987 Boxster buying advice

[cooperST2]

First of all - not a new user but lost login details and unable to access an old email account to reset them! Any ideas as to how I can reclaim it?

Secondly, I'm looking to get into Porsche ownership having owned an R56 Cooper S for the past few years.

I'm looking at 05' and '06 cars, initially the 2.7 to keep cost down and avoid the well known engine issues of the 3.2.

The Boxster is a second quicker to 60 but lacks the low down torque of the MINI. Am I going to miss it?

What should I be looking for in the car? Most around this age have c.50-60k miles on the clock - at what stage will clutches etc need changing?

Will of course be dilligent in requesting service history etc but any advice on potential pitfalls would be appreciated!

Thanks

[jimmy p]

The 3.2 in the Boxster is one of the better ones, no more unreliable than the 2.7, in fact both are fairly safe buys unless you are very unlucky with IMS bearing. Its the 987.1 3.4 Cayman which is the more troublesome one. See Hartech's guide on these engines.

[Mr Ping]

I drove what I believe was an R53 cooper S for a while (belonged to a friend) and found that compared to my stock civic type R that it felt really sluggish. In turn the CTR felt seemed slow compared to my 996 C2 cab which I am imagining is not much different power wise to a 3.2s boxster which apparently isn't considerably different to the 2.7.

Not sure if thats any help

[Solarized]

Check the overall condition of the car including panel gaps,condition of tyres,discs,rads,exhaust,RMS,interior and that roof operates fine etc.

Leaking RMS not a big deal and may be used as haggling tool. Easily sorted when clutch replaced. My own clutch was fine at 53K. Water pumps let go on these cars (£500 approx at an Indy)

Check for excessive smoke and any loud rattling or ticking noises on startup.

Thoroughly check the service history and do a vehicle check. Also have the ECU looked at for anything unusual.

After this plus the usual checks when driving the car I'd have it inspected either at an indie or just put it through a pre MOT at a trusted garage.

If all this checks out get it bought and go enjoy the thing they're great cars.

[Rockster]

cooperST2 said:

First of all - not a new user but lost login details and unable to access an old email account to reset them! Any ideas as to how I can reclaim it?

Secondly, I'm looking to get into Porsche ownership having owned an R56 Cooper S for the past few years.

I'm looking at 05' and '06 cars, initially the 2.7 to keep cost down and avoid the well known engine issues of the 3.2.

The Boxster is a second quicker to 60 but lacks the low down torque of the MINI. Am I going to miss it?

What should I be looking for in the car? Most around this age have c.50-60k miles on the clock - at what stage will clutches etc need changing?

Will of course be dilligent in requesting service history etc but any advice on potential pitfalls would be appreciated!

Thanks

If you noticed the Boxster has less low down torque compared to the Mini you will probably miss the low down torque. Heck when I switch from my Boxster with its 2.7l engine to my 996 Turbo I miss the Boxster low down torque, the result of (mainly) much higher compression compared to the Turbo. Oh sure the Turbo wails once boost comes up.

Whether to get a base (2.7l engine vs. a 3.2l liter engine is only something you can decide.

As for what to look for when looking at a used Boxster? Everything. The car is just a used car so a thorough used car check is important.

This must include a ride as a passenger in the car for a 15 mile demo ride then back at the starting point you take the car out and follow the same route and drive the car the same way.

After if the car checks out ok and you think you can buy the car arrange to get a PPI.

[RichB]

Can you stretch to the Gen 2 model? The 2.9 has almost identical pformance to the older 3.2

[dry664]

I love the 2.7. You have to work it a bit harder making, it more rewarding on public roads. Still sounds great too.

[SalesManager]

Mr Ping said:

a 3.2s boxster which apparently isn't considerably different to the 2.7.

Having owned 2.5, 2.7 3.2 and 3.4 (986/987), I can tell you they are chalk and cheese.

[FisiP1]

SalesManager said:

Mr Ping said:

a 3.2s boxster which apparently isn't considerably different to the 2.7.

Having owned 2.5, 2.7 3.2 and 3.4 (986/987), I can tell you they are chalk and cheese.

Interested to hear your thoughts.

I loved my 2.7(Cayman, so M97 designation engine I believe) personally for the tricky Welsh B-roads around here it was perfect IMO, but I can appreciate that those whose idea of enjoyment is blasting off down a dual carriageway off a slow roundabout may find other cars more suitable.