Thinking Of a Possible Change!

[Guest]

I currently own a 99 Boxster 2.5. I am thinking of changing it to something a little cheaper so I can buy a house and free up some money.

I have always liked the 986 and would quite fancy one, all I wanted to know is waht they are like maintenance wise and cost wise? What should I look for and how much could I expect to pay for a decent model? What is the Best model to get? I like the Club Sport but don't think this will free up enough money!

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks


Tom

 

[John H]

Tom,

Read back through this forum and you will find quite a lot of info. However the best thing to do is to join the excellent 968UK forum, where you will find the answers to your questions and lots more. Try this http://www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/index.php

In general though, a 968 will probably cost a bit more in maintenance than a Boxster, if only 'cos it is now an older car. Camshafts and brakes are probably the two most troublesome and expensive areas. The other good advice is that condition and recent history are more important than model, colour, age, etc.

968's are relatively rare, but there are good ones out there if you are patient.

Best of luck

John H

 

[Guest]

Tom,

I went from a Silver 2.5 1999 Boxster to Speed Yellow 968 coupe! I have not had the 968 long enough to give any proper figures but I have budgeted £1000pa for maintenance a lot more than I ever had to spend on the Boxster.

Chris.

 

[timward]

The 968 is a highly rewarding car, extremely competent, built as if hewn from solid granite and great fun to drive. It will also be quicker than your boxster!!!
comparative maintenence costs will in part depend on where youve had the boxster serviced. you'd be barking mad to get a 968 serviced at an OPC - parts and labour are ruinous and since OPCs dont sell 968s any more, the pool of experience diminishes year by year. If youve had the boxster sorted via OPCs, then the running costs of a 968 through an independent will be less. If youve had the boxster serviced through an independent already then be prepared to budget for a little more.
Having said that, if you seek out an example with an impeccable service record you should be ok. Belts need doing every 40-50K, budget £400+ for this. If the cam teeth break (rare despite the many apocryphal stories on the matter) then youre looking at £1-1.5K from an independent, £3K++ from an OPC. Apart from cams however they are pretty reasonable. clutch is extremely easy to replace (unlike the 944) and I cant think of any other obvious achilles heels. electrics, sticky windows, starter motors, all niggly things but hardly budget breaking.
Dont know how much your boxster is worth - ?£20K. You are probably going to free up £5-7K.
Opinions vary on the best model. My cab is very user friendly and the standard lux trim essentially gives you a modern car with little hassle and huge driveability. If youre feeling bonkers then the clubsport is the one, but the ride is very much on the firm side and it may get a bit wearing, especially after a hard day at the office. the sport has the same suspension as the CS so a similar "firm" ride but then of course you get HANDLING in return. If its a daily drive youre after I'd go for standard lux trim or the cab which Ive found superb. Others I'm sure will disagree
Money issues aside, the 968 offers a different though very comparable driving experience to the boxster. Against the 2.5 or the 2.7 I'd lay money on the 968 any day, irrespective of financial considerations. The 3.2? well, thats a different story. its also a whole lot more money. Summarising, I defy anyone to beat the 968 driving experience for similar money.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the Help/info.

The car will be a second car as I have a Golf TDi for the Long commute, I do far to many miles to put it on the Boxster! Which is why I quite fancy the Clubsport version, plus I do enjoy the odd track day etc, but I'm sure any 968 will perform well on a track!

I am looking at a property tonight, which I can afford with my Boxster but then it needs a Full re-decoration, Carpets, kitchen, bathroom etc which is the main reason I need to free up some cash!

I will firstly see if I get the Property, I'm not prepared to pay near the asking price as its too high! If accepted I feel the Boxster may be on the Market, then I can take my time in finding a 968 or alternative Porsche.[]

 

[2.4te]

Not wanting to offend, but I would get out of the Boxster while it's still running and before it suffers catastrophic engine failure. Had the belts on my 968 adjusted recently at my independent and there on a pallet was a terminally failed Boxster engine (less than 50k miles) ready to go back to Porsche for inspection. Replacement new engine fitted, ca. £6k at owner's expense of course, due to Porsche denying responsibility. Engine failures not uncommon on 996 and Boxster, by all accounts. Law suit in progress on example given above.

 

[Mr968]

just to add credence to the last posting, while picking up parts for my 968 at the local OPC there were about half a dozen pallets outside the parts department each one with a flat six engine for replacement.

 

[graham m]

Yes I've noticed these as well. [&:] Very hard not to mind you as there's so many of the flaming units.
Graham

 

[968er]

Lets assume that you have bought a car that has had the main items sorted, such as clutch, pinion bearings, belts etc.

Also if you do not factor in mods the actual cost of running a 968 as a 2nd car is more likely going to be in the region of about £400 pa tops.

Taking the first point, if there is no documentation to prove any of these items have been that is a major negotiating point.

Jumping from a 986 to a 968 will be a bit of a culture shock, a bit like a 996 owner going to a 993, but as has been stated above there are a lot of major faults in the 996 and the 986 surrounding the engine, but that being said if you can move away from the modern feel of the Boxter the 968 is very rewarding.

 

[paulf968]

This may appear controversial but if realising as much cash as you can is the main issue, secondly if it will not be your daily driver and thirdly you want to have some fun in it.

Then a 944 may be the way to go -- you can find a good late one maybe even a turbo and have plenty of change out of 10k.

Just a thought.


paul f

 

[Big Dave]

I second that thought from Mr Follet ....As thats exactly what ive just done.
and theres little difference between a 968 + a 944S2...

If your after VFM then a S2 is hard to beat ...

 

[Guest]

I had been thinking about a 944 also, as its my Second car I am not to worried about the moderness of it, this will only be used for Track days and the weekend/evening blasts!

Do the 944's go as well as the 968's on track? What are the Cabriolets like? I have seen an 89 one for sale with good miles and good price from a Porsche Specialist. Not sure I will want a cabriolet though!

 

[944Turbo]

The late turbo's are easy (and cheap) to get over 300bhp/300ft/lbs reliably and thay have an LSD, gearbox cooler and big brakes as standard.
Tony

 

[timward]

ORIGINAL: tjdixon911

I had been thinking about a 944 also, as its my Second car I am not to worried about the moderness of it, this will only be used for Track days and the weekend/evening blasts!

Do the 944's go as well as the 968's on track? What are the Cabriolets like?

much as I adore the 968, I'd have to agree that for a trackday car you'll get better value from a 944., especially a good turbo which, properly set up, will blast the pants off most things and offers excellent potential for tweaking and BHP increases.

but I'd steer clear of a cab, either 968 or 944, if its track youre after. firstly they weigh significantly more due to the hood mechanism, secondly the drag is increased on a cab (roof down) and thirdly you really want the reassurance of a fixed roof in case you roll over - structurally much much more sound (think eggs)

 

[chfs911]

Other options worth thinking about are

http://the-corrado.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19729

RHD 968s are overpriced due to te limited supply of good ones.

Classic Storms have 6 cylinders and with a Shrick fitted will be close to the 968.

Better in the snow too ;O)

 

[John H]

Fair point, but at nearly £9,000, even good Corrados can hardly be called cheap either. I guess that as with most things in life ... you get what you pay for!

JH

 

[chfs911]

Reduced to 8500!!!!

Double what a non Storm would be but it has full leather and a low mileage V6

Swap mine for a Club Sport ;o)

Anyone???

 

[Mr968]

RHD 968s are overpriced

is that comment coming from a 911 owner []
968s are one of the best value for money cars around and that includes 911s, pay the same money for a 911 as you would a 968 and then compare what you get and the value for money.[8D]

Mr moderator please sort these guys out would you, never seen so many anti 968 comments on the 968 forum. []

 

[chfs911]

Fancy a Club Sport but they are holding their values a bit like the 964RS.

29K new and 10 years on 15K for a decent one. LHD not much cheaper.

964 C2 was 50K plus and you can pick one up for 14K!!!

I rest my case.

The 968 is the better buy but you need to be able to afford one! VR6 will have to keep me going a bit longer.

 

[chrisr]

Its all about opinion that makes debate interesting - personally Im a big fan of the 968 but carnt see the difference of say circa £ 6-8k in swopping my 944 S2 for what is fundamentally the same car , but a 964 C2 over a 968 IMO I'd stick my foot in the 968 camp but being a front engined man you may say that was obvious []