Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 All, First and foremost I do apologies if this topics been previously covered! After many years of owning classic cars, I am now thinking about buying my first Porsche. I am thinking about buying a 987 boxter post 2007. after browsing the internet for a few days I can get one for around 7-9k with full service history, but no less than 4-5 previous owners. I guess the question is, should I take the plunge and buy one or there any other models you guys can recommend. I would like to stress that while I have reasonable knowledge around the classic cars, I am a complete novice when it comes to Porsche. I would like to avoid falling into the trap of buying one with my heart and end up spending 1000s on repair. Appreciate all the input in advance. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glosrich Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Hi and welcome, As with any car you want to be seeing evidence of good maintenance, service book stamped, bills showing parts changed, look at the MoT history online also. Good quality tyres all round are a sign of care also. They tend to have a lot of owners as they get bought on impulse in the summer, and then sold in the winter. This can be good, new owner might spend money on it, or bad they may not or sell before things need changing. Summer is the most expensive time to buy a convertible, so wait until the autumn/winter if you can. As they get older the suspension arms need replacing. Clutches dont last for ever. Find your local specialist and maybe get them to inspect the car before you buy. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 thanks Glosrich! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headless Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 I bought my 2006 Boxster S in October of 2017, it had 5 previous owners but full history and was pretty much immaculate, so go on Service history and condition an don't worry about how many owners it's had...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 great looking car headless! Appreciate the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonttt Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 There is a big gap between the 987.1 and 987.2 which happened in 2009. Your budget is for a 987.1 but you have to realise the main reason for this gap was down to new engines being fitted. The normal caveats apply as to any car of this age, nothin special there BUT you do really need to get an inspection / bore score done on a 987.1 as the earlier engine can suffer from engine failure for a couple of reasons, more so than on other cars. I always hate being seen as trying to put people off but one of my best mates bought a 997.1 which suffer similar issues and after purchase when he read up he was so paranoid it ruined his ownership experience and he ended up selling the car quickly even though there was nothing wrong with it. The problems can result in c£10k of engine damage which on cars worth less than this is obviously at least a consideration. I am therefore a believer in you are better going in eyes wide open rather than being told / finding out later. Yes I will get accused of scare monger / it only affects x% of cars etc.... but I have seen first hand how even just the worry of it can ruin the enjoyment so you have to have the right attitude to own one 😉 There is lots of info on bore score /IMS failure on google, boxsters are less prone than 911’s as the engines are generally de tuned versions BUT it does happen no matter what people say. ps agreed number of owners is one of the least considerations that should concern you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 thanks jonttt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Welcome We like the word BoxSter spelt with an S If you get the 2.7 rather than the 3.4, zero risk of engine problems. (If you get the 3.4, near-zero risk ) Your budget won't get you a 987.2 (totally new, different engine), or probably not one you'd want to own! Tiptronic (auto, can be retro-fitted paddle shift but it's a bit slow changing) or manual gearbox? Tiptronic has its fans here, it is not terrible like some autos. Boxsters were specced with nearly every option differently according to buyer's taste and purse, so try to decide on a few options you really like, that can't be retro fitted easily (xenon lights, heated seats, multiple speakers for sound system, full or extended leather), and choose your car accordingly.As above, suspension parts get old and costs add up to replace them. A lot of work is DIYable but the parts still cost. Check your car's inner faces of brake discs. The outer faces can be fine and the inner faces can be wrecked. "They all do that sir". Smaller wheels (17 or 18in) look less cool but are cheaper on tyres and actually drive better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidd Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Concur, you need to up your budget, and consider 1-2K of additional cost in getting it into decent shape (if that's your thing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headless Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 I don't agree with the tiptronic being slow changing, it's probably as quick as a manual and quicker in some cases when booting it, as it changes quicker the more throttle you have on!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arl30 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Hi Karl32 have a look at mine in the for sales ads, budget needs to be increased though like you I was looking in the up to 9k bracket which leaves you highish miles, 2/3 years older and for a few k more you generally tend to get a lot more of a car. Try several cars, some like the tiptronic although it is a bit sluggish and some of the fun factor is lost on the thrill of the car deciding when to change gear, the manual suited me more, 2.7 litre is enough although again it is personal choice. Spec again seems to make or break a car, bluetooth is a must have although there are Several after market kits, leather, sat nav and Bose are also nice but all upgrade able. Tax is another thing to consider as certain cars are in the upper bracket so over £500 a year. Cars condition, I usually check tyres a, if all the same, b,N rated will indicate if the owner has skimped, c, even tread and wear accross front to back. Paint work is usually good even though the cars are nearly 15 years old but check calipers if faded or chipped it normally means car has spent much of its life outside. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 thanks Arl30! I have looked at your car and while very nice car, its certainly not within my budget. I appreciate the info though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman42 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 @Karl32 - what’s the plans for the car? IF your were previously into classics is this a weekend toy that you like to tinker with, or will it be a daily driver as that may effect what you are looking for. most things have been mentioned already, the £500+ tax is a pain in the ar*e at that price point. Specs are all over the place so work out which bits are important to you. You can still find a few early 2006 987’s that fall into the lower tax band though. there are usually cars on here for sale that have been well looked after - if you want a ‘classic’ boxster, there’s a 2.5 in the for sale section for £2,500 leaving you a good chunk of change for getting it just as you want it. bore score issue is over-hyped on the internet which can scare many people off - it’s does happen rarely, but more on the 911’s and the general thoughts are that if it’s got to 70-80k it’s unlikely to go (don’t quote me on that). The 2.7 is generally regarded at the safest option and still provides a good mix of handling and power. The 986 is a little ‘rawer’ driving experience than the 987, but the 987 has more interior space and a more modern interior if that’s your preference. The 987 also has a nicer front end without the fried egg headlights (IMHO!!!) would’t worry too much about owners or miles, the cars that are regularly used tend to cause less issues than the low mileage garage queens, and as @headless says, buy on condition and history every time. if you are local, try and find a meet to get and have a look at a few cars all together and figure out what floats your boat. Enjoy the hunt and ask as many questions as needed, they are generally a friendly bunch on here 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 3 hours ago, headless said: I don't agree with the tiptronic being slow changing, it's probably as quick as a manual and quicker in some cases when booting it, as it changes quicker the more throttle you have on!!!! I'll accept that (wow do I sound arrogant, I've never even driven one!). What I meant was relatively . It was appreciated at the time, but we've now had 10 years of dual clutch changers in the VAG range, and if you've had one of them, tiptronic now feels slow. SlowER than modern ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 thanks menoporsche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonewolfgjp Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 4 hours ago, Karl32 said: All, First and foremost I do apologies if this topics been previously covered! After many years of owning classic cars, I am now thinking about buying my first Porsche. I am thinking about buying a 987 boxter post 2007. after browsing the internet for a few days I can get one for around 7-9k with full service history, but no less than 4-5 previous owners. I guess the question is, should I take the plunge and buy one or there any other models you guys can recommend. I would like to stress that while I have reasonable knowledge around the classic cars, I am a complete novice when it comes to Porsche. I would like to avoid falling into the trap of buying one with my heart and end up spending 1000s on repair. Appreciate all the input in advance. regards Hi there Have you considered the 986? The reason I ask is for you’re budget you should find a good tidy example. It is only a idea as you may well get a cracking 986 rather than digging round trying to find a 987 for the same money. Im currently on my third Boxster and started with a 986s, then 3.2 987.1 and now a 3.4 987.2. They are all great cars and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Fortunately I ve never had any expensive issues yet but they are all prone to wearing suspension as mentioned earlier. I would suggest getting out there and test driving a few and see what suits you. You may still end up going with a early 987 and that’s no problem as they are great cars but at least test drive the 986s👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Mattman42, I am thinking for an every day car. I am not really driving a lot so quiet fancy having a boxter....sorry BoxSter. The 500+ road tax will certainly put me off to be honest. I will be keep looking, but so far been getting great advise from every one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 thanks Lonewolfgjp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red rocket Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 What Meno said! I bought a 987.1 2.7 just over 2 years ago with 75k on it and have added another 15k miles just using it for fun (including lots of BoXa jaunts). Buy on condition and history and you'll struggle to go wrong - regular services and details of any work done. Only 'major' thing mine's had is a new water pump. Apart from that just regular service items and cosmetic upgrades like drl's, grilles, badge (it will happen to you if you stick around here!). If you have a good local indy that's a definite bonus - decent labour costs and lots of specialist knowledge. Where are you in the country - we can point you in right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Hi red rocket, I am near Twickenham in southwest London. Regards Ps. thanks for the input, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red rocket Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Just now, Karl32 said: Hi red rocket, I am near Twickenham in southwest London. Regards Ps. thanks for the input, OK, if no-one comments somewhere on the forum is Gutley's map which should show local Indies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonewolfgjp Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 He is a couple of pictures of my previous cars for a bit of motivation 😂 987.1 3.2 93k 986.1 3.2 67k👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 both cars look equally great, but the 987.1 would be my preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonewolfgjp Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Well there you go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl32 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 unusual yet beautiful grey colour, unless I am mistaken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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