Is a £10K 987 Boxster a pipe dream?
Discussion
I'm looking to take my first step into Porsche ownership and have set my sights on a 987 Boxster.
I started out wanting an S, but have come to the conclusion that i might be better off with a 2.7.
The problem is finding a decent one. So far i have been to see a couple of S's for around my £10K budget:
The first was at a dealer and had been sitting for a few months judging by the thick layer of dust and the flat battery. We went out for a brief drive and it seemed okay, but had a fairly loud ticking at idle, like a hydraulic tappet type noise. The internet suggests this could be signs of an IMS issue, but according to the internet many, many things can be signs of an IMS failure.
I saw a nice looking red S privately advertised on Sunday. It had a an MoT advisory for a power steering hose for the last couple of years, quite a few cosmetic issues and was overdue a major service, so could have cost a couple of £K to put right and still have the IMS threat looming.
I've inquired about a couple at around the £11-12K mark that have been on the market for several months, hoping to maybe get a deal, but owners don't seem willing to negotiate at all (fair play to them)
Based on this i'm thinking a decent S might well be outside of my budget. I'm thinking about a 2007 on 2.7 as they don't have as big of a problem with IMS bearings and there are far more available, but even here most cars on sale will probably need an immediate service and at least several £100s of work.
So, am i deluding myself? Should i just buy a Z4? (I don't really want a Z4 like i want a Boxster though...)
I started out wanting an S, but have come to the conclusion that i might be better off with a 2.7.
The problem is finding a decent one. So far i have been to see a couple of S's for around my £10K budget:
The first was at a dealer and had been sitting for a few months judging by the thick layer of dust and the flat battery. We went out for a brief drive and it seemed okay, but had a fairly loud ticking at idle, like a hydraulic tappet type noise. The internet suggests this could be signs of an IMS issue, but according to the internet many, many things can be signs of an IMS failure.
I saw a nice looking red S privately advertised on Sunday. It had a an MoT advisory for a power steering hose for the last couple of years, quite a few cosmetic issues and was overdue a major service, so could have cost a couple of £K to put right and still have the IMS threat looming.
I've inquired about a couple at around the £11-12K mark that have been on the market for several months, hoping to maybe get a deal, but owners don't seem willing to negotiate at all (fair play to them)
Based on this i'm thinking a decent S might well be outside of my budget. I'm thinking about a 2007 on 2.7 as they don't have as big of a problem with IMS bearings and there are far more available, but even here most cars on sale will probably need an immediate service and at least several £100s of work.
So, am i deluding myself? Should i just buy a Z4? (I don't really want a Z4 like i want a Boxster though...)
Much more of a reader of the forums than a poster! I did exactly the same as you 3 years ago.
Wife and I fancied a Boxster with a £10k budget to buy. Wanted an S initially but having seen some rough ones expanded the search to include 2.7s. I’d say buy on condition rather than engine size. 2.7 is perfect amount of power for our roads is a lovely thing to drive with a great noise. It needs to be over 4k revs to start making progress.
From some time in 05 they put a larger IMS in that reduced failures. You can find engine numbers on line.
In the 3 years spent about 2.5k on maintanence, a major and minor service, exhaust flanges blowing, window regulator and a brake line and all solid to flexi pipes.
Main thing to look out for is if front coolant crossover pipes have been done as they all fail eventually and costs a grand.
My 05 2.7 has never failed to start or left me stranded. Only other thing I have spent on is fitting a modern stereo with sat nav and surround. Makes it more usable for me.
Bought this as a stepping stone to maybe spending £30k on a newer one but honestly cannot justify it, is a great car.
Oh get one with heated seats if you can makes roof down in cold weather better!
Wife and I fancied a Boxster with a £10k budget to buy. Wanted an S initially but having seen some rough ones expanded the search to include 2.7s. I’d say buy on condition rather than engine size. 2.7 is perfect amount of power for our roads is a lovely thing to drive with a great noise. It needs to be over 4k revs to start making progress.
From some time in 05 they put a larger IMS in that reduced failures. You can find engine numbers on line.
In the 3 years spent about 2.5k on maintanence, a major and minor service, exhaust flanges blowing, window regulator and a brake line and all solid to flexi pipes.
Main thing to look out for is if front coolant crossover pipes have been done as they all fail eventually and costs a grand.
My 05 2.7 has never failed to start or left me stranded. Only other thing I have spent on is fitting a modern stereo with sat nav and surround. Makes it more usable for me.
Bought this as a stepping stone to maybe spending £30k on a newer one but honestly cannot justify it, is a great car.
Oh get one with heated seats if you can makes roof down in cold weather better!
robemcdonald said:
I'm looking to take my first step into Porsche ownership and have set my sights on a 987 Boxster.
I started out wanting an S, but have come to the conclusion that i might be better off with a 2.7.
The problem is finding a decent one. So far i have been to see a couple of S's for around my £10K budget:
The first was at a dealer and had been sitting for a few months judging by the thick layer of dust and the flat battery. We went out for a brief drive and it seemed okay, but had a fairly loud ticking at idle, like a hydraulic tappet type noise. The internet suggests this could be signs of an IMS issue, but according to the internet many, many things can be signs of an IMS failure.
I saw a nice looking red S privately advertised on Sunday. It had a an MoT advisory for a power steering hose for the last couple of years, quite a few cosmetic issues and was overdue a major service, so could have cost a couple of £K to put right and still have the IMS threat looming.
I've inquired about a couple at around the £11-12K mark that have been on the market for several months, hoping to maybe get a deal, but owners don't seem willing to negotiate at all (fair play to them)
Based on this i'm thinking a decent S might well be outside of my budget. I'm thinking about a 2007 on 2.7 as they don't have as big of a problem with IMS bearings and there are far more available, but even here most cars on sale will probably need an immediate service and at least several £100s of work.
So, am i deluding myself? Should i just buy a Z4? (I don't really want a Z4 like i want a Boxster though...)
You'll certainly get a decent enough 2.7 for around 10k. A quick look on autotrader says there are 22 2.7's under 100k miles and under £10k so a fair amount of choice. Take a look at the Boxa forum, there is often a few enthusiast looked after cars for sale, you're likely to get a better example from there IMO.I started out wanting an S, but have come to the conclusion that i might be better off with a 2.7.
The problem is finding a decent one. So far i have been to see a couple of S's for around my £10K budget:
The first was at a dealer and had been sitting for a few months judging by the thick layer of dust and the flat battery. We went out for a brief drive and it seemed okay, but had a fairly loud ticking at idle, like a hydraulic tappet type noise. The internet suggests this could be signs of an IMS issue, but according to the internet many, many things can be signs of an IMS failure.
I saw a nice looking red S privately advertised on Sunday. It had a an MoT advisory for a power steering hose for the last couple of years, quite a few cosmetic issues and was overdue a major service, so could have cost a couple of £K to put right and still have the IMS threat looming.
I've inquired about a couple at around the £11-12K mark that have been on the market for several months, hoping to maybe get a deal, but owners don't seem willing to negotiate at all (fair play to them)
Based on this i'm thinking a decent S might well be outside of my budget. I'm thinking about a 2007 on 2.7 as they don't have as big of a problem with IMS bearings and there are far more available, but even here most cars on sale will probably need an immediate service and at least several £100s of work.
So, am i deluding myself? Should i just buy a Z4? (I don't really want a Z4 like i want a Boxster though...)
I think you've made the right decision to go for a nice 2.7 rather than a ropey S. The 3.2/3.4 engine is more powerful, but longer geared so you're pushing 90-100 at the top of 3rd gear. I bought an S, but in hindsight, I think i'd have been just as happy with a non-S.
As for the Z4 yes, its cheaper, but for good reason. I've had 2 mates go from a Z4 -> Boxster as its just the better car. More storage space, better handling too
simonsti said:
Orangecurry said:
Blimey.... how much is her insurance????
Just less than £1000 on her own insurance.
Should just put him on the 911 insurance, would probably be cheaper
If you're new to Porsche you'll really not feel short changed by a base engined 987 Boxster. I've had numerous Boxsters/Caymans/911's...even a couple of panameras and they've all been S or 4S versions, except the last Boxster I had, which was a 2010 base 2.9 987 and I enjoyed it more than any of the previous Porsche. You can actually use the engine, rev it out and drive it aggressively without reaching the NSL in 2nd. They are awesome and I'm sure you'd not regret the purchase.
As an aside, I traded it for a Z4 for my wife (long story, and I still grieve
). The Z4 doesn't even come close in terms of driving enjoyment.
Don't know where you are in the country, but these guys can prep a Porsche nicely:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402176...
As an aside, I traded it for a Z4 for my wife (long story, and I still grieve
). The Z4 doesn't even come close in terms of driving enjoyment.Don't know where you are in the country, but these guys can prep a Porsche nicely:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402176...
I sold my 2005 987 Boxster in 2020, 93k miles, seal grey with extended black leather, PCM with Bose, litronics and in really nice condition with FSH, nearly new PS4s all round and new discs and pads up front and the rears done about 5k miles previously.
Sold it for £6,700, loads were for sale around the same price.
Great car.
Looking on Autotrader there are plenty on there. Buy one for £7k and spend the other £3k on suspension done and any other bits.
Sold it for £6,700, loads were for sale around the same price.
Great car.
Looking on Autotrader there are plenty on there. Buy one for £7k and spend the other £3k on suspension done and any other bits.
I bought a 986S off eBay back in May 2021 and one trick I missed at the time was that I didn't join the various FB groups until after I'd bought the car.
Don't get me wrong, they're chock-full of all the usual single marque FB group suspects, but cars do turn up for sale occasionally that seem to have had all the right jobs done and there appears to be a genuine reason for sale.
Worth joining the various relevant groups and keeping an eye out.
Don't get me wrong, they're chock-full of all the usual single marque FB group suspects, but cars do turn up for sale occasionally that seem to have had all the right jobs done and there appears to be a genuine reason for sale.
Worth joining the various relevant groups and keeping an eye out.
Thanks for the advice.
Looks as though a 2.7 could be the car for me.
I was worried I’d feel short changed compared to an S, but based on some of the comments here I think the base car might suit me better.
I believe the later cars have a revised (non serviceable) IMS and the failure rate is very low
Any opinions on this?
Also am I allowed to link to cars I’m looking at for an opinion? I don’t want to upset the mods.
Looks as though a 2.7 could be the car for me.
I was worried I’d feel short changed compared to an S, but based on some of the comments here I think the base car might suit me better.
I believe the later cars have a revised (non serviceable) IMS and the failure rate is very low
Any opinions on this?
Also am I allowed to link to cars I’m looking at for an opinion? I don’t want to upset the mods.
Go for it, may be worth to wait and see what comes up to market and be ready to pounce on that newly advertised car quick, I managed to get a 2009 987 Gen2 S for 10,8k last year on this basis. No IMS issues to be concerned with and almost within your budget, be patient and don't rush.
Might be worth considering getting a Pre-purchase inspection done too to help prevent any major headaches.
Might be worth considering getting a Pre-purchase inspection done too to help prevent any major headaches.
A chap on here went for a cheap 986 and got a PPI thinking that would help, if you read his thread, it didn't at all and left no come back. A PPI might be nice to have but it misses lots of key things and has no guarantees or coverage should something go wrong. Not saying a 10k 987 is the same scenario, but the value of a PPI is pretty limited, especially as most of them dont even lift the car off the ground. For that I would be more inclined to buy a crate of beer for a local Porsche owner to take a look with me.
Good luck with the hunt. I was considering a Porsche but ended up in the Z4 camp, half the price and low maintenance costs convinced me that was the way to go at the time even if it wasn't the dynamic drive a Porsche is.
Good luck with the hunt. I was considering a Porsche but ended up in the Z4 camp, half the price and low maintenance costs convinced me that was the way to go at the time even if it wasn't the dynamic drive a Porsche is.
I have a 2005 987 2.7 tiptronic that I bought almost 7 years ago for £4.5k.
130k mikes, no service history, lots of scratches. Everything that people tell you to avoid.
But if I’d listened I wouldn’t have bought it, and I bloody love it.
It’s cost an average of about £1k per annum for maintenance, although I would say that around half the overall sum is for items that are age related and could have happened if I’d spent 2-3 times the purchase price.
130k mikes, no service history, lots of scratches. Everything that people tell you to avoid.
But if I’d listened I wouldn’t have bought it, and I bloody love it.
It’s cost an average of about £1k per annum for maintenance, although I would say that around half the overall sum is for items that are age related and could have happened if I’d spent 2-3 times the purchase price.
simonsti said:
Just less than £1000 on her own insurance.
My 19 year old son has had his Cayman 2.7 for about a year, and he paid just over the £1000 for his own insurance. It’s amazingly cheap, although renewal time is due next month.
The 2.7 (2007 model, 5-speed manual) is a scalpel of a car - it’s a wonderful device.
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