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Going from 986 to 987

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AndyN52

New member
Hi all,
Having done my research, I'm now more confused than ever. I have a 986 3.2S 2004 manual at the moment and am about to change to 987. I really can't decide between 2.7 manual or 3.2S manual or Tip. Any advice would be appreciated - I've not driven a Tip, so is it still a fun drive? Does the 2.7 feel underpowered?

Really appreciate your experiences to help make my choice :)

Thanks,
Andy
 
AndyN52 said:
Hi all,

Having done my research, I'm now more confused than ever. I have a 986 3.2S 2004 manual at the moment and am about to change to 987. I really can't decide between 2.7 manual or 3.2S manual or Tip. Any advice would be appreciated - I've not driven a Tip, so is it still a fun drive? Does the 2.7 feel underpowered?

Really appreciate your experiences to help make my choice :)

Thanks,

Andy
Click to expand...

My advice, go straight to a 987.2 S with or without PDK. I had three 986's prior and thought the 987.2 was a huge step up in performance. Porsche had sorted the engine issues by then, so peace of mind.

Best

Nic

 
Agree with NicD 987 S was a leap up from 986S .. We went 986 > 986S > 987S > (bunch more Boxsters)

Re Tip V Manual .. that is so personal .. Prior to our 2nd 987S all where manual and then we went Tip ... I had always said "No .. Manual and 3 pedals is what its all about" ..maybe I got old :) as I now so prefer Tip (or now as we have on the 981 GTS the PDK)

However all are good and whatever you get will not be disappointed

 
Bought my first Boxster about 4.5 years ago.

Stretched to a 987.2 to be free of all the IMS etc jungle, and you get the 6 speed box.

It is a simple 2.9 model, only option on it are the better headlamps which are really good. Wife would have preferred heated seats..

At 250 ish bhp I find it a bit wanting in acceleration, 0-60 in 6 seconds is not really fast enough today, but the 40 to 70 sprint (overtaking say) is a bit wanting too, so we just cruise in the car and the hot hatches wizzzz by.

In hind sight, the S would be far better.

 
I have a 2.9 and find you do have to work the silky engine to get the best out of, at mostly at street legal speeds. It has the same handling of an S. Sweet little car. I also think they are relatively rare and hold their value well. I doubt I would get much less than I paid for it in 2014.

 
0-60 in 6 seconds.... not in my 2.9 to be honest, since fitting the V3 sprint booster, panel filter, desnork and exhaust i've got it down to 5.2 seconds and that's a reliable figure too..... but that's just pub talk after all.

These cars aren't about 0-60 times though really... they're cruisers and smooth cruisers at that... 2nd 3rd and 4th gear pickup is excellent with the sprint booster though but it's amazing how docile she feels with it switched off..... not to mention it also acts as an immobiliser :).

986 and 987 differences are night and day but both hugely enjoyable cars in either guise.... especially when you hit 5k and you hear the howl.

Si.

 
Yes, the 2.9 is SO flexible, you can almost drive around in 6th all day.

Great touring car any weather.

I always want to look back at it when just parked and walking away.

I've had some irritations with it, but running so well now.





 
AndyN52 said:
Hi all,

Having done my research, I'm now more confused than ever. I have a 986 3.2S 2004 manual at the moment and am about to change to 987. I really can't decide between 2.7 manual or 3.2S manual or Tip. Any advice would be appreciated - I've not driven a Tip, so is it still a fun drive? Does the 2.7 feel underpowered?

Really appreciate your experiences to help make my choice :)

Thanks,

Andy
Click to expand...
Hi Andy,

If you’re thinking of a 987 2.7 car, it’ll be a first gen. There’s a lot of phobia around IMS bearings and bore scoring with these cars, but no more so than the 986 which you are already accustomed to. Yes it would be nice to have a second gen car and avoid any potential issues, but then you’ll enter the next price bracket up. If you check diligently, you can get a first gen car that’ll be fine. The IMS is improved around 2007 (IIRC), and bore scoring can be checked for before purchase. It only affects some cars Anyway.

With regards to dropping engine size to a 2.7, I think it depends on you, and where/how you drive. I’ve often thought that the lesser powered car might be more fun on the country roads, but less so on motorways. Ultimately, the best way to know is to test drive as many as you can on as many different types of roads as you can. Personally, I would prefer a well maintained 2.7, over an average S model. Whatever you choose, it’ll be fun!

 
Hi Andy

I’ve been looking to upgrade from my 986.2 2.7 to a 987 and my budget was for a gen 1 car. And I purchased just this week, a beautiful 987 2.7 in Atlas grey (the colour I wanted), 2006 plate, with extended leather, PASM, PCM, cruise control etc. I’m told it has the uprated IMS fitted. I’m delighted with the car, and I have to say the engine does have a even heartier note and pulls extremely well. I’ve never driven a 3.2 so cannot compare that. Good luck with your search, there are lots out there, and trade-in prices are very good too 👍

Richard

 
Thanks all for your replies. I bought a 3.2S 987 in the end - but it's going back to the dealer as I've found some issues with it, including starter motor, O2 sensors and a/c condensors. Lovely car apart from that.....

 
I went with manual and, thankfully, I had a PPI done on it today. Some small issues, but apart from that it got the thumbs up from the Porsche specialist - apparently it was feeling a bit rough due to the tyres being old. Given that, I've just ordered a full set of Eagle F1 Asymmetrics.

 
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