Stewart_H Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 As the title states, I'm off to take my first look at a 986 S today. I'm crossing my fingers it's as good as it looks in the advert (I'm pretty excited) 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy555 Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 Don't let your heart rule your head. Be objective and give it a really good look over, especially under the engine area if you can. There's loads of 986s out there, so plenty to choose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart_H Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 18 minutes ago, Eddy555 said: Don't let your heart rule your head. Be objective and give it a really good look over, especially under the engine area if you can. There's loads of 986s out there, so plenty to choose from. Excellent advice, thank you 👍 I'm going with my "it's going to have to be bloomin' good for me to part with any money" head on. I'll also spare a thought for what Mrs H will say when we get the first maintenance bill! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart_H Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 Well I still have my money. Lovely model and I've decided I defintely want one now! Sadly this example wasn't as described so I had to walk away ☹ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luciano casali Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 Have you got your check list, air con on and hand under front bumper both sides check fans working ,2 keys ,tuning fork rattles front and rear suspension ,water level before and after test drive ,oil check,oil cap , in other words pay an expert to check could save you a lotta lotta dough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart_H Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 8 hours ago, Luciano casali said: Have you got your check list, air con on and hand under front bumper both sides check fans working ,2 keys ,tuning fork rattles front and rear suspension ,water level before and after test drive ,oil check,oil cap , in other words pay an expert to check could save you a lotta lotta dough Oooh, nice tip on checking the fans. I'll add that to my check list 👍🏻 This one looked beautiful from a distance but wasn't so great up close. The ad stated "2 owners" (it was 4) and "FSH" (gap in history from 2006-2013). It needed some paint due to lacquer peel, the boot was full to the brim with junk (including a large container of Mobile One) and was very oily in the centre underneath where the engine and box join (suspect RMS from what I've read). Aircon was nice and cold, everything else seemed to work. I didn't test drive as I wasn't going to buy it after my quick inspection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy555 Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 I've seen so many cars over the years that looked lovely in photos and from Internet ads that turn out to be rusty, oily sheds that I just don't trust what I see online any more. You just can't tell what a car is like until you see it in the metal. Keep looking, you'll find a good one eventually, I'd look for one that has genuinely been looked after and maintained continuously up to the point of sale. These are old cars and the jobs need to be kept on top of to keep them up to spec. It's worth paying for a good example, cheaper ones just aren't worth it in the long run IMHO. Also speak to a local Porsche specialist that you can trust as they may have one or know of a customer that has a good one for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulQ Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 47 minutes ago, Eddy555 said: It's worth paying for a good example, cheaper ones just aren't worth it in the long run IMHO The problem is price isn't necessarily an indicator of a better car. While it's likely more money will get you a decent example, I think some people fall into the trap that because it's more expensive it will be a good car. The same as people presuming that cheaper cars will all be rubbish. All 986's will need stuff doing to them, so it's finding the one that you are happy with the things that need sorting out, or just live with them. A good tip if you are travelling a long way to view is to ask the vendor to walk round the car while you are on the phone to them, pointing out any defects on each panel or ask them to send you some high res pictures of any issues. Can save a lot of wasted time and money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennym1984 Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Stewart_H said: Oooh, nice tip on checking the fans. I'll add that to my check list 👍🏻 This one looked beautiful from a distance but wasn't so great up close. The ad stated "2 owners" (it was 4) and "FSH" (gap in history from 2006-2013). It needed some paint due to lacquer peel, the boot was full to the brim with junk (including a large container of Mobile One) and was very oily in the centre underneath where the engine and box join (suspect RMS from what I've read). Aircon was nice and cold, everything else seemed to work. I didn't test drive as I wasn't going to buy it after my quick inspection. When I was looking for mine, I had this time and time again. I'd go to see a "FSH" car (which is usually asked the seller to reconfirm) only to find 6 year gaps and 40k miles between services. I just cannot understand why people do it. Do they expect buyers to be so bowled over by the car in the flesh that they just overlook these points?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toplad Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 The 986 is old and the only way it can be in good condition is with some decent money spent on it already Best way is to look at the service history and bills first . Always ask for the dates of the services and mileage over the phone. Then move on to the bills for, suspension components, brakes, clutch, rads and anything else. Then you've pinned down the maintenance side and decide if it's worth viewing. The number of times I've seen FSH, but it's nothing like is unbelievable, dealers do it too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues N Twos Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 Whats your budget Stewart? this has excellent provenance and not to far from you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Porsche-986-Boxster-S-3-2-auto-Tiptronic-S-62k-FSH-Incredible-spec/223247991845 Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman42 Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 Hi @Stewart_H - good commitment to be able to walk away. Can't remember the spec you were looking for, but this popped up in my Gumtree searches and sounds like it could be a good one - ad states IMS and RMS have been replaced too. https://www.gumtree.com/p/porsche/porsche-boxster-2.7-986-2dr/1320642854 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman42 Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 1 minute ago, Blues N Twos said: Whats your budget Stewart? this has excellent provenance and not to far from you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Porsche-986-Boxster-S-3-2-auto-Tiptronic-S-62k-FSH-Incredible-spec/223247991845 Jon the interior on that is truly horrible - plastic fake wood should not be in a Boxster or any Porsche i would argue. and its damn expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues N Twos Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 According to advert it’s actual wood trim. Easily swopped out if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Days Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 Seems very over-priced to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues N Twos Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 I guess it’s quite a unique car, low miles, FSH, every option box ticked, rare colour, aero kit etc etc. like others have said there are plenty of sub £5k ones out there but they will probably not be as nice. I know colour and interior is not everyone’s taste but what car is ? its a well presented rare car in a dealer for £10k. Worth a viewing if nothing else as a benchmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 41 minutes ago, toplad said: The 986 is old and the only way it can be in good condition is with some decent money spent on it already Best way is to look at the service history and bills first . Always ask for the dates of the services and mileage over the phone. Then move on to the bills for, suspension components, brakes, clutch, rads and anything else. Then you've pinned down the maintenance side and decide if it's worth viewing. The number of times I've seen FSH, but it's nothing like is unbelievable, dealers do it too In a nutshell I think this is really good advice. By definition a 986 is 14-20 years old. If someone else hasn't spent decent money on the mechanicals by now, the next owner will have to. We've had people here spending 3-4k in the first year to sort out mechanicals. For those concerned about bodywork, that's nearly the price of a bare metal respray! And as PaulQ mentions, videocalling can also save a lot of time, for both parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart_H Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 Thanks for the responses chaps, much appreciated 👍 I'm looking for a sub £5k car (ideally £4.5k). As it will be a 3rd car and mainly for fun use I'm only considering a manual. 23 minutes ago, Mattman42 said: Hi @Stewart_H - good commitment to be able to walk away. Can't remember the spec you were looking for, but this popped up in my Gumtree searches and sounds like it could be a good one - ad states IMS and RMS have been replaced too. https://www.gumtree.com/p/porsche/porsche-boxster-2.7-986-2dr/1320642854 Thanks @Mattman42, I keep thinking how beautiful the car I viewed looked but the prospect of having to shell out for a service (it was last serviced by a local mechanic in Feb 2017), paint, possible RMS etc. makes me happy with my decision to walk away The owner said that the oil leak had been fixed after the MOT but had no evidence of a repair and when I asked him what was the cause, he said "it was just a leak, nothing much". I have seen that tidy looking 2.7 on Gumtree but for some reason I am hankering after a 3.2 with a few less miles, am I being foolish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 For the money your best bet, I think, is to find a high milage car that has been well maintained in the last 3 to 4 years, but you should expect to spend money after purchase, allow for £2000 to be on the safe side ! That is realism for you 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy555 Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 As a 2.7 owner I feel it's fast enough for the road. Most of the time. There's the odd occasion I've felt a 3.2S would be better, but that's pretty rare on the roads around me. I'd just run out of road sooner. It seems that the market demand for an S is stronger, but if you see an excellent 2.7 I think it's still worth going for. It's at least worth having a look at a 2.7 if it ticks the right boxes and is close by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 S gives bragging rights, but honestly they are pretty much equally fast once the engine revs are above 5000 The fastest thing about a car is the nut behind the wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scubaregs Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 5K is not a big budget to allow you to get a good car imho. Also the fact that you don't want to shell out for a service as soon as you buy the car suggests that you have no budget for after buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart_H Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 16 minutes ago, Scubaregs said: 5K is not a big budget to allow you to get a good car imho. Also the fact that you don't want to shell out for a service as soon as you buy the car suggests that you have no budget for after buying. 'Not wanting to shell out' and 'not being able to shell out' are completed different but I appreciate what you're saying 👍 I'm trying to go in with my eyes open and have only just started my search. Clearly I have a lot to learn which is why I'm here and I welcome all opinions The car I viewed yesterday was a little over budget (£5350) but evidently needed quite a bit of immediate attention which put it way over what I am currently willing to spend. If £4.5k-£5k isn't enough to get me in to a decent early Boxster to use occasionally for fun then I will either have to wait a little longer OR start looking at an alternative i.e. a 3.0 BMW Z4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, Stewart_H said: OR start looking at an alternative i.e. a 3.0 BMW Z4. Nah, you don't wanna do it like that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart_H Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 Just now, Menoporsche said: Nah, you don't wanna do it like that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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