986 Boxster S advice
Discussion
Hi Guys Looking for a bit of advice on buying my first Porsche.
Im looking at buying a 986 Boxster S, to replace my Mk1 MX5, and hopefully a facelift mainly due to the fact that I live in Scotland and the addition of the Glass Rear Window is essential, and I prefer the look of the facelift with the clear lights and slightly revised front bumper.
My questions are:
Are there any concerns with buying a car that’s over 100,000 and would it put any of you guys off?
Do all facelift ‘S’ have PSM and how much of a difference does it make?
And the last, but probably the most important, how much if any extra room for the driver does it have compared to the Mk1 MX5 (my current weekend car tht if I’m honest is a little tight)?
Cheers for your help
Im looking at buying a 986 Boxster S, to replace my Mk1 MX5, and hopefully a facelift mainly due to the fact that I live in Scotland and the addition of the Glass Rear Window is essential, and I prefer the look of the facelift with the clear lights and slightly revised front bumper.
My questions are:
Are there any concerns with buying a car that’s over 100,000 and would it put any of you guys off?
Do all facelift ‘S’ have PSM and how much of a difference does it make?
And the last, but probably the most important, how much if any extra room for the driver does it have compared to the Mk1 MX5 (my current weekend car tht if I’m honest is a little tight)?
Cheers for your help
Mileage in itself rarely ever puts me off anything - it's just a number, what's far more important is condition and how much work the car's done (i.e. 5,000 city miles is far worse than 20,000 motorway miles).
The car I race for Hartech had over 150,000 miles on it and I drove it as a road car before work started on it. The suspension was a little tired (but so are many cars with 60k on the clock) and the performance a bit flat because one variocam wasn't working (or at least not correctly) - again this can happen at any mileage and is easily rectified, but otherwise it was a very decent straight car and would compare well to others I've seen with half or a third of the mileage on the clock.
The car I race for Hartech had over 150,000 miles on it and I drove it as a road car before work started on it. The suspension was a little tired (but so are many cars with 60k on the clock) and the performance a bit flat because one variocam wasn't working (or at least not correctly) - again this can happen at any mileage and is easily rectified, but otherwise it was a very decent straight car and would compare well to others I've seen with half or a third of the mileage on the clock.
Hi, my boxster S is a 2005 version and its a great car.
I would avoid the 100k mileage cars, unless it has a decent service history from a reputable Porsche specialised.
My wife had an MX5 and there's no comparison with the boxster s, the boxster is bigger inside, I'm 6ft 2 and feel it has more room than the MX5. There are some good 2005 Box S on auto trader.
Let us know what you get and post some pics.
I would avoid the 100k mileage cars, unless it has a decent service history from a reputable Porsche specialised.
My wife had an MX5 and there's no comparison with the boxster s, the boxster is bigger inside, I'm 6ft 2 and feel it has more room than the MX5. There are some good 2005 Box S on auto trader.
Let us know what you get and post some pics.
Cheers for the advice, I think with my current budget, a slightly higher milaged example would be my best bet. Im hoping to pick something up for less than £7500, if thats not being too optimistic.
Apart from the usual PH classifieds, autotrader, ebay and gumtree wheres the best place to find cars for sale? Im not too fussed about running up or down the country to find a good one.
Apart from the usual PH classifieds, autotrader, ebay and gumtree wheres the best place to find cars for sale? Im not too fussed about running up or down the country to find a good one.
MrBoogie said:
Cheers for the advice, I think with my current budget, a slightly higher milaged example would be my best bet. Im hoping to pick something up for less than £7500, if thats not being too optimistic.
Apart from the usual PH classifieds, autotrader, ebay and gumtree wheres the best place to find cars for sale? Im not too fussed about running up or down the country to find a good one.
have a look on boxa.net, the cars that come up for sale on there are typically enthusiast owned so are usually well looked afterApart from the usual PH classifieds, autotrader, ebay and gumtree wheres the best place to find cars for sale? Im not too fussed about running up or down the country to find a good one.
mine will be going up for sale soon, to get an idea of costs etc have a look at my running report on there under the user BoxRR
Its worth going for the facelift version of 2003-2004 as you say it looks better and has the glass rear screen, it also has a few more bhp.
I would say the desirable options would be extended leather to the dash and perhaps the ALU pack. PSM was still an option on the facelift cars as I remember.
I must say I do very much enjoy mine and its far more involving than an mx5.
I would say the desirable options would be extended leather to the dash and perhaps the ALU pack. PSM was still an option on the facelift cars as I remember.
I must say I do very much enjoy mine and its far more involving than an mx5.
Yeah it is the 986 facelift which Im looking for, I agree with being the better looking. The sports seats is one thing that I definately want after going for a spin in a carrera S with similair seats and loved them, exhaust would be real nice and could be a clincher with spending a little extra but wouldnt turn down a good car just for that
MrBoogie said:
Yeah it is the 986 facelift which Im looking for, I agree with being the better looking. The sports seats is one thing that I definately want after going for a spin in a carrera S with similair seats and loved them, exhaust would be real nice and could be a clincher with spending a little extra but wouldnt turn down a good car just for that
Mines got the sport seats and the exhaust modded and it sounds awesome IMO. Here she is in Wales enjoying their fantastic driving roads...
Hi,
I've just bought an 986s coming from a mk1 MX5, my only bit of advice is, If you can afford to, keep the MX. You'll regret selling it. I have been fortunate enough to be able to keep a hold of mine and I'm fairly sure it will outlast the boxster. I really didn't get on with the porker for the first couple of days, found it ponderous and dimwitted compared to the mx5, heavy controls as well. However, we have gelled over the last day or so, I managed to get a great back road blast yesterday and it came alive.. a hugely capable car. But I'm glad I've still got my MX and look forward to driving it as much as the Porsche.
I've just bought an 986s coming from a mk1 MX5, my only bit of advice is, If you can afford to, keep the MX. You'll regret selling it. I have been fortunate enough to be able to keep a hold of mine and I'm fairly sure it will outlast the boxster. I really didn't get on with the porker for the first couple of days, found it ponderous and dimwitted compared to the mx5, heavy controls as well. However, we have gelled over the last day or so, I managed to get a great back road blast yesterday and it came alive.. a hugely capable car. But I'm glad I've still got my MX and look forward to driving it as much as the Porsche.
Ive got the MX5 up for sale on the classifieds here at the moment, and took it out for a good spin with the roof of yesterday. I forgot just how good it was. But sadly I have a labrador and a newfoundland so have a mondeo estate as the dog mobile so I cant justify keeping 3 cars. Shame, beacuse as you say the MX5 is a great fun car. But the porsche bug is calling me......
Still struggling to find a facelift S in my budget mind, the only one Ive seen has covered 123,000 miles. I would go down and have a look but its in Uxbridge and me being in Scotland..... I would have to be making my mind up before I go.
Still struggling to find a facelift S in my budget mind, the only one Ive seen has covered 123,000 miles. I would go down and have a look but its in Uxbridge and me being in Scotland..... I would have to be making my mind up before I go.
Yeah, I guess having two roadsters is a little self indulgent... 
. I wasnt overly bothered about facelift even though I had sufficient funds (was actually looking for a 996!), but I only paid 5800 for mine, 64k with impeccable history and in mint condition. I'm pretty pleased with my purchase! best of luck with your search.
. I wasnt overly bothered about facelift even though I had sufficient funds (was actually looking for a 996!), but I only paid 5800 for mine, 64k with impeccable history and in mint condition. I'm pretty pleased with my purchase! best of luck with your search.Right the MX-5 is now sold and Im getting no where fast looking for a Boxster, the musts are a roof with glass window, sports seats and clear lights (although if it was cheaper enough I could change these myself. Likes are heated seats, PSM, and sports exhaust. Not overly fussed if its a facelift or not as Ive seen pre-face lifts with a glass roof fitted.
Apart from the usual places of classifieds, autotrader, ebay, gumtree, and Boxa.net where would be worth looking?
Apart from the usual places of classifieds, autotrader, ebay, gumtree, and Boxa.net where would be worth looking?
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