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986 s or 987 s?

WBray

New member
Hi guys,

My dad has been looking at both 986 s's and 987 s's. He has been doing his research on both models but would like to hear from some unbiased owners who have had experience of both models.
So could anyone please pass on their opinions and anything you think is truly better about each model and things to look out for that you've noticed?
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
 
That's a bit like asking what colour is best!

They are quite different in terms of styling outside, the interiors and price! Both have "risky" engines until gen2 987 though.

986s are going to be more prone to age related faults, 987s are younger and dearer.

As one of my old teachers used to say - you pay your money you take your choice!
 
I've had a facelift 2002 986 S & replaced it with a 2005 987 S after it unfortunately got written off due to an idiot in a van.

Both are great cars, however the 987 has a little more room & this is noticeable if you are 6ft plus. Running costs are probably the same for a later 986 to a 987 as they are both on 2 year / 20k servicing regimes. However many 987's were specced with 19" wheels & the tyre costs are a lot more, especially if you opt for n rated tyres.

Personally I prefer the interior styling of the 986, as I think the 987 interior is very 'Mondeo' like...

Even though my 987 is only 2 & a half years newer, it feels much better in terms of build quality.

Either are great cars, if I had to buy again it would be the 987. Always buy on condition & look for a car that has been loved, there are a lot of unloved cars out there that have fallen to the bottom of the ownership pile - these can be money pits...
 
Thanks guys, I don't think the styling is to much of an issue as he likes both the interior of the 986 and 987 though I know he does prefer the 987 a little more.
Never really thought about it almost being modeo like until now lol
Condition and love of the car will take president as with any car :)
 

Make a list of Must haves and nice to haves.

Only look at Cars that fill the must have list and have most of nice to have list.

Dont view anything that does not have service history.[8|]

In my view the 986 Anniversary model (LE) has all the extras you could ever want and you should find a really good one for under 15.

A better buy than an early 987 with sparse options I think.

An essential IMHO is HEATED SEATS - then you can drive all year round with the hood down.

Enjoy the search - its the first part of ownership.

And finally a PPI is not an option but an essential.[;)]

 


Anniversary model as talked about above

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201308148305593/sort/default/usedcars/make/porsche/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/keywords/anniversary/radius/1500/postcode/cb45bx?logcode=p

AND THE PRESS RELEASE

PCGB Reading press release for Boxster Anniversay.
Boxster S Anniversary Edition
Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary sports roadster by launching its Spyder special edition
Porsche is celebrating the 50th birthday of the 550 Spyder by launching a powerful Boxster S special edition - limited to 1,953 units - and bearing the name "Boxster S Anniversary Edition". It is to be premiered in Detroit, USA in January 2004, and it is expected to reach the UK in March 2004. The "Boxster S Anniversary Edition" will be priced at £41,700 including VAT in the UK.
The Porsche Boxster is a direct descendent of the legendary 550 Spyder dating from 1953: common to both are the mid-engined roadster concept, low weight, outstanding agility, timelessly elegant body lines and a high level of driving pleasure. Now as then, every part of the car is dedicated to the demands of the enthusiastic driver resulting in the Porsche Boxster already having become a modern classic.
Porsche engineers have worked to enhance the roadster driving experience still further and have given the special "Boxster S Anniversary Edition" a series of sought-after equipment details and technical features that have not been available for the Boxster so far. The output of the Boxster S's 3.2-litre flat-six engine goes up by 6 bhp to 266 bhp (196 kW) at 6,200 rpm. The special edition has a top speed of 266 km/h (standard Boxster S: 264 km/h) and sprints from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 5.7 seconds (Tiptronic S: 6.4 seconds). Its maximum torque of 310 Nm is available at 4,600 rpm.
The exhaust system, which has a specially styled, stainless-steel tailpipe, delivers the typical Porsche sound. Porsche technicians have reduced the 6-speed gearbox's shift travel by 15 percent, a noticeable benefit that contributes to even greater driving pleasure whenever the car is accelerated. Tiptronic S, permitting driver selection of the chosen gear using toggle switches on the steering wheel, is an optional extra.
The car's true roadster character is emphasised by lowering the body by 10 millimetres and by sports suspension settings. This sports suspension improves the car's roadholding still further and permits higher lateral acceleration values. Porsche Stability Management (PSM) is installed as a standard to ensure optimum safety in all driving situations.
The brakes are another important safety feature. The cross-drilled brake discs have a diameter of 318 millimetres at the front and 299 millimetres at the rear. Exclusively for this special edition, the four-piston monobloc aluminum brake calipers have an aluminum paint finish. They are readily visible behind the larger 18-inch Carrera wheels (the standard model has 17-inch wheels). The spokes are painted in Seal Grey and provide additional visual emphasis. A coloured Porsche crest adorns each wheel hub cover. Five-millimeter wide spacers on all four wheels give the special "Boxster S Anniversary Edition" an even more powerful appearance and firmer road stance. Another feature that sets this model apart from the standard Boxster S are the grills finished in body colour above the openings in the rear struts, which recall the closed rear view of the 550. The Boxster S lettering at the rear is polished chrome plate. The colour of the padded front of the roll-over bars matches the interior. An on-board computer, Litronic headlamps with dynamic beam angle adjustment and a cleaning system are also standard.
Most of the original 550 Spyders were painted in silver. The special edition has therefore been finished in gleaming GT Silver metallic, a colour so far reserved for the Carrera GT and the "40 Years of the 911" model.
The soft top is in Cocoa, a dark brown colour used by Porsche for the first time on this special edition. The same two colours dominate the car's interior, with matching carpet and floor mats with the Porsche inscription. Dark grey natural leather is available as an alternative; in this case the carpets and the hood are in black.
In both interior colours, the leather finish on the centre panels of the heated sport seats, the handbrake lever, the gear lever gaiter, the inside door handles and the padded sport steering wheel provide exclusive visual cues and tactile features that give the interior a special character. The seat back shells, the rear section of the centre console, the handbrake lever, the grooved bar on the dashboard, the switch panel and the back of the roll-over bars are all finished in GT Silver, achieving a striking contrast. The black instrument dials are framed by chrome rings. The ball-shaped gear-lever knob is made of aluminum trimmed with Cocoa leather. The (optional) Tiptronic S gear shift cover is highly polished as is the Boxster S lettering that stands out against the black door sills.
This Boxster S special edition bears a limited-edition plate on the centre console indicating each car's individual production number. Automatic air conditioning, the Porsche CDR-23 radio with audio package and wind-deflectors are all standard and complete the package.
Notes:
Porsche presented the 550 Spyder to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in October 1953. This fabulous two-seater was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed especially for motorsport. Weighing just 550 kilos or 1213 lb, the lightweight Spyder was destined to score numerous wins on racing circuits the world over and in road races so popular at the time. A particular highlight enthusiasts still remember to this very day is the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, Hans Herrmann finishing third overall behind two much bigger and more powerful sports cars, thus bringing home victory in his class in this fifth and last edition of the toughest road race in the world. This outstanding success was to be followed by a long list of further victories and successful entries in motorsport by both the works team and a number of private customer teams.
Incidentally, the type designation of the car was not derived from its weight as is sometimes assumed; it was, in fact, the 550th Porsche design project.
Report from 21/11/2003
21/11/2003
 
987 no contest imo.

but on either the engine is £14k and my cousins has just gone bang and cost £7k with Porsche paying £7k

So I could not put my money into one.

ALso the 986 is quite an old car now, so more will need spending to keep it tip top.

15k I would be looking at some thing else newer, I don't like running cars over 5 years, they always feel tired and people don't replace or refresh 100% as that could see you at 6 or 7k spend on top.
 
I would go for 987 as looks much sharper IMO (mondeo isn't a thought that's ever crossed my mind!)

Def go for an extended warranty with Opc as I did .saved me nearly 15k when engine and transmission needed replacing at 45 k miles!!

Good luck with the search plenty out there for 15 or so k
 
Hi Ive had both S models

The 986 is a good buy make sure you get it checked over RMS gear box ect
The 987 i have a 2008 3.4s Gen 1 it's alot more grunty than the 3.2s only 15 more BHP, The 3.4 engine in the Boxster has a good recored but Cayman 3.4s have alot of scored Liner's this does not happen with the Boxster ive been told!!!

I would put the extra money and fined a nice low millage well specked 987 s more modern very planted on the road gives you bags of confidence behind the wheel as early 986 not many have PSM.
 

ORIGINAL: Mike Trotter
The 987 i have a 2008 3.4s Gen 1 it's alot more grunty than the 3.2s only 15 more BHP, The 3.4 engine in the Boxster has a good recored but Cayman 3.4s have alot of scored Liner's this does not happen with the Boxster ive been told!!!

I can't understand that - they're the same engine, even though the Cayman has slightly more bhp.
 
I thought the same recently talking to a know specialist they transplanted a Cayman 3.4 into a Boxster 987 3.4 . The Boxster would not fire up, the car was taken to OPC they had to reprogram for the motor Porsche confirmed that it is different unit and Part No. There must be some small differences, but your right i thought same unit more BHP for the Cayman.
 
Same unit,

Also rms is not a issue, you can check for oil leak but so what, it might leak oil, it,s not a great issue.

Ims is catastrophic engine fail and will cost £14k with a OPC.

Last time I spoke to a well regarded Indy they said they had not done a cayman.
And my cousin had a Boxster.

Porsche only warranty for a few years so doubt you can get a warranty on a old 15k car.
 

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

Same unit,

Also rms is not a issue, you can check for oil leak but so what, it might leak oil, it,s not a great issue.

Ims is catastrophic engine fail and will cost £14k with a OPC.

Last time I spoke to a well regarded Indy they said they had not done a cayman.
And my cousin had a Boxster.

Porsche only warranty for a few years so doubt you can get a warranty on a old 15k car.


Not sure where you get that info from, my 2005 987 S is under OPC extended warranty until December 2014, plus I can extend it before June to Dec 2016 if what my OPC tells me is correct.

I hope I never have to incur the cost of an IMS failure, however around £7k is the going rate for a rebuild at an Indy. Perhaps this equates to £14k at an OPC or a new engine being fitted.
 
Exactly my experience - my boxster s 987 is coming up 7 yards old and worth around £15k. I have just renewed opc warranty for 2 yrs no probs.

I did it because I needed an engine and gearbox rebuild costing opc bill of over £10 k a few months back.- drove stelvio today no probs[:D]

Well apart from the rain [:mad:]

Was much sunnier 2,yrs ago,hoping for better on the Furkka tomorrow!!
 
it's upto 9 years old hence my post on not getting one for a 986 if it's that old.

so the later 05 987 will also soon run out if you plan to keep it a few years, in fact that will be the last time you can renew now.
 
Cheers guys, thanks for all the information :)
History and quality will play a definite part as with any car. Warranty will be taken out as a must have really, already proven its worth when dads cayenne decided to throw its propshaft.
Thank-you all! :)

Will
 

ORIGINAL: dyllan

Exactly my experience - my boxster s 987 is coming up 7 yards old and worth around £15k. I have just renewed opc warranty for 2 yrs no probs.

I did it because I needed an engine and gearbox rebuild costing opc bill of over £10 k a few months back.- drove stelvio today no probs[:D]

Well apart from the rain [:mad:]

Was much sunnier 2,yrs ago,hoping for better on the Furkka tomorrow!!



If you don't mind me asking, how much was the warranty extension for 2 years?
 
ofhand it was around £1350 for 2 yrs colin

not bad value given the possible outlay in my opinion

i shant be keeping it beyond then but the opc didnt say to me this is the last time i can extend the warranty
 

I've just been quoted £1,703 inc. VAT for a 2-year Extended Warranty by Hatfield, including Posche Assistance and the 111-point check at half price. They won't waive the whole price of the check because they reckon it's very labour intensive and not all the items are covered on the 4-year (major) service on the Cayman.

Total cost for the service, brake fluid change, MOT and warranty is a whopping £2,715 inc. VAT.

Jeff
 
That sounds about right mark -mine also Hatfield the check is usually over £100 and the Porsche assistance was about £
£120 or so per yr but you don't have to take that . You do have to have the 111 pt check although mine was waived this time round
 

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