Thinking of a change of car, anyone done this same change please?

[911hillclimber]

My 2.9 987.2 is running perfectly, NO WHITE smoke since fitting the new AOS (!) and sweet as a dream, just had it's 60k service early.
After 3 years sort of fancy a change, but not parting with much cash on top of the Boxster.

My thoughts are to a simple 996 Porsche '911' and hoping to go and see a blue one ( at least it is not silver...) 75K miles, 2002 face lift, had the IMS/Clutch/Seal/ Bore scope all done not long ago.
It is at a reputable indie who I know and trust.

However...
Is this a significant change worth my 987.2 and about 5K? Anyone on here done the same change please?

I have a 1973 911 hotrod (for 30 years now) so no stranger to the balance of these cars, but will it thrill?

 

[carnaby35]

Well almost- I went the other way. Had an absolutely mint 996 C4 53 reg 48k miles which I had owned for 10 yrs. Decided to get the car back to concours (it was already good) and keep for a few more years. Spent £1800 on paintwork and it was immaculate. Then took to my Indy and asked them what it needed to be mechanically perfect. It needed £7k spending on it!!
Had to bite the bullet and it cost me £4K to swap to a 10 plate 987.2 Boxster S with 21k miles. The car was a dream, delightful handling, top down motoring, two boots and importantly a lot newer and less troublesome than an older 911.
Kept the 987 for 2 1/2 yrs and recently swapped for a 718S which is a rocketship!!
cant see me paying a premium for another 911 anytime soon. My advice is keep the Boxster.
Hope this helps.????
Chris

 

[jimmy p]

Ive owned 2 x 996's, 1 996.2 C4S and 1 x 996.1 c2 along with numerous boxsters.
The 996's have a more grown up feel. Feeling of space and more airy.
But to the question, will it thrill?
No, not when compared to your 2.9 Boxster. That will feel more fun more of the time.
Ultimately as well the 996 is older and therefore running costs will be higher.
If it's thrills and fun you want either stick to your current car or swop to a 987.2 3.4 or a 981 would be my shout.

 

[911hillclimber]

Thank you both very much, just the kind of factual reply I was hoping for.
just given the 987 it's pre winter wax and it does look good, and gives you real time to look at it in detail.

I really am not sure to change, keep the money for a few good Euro road trips!

 

[legin]

Well I went the other way from two 993 then a 997 GTS manual then 981 spyder and now 987.2 S I dont think anything exists in the porsche lineup that will get near what you have already plus £5k. FWIW the spyder was better than the GTS and the 987 is 80% of the spyder for third the price. It has an incomparable useability , brand, desirability balance.

Realistically I think you have to change brand to get a thrill or worthwhile change above what you have plus 5k. Only two cars I have owned that are up there. Lotus Evora , Exige s2 (probably not plus 5k though but the values are solid) Merc SLK 55.

What about a cayman 987.2 S.

Oh on the 996 I wouldnt go there for many reasons

 

[911hillclimber]

I think we all find this 'moment' difficult.

Your are right about the Boxster's 'all-round-ability' very few cars can match it.
We do not use the drop head, I might if solo in the car, but my wife will not have it down, ever.
Thus the convertible feature is low on the list, a Cayman would be the best car but all are quite a lot for the same spec etc.
This Boxster is bog standard save for the bi head lamps, no other option at all, but I like it for this, I like simple 'weekend' cars.

Only other car that seems to 'excite' is a Nissan 370Z, practical, fast and seem to have few faults according to the wisdom of the internet!

I will go and see this 996 tomorrow; just spoken to the trusted indie specialist and it sounds that all the usual areas of concern are covered with an £8K bill in last Feb.

I originally went to see a 996 Targa at PCT which totally looked so boring in the usual grey/silver with grey interior, very disappointing, but my Boxster was sitting next to it and that was it.
Difficult indeed.

 

[legin]

Interested in what you make of it. I found the Nissan a bit of a lazy V6 my mate promptly sold it and bought a Maserati. Dont discount the slk 55, I fitted an LSD and Bilstein B8, to mine and it was the car i have kept the longest, only sold it because I got fed up with the 7G auto. Old school hot rod.

 

[carnaby35]

If you are only paying about £5k for an upgrade then just about all you are doing is paying for a dealers profit on the car you are weighing in and dealers profit on the car you are buying and ending up making a sideways move!!!

 

[911hillclimber]

Possibly so...
The Boxster is a high-days car, so I will not pour more money than £5K to change it for another that can do a euro tour as well as the Boxster, not looking for faster, or more handling etc, I don't blast about on the roads, have a race car for that game.

So IF I change it will be for something really quite the same, with much the same attributes as the 987.2 I have. Don't mind it being older by a few years (2002 911 v 2009 987), nervy of the older engine
but in my opinion the 996 is a nice car and I would want to stay with Porsche.

The 996 might hold it's value or appreciate where the 987.2 seems to be sinking still and at best holding it's own (rosy glasses).

Big downside to this particular 996 is that it is a customer car of the Indie, so there is no part-ex. I was looking to exchange the 987.2 +£5K for the 996.
The wife is as undecided as me, but this move must be governed by the head and not the heart (just for once).

 

[ScottishSpyder]

I had a 997 Carrera from new for 10 years and then bought a 4 year old 2.9 Boxster. I love the Boxster in a way I didn't with the 997. I find the handling more fun and the rear boot more useful than the 2 seats (marginal). You can also take the Boxster anywhere without a second thought.
I think you answered your own question if you don't often take the hood down - Cayman Gen2 2.9.
As an aside I dropped £40k on the 997 and doubt I have lost £5k on the Boxster since 2014.

 

[carnaby35]

Swap the wife for a newer model (ongoing maintenance may be higher) and then you can keep the Boxster and have the top down whenever you want without spending any money at all!!
Result!!??????

 

[911hillclimber]

Well, that might not work in my favour!

We went to see the 2002 C2 996 today, dark blue, 74K miles and all the IMS etc all done. Black leather with a few nice options.
Went there 1/2 hearted but with a view to a change from the (now) perfectly running Boxster.
Would be ready to deal the Box +a few £1,000's if it was nice.
It certainly was, really nice car, tons of work done, huge bills to prove it and gleamed in the autumn sun.
Wife thought it fabulous.
Engine start was quite remarkable, the Boxster sounds like it is an EV by comparison.
Chatted to the Indie who had the car, but it is for sale by the owner, a friend of the Indie.
Asked about a Deal. Nope.
Indie did not want my Boxster simply because nobody is buying them (and other Porsches) in his recent experience, so unless the Box is very cheap then it would not sell.
Thus, if we wanted the 996 then we would have to find the money to buy, and sell the Box. Far too much hassle and ££££££ tied up.
The car is a simple fun car and I'm not convinced that such money and effort are worth it.
Clearly, the market is indeed depressed in his experience and has been over several months.
Suitably dejected and pondering our navel's, we went to Caffeine and Machines for lunch.
Have to say the 987.2 is not a bad place to be so part of me is relieved that a deal could not happen.
At the lunch stop we chatted to a Cayman (Gen 2 / 2.7) couple who by chance had parked next to us.
The wife was particularly taken by this car, more so than the 996. He wanted to sell it! But we resisted the temptation twice which probably underlines what some are doing in Porsche circles, wanting to sell but it is not easy unless you are ready to give it away.

The 987.2 is on the drive.
Not going to 'hunt' any more but might put the car up for sale and see....

 

[legin]

Really does sound like you want to move to something different so putting it up for sale makes sense although spring time probably worth hanging on for.

I tweeked my 987.2 rear box by removing some superflous internals, sort of a diy carnewal but no cat mods. This combined with misfitting the airfilter cover has given it some more voice. Still on the quiet end though.

 

[911hillclimber]

I'm not in a rush, so will sleep on it for a while.

Have just spotted an even nicer sounding/better spec 996 for sale privately a touch cheaper, 4K more miles and a 2003!
There are plenty out there.
In the mean time I've emailed a few dealers to see what they are offering (if anything) on the 987.2.

Having cash in hand is always better than PX.

As to lost money...

I paid top dollar I think for the 987.2, nearly £20K with 38K miles 3 years ago at PCT, and have spent about £1500 on replacement parts over the 3 years. Service costs are there, but no more than other cars if you want a good stamp in the book.
We Buy Any Car have the car at £12K.

 

[carnaby35]

They don't want the Boxster because Porsches aren't selling but owner won't do a deal on the Porsche they are selling!!!
Typical dealer speak!!??????

 

[911hillclimber]

One of the dealers asking for 'your Porsche' quickly and politely replied, Thanks, but no Thanks, "not for us at this time".
The second who actually ask for 987.2's has not replied, so no excitement there either!

Conclusion is that the market is really flat, things are stagnant so I will be keeping the car or try again when the salt has gone and the sun is shining.

When all is said and done, this is a great car. Maybe a 996 next year.

 

[M40WST]

This time of year is only a good time for trade to buy convertibles, if your selling your definitely get more money for it spring/summer time.

Only people I know locally to me if Dove house who maybe the one you tried who were specially looking for 987.2s, there is also Ashgood Porsche at Heathrow you tend to have a good turn around in cars but then again more recently there stock has been 981s and 718s, the only 987 cars they have are spyders. But I did buy my 987.2 from them

 

[911hillclimber]

Thank you for those suggestions, I'll follow them up tomorrow.
Maybe an ad on here might do the trick!
Graham.

 

[legin]

One of the dealers asking for 'your Porsche' quickly and politely replied, Thanks, but no Thanks, "not for us at this time".
The second who actually ask for 987.2's has not replied, so no excitement there either!

Conclusion is that the market is really flat, things are stagnant so I will be keeping the car or try again when the salt has gone and the sun is shining.

When all is said and done, this is a great car. Maybe a 996 next year.

I have found these specialists that offer to buy your vehicle a waste of time so not surprised at the response. I offered my 997 GTS manual and my 981 spyder during the height of the silly season and they didnt want to buy on either occasion full stop.

They were both top spec, holy grail, low miles full OPC etc. In the end a local OPC bought the 981 and the 997 went to Hexagon and in both cases more money than the guide offers from the so called specialists (I know Hexagon is a specialist). They are sale or return merchants for the most part.

At the moment nothing is selling. Just seen two guys on PH who got approx 87k for 997.2 GTS,s they paid 120k for 17 months earlier. Took 3 months to sell. So to sell now you have to focus on the price to change, sell low buy low.

 

[911hillclimber]

On another Porsche forum, discussing the same thing, have been offered £11,500 for the car.
webuyanycar value it @ £11,125, so not very good!
for the 996 I went to see and want and the 3k my wife will agree to, there is a gulf...

All seems a non starter.