Spec me - £20k genuinely sporty.
- Thread starter hurfdurf
- Start date
I went through the same question about 5 years ago and with a slightly higher budget and the Boxster S (987, 3.4L) was the outstanding choice. I had mine on an OPC warranty which made the running costs very cheap but they are absolutely fantastic cars.
Yeah loads. Seen any genuinely sporty drop tops with auto boxes?
Just keep a Corsa and £10k handy for when they blow up.
Well, mine was under OPC warranty for the 3 years of ownership but nothing major actually went wrong during the time. The car was 4 years old when I got it (68k) and 7 (80k) when I sold it and the warranty only ended up paying out for a few small bits.
It's very interesting as I think I only paid around £22k for mine when it was 4 years old (from a main dealer, with a 2 year warranty) and a 7 year old model of similar spec is up for £21k!
Enjoy - as normal with a Porsche there's a plethora of options, so I'd make sure you work out which ones are truly optional. Probably the two most driver-focused ones: with PDK I think Sport Chrono is essential as you can really sharpen up the gearbox/throttle when you wish, similarly PASM allows the same with the suspension.
It's one of those internet myths. A higher proportion of cars compared with an 'average' fault probably do but personally I think it's massive over egged by online forums. Think 5 in every 100 cars rather than 1 or something. That car that is being linked is still suitable for an OPC warranty.
I think I'd probably get the seller to submit it for the OPC check (about £100). The car must past the check before it can have the warranty applied so pay for them to put it through the check. If it passes pay them to get the warranty attached for 2 years and buy the car (don't buy the car and then try as you must wait a certain period as a new owner I believe).
From there on out you need the OPC check every time you want to renew the 2 year warranty but as the car will already be in warranty they fix anything it fails on for free. It's well worth it for the piece of mind. You get the added benefit of if something does ever go wrong with your car they just loan you a new Boxster S until yours is fixed and someone else picks up the bill.
Servicing is only once every 2 years / 20k as well.
The 2009 update which introduced PDK instead of the tiptronic auto also came with a new generation of engines, which aren't prone to the bore-scoring issues. Still 3.4L in the S, but direct fuel injection and about 20hp more. The 111-point check is more like £200 now, it's 90 days before a new owner can get the warranty but can be transferred without interruption between private seller and buyer as above 
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I think those DFI years are the pick of that age tbh. unfortunately theres not too many about as they were only made for a few years prior to the 981 being introduced. Seems they get about 25-30k territory for an S. The 981s in 2.7 guise start at about 30. Difficult choice tbh.
I am currently spending a lot of time (again) looking at previous model Boxster's as a replacement for my wife's MX5. I think the 981 model is the absolute sweet spot for the Boxster as it looks the best after they FINALLY realised it was ugly from the back quarter and it was the last flat 6 one, so my view is these will be the one people want. However 20K isn't going to get you one...SO SPEND MORE!!!
im of the same opinion - inc the cayman. by the time you've talked yourself out of the 987.1 (engine issues etc) and into the 987.2 your basically a few k away from a 981 anyhow. pony up.
a 981 2.7 would be fine 9/10 of the time. just got to keep away from the ones with poverty spec and small wheels as they look gash.
a 981 2.7 would be fine 9/10 of the time. just got to keep away from the ones with poverty spec and small wheels as they look gash.
I can well believe this, an acquaintance changed his e61 M5 touring which he'd had from new for a Cheyenne Turbo which was 12months old but bought as an OPC from a dealer, he ran it for three years in which time it didn't breakdown or want for anything other than routine servicing, the M5 during his 4 year ownership broke down numerous times and produced ruinous bills (he made the mistake of not extending the warranty) including amongst other things a five figure transmission & engine replacement outlay.
He's now got a Cayman which has been equally faultless and is converted to the church of Porsche although his wife still has a 640d....
How long ago was this? Post recession genuinely sporty cars lost a lot of value very quickly.
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Mar 2013
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- 9,578
I had a 981 as a courtesy car a couple of years ago while my 996 turbo was being serviced by the OPC in leeds. Despite it only being a base 2.7 boxster, it had pdk and PSE, with the roof down it sounded awesome and felt as quick as my car however there was a lot of crosswind while driving.
Purchased in 2012, sold in 2015.
Same, anyone got a link to the costs/age restrictions?
Seeing that Boxster S this Saturday now.