Mission Aborted: 987.1 Boxster S Manual

MR_Y

Well-known member
Edit: the deal was cancelled due to reasons explained later in the thread


As posted elsewhere, I was looking for a 911.
However, on testing the 991.1, I was disappointed with how much it offered in terms of driving enjoyment vs the price. Also, a rear engined car cannot really feel better than a mid engined car, in the real world in the hands of the average driver.

Through a series of fortunate events, I found a 2006 987.1 Boxster S Manual (103,000km) and it ticked most of my boxes, especially given its price. This is from an independent dealer, so no comfort of warranty or maintenance plan here. Service history is comprehensive, but I will budget for the dreaded IMS bearings issues and I also need to buy a set of Michelin PS4s (current tyres are Apollos).

Yes, this doesn't have rear seats which prevents it from being a family, short trip, fun car, but because it is relatively affordable, I can still keep my Macan to deal with the family spirited driving and not feel too selfish when I indulge on a lonely drive to clear my head in the 987.

Anyway, this is one of the cheaper 987.1 Boxster S models on the market and that definitely played into my decision to buy it.

The car is off to Cafe9 Porsche Specialists for a full run down and to address a few issues and then I will post more pictures and a full review.

I expect this car to maintain its value, if not appreciate slightly (especially if the IMS bearings are sorted out). So, that is what I tell myself to validate the decision:)

This is also a partly speculative buy, and I am not intending to keep it for too long. But, let's see how it behaves. This is the first car that I will own that will run naked (no warranty, no maintenance plan) and I am aware that it will not be cheap to run, so eyes wide open but hopefully the joy of driving it outweighs the costs.

Anyway, more to follow in the coming weeks after a proper detail. No PPF on the cards, given that I want to budget more for maintenance instead of aesthetics.

(As with my other cars, the number plate will be changed)

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r0ckf1re

Well-known member
As posted elsewhere, I was looking for a 911.
However, on testing the 991.1, I was disappointed with how much it offered in terms of driving enjoyment vs the price. Also, a rear engined car cannot really feel better than a mid engined car, in the real world in the hands of the average driver.

Through a series of fortunate events, I found a 2006 987.1 Boxster S Manual and it ticked most of my boxes, especially given its price. This is from an independent dealer, so no comfort of warranty or maintenance plan here. Service history is comprehensive, but I will budget for the dreaded IMS bearings issues and I also need to buy a set of Michelin PS4s (current tyres are Apollos).

Yes, this doesn't have rear seats which prevents it from being a family, short trip, fun car, but because it is relatively cheap, I can still keep my Macan to deal with the family spirited driving and not feel too selfish when I indulge on a lonely drive to clear my head.

Anyway, this is one of the cheaper 987.1 Boxster S models on the market and that definitely played into my decision to buy it.

The car is off to Cafe9 Porsche Specialists for a full run down and to address a few issues and then I will post more pictures and a full review.

I expect this car to maintain its value, if not appreciate slightly (especially if the IMS bearings are sorted out). So, that is what I tell myself to validate the decision:)

This is also a partly speculative buy, and I am not intending to keep it for too long. But, let's how it behaves. This is the first car that I will own that will run naked (no warranty, no maintenance plan) and I am aware that it will not be cheap to run, so eyes wide open but hopefully the joy of driving it outweighs the costs.

Anyway, more to follow in the coming weeks after a proper detail. No PPF on the cards, given that I want to budget more for maintenance instead of aesthetics.

(As with my other cars, the number plate will be changed)

View attachment 17748

Congrats, happy safe motoring.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

TBP88

Well-known member
As posted elsewhere, I was looking for a 911.
However, on testing the 991.1, I was disappointed with how much it offered in terms of driving enjoyment vs the price. Also, a rear engined car cannot really feel better than a mid engined car, in the real world in the hands of the average driver.

Through a series of fortunate events, I found a 2006 987.1 Boxster S Manual and it ticked most of my boxes, especially given its price. This is from an independent dealer, so no comfort of warranty or maintenance plan here. Service history is comprehensive, but I will budget for the dreaded IMS bearings issues and I also need to buy a set of Michelin PS4s (current tyres are Apollos).

Yes, this doesn't have rear seats which prevents it from being a family, short trip, fun car, but because it is relatively cheap, I can still keep my Macan to deal with the family spirited driving and not feel too selfish when I indulge on a lonely drive to clear my head.

Anyway, this is one of the cheaper 987.1 Boxster S models on the market and that definitely played into my decision to buy it.

The car is off to Cafe9 Porsche Specialists for a full run down and to address a few issues and then I will post more pictures and a full review.

I expect this car to maintain its value, if not appreciate slightly (especially if the IMS bearings are sorted out). So, that is what I tell myself to validate the decision:)

This is also a partly speculative buy, and I am not intending to keep it for too long. But, let's how it behaves. This is the first car that I will own that will run naked (no warranty, no maintenance plan) and I am aware that it will not be cheap to run, so eyes wide open but hopefully the joy of driving it outweighs the costs.

Anyway, more to follow in the coming weeks after a proper detail. No PPF on the cards, given that I want to budget more for maintenance instead of aesthetics.

(As with my other cars, the number plate will be changed)

View attachment 17748
MR_Y you move fast! Haha

Car does look pretty clean, any mods planned for it seeing as it's out of plan and all...
 

gavsadler

///Member
Congrats on the new wheels, keen to see how this ownership experience pans out.

And of course how well it handles at the next skid pan event
 

Razz

Well-known member
Congrats
May she give you miles of smiles

I keep coming back to a Boxster or Z4 despite the obvious impracticality.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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MR_Y

Well-known member
MR_Y you move fast! Haha

Car does look pretty clean, any mods planned for it seeing as it's out of plan and all...
Well, I am puckering up for the Porsche Specialist report and estimates to fix some issues aftermarket. Once the basics are sorted out, I will only apply mods that won't negatively impact the value. First upgrade will be Michelin PS4s - the Apollos are horrendous.
 

Nish_H

Well-known member
Congratulations man, wish you all the best and many safe miles.

Car looks clean - look forward to more photos and detailed review.
 

Del-Bosc

Active member
Congrats, This is such a great choice. The 987 with the top down makes a beautiful sound. Are you thinking about exhaust options ?
 

MR_Y

Well-known member
Congrats, This is such a great choice. The 987 with the top down makes a beautiful sound. Are you thinking about exhaust options ?
Thanks.
Yes, the car has no sports exhaust. I will apply improvements slowly and cautiously to the car, but exhaust will be done when budget allows.
 

TBP88

Well-known member
Thanks.
Yes, the car has no sports exhaust. I will apply improvements slowly and cautiously to the car, but exhaust will be done when budget allows.
Sounds like a good plan and these are such a good base with plenty of aftermarket mod support. I'm sure you can get updated android auto/carplay infotainment as well as some subtle mods.

Eventually I want to get some seat inserts done for my own car just to give it some more individualisation on the look.
In terms of value I think the 987.1 is pretty much at or close to the bottom of it's curve right now. A good one well taken care off might appreciate slightly (but as always, I never think cars make good investments, you just aim to minimize loss). Keep us updated on this one!
 

MR_Y

Well-known member
Congrats bud! Beautiful car and your first manual Porsche if I'm not mistaken!
Yes, in fact my first manual owned car since 2015! My last manual was an A3.

I am so glad that I didn't stall it or roll back when test driving the 987 in hectic Fourways traffic :) The clutch is very solid and progressive on these cars, so you can really feel the bite point easily. I like clutches that take up around mid way on the pedal travel and have some heft to it. I usually struggle with Japanese cars that take up too low and feel too soft to modulate (I stalled an MX5 that I test drove recently). Granted, a very high clutch bite point can point to other clutch issues.

Anyway, the clutch will be assessed by Cafe 9 as well as part of their assessment. I stayed away from used PDKs because they are super expensive to fix/replace vs an old fashioned clutch.
 
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///M Individual

Well-known member
Yes, in fact my first manual owned car since 2015! My last manual was an A3.

I am so glad that I didn't stall it or roll back when test driving the 987 in hectic Fourways traffic :) The clutch is very solid and progressive on these cars, so you can really feel the bite point easily. I like clutches that take up around mid way on the pedal travel and have some heft to it. I usually struggle with Japanese cars that take up too low and feel too soft to modulate (I stalled an MX5 that I test drove recently). Granted, a very high clutch bite point can point to other clutch issues.

Anyway, the clutch will be assessed by Cafe 9 as well as part of their assessment. I stayed away from used PDKs because they are super expensive to fix/replace vs an old fashioned clutch.

Agree Porsche manuals are very hard to stall from the 997 Turbo and quite a few 996 GT3's and 996 GT2 I have driven.

Although the GT4 I drove recently, I managed to stall on a slight incline. 🤐
 

MR_Y

Well-known member
In terms of value I think the 987.1 is pretty much at or close to the bottom of it's curve right now. A good one well taken care off might appreciate slightly (but as always, I never think cars make good investments, you just aim to minimize loss). Keep us updated on this one!
The 987.1 is marked lower than the 987.2 because of the IMS/RMS and bore score issues. 987.2 are approaching 981.1 values, especially since they have the more reliable engines (over the 987.1) and still have mechanical power steering (the 981 does not).

Preventative maintenance on 987.1 will be expensive, BUT because the issues are so well known, you can budget for them and know what to expect. Also, if you can get a 987.1 cheap enough, the added cost of preventative maintenance + purchase price should be less than a stock 987.2.

Anyway, I know that this is not going to be a bed of roses. But, if you adjust expectations accordingly, it should be worth the experience.

(For those who are unfamiliar with Porsche model codes - the first Boxster was the 986, then came the 987 (which brought the Cayman as well), then the 981 (Porsche went backward in numbering). The latest Boxster/Cayman is the 981.2, also called the 718.

.1 is the first gen of a model life cycle.
.2 is the facelift, which also includes new engines in most cases.)
 

KPM3_30

Moderator
Staff member
Congrats on an awesome buy, proper Porsche fanatic now.. Wishing you many miles of smiles in the new car.
 
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