Introduction a d a couple of ?s ..

[jreissenweber1]

*
As an introduction to the forum ..

I am 71 and have been an avid car enthusiast all of my life, growing up in Detroit and having worked for Ford Motor Company for 20 years.* I have been lucky enough to have owned several classic Mustangs, 3 Corvettes including a '72 454, a 67 Alpha and a Fiat 124 and have driven McLaren Mustangs, Shelby Mustangs and a '64 Shelby Cobra.* For the past 25 years my driving has been rather a mundane split between a jeep and a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid.

I am currently going thru some intense theropy for PTSD (Vietnam) and have decided to 'live' once more and want to buy Porsche Boxster and recapture the thrill and enjoyment of driving.

I have been researching for the past several months (including test driving) and am approaching actual purchase time.

I have a few questions I'd like to throw out to the forum to help point me in my final search.

Reliability IS an issue as although it will be a 2nd car, I plan on taking several extended road trips to include even California to the East Coast and back.

I started off looking at ~2000 986s and quickly found I preferred the S (3.2 litre) model (I am old - not dead).* It seems to me that cost (including purchase price plus required repairs/upgrades including IMS) is roughly $15K depending upon miles.

I then drove a 2008 rs60 spyder for a couple of hours - what a beast! I would never have thought of buying anything but a manual .. but .. and the PASM and the Sport Exhaust were thrilling ... and I felt the car was abit (perhaps more than abit) too much for what I could handle at my now reduced reflexes and reactions. So I drove a 2010 2.9 litre with PDK .. and it has the overhead airbag ..

and now after some extensive research it seems if I look hard enough low $20K can fetch one although I probably will have to go out of California to get one - question is will it pass CA smog?

So that is where I find myself today ..*
only to add that I do live in San Francisco with no garage so it will have to be parked on the street - possible solutions a hard top and/or alarmed car cover.

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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[mikefocke]

Have there been hardtops since the 986 days? A hardtop would fit any year 986 as long as it had the kit to mount it (called spinlocks).

I just purchased a car that has 100 HP more than my previous car that I drove for 50k miles. I don't use that extra HP in any anti-safety way.

Had a 3.2 through my 68th year. Wonderful car that served every purpose from commuter to that perfect day romp in the country. When I didn't have a second driveway to store it and found I used it less than 500 miles in the past year, I decided to let someone else enjoy it. On those days, I still miss it.

[jreissenweber1]

I believe hard top was an option from 1997 thru 2012 .. with OEM tops (in some colors) available for $3K and $4K.

I have no idea of cost to repaint/match color.

In that vain, does anyone have a ballpark for a complete repaint job .. not economy but quality?

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[husker boxster]

There are hardtops for the 987 but they are rare. A 986 hardtop will not work but any top from 2005-2012 will work.

Since you have to keep it outside, have you thought about a Cayman instead?

[racer]

986S (2000-2004) - 250-260hp
987S (2005-2008) - 280-310hp
987.2 (2009-2013) - 255-265 (Boxster and Cayman used same engine, but somehow the "brochure" hp was a 10hp difference. Never saw any dyno runs to show they were actually different however)
987.2S - 300-330hp
Advantage of the 987.2 (2009-2013) is that their is no IMS concern.
986S, yes, IMS concern. Yes, IMS kit available.
987S, yes, IMS is still a concerned, although lessened. Yes, IMS kit available, but requires splitting the engine case to install. NOT cheap
987.2 - No IMS.

The base 987.2 was a 2.9L motor. NOT direct injected like the "S" came with. So, in someways, it is the less complex engine.

I would look for a base Boxster (or Cayman) of 2009 or newer

[jreissenweber1]

husker boxster ..
986 OEM hard tops are now $4600 ..
987 OEM hard tops (thru 2012) are $3000

I have indeed thought of a Cayman .. driven a couple .. DO like the lines as well as the sound inside .. but my wife has very sensitive ears a d cannot ride with windows open driving over 35-40 mph .. and I need the fresh air ..
so that was my 1st consideration ..

Convertibles don't bother her at all .. and she much prefers .. soooooooo
that being my 1st decision ..

Boxster - check

With the car having to live on the street as
1 - not moving
2 - with no garage (and not a out to pay to rent one)
I'd ~prefer~ to have the hardtop option but not mandatory if I can ID a very good quality full cover with alarm .. as eith way it will have the cover on it when not being used.

soooo .. any ideas on a car cover?

been looking for awhile ..

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[jreissenweber1]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Have there been hardtops since the 986 days? A hardtop would fit any year 986 as long as it had the kit to mount it (called spinlocks).

I just purchased a car that has 100 HP more than my previous car that I drove for 50k miles. I don't use that extra HP in any anti-safety way.

Had a 3.2 through my 68th year. Wonderful car that served every purpose from commuter to that perfect day romp in the country. When I didn't have a second driveway to store it and found I used it less than 500 miles in the past year, I decided to let someone else enjoy it. On those days, I still miss it.

Mike ..
I spent 2 hours a couple of weeks ago driving/riding in a 2008 rs60 with I believe had a 3.6 Litre ..
found that was ~much• more power than I need .. so last Thursday drove a 2010 with 2.9 Litre and PDK .. very impressive and all I need and then some .. I drive very cautiously but tend to push limits with knowledge and experience ..
I do want to try my hand at autocross .. more to learn the car a d rehone my driving skills .. so that is a factor as well ..
as I am still unsure as to exactly WHAT I am looking for .. going to drive a couple of 2.5's this week again .. one 5 speed .. one tip

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[racer]

The issue with a Boxster hardtop is
1) You need 2 people to get it on an off
2) You need a place to store it when not on the car.

In the end, its useage becomes limited.. like "winter"

I think you will a) love the sound of the 2.5 but b) miss the power of the larger cars (only 201hp) and the TIP saps a little more than the PDK does on the newer cars.

[jreissenweber1]

Originally Posted by racer

The base 987.2 was a 2.9L motor. NOT direct injected like the "S" came with. So, in someways, it is the less complex engine.

I would look for a base Boxster (or Cayman) of 2009 or newer

racer ..

I do like the way you think .. my gut reaction after looking/reading/driving over the last 4 months ..

I'm going to pull the trigger in 3-6 weeks (at least decide) after reviewing $ I can actually afford.

thanks much for the reply

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[johnnymiz]

I have a 2008 987.1 boxster and i think it is just about the perfect car and you will love having one.
mine is the base with the 2.7 motor and 245hp. i have had a few brutally powerful cars over the years and although they were fun to punch it in, the boxster is plenty fast (it will do a 15 second 1/4 mile, which is what a stock 66 GTO would do) and it will out handle any muscle car. think of how good your alfa was to drive (i had a 74 gtv so i know all about alfas).... then add 100hp, fatter stickier tires, huge brakes AND dead nuts reliability.
an older boxster is common enough that no one should be out to mess with it on the street.
on the pdk.. i had a panamera, and although it was a lovely car, the pdk didnt do it for me and it got moved along. if that car had a stick, i would still have it.

[jreissenweber1]

Originally Posted by johnnymiz

I have a 2008 987.1 boxster and i think it is just about the perfect car and you will love having one.

johnnymiz ..

I just drove a 2010 2.9 liter and at my age (71) it had more than enough power for me .. from a standing stop I was doing 85 on the short freeway ramp and was just getting going and wanted .. more .. ..

but pure muscle power isn't what I am after .. yes I do want to autocross (against myself) but I want that ~connection~ ..

I know whatever I choose will ring a thrill ..

at the moment leaning towards a 2009/10 2,9 with TPK .. but weighing that vs. an earlier well maintained and equipped 986 ..

learning .. deciding .. the chase is part of the fun!

thanks for the input ..

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[jreissenweber1]

It's been awhile and much has happened/progressed ..

1st and foremost, I've had my 2nd (of 3) chemical treatments for PTSD .. and all I can say is .. AMAZING**** .. a life changer ..

IF any of you are a vet battling with it .. or know of a loved one/ good friend who is .. my PM is open .. please**** ..

I sincerely wish to thank all who have responded to this thread (and so many more who have merely contributed to the discussions here that I have read) ..

two take-aways were key for me ..

1) focus on exactly the model and ALL the options you want****

2) no hurry .. THE car will find ~you~

A couple more intense test drives (and an ~almost~ purchase has crystallized what I want ..

'99 (perhaps '98)
target miles 50K
~well~ cared for mechanically and cosmetically
mandatory options - manual and traction control
pass California smog/emission!
heated seats (a possible immediate retrofit) because - wife
not a deal breaker but would really like sport suspension (sport technic package)
preferred color (in descending desire)
ocean jade metallic
ocean blue metallic
artic silver/boxster red
glacier white/metrople blue

still looking locally .. 3rd treatment end of next week (and it'll take a week to recover) .. so come Oct 1st I start taking a look out of state as I have a couple I am interested in ..


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[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by jreissenweber1

It's been awhile and much has happened/progressed ..

1st and foremost, I've had my 2nd (of 3) chemical treatments for PTSD .. and all I can say is .. AMAZING**** .. a life changer ..

IF any of you are a vet battling with it .. or know of a loved one/ good friend who is .. my PM is open .. please**** ..

I sincerely wish to thank all who have responded to this thread (and so many more who have merely contributed to the discussions here that I have read) ..

two take-aways were key for me ..

1) focus on exactly the model and ALL the options you want****

2) no hurry .. THE car will find ~you~

A couple more intense test drives (and an ~almost~ purchase has crystallized what I want ..

'99 (perhaps '98)
target miles 50K
~well~ cared for mechanically and cosmetically
mandatory options - manual and traction control
pass California smog/emission!
heated seats (a possible immediate retrofit) because - wife
not a deal breaker but would really like sport suspension (sport technic package)
preferred color (in descending desire)
ocean jade metallic
ocean blue metallic
artic silver/boxster red
glacier white/metrople blue

still looking locally .. 3rd treatment end of next week (and it'll take a week to recover) .. so come Oct 1st I start taking a look out of state as I have a couple I am interested in ..


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'S' versions didn't start til 2000. $20k would buy you up til an 08. The newer the car, the more refined the engine became. You would find that the standard suspension would be just fine. If you need a Cal. car to satisfy CARB, confine your search to California. Lots of cars in the Bay area and LA and San Diego. A car that's lived away from the salt water is much preferred! An older car, that's been babied is fine, if the IMSB hasn't been done, have it done and the RMS too. An 'S' model will have the larger engine, nicer accoutraments, an won't cost a lot more. Get a PPI, of course, and a current smog cert. Heated seats, 'meh!'

One caution that bears repeating: "there is no such thing as a cheap Boxster."

If you're parking on the street, get really good comprehensive insurance. You'll probably need it.

Enjoy, Old Man! (I'm only 67.)