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Ideally 15K but a max budget of £20k……

justin.nott

PCGB Member
Member
….so does my son stretch to a 981or go 987……first Porsche and seems easier to cap the budget at 15k and just consider 987s!!!

Appreciate there are loads of variable but let’s start with it doesn’t need to be an 3.2/3.4 or PDK.

Any thoughts much appreciated
 
Go for the best example within budget and maybe even leave a couple of k in the pot for any jobs that may need doing or to make it how you want it.
Decent mileage but most of all a documented service history.
Best advice is fine a potential and get it checked over by a Porsche specialists to see what condition the cars in could save you lots of money and heartache.
 
When I was getting out of my short term ownership of a BMW Z4 I wanted a 993.
Go to see one at PCT and it was so dull.
Next to it was a 2.9 2009 Basic Boxster, then with 33K miles and full service history.
Only option ticked was fancy bright lights which certainly work.

Basic 981.2, 6 speed manual and really quite simple.

Quite a rare car now for some reason, drives really well and really delivers the 'experience'.

The car has been with me since 2016 and now 85K miles.

All original suspension front and rear, all works etc, but has been a bit expensive along the way, window regulators, a few pipes in the front, A/C condensers and a few sets of tyres.
Service at a good indie is a cost saving (Zuffenhaus for me).
I guess soon will be a clutch (still on the original) and the front of the car has a lot of road-trip stone chips....but you buy one of these to drive it.
IMHO and experience the above advice is totally correct.

Heated seats option well worth it, wish mine had them (or rather the wife does).

I would be warey of low mile cars but service history is key.



 
Last edited:
Hi Justin,

I doubt that you’ll find a 981 for your £15k budget, so I’d be inclined to try to find a Gen2 987, although most likely it will be a 2.9L car with a reasonable mileage.

As always buy on condition and a well-documented main dealer or reputable Porsche Independent service history, and as mentioned a PPI will be money well spent, especially if it throws up some items which provide some wriggle room on price.

If you’ve not done so already, have a look at the Boxster Buyers’ Guides on the Club’s pages.

Good luck!

Jeff
 
Thank you all, that’s very helpful, we are currently scouring the ads for cars and I have to say 2.9 987.2‘s have moved up in price if you want less than 60k miles.
 
It will be interesting what you find, but I've come to the same conclusion. Prices, esp at specailaist dealers, have risen on low mile cars.

Not sure these car like standing still for long, best regularly driven.
Based only on my 9 years of my car only:

Does everything work? Esp A/C and engine temperature.
Check service has followed the handbook schedule and is so stamped and invoices present.
Long MoT so corrosion on inside disc surfaces are not an issue, let alone all the normal stuff involved in the test.
Are carpets dry? Does the owner know how to clear the soft top drains?
Are there any leaks/drips from the front undertray ( leaking coolant pipes, a £1000 job).
Does it drive as you wish/expect the car to drive? A Boxster should be exciting, smooth and very capable and sure. Ride will be 'firm'

If this and more all feel good and the car arrives on your drive, plan a good road trip! Spring will soon be here.

 
I am biased as I have one but the 2.9 is a sweet little engine that became 2.7 in the 981. I also think the 987.2 is the last model regular specialists can easily work on before the 981 onwards moved towards fancy electrics. Not to mention the steering feel. As above, I have driven over Spain and France in my 10 years that I have had the car. It is a keeper.
 
….so does my son stretch to a 981or go 987……first Porsche and seems easier to cap the budget at 15k and just consider 987s!!!

Appreciate there are loads of variable but let’s start with it doesn’t need to be an 3.2/3.4 or PDK.

Any thoughts much appreciated

For a 15K budget, you will not find a good 981. I would suggest you get the best 987 base model you can find for £20K, buy from a reputable dealer and get it inspected by an expert who will check that EVERYTHING works.

The later 987.2 has the more robust MA1 direct injection engine with lower emissions, better fuel economy and lower road tax . Note that some 2009 registered cars are 987.1s. The 987 also has fewer electronics than the 981 e.g, the latter has start/stop, electric parking brake, electric power steering and possibly more.

I am the third owner of a 92K mile 2010 987.2 Cayman. I have owned it for 10 years. Service has been as per the book except that, regardless of miles covered, I change the oil and filter annually . This helps keep the engine clean and healthy.
The car had a new clutch and brakes when I bought it. In the 10 years since, in addition to the usual wear and tear (brakes, tyres etc.), notable work has amounted to the following:
2019 - window regulator cable (corroded and snapped)
2020 - front coolant pipes, mentioned by others. Note, many don't last 10 years
2021 - one failed coil pack
2022 - auxiliary drive belt tensioner replaced,
2023 - front suspension struts and rear track control arms replaced (at 84K miles, by OPC).
2024 - snapped gear selector cable replaced last August (at 89K miles, again by OPC)
Personally, I don't think that is bad for 10 years of ownership given the age and milage on the car.
 

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