newbie after advice (987)

[rs32]

hello all, newbie here, we're currently looking at 987's as a replacement for our current TT Coupe.

We've spent a fair bit of time pouring over the ads, have done 2 hour-long test drives and seen very stark differences between 2 Boxster S 05-plate examples. One appeared to have been treated with kid gloves and was barely loosened at 28k miles, the other had 41k and was much more slack (gearchange, engine note etc).

the one with less miles has PASM, xenons, sound pack plus, park assist plus a few other bits and seems like a completely tidy example - so I'm verging on completing a deal but want to do a more detailed visual check first. What if anything can I look for that tells me how hard its life has been so far ?

what are these cars like sitting in heavy traffic - my fiance currently has DSG/S-Tronic and is worried about tiredness when queueing on our delightful motorways ?

Also how difficult is it to get telephone prep fitted - without PCM should I be looking for some aftermarket integration ?

Any advice appreciated, I have basic mech/tech knowledge but don't know the Porsche setup that well.

thanks.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

First - don't buy the tired one!

I've driven a tired Boxster once - I moved it off the Boxster display at our National Event where it had been "dumped"on us - it felt terrible and I wouldn't have wanted to drive it on the road...

If traffic jams is an issue you might want a tiptronic - I can't really help here.

Some have telephone prep specified by the original owner, but I've never heard of anyone having an issue getting aftermarket ones fitted (anyone?)

Whatever you finally buy I'm sure you'll love it. If you are nearby why not come along to the event at Gaydon (see the sticky events thread) and have a chat with owners?

 

[rs32]

we'll definitely have a manual if we go for it - no issues with a clutch pedal - but it would be useful to know from owners that use theirs to commute whether the car can get tiring. Not the sort of thing you pick up from a test drive.

any tips for checking these cars over would be appreciated.

 

[spyderman]

I commute with mine and get stuck in at least one jam in each direction. The clutch is much heavier than any previous car I've driven, but its still manageable. If I upgrade, though, I'm going to get a PDK.

If you like music in the car at all, definitely go for the Sound Pack or Bose as the basic system is pretty naff.

 

[uknick]

I have a manual Cayman so this might not help, but I have spent some time in motorway traffic jams, namely the M25. Never had a problem getting tired. If anything it gives me more time to appreciate the cabin.

 

[plightbown]

Having gone from a TT to Boxster myself a few years ago, go for it, far more comfortable and a different league in all aspects. Plus you get to sit there feeling superior as the rest of the dross moves around you!

 

[gdavison]

Sue used to drives ours on a M4 / M25 / M40 commute ( no longer due to a change in jobs not cars) .. as such pretty much was al;ways in traffic, never had a problem with the clutch being heavy, to be honest IMO its not a heavy clutch any ways, maybe I'm just used to 986/987 clutches

 

[nwhear]

Hi

I moved from a TT to a Boxter 2 years ago and use it for the daily commute rain or shine. No problems with clutch which I dont think is particularly heavy.

Otherwise I would agree with "plightbrown".

Go for it and I promise that you wont regret it.

 

[berty987]

The tip in the boxster takes some getting used to. Like all automatics it takes a while to react to kickdown so its better to use the buttons on the wheel to select the gear before overtaking. Personally I dont like the tip in the boxster, the PDK on the other hand (only fitted to hte new gen 2 boxster from 2009) is much better. Unless you are traffic bound , buy the manual and enjoy the car for its driving experience.

 

[akwaugh]

Hi,

This reply goes against the flow a bit!

Now on my second Boxster if you are using the car in traffic I'd recommend the tiptronic. My last one was manual and to be honest all I kept thinking about was having to keep the clutch cool in stop/start and very slow queues. After a while I became completely paranoid, and this from someone who has never needed to change a clutch in over 20 cars (the other 10 were autos). Sold the manual and now have a 2.7 987 tip (54 plate/05 reg). Utter bliss. There's a small performance loss but in the real world it's minor and I imagine that if you're going for an S then you'd never notice the difference. Also note that my earlier Boxster (also a 2.7) I averaged over 28 mpg over 15000 miles but I'm now down to around 24-25 in traffic - with a light foot! So there is a double penalty for having a slushbox.

Having said that, over 30mpg is easy once you get out of traffic. Lord only knows what an "S" does. Unless you're wanting to get very friendly with the local petrol station I'd think about this, as prices are only ever going to go up. Maybe I'm just getting old, or maybe it's because I've done the petrol drinkers already.

I think also with the tip you can be reasonably assured that the engine hasn't been tortured at high revs too much, as the auto takes much of the edge off the top end. Having said that I understand that if you have the chassis number then you can check the history of the car at your local OPC, assuming it has been there at some time. Maybe others on this forum can help on that score.

Ref toys I have the factory fit sports exhaust and it's lovely to listen to. Then there's the sports chrono pack which basically gives you a nice clock and some changes to the computer software so you can go faster. I'm doubtful as to the value of this but will shortly have an opportunity to try it out on a track.

Xenons are great, don't have them on the new one and miss them terribly. Will probably change the lights soon.

Phones, know little about these but mine came with an aftermarket THB Bury Take & Talk kit which is interesting. Look it up on the interweb. This integrates with your radio and has a wide range of optional cradles so if you change your phone you don't have to change the whole car setup. Then again there's Parrot(?) which I'm told by pals is quite handy.

Whatever Porsche you get, it's a great move up. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[kitchens]

Agree with the last post This is my 4th Porsche with Tiptronic 993. 996 carrera 4 986 ltd edition 550 .987 2.7 and have to say out of choice would not have the manual .The only place you will find any real difference would be on a track day other than that I do not think you could tell .I get an average off 30mpg no matter how I drive it Enjoy no matter what you buy .
Speed Yellow is the best choice forget the boring Silvers and nightmare Black [][][][]

 

[Black80XSA]

Try several cars - then only time i would say the BoxsterS clutch is heavy is when its due a change. Tiptronic in an S gives the same performance on paper as a manual 2.7 car, but of course in gear acceleration may be quicker as a result of the auto change. The steering wheels buttons are fun and a lot better than the clunky kickdown.

Intergrated Porsche phone only came as an extra on top fo the optional sat nav (PCM) - sound / reception quality is OK if you get a good car, but there were numerous complaints on 997, Cayman and Boxsters in 2005/6 about phone quality. Some were rectified with a remounted microphone, others still have the issue.

PASM suspoension in sport mode is too hard for 99% of people for on road use, but offers an almost magic carpet ride quality in normal mode (especiallhy with bigger 19" wheels). Trouble is of course these will fail at some point, replacement damper units are around £400 each plus fitting.

The lower mileage car sounds like a nice spec, upgraded hifi, xenons and park sensors are nice to haves. If its got full leather (sticthcing on the side panels of the centre console) too then go for it.

 

[oliver]

987 is a great choice - and the 3.2'S' is a gem.

Not a great fan of tip - the manual is so good, with light, slick, communicative controls.

 

[tommo1]

Having also changed from a TT roadster, some 18 months ago, I think the Boxster is second to none, I would personally go for the Boxster S with a manual gearbox, mines just got to 25,000 mls and the although the clutch is a bit stiffer than the TT you soon get used to it.

Just go for it.

Tommo

 

[kitchens]

Everyone to his own...auto v manual ..was looking round the new Glasgow showroom that has just opened and 90% of all new cars on display where PDK so this is clearly the way ahead otherwise they would not have been speced this way DSG seems popular on most off the VW ranges so perhaps this is the way all cars will come in the years ahead One day all cars will be made this way[]

 

[rs32]

thanks folks, it's great to get loads of sensible replies, much appreciated.

we're going back to take a very close look at the "better" example tomorrow. with a view to putting a deposit down, but I want my fiance to be completely comfortable with the swap.

one general comment - 2 different OPC's have been incredibly accomodating, no pressure (unlike BMW, Audi, VW and just about everyone else) and both prepared to spend time on us rather than dismissing us for more expensive sales. either they were always like this or they've recognised that a good experience is important. If we do buy then I'll post again with more details of the service received etc.

thanks again.

 

[rs32]

today went well and we've agreed a deal on the car.

manual Boxster S 2005/05

Cobalt Blue / blue hood / ocean blue leather
PASM
xenons
sound pack plus
electric/heated seats
wind deflector
top-tint windscreen
auto air-con

what has impressed me so much is the dealer's attitude throughout. no arguments about new mats, new tyres all round, 12 months tax (not the old Audi trick of 6 months and getting pissy about the extra 6) - all this on top of a 1k better trade-in on our Audi than Audi themselves offered.

paintwork all being sorted (very minor issues) and paint-protection film being applied to front bumper.

They wanted to sell a car, Audi rarely behave in this manner.

I hope my fiance enjoys her wedding present !

 

[Lottie]

Just to say we've now got it - (I'm Mrs rs32) and I am enjoying the wedding present very much - a 200 mile trip over the weekend taught me how it deals with monsoons as well - always a bonus! []

Having come from three previous TTs I'm finding the Boxster to be infinitely more "driveable" and with much better balance and weight. Bit of a shock having to change gear properly again but my left leg is getting used to that pedal called a clutch with not too much of an adjustment!

Thanks for all the help and advice as well.

I'm hoping we might get some sunshine as well soon......[8D]