on fresh suspension to be enjoyable, it's just that they 'go up a level' when they've had a refresh. It sort of depends what you want out of it...
Also, taller people can struggle with them ergonomically. It may be best to have a sit/drive in another one locally before going much further.
Edited by KPB1973 on Monday 17th January 09:54
Welshbeef said:
2 years in the UK it’s laughable to think it’s ruined.
£700-900k I LOL at the 900k.
Another believes it’s £5k to fix it up. Come off it ilyou could buy another equivalent for £5k
And this other "equivalent for £5k" Boxster will be as good as gold won't it?£700-900k I LOL at the 900k.
Another believes it’s £5k to fix it up. Come off it ilyou could buy another equivalent for £5k
Unless you've owned a 9x6, you shouldn't comment. Stick to the 944s you know:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
3anascooter said:
Also have read through this thread by Rosewood Red, though sounds a little scary totting up all the things he has "invested" in
The artist formerly known as Rosewood Red here. Which thread are you talking of? My blue 2.7, or my yellow 3.2?Not too much more to say, apart from to go in with your eyes open. It is possible to buy a car for around the £5k mark, which may be fine, but you it can easily consume the purchase price again in maintenance over 18 months.
Buying one at say £7k is also no guarantee of a superior car. How the car has (or not) been maintained over the last few years is a better indication than the price point it's advertised at.
As with everything, caveat emptor.
The IMS issue is blown out of proportion by the way - have heard of more replacement / "upgraded" IMSB failing than I have original items. The IMSB was never designed to be removed, or replaced without splitting the crankcase, and I'd hazard a guess this is a contributing factor.
Important things to look out for:
- Regular oil changes: A car may have only done 10k miles in 6 years, but hasn't had an oil change. This isn't good.
- Suspension: Arms, mounts, dampers wear out. The cars will soldier on, but a car on worn suspension vs not worn (I'm not saying fresh) is night and day
- Coolant system / AC: Radiators and condensers wear out, water pumps can go bad (YMMV), coolant tanks split
- Transmission: Fluid intervals are 96k miles, but many don't get changed. Clutches are usually worn out by 80k. They'll drive "okay" but will be super heavy. They should be light. Again, night and day difference between worn Vs not worn
- Engine: Generally reliable. IMSB issue exaggerated. Do not take well to irregular oil changes or running hot (see coolant system). Still may s
t themselves for no apparent reason (the IMSB is not the only thing that can fail).They are however wonderful cars when they're running right.
. I bought a 1996 2.5 from a facebook ad last summer and put a deposit down before seeing it. Had done 78k miles, had been in the same ownership for 18 years but little used for last 5. Paid £4k. Drove nicely on a short test drtive. Only obvious issue was the horn press being over sensitive (common - fixes all on line).
Having been little used 20 miles later it decided to throw various warning lights and missfire, Northway took a quick look at it for me the same morning and
charged me £80 to swap a defective coil pack. It still had a very slight occassional miss and my mechanic son suggested some fresh 99ron fuel - which after a few miles sorted things. It drove the 250 miles home without issue.
I spent about £300 with D-911 and got all filters, including fuel, plugs, plug tubes, coil packs. Plus a pair of rear tyres. Local garage serviced and inspected it and said all good. They said the fuel filter was dated 2001 and was full of crap as they dont get changed - so i'd do this on any 986.
Car subsequently runs great. Like the moneypit one garage has said the manifold studs are corroded so will need work when the exhaust or engine come out at some point but other than that its been great - smooth, quick and nice soundtrack with roof down.
Boxsters are a bargain Porsche at the moment - much faster, more modern and better ownership proposition than a 924/944 for less money. Must have reached the bottom imho. Im treating it as a modern classic as opposed to a car that needs to be maintained to new standards etc...
Having been little used 20 miles later it decided to throw various warning lights and missfire, Northway took a quick look at it for me the same morning and
charged me £80 to swap a defective coil pack. It still had a very slight occassional miss and my mechanic son suggested some fresh 99ron fuel - which after a few miles sorted things. It drove the 250 miles home without issue.
I spent about £300 with D-911 and got all filters, including fuel, plugs, plug tubes, coil packs. Plus a pair of rear tyres. Local garage serviced and inspected it and said all good. They said the fuel filter was dated 2001 and was full of crap as they dont get changed - so i'd do this on any 986.
Car subsequently runs great. Like the moneypit one garage has said the manifold studs are corroded so will need work when the exhaust or engine come out at some point but other than that its been great - smooth, quick and nice soundtrack with roof down.
Boxsters are a bargain Porsche at the moment - much faster, more modern and better ownership proposition than a 924/944 for less money. Must have reached the bottom imho. Im treating it as a modern classic as opposed to a car that needs to be maintained to new standards etc...
Edited by bennno on Monday 17th January 13:52
jamie w said:
I wouldn't spend money on the IMS if it hasn't been done and there are no warning signs Makes no difference to how it drives.
Mine was still ok (3.2 2003) when I got rid at 17 years old.
It's a gamble sure, but the odds are well in your favour that it won't go bang.
That's a fair point and 2 out of 3 of mine haven't been done. I think my point to the OP was badly explained - if the car he's looking at has had it replaced, it does add a bit of inherent peace of mind, and perhaps a bit of value/bargaining power when it comes to resale.Mine was still ok (3.2 2003) when I got rid at 17 years old.
It's a gamble sure, but the odds are well in your favour that it won't go bang.
When I sold my last one, both people who came to view it said that it was something they looked for when shortlisting - simply because it is mentioned so often in Buyer's Guides.
Just to add to some of the advice already given, another thing to factor in is the cost of brake replacement. Chances are if stood outside for a couple of years without moving they’d be pretty rusted. Porsche discs on 986 / 987 & equivalent 996 / 997 models suffer from corroded discs, especially on inside faces, on cars that are regularly used. Complete brake refresh, even if you’re competent with the spanner’s, will be a circa £600 job all round.
However, having said that, with the mileage at 140k, I wouldn’t expect the IMS bearing would cause any issues, they generally fail at much lower mileages.
If it’s cheap enough then get it bought, what’s the worst that can happen?! Probably could break it for more than you pay for it…
However, having said that, with the mileage at 140k, I wouldn’t expect the IMS bearing would cause any issues, they generally fail at much lower mileages.
If it’s cheap enough then get it bought, what’s the worst that can happen?! Probably could break it for more than you pay for it…
Boxstercol said:
Just to add to some of the advice already given, another thing to factor in is the cost of brake replacement. Chances are if stood outside for a couple of years without moving they’d be pretty rusted. Porsche discs on 986 / 987 & equivalent 996 / 997 models suffer from corroded discs, especially on inside faces, on cars that are regularly used. Complete brake refresh, even if you’re competent with the spanner’s, will be a circa £600 job all round.
However, having said that, with the mileage at 140k, I wouldn’t expect the IMS bearing would cause any issues, they generally fail at much lower mileages.
If it’s cheap enough then get it bought, what’s the worst that can happen?! Probably could break it for more than you pay for it…
If you are competent with spanners then a full set of disks and pads can be had from GSF for £400. However, having said that, with the mileage at 140k, I wouldn’t expect the IMS bearing would cause any issues, they generally fail at much lower mileages.
If it’s cheap enough then get it bought, what’s the worst that can happen?! Probably could break it for more than you pay for it…
In the case I'd be worried as to why it just got parked up and whether it's been sat in a garage or outdoors for 2years.
Many thanks all. The car is a couple of hours away so not too difficult to go take a look. Of course the million dollar question is "what would a good price be" and that price would differ I guess depending on whether I trailer it away as is, or if its mot-ed and drivable home. Maybe easier to spend £9-10k on a fully functioning one, but as with any used car that still carries risks.
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